FORM 10-K
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
Form 10-K
 
     
(Mark One)    
 
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
or
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the transition period from          to          
 
Commission file number 1-584
 
FERRO CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Ohio   34-0217820
(State of Corporation)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
1000 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, OH
(Address of principal executive offices)
  44114
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 216-641-8580
 
Securities Registered Pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
 
Common Stock, par value $1.00   New York Stock Exchange
 
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due August 15, 2013
Series A ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock, without Par Value
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  YES  þ     NO  o
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  YES o     NO  þ
 
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 þ     NO o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained here, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ
 
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. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer þ Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  YES o     NO þ
 
The aggregate market value of Ferro Corporation Common Stock, par value $1.00, held by non-affiliates and based on the closing sale price as of June 30, 2008, was approximately $790,430,000.
 
On February 27, 2009, there were 44,668,093 shares of Ferro Corporation Common Stock, par value $1.00 outstanding.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Portions of the Proxy Statement for Ferro Corporation’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 


 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 
      Business     Page 3  
      Risk Factors     Page 8  
      Unresolved Staff Comments     Page 14  
      Properties     Page 14  
      Legal Proceedings     Page 14  
      Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     Page 15  
 
PART II
      Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     Page 17  
      Selected Financial Data     Page 18  
      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     Page 18  
      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     Page 39  
      Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     Page 41  
      Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     Page 94  
      Controls and Procedures     Page 94  
      Other Information     Page 96  
 
PART III
      Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     Page 97  
      Executive Compensation     Page 97  
      Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     Page 97  
      Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     Page 98  
      Principal Accountant Fees and Services     Page 98  
 
PART IV
      Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules     Page 99  
 EX-10.16
 EX-10.17
 EX-10.18
 EX-10.20
 EX-10.21
 EX-10.22
 EX-10.23
 EX-10.24
 EX-10.31
 EX-12
 EX-21
 EX-23.1
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2


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PART I
 
Item 1 —  Business
 
History, Organization and Products
 
Ferro Corporation was incorporated in Ohio in 1919 as an enameling company. When we use the terms “Ferro,” “we,” “us” or “the Company,” we are referring to Ferro Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries unless we indicate otherwise. Today, we are a leading producer of specialty materials and chemicals that are sold to a broad range of manufacturers who, in turn, make products for many end-use markets. In approximately 50 manufacturing sites around the world, we produce the following types of products:
 
  •  Inorganic specialty products — High-quality glazes, frits, enamels, pigments, dinnerware decoration colors and other performance materials;
 
  •  Organic specialty products — Polymer specialty materials, engineered plastic compounds, pigment dispersions, and high-potency pharmaceutical active ingredients; and
 
  •  Electronic materials — High-performance dielectrics, conductive pastes, metal powders and polishing materials.
 
We refer to our products as performance materials and chemicals because we formulate them to perform specific functions in the manufacturing processes and end products of our customers. The products we develop often are delivered to our customers in combination with customized technical service. The value of our products stems from the benefits they deliver in actual use. We develop and deliver innovative products to our customers through our key strengths in:
 
  •  Particle Engineering — Our ability to design and produce very small particles made of a broad variety of materials, with precisely controlled characteristics of shape, size and size distribution. We understand how to disperse these particles within liquid, paste and gel formulations.
 
  •  Color and Glass Science — Our understanding of the chemistry required to develop and produce pigments that provide color characteristics ideally suited to customers’ applications. We have a demonstrated ability to provide glass-based coatings with properties that precisely meet customers’ needs in a broad variety of applications.
 
  •  Surface Chemistry and Surface Application Technology — Our understanding of chemicals and materials used to develop products and processes that involve the interface between layers and the surface properties of materials.
 
  •  Product Formulation — Our ability to develop and manufacture combinations of materials that deliver specific performance characteristics designed to work within customers’ particular manufacturing processes.
 
We deliver these key technical strengths to our customers in a way that creates additional value through our integrated applications support. Our applications support personnel are involved in our customers’ material specification and evaluation, product design and manufacturing process characterization in order to help customers optimize the efficient and cost-effective application of our products.


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We divide our operations into seven business units, which comprise six reportable business segments. We have grouped these units by their product group below:
 
         
Inorganic Specialties
 
Organic Specialties
 
Electronic Material Systems
 
• Tile Coating Systems(1)  
• Polymer Additives
  • Electronic Materials
         
•   Porcelain Enamel(1)
  •   Specialty Plastics    
         
• Color and Glass
Performance Materials
 
•   Pharmaceuticals
   
 
 
(1) Tile Coating Systems and Porcelain Enamel are combined into one reportable business segment, Performance Coatings, for financial reporting purposes.
 
In past years, our Other Businesses segment reported the combined results of operations from Ferro’s Pharmaceuticals and Fine Chemicals businesses. The Fine Chemicals business was sold during the fourth quarter of 2008, and the financial results from this business are now included in discontinued operations.
 
Markets and Customers
 
Ferro’s products are used in a variety of product applications in markets including:
 
  •  Appliances
 
  •  Transportation
 
  •  Building and renovation
 
  •  Electronics
 
  •  Household furnishings
 
  •  Industrial products
 
  •  Packaging
 
  •  Pharmaceuticals
 
Many of our products are used as coatings on our customers’ products, such as glazes and decorations on tile, glass and dinnerware. Other products are applied as films in products such as solar cells and other electronic components. Still other products are added to other ingredients during our customers’ manufacturing processes to provide desirable properties to the end product. Often, our products are a small portion of the total cost of our customers’ products, but they can be critical to the appearance or functionality of those products.
 
Our leading customers include manufacturers of tile, major appliances, construction materials, automobile parts, glass, bottles, vinyl flooring and wall coverings, solar cells, multi-layer capacitors, and pharmaceuticals. Many of our customers, including makers of major appliances and automobile parts, purchase materials from more than one of our business units. Our customer base is well diversified both geographically and by end market.
 
We generally sell our products directly to our customers. However, a portion of our business uses indirect sales channels, such as agents and distributors, to deliver products to market. In 2008, no single customer or related group of customers represented more than 10% of net sales. In addition, none of our reportable segments is dependent on any single customer or related group of customers.
 
Backlog of Orders and Seasonality
 
Generally, there is no significant lead time between customer orders and delivery in any of our business segments. As a result, we do not consider that the dollar amount of backlogged orders believed to be firm is material information for an understanding of our business. We also do not regard any material part of our business to be seasonal. However, customer demand has historically been higher in the second quarter when building and renovation markets are particularly active, and this quarter is normally the strongest for sales and operating profit.
 
Competition
 
In most of our markets, we have a substantial number of competitors, none of which is dominant. Due to the diverse nature of our product lines, no single competitor directly matches all of our product offerings. Our competition varies by product and by region, and is based primarily on price, product quality and performance,


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customer service and technical support, and our ability to develop custom products to meet specific customer requirements.
 
We are a worldwide leader in the production of glass enamels, porcelain enamels and ceramic glaze coatings. There is strong competition in our markets, ranging from large multinational corporations to local producers. While many of our customers purchase custom products and formulations from us, our customers could generally buy from other sources, if necessary.
 
Raw Materials and Supplier Relations
 
Raw materials widely used in our operations include:
 
     
Metal Oxides:(1)   Precious and Non-precious Metals:(3)
 
• Zinc oxide
    • Gold
• Cobalt oxide
    • Platinum
• Lead oxide
    • Palladium
• Aluminum oxide
    • Silver
• Nickel oxide
    • Titanium
   
  • Chromium
Polymers:(2)
 
  • Copper
• Polypropylene
    • Bismuth
• Unsaturated polyester
    • Lithium
• Polystyrene
    • Zinc
     
Other Inorganic Materials:
  Other Organic Materials: (4)
• Zircon(1)
    • Phthalic anhydride
• Feldspar(1)
    • Toluene
• Silica(1)
    • Butanol
• Titanium dioxide(2)
    • Tallow
• Fiberglass(2)
    • Soybean oil
• Boron(3)
   
 
 
(1) Primarily used by Color and Glass Performance Materials, Tile Coating Systems and Porcelain Enamel.
 
(2) Primarily used by Specialty Plastics.
 
(3) Primarily used by Electronic Materials and Color and Glass Performance Materials.
 
(4) Primarily used by Polymer Additives.
 
These raw materials make up a large portion of our product costs in certain of our product lines, and fluctuations in the cost of raw materials may have a significant impact on the financial performance of the related businesses. We attempt to pass through to our customers raw material cost increases, including those related to precious metals.
 
We have a broad supplier base and, in many instances, multiple sources of essential raw materials are available worldwide if problems arise with a particular supplier. We maintain many comprehensive supplier agreements for strategic and critical raw materials. We did not encounter raw material shortages in 2008, but we are subject to volatile raw material costs that can affect our results of operations.
 
Environmental Matters
 
As part of the production of some of our products, we handle, process, use and store hazardous materials. As a result, we operate manufacturing facilities that are subject to a broad array of environmental laws and regulations in the countries in which they operate, particularly for plant wastes and emissions. In addition, some of our products are subject to restrictions under laws or regulations such as California Proposition 65 or the European Union’s


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(“EU”) hazardous substances directive. The costs to comply with complex environmental laws and regulations are significant and will continue for the industry and us for the foreseeable future. These routine costs are expensed as they are incurred. While these costs may increase in the future, they are not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, liquidity or results of operations. We believe that we are in compliance with the environmental regulations to which our operations are subject and that, to the extent we may not be in compliance with such regulations, non-compliance will not have a materially adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
 
Our policy is to operate our plants and facilities in a manner that protects the environment and the health and safety of our employees and the public. We intend to continue to make expenditures for environmental protection and improvements in a timely manner consistent with available technology. Capital expenditures for environmental, health and safety were $14.7 million in 2008, $11.6 million in 2007, and $6.2 million in 2006. Although we cannot precisely predict future environmental, health and safety capital spending, we do not expect the costs to have a material impact on our financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
 
We also accrue for environmental remediation costs when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and we can reasonably estimate the amount. We determine the timing and amount of any liability based upon assumptions regarding future events, and inherent uncertainties exist in such evaluations primarily due to unknown conditions, changing governmental regulations and legal standards regarding liability, and evolving technologies. We adjust these liabilities periodically as remediation efforts progress, the nature and extent of contamination becomes more certain, or as additional technical or legal information becomes available.
 
Research and Development
 
We are involved worldwide in research and development activities relating to new and existing products, services and technologies required by our customers’ continually changing markets. Our research and development resources are organized into centers of excellence that support our regional and worldwide major business units. We also conduct research and development activities at our Posnick Center for Innovative Technology in Independence, Ohio. These centers are augmented by local laboratories, which provide technical service and support to meet customer and market needs of particular geographic areas.
 
Expenditures for research and development activities for continuing operations were approximately $33.6 million in 2008, $36.9 million in 2007, and $42.6 million in 2006. Expenditures for individual customer requests for research and development were not material.
 
Patents, Trademarks and Licenses
 
We own a substantial number of patents and patent applications relating to our various products and their uses. While these patents are of importance to us, we do not believe that the invalidity or expiration of any single patent or group of patents would have a material adverse effect on our businesses. Our patents will expire at various dates through the year 2028. We also use a number of trademarks that are important to our businesses as a whole or to a particular segment. We believe that these trademarks are adequately protected.
 
Employees
 
At December 31, 2008, we employed 5,638 full-time employees, including 3,863 employees in our foreign consolidated subsidiaries and 1,775 in the United States (“U.S.”). Total employment decreased 365 in our foreign subsidiaries and 272 in the U.S. from the prior year end due to the sale of our Fine Chemicals business and our various restructuring and cost reduction programs, including the closure of plants in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and Toccoa, Georgia.
 
Collective bargaining agreements cover approximately 18% of our U.S. workforce. Approximately 2% of the U.S. employees are affected by labor agreements that expire in 2009, and we expect to complete renewals of these agreements with no significant disruption to the related businesses. We consider our relations with our employees, including those covered by collective bargaining agreements, to be good.


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Our employees in Europe have protections afforded them by local laws and regulations through unions and works councils. Some of these laws and regulations may affect the timing, amount and nature of restructuring and cost reduction programs in that region.
 
Domestic and Foreign Operations
 
Financial information about our domestic and foreign operations by segment is included herein in Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. More than 50% of our net sales are outside of the U.S. Our customers represent more than 30 industries and operate in approximately 100 countries.
 
We began international operations in 1927. Our products are produced and distributed through our consolidated subsidiaries and unconsolidated affiliates in the following countries:
 
             
         
Consolidated subsidiaries:
       
             
•   Argentina
 
•   France
  •   Mexico   •   Thailand
             
•   Australia
 
•   Germany
  •   Netherlands   •   United Kingdom
             
•   Belgium
 
•   Indonesia
  •   Portugal   •   Venezuela
             
•   Brazil
 
•   Italy
  •   Spain    
             
•   China
 
•   Japan
  •   Taiwan    
         
Unconsolidated affiliates:
       
             
•   Italy
 
•   Spain
  •   South Korea   •   Thailand
 
Our U.S. parent company receives technical service fees and/or royalties from many of its foreign subsidiaries. As a matter of corporate policy, the foreign subsidiaries have historically been expected to remit a portion of their annual earnings to the U.S. parent company as dividends. To the extent earnings of foreign subsidiaries are not remitted to the U.S. parent company, those earnings are indefinitely re-invested in those subsidiaries.
 
Available Information
 
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, including any amendments, will be made available free of charge on our Web site, www.ferro.com, as soon as reasonably practical, following the filing of the reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Our Corporate Governance Principles, Legal and Ethical Policies, Guidelines for Determining Director Independence, and charters for our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Finance Committee, and Governance and Nomination Committee are available free of charge on our Web site or to any shareholder who requests them from the Ferro Corporation Investor Relations Department located at 1000 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, 44114-1147.
 
Forward-looking Statements
 
Certain statements contained here and in future filings with the SEC reflect our expectations with respect to future performance and constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are subject to a variety of uncertainties, unknown risks and other factors concerning our operations and the business environment, which are difficult to predict and are beyond our control.


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Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those suggested by statements contained in this filing and could adversely affect our future financial performance. Such factors include the following:
 
We sell our products into industries where demand has been unpredictable, cyclical or heavily influenced by consumer spending, and such demand and our results of operations may be further impacted by the recent macro-economic circumstances and uncertainty in credit markets.
 
We sell our products to a wide variety of customers who supply many different market segments. Many of these market segments, such as building and renovation, major appliances, transportation, and electronics, are cyclical or closely tied to consumer demand, which is difficult to predict. Incorrect forecasts of demand or unforeseen reductions in demand can adversely affect costs and profitability due to factors such as underused manufacturing capacity, excess inventory, or working capital needs. These factors can result in lower profitability.
 
Our results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the global capital markets and the economy generally, both in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world. The stress experienced by global capital markets that began in the second half of 2008 has substantially increased. Recently, concerns over fluctuating prices, energy costs, geopolitical issues, the availability and cost of credit, the U.S. mortgage market and a declining real estate market have contributed to increased volatility and diminished expectations for the global economy and the markets going forward. These factors, combined with declining business and consumer confidence, increased unemployment, and volatile raw materials costs, have precipitated an economic slowdown and recession in a number of markets around the world. As a result of these conditions, our customers may experience cash flow problems and may modify, delay or cancel plans to purchase our products. Additionally, if customers are not successful in generating sufficient revenue or are precluded from securing financing, they may not be able to pay, or may delay payment of, accounts receivable that are owed to us. Any reduction in demand or inability of our current and/or potential customers to pay us for our products may adversely affect our earnings and cash flow.
 
We are subject to a number of restrictive covenants under our credit facilities, which could affect our
flexibility to fund ongoing operations and strategic initiatives, and, if we are unable to maintain compliance with such covenants, could lead to significant challenges in meeting our liquidity requirements.
 
Our credit facilities contain a number of restrictive covenants, including those described in more detail in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These covenants include customary operating restrictions that limit our ability to engage in certain activities, including additional loans and investments; prepayments, redemptions and repurchases of debt; and mergers, acquisitions and asset sales. We are also subject to customary financial covenants, including a leverage ratio and a fixed charge coverage ratio and certain creditworthiness tests. These covenants restrict the amount of our borrowings, reducing our flexibility to fund ongoing operations and strategic initiatives. These facilities are described in more detail in “Capital Resources and Liquidity” under Item 7 and in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Breaches of these covenants could become defaults under our credit facilities and cause the acceleration of debt payments beyond our ability to pay. Compliance with some of these covenants is based on financial measures derived from our operating results. If economic conditions in key markets deteriorate, we may experience material adverse impacts to our business and operating results, such as through reduced customer demand and inflation. A decline in our business could make us unable to maintain compliance with these financial covenants, in which case, our lenders could demand immediate payment of outstanding amounts and we would need to seek alternate financing sources to pay off such debts and to fund our ongoing operations. Such financing may not be available on favorable terms, if at all.


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We depend on external financial resources, and the current economic environment and credit market uncertainty could interrupt our access to capital markets, borrowings, or financial transactions to hedge certain risks, which could adversely affect our financial condition.
 
As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately $589.5 million of short-term and long-term debt with varying maturities and approximately $134.8 million of off balance sheet arrangements, including consignment and customer arrangements for precious metals, international receivables sales programs, bank guarantees, and standby letters of credit. These arrangements have allowed us to make investments in growth opportunities and fund working capital requirements. In addition, we enter into financial transactions to hedge certain risks, including foreign exchange, commodity pricing, and sourcing of certain raw materials. Our continued access to capital markets, the stability of our lenders, customers and financial partners and their willingness to support our needs are essential to our liquidity and our ability to meet our current obligations, fund operations, and fund our strategic initiatives. An interruption in our access to external financing or financial transactions to hedge risk could adversely affect our business prospects and financial condition. See further information regarding our liquidity in “Capital Resources and Liquidity” under Item 7 and in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Interest rates on some of our borrowings are variable, and our borrowing costs could be affected adversely by interest rate increases.
 
Portions of our debt obligations have variable interest rates. Generally, when interest rates rise, our cost of borrowings increases. We estimate, based on the debt obligations outstanding at December 31, 2008, that a one percent increase in interest rates would cause interest expense to increase by approximately $2.7 million annually. Continued interest rate increases could raise the cost of borrowings and adversely affect our financial performance. See further information regarding our interest rates on our debt obligations in “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” under Item 7A and in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Many of our assets are encumbered by liens that have been granted to lenders, and those liens affect our flexibility to dispose of property and businesses.
 
Our debt obligations are secured by substantially all of our assets. These liens could reduce our ability and/or extend the time to dispose of property and businesses, as these liens must be cleared or waived by the lenders prior to any disposition. These security interests are described in more detail in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
We have significant deferred tax assets, and our ability to utilize these assets will depend on our future performance.
 
To fully realize the carrying value of our net deferred tax assets, we will have to generate adequate taxable profits in various tax jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2008, we had $147.3 million of net deferred tax assets, after valuation allowances. If we do not generate adequate profits within the time periods required by applicable tax statutes, the carrying value of the tax assets will not be realized. If it becomes unlikely that the carrying value of our net deferred tax assets will be realized, the valuation allowances may need to be increased in our consolidated financial statements, adversely affecting results of operations. Further information on our deferred tax assets is presented in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Noncompliance with NYSE rules could result in the delisting of our common stock from the NYSE.
 
If we cannot meet the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) continued listing requirements, the NYSE may delist our common stock, which could have an adverse impact on us and the liquidity and market price of our stock.
 
Our business has been and may continue to be affected by worldwide macroeconomic factors, which include uncertainties in the credit and capital markets. External factors that affect our stock price, such as liquidity requirements of our investors, as well as our performance, could impact our market capitalization, revenue and operating results, which, in turn, affect our ability to comply with the NYSE’s listing standards. These listing


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standards include: (1) the average closing price of our common stock over a 30 trading-day period must not fall below $1.00 (although this requirement has been temporarily suspended by the NYSE until June 30, 2009), (2) our market capitalization must not fall below $75 million if at the same time our shareholders’ equity is less than $75 million, and (3) irrespective of our level of shareholders’ equity, our market capitalization must not fall below $25 million (this standard was temporarily lowered by the NYSE from $25 million to $15 million until June 30, 2009).
 
Our closing stock price on February 27, 2009, was $1.47 and our market capitalization was approximately $66 million. As of December 31, 2008, our shareholders’ equity was approximately $324 million. If our stock price declines to the point where our compliance with the listing standards is in jeopardy, we will consider taking such actions as we deem appropriate under the circumstances to regain compliance. If we were to fail to meet the continued listing requirements, NYSE rules provide a six-month period, with respect to the minimum stock price standard, and an 18-month period, with respect to the market capitalization and shareholders’ equity standard, to regain compliance. If we are unable to satisfy the NYSE criteria for continued listing and unable to regain compliance during the specified periods, our common stock would be subject to delisting. A delisting of our common stock could negatively impact us by, among other things, reducing the liquidity and market price of our common stock and reducing the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our common stock, which could negatively impact our ability to raise equity financing. In addition, delisting from the NYSE might negatively impact our reputation and, as a consequence, our business.
 
We depend on reliable sources of energy and raw materials, including petroleum-based materials and other supplies, at a reasonable cost, but the availability of these materials and supplies could be interrupted and/or their prices could escalate and adversely affect our sales and profitability.
 
We purchase energy and many raw materials, including petroleum-based materials and other supplies, which we use to manufacture our products. Changes in their availability or price could affect our ability to manufacture enough products to meet customers’ demands or to manufacture products profitably. We try to maintain multiple sources of raw materials and supplies where practical, but this may not prevent unanticipated changes in their availability or cost. We may not be able to pass cost increases through to our customers. Significant disruptions in availability or cost increases could adversely affect our manufacturing volume or costs, which could negatively affect product sales or profitability of our operations.
 
The markets for our products are highly competitive and subject to intense price competition, and that could adversely affect our sales and earnings performance.
 
Our customers typically have multiple suppliers from which to choose. If we are unwilling or unable to provide products at competitive prices, and if other factors, such as product performance and value-added services do not provide an offsetting competitive advantage, customers may reduce, discontinue, or decide not to purchase our products. If we could not secure alternate customers for lost business, our sales and earnings performance could be adversely affected.
 
We strive to improve operating margins through sales growth, price increases, productivity gains, improved purchasing techniques and restructuring activities, but we may not achieve the desired improvements.
 
We work to improve operating profit margins through activities such as growing sales to achieve increased economies of scale, increasing prices, improving manufacturing processes, adopting purchasing techniques that lower costs or provide increased cost predictability, and restructuring businesses to realize cost savings. However, these activities depend on a combination of improved product design and engineering, effective manufacturing process control initiatives, cost-effective redistribution of production, and other efforts that may not be as successful as anticipated. The success of sales growth and price increases depends not only on our actions but also the strength of customer demand and competitors’ pricing responses, which are not fully predictable. Failure to successfully implement actions to improve operating margins could adversely affect our financial performance.


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The global scope of our operations exposes us to risks related to currency conversion rates and changing economic, social and political conditions around the world.
 
More than 50% of our net sales during 2008 were outside of the U.S. In order to support global customers, access regional markets and compete effectively, our operations are located around the world. As a result, our operations have additional complexity from changing economic, social and political conditions in multiple locations and we are subject to risks relating to currency conversion rates. Other risks inherent in international operations include the following:
 
  •  New and different legal and regulatory requirements and enforcement mechanisms in local jurisdictions;
 
  •  U.S. export licenses may be difficult to obtain and we may be subject to export duties or import quotas or other trade barriers;
 
  •  Increased costs of, and decreased availability of, transportation or shipping;
 
  •  Credit risk and financial conditions of local customers and distributors;
 
  •  Risk of nationalization of private enterprises by foreign governments or restrictions on investments;
 
  •  Potentially adverse tax consequences, including imposition or increase of withholding and other taxes on remittances and other payments by subsidiaries; and
 
  •  Local political, economic and social conditions, including the possibility of hyperinflationary conditions and political instability in certain countries.
 
While we attempt to anticipate these changes and manage our business appropriately in each location where we do business, these changes are often beyond our control and difficult to forecast. The consequences of these risks may have significant adverse effects on our results of operations or financial position.
 
We have a growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region where it can be difficult for a U.S.-based company, such as Ferro, to compete lawfully with local competitors.
 
Many of our most promising growth opportunities are in the Asia-Pacific region, especially the People’s Republic of China. Although we have been able to compete successfully in those markets to date, local laws and customs can make it difficult for a U.S.-based company to compete on a “level playing field” with local competitors without engaging in conduct that would be illegal under U.S. law. Our strict policy of observing the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct may cause us to lose some otherwise attractive business opportunities to local competition in the region.
 
Regulatory authorities in the U.S., European Union and elsewhere are taking a much more aggressive approach to regulating hazardous materials, and those regulations could affect sales of our products.
 
Hazardous material legislation and regulations can restrict the sale of products and/or increase the cost of producing them. Some of our products are subject to restrictions under laws or regulations such as California Proposition 65 or the European Union’s (“EU”) hazardous substances directive. The EU “REACH” registration system became effective June 1, 2007, and requires us to perform toxicity studies of the components of some of our products and to register the information in a central database, increasing the cost of these products. As a result of these hazardous material regulations, customers may avoid purchasing some products in favor of perceived “greener,” less hazardous or less costly alternatives. This factor could adversely affect our sales and operating profits.
 
Our operations are subject to operating hazards and, as a result, to stringent environmental, health and safety regulations, and compliance with those regulations could require us to make significant investments.
 
Our production facilities are subject to hazards associated with the manufacture, handling, storage and transportation of chemical materials and products. These hazards can cause personal injury and loss of life, severe


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damage to, or destruction of, property and equipment and environmental contamination and other environmental damage and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
We strive to conduct our manufacturing operations in a manner that is safe and in compliance with all applicable environmental, health and safety regulations. Compliance with changing regulations may require us to make significant capital investments, incur training costs, make changes in manufacturing processes or product formulations, or incur costs that could adversely affect our profitability, and violations of these laws could lead to substantial fines and penalties. These costs may not affect competitors in the same way due to differences in product formulations, manufacturing locations or other factors, and we could be at a competitive disadvantage, which might adversely affect financial performance.
 
We are a defendant in several lawsuits that could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and/or financial performance, unless they are successfully resolved.
 
We are routinely involved in litigation brought by suppliers, customers, employees, governmental agencies and others. Litigation is an inherently unpredictable process and unanticipated negative outcomes are possible. The most significant pending litigation is described in Item 3 — Legal Proceedings of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Our businesses depend on a continuous stream of new products, and failure to introduce new products could affect our sales and profitability.
 
One way that we remain competitive in our markets is by developing and introducing new and improved products on an ongoing basis. Customers continually evaluate our products in comparison to those offered by our competitors. A failure to introduce new products at the right time that are price competitive and that provide the features and performance required by customers could adversely affect our sales, or could require us to compensate by lowering prices. The result could be lower sales and/or lower profitability.
 
We are subject to stringent labor and employment laws in certain jurisdictions in which we operate, we are party to various collective bargaining arrangements, and our relationship with our employees could deteriorate, which could adversely impact our operations.
 
A majority of our full-time employees are employed outside the United States. In certain jurisdictions where we operate, labor and employment laws are relatively stringent and, in many cases, grant significant job protection to certain employees, including rights on termination of employment. In addition, in certain countries where we operate, our employees are members of unions or are represented by a works council as required by law. We are often required to consult and seek the consent or advice of these unions and/or respective works councils. These regulations and laws, coupled with the requirement to consult with the relevant unions or works councils, could have a significant impact on our flexibility in managing costs and responding to market changes.
 
Furthermore, with respect to our employees who are subject to collective bargaining arrangements or similar arrangements (approximately 18% of our U.S. workforce as of December 31, 2008), there can be no assurance that we will be able to negotiate labor agreements on satisfactory terms or that actions by our employees will not disrupt our business. If these workers were to engage in a strike, work stoppage or other slowdown or if other employees were to become unionized, we could experience a significant disruption of our operations and/or higher ongoing labor costs, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Employee benefit costs, especially postretirement costs, constitute a significant element of our annual expenses, and funding these costs could adversely affect our financial condition.
 
Employee benefit costs are a significant element of our cost structure. Certain expenses, particularly postretirement costs under defined benefit pension plans and healthcare costs for employees and retirees, may increase significantly at a rate that is difficult to forecast and may adversely affect our financial results, financial condition or cash flows. The recent declines in global capital markets have caused a reduction in the value of our pension plan assets. This reduction could have an adverse effect on future pension expense and funding


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requirements. Further information regarding our retirement benefits is presented in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Our restructuring initiatives may not provide sufficient cost savings to justify their expense.
 
We have undertaken and may continue to undertake productivity initiatives, including organizational restructurings, to improve performance and generate cost savings. We developed, initiated, and continue to implement several restructuring programs across a number of our business segments with the objectives of leveraging our global scale, realigning and lowering our cost structure, and optimizing capacity utilization. The programs are primarily focused on North America and Europe. We can make no assurances that these restructuring initiatives will be completed or beneficial to us. Also, we cannot assure you that any estimated cost savings from such activities will be realized.
 
We are exposed to intangible asset risk.
 
We have recorded intangible assets, including goodwill, in connection with business acquisitions. We are required to perform goodwill impairment tests at least on an annual basis and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable from estimated future cash flows. As a result of our annual and other periodic evaluations, we may determine that the intangible asset values need to be written down to their fair values, which could result in material charges that could be adverse to our operating results and financial position.
 
We have in the past identified material weaknesses in our internal controls, and the identification of any material weaknesses in the future could affect our ability to ensure timely and reliable financial reports.
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, which is a process designed by our management to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
We conducted an assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 and concluded that the internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2008. Previously, we had concluded that we had material weaknesses in our internal controls as of December 31, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that, there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
 
Accordingly, while we have taken actions to address the past material weaknesses and continued activities that materially improved, or are reasonably likely to materially improve, our internal control over financial reporting, these measures may not be sufficient to ensure that our internal controls are effective in the future. If we are unable to correct future weaknesses in internal controls in a timely manner, our ability to record, process, summarize and report reliable financial information within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC will be adversely affected. This failure could materially and adversely impact our business, our financial condition and the market value of our securities.
 
We are exposed to risks associated with acts of God, terrorists and others, as well as fires, explosions, wars, riots, accidents, embargoes, natural disasters, strikes and other work stoppages, quarantines and other governmental actions, and other events or circumstances that are beyond our control.
 
Ferro Corporation is exposed to risks from various events that are beyond our control, which may have significant effects on our results of operations. While we attempt to mitigate these risks through appropriate insurance, contingency planning and other means, we may not be able to anticipate all risks or to reasonably or cost-


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effectively manage those risks that we do anticipate. As a result, our results of operations could be adversely affected by circumstances or events in ways that are significant and/or long lasting.
 
The risks and uncertainties identified above are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial also may adversely affect us. If any known or unknown risks and uncertainties develop into actual events, these developments could have material adverse effects on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
 
Item 1B —  Unresolved Staff Comments
 
None.
 
Item 2 —  Properties
 
Our corporate headquarters offices are located at 1000 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. The Company also owns other corporate facilities, including a centralized research and development facility, which are located in Independence, Ohio. We own principal manufacturing plants that range in size from 17,000 sq. ft. to over 500,000 sq. ft. Plants we own with more than 250,000 sq. ft. are located in: Germany; Spain; Penn Yan, New York; and France. The locations of these principal manufacturing plants by reportable business segment are as follows:
 
Performance Coatings — U.S.: Cleveland, Ohio. Outside the U.S.: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Thailand and Venezuela.
 
Electronic Materials — U.S.: Penn Yan, New York; and South Plainfield, New Jersey. Outside the U.S.: the Netherlands.
 
Color and Glass Performance Materials — U.S.: Orrville, Ohio; and Washington, Pennsylvania. Outside the U.S.: Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Venezuela.
 
Polymer Additives — U.S.: Bridgeport, New Jersey; Cleveland, Ohio; Walton Hills, Ohio; and Fort Worth, Texas. Outside the U.S.: Belgium and the United Kingdom.
 
Specialty Plastics — U.S.: Evansville, Indiana; Plymouth, Indiana; Edison, New Jersey; and Stryker, Ohio. Outside the U.S.: the Netherlands and Spain.
 
Pharmaceuticals — U.S.: Waukegan, Illinois.
 
In October 2005, the Dutch government placed a lien on one of our facilities in the Netherlands as collateral for any future payment relating to an unresolved environmental claim. Ferro’s revolving credit and term loan facility, which was established in June 2006, has a security interest in the Company’s and its domestic material subsidiaries’ real estate.
 
In addition, we lease manufacturing facilities for the Performance Coatings segment in Italy; for the Electronic Materials segment in Vista, California, Germany and Japan; for the Color and Glass Performance Materials segment in Japan, Portugal and Italy; and for the Specialty Plastics segment in Carpentersville, Illinois. In some instances, the manufacturing facilities are used for two or more business segments. Leased facilities range in size from 23,000 sq. ft. to over 300,000 sq. ft. at a plant located in Portugal.
 
Item 3 —  Legal Proceedings
 
As previously disclosed, in February 2003, we produced documents in connection with an investigation by the United States Department of Justice into possible antitrust violations in the heat stabilizer industry. In April 2006, we were notified by the Department of Justice that the Government had closed its investigation. Before closing its investigation, the Department of Justice took no action against the Company or any of its current or former employees. In 2003, the Company was named as a defendant in several lawsuits alleging civil damages and requesting injunctive relief relating to the conduct the Government was investigating, and, in June 2008, the Company was named in four more indirect purchaser lawsuits related to an existing lawsuit in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In July 2007, we entered into a definitive written settlement agreement in the class action lawsuit involving direct purchasers. The settlement agreement was approved by the United States District Court for the


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Eastern District of Pennsylvania in December 2007. Although the Company decided to bring this matter to a close through settlement, the Company did not admit to any of the alleged violations and continues to deny any wrongdoing. The Company is vigorously defending the remaining six civil actions alleging antitrust violations in the heat stabilizer industry. These actions are in their early stages; therefore, we cannot determine the outcomes of these lawsuits at this time. In December 2006, we filed a lawsuit against the former owner of our heat stabilizer business seeking indemnification for the defense of these lawsuits and any resulting payments by the Company. In April 2008, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio dismissed our lawsuit, and we have appealed the court’s decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
 
As previously disclosed, for the year ended December 31, 2007, we submitted deviation reports required by the Title V air emission permit issued under the New Jersey Air Pollution Control Act (the “Title V Air Permit”), which contained numerous deviations from the standards required by the Title V Air Permit at our South Plainfield, New Jersey, facility. While no penalty has been assessed at this time, we are in the process of negotiating an administrative consent order and a compliance schedule to settle these issues with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”). We cannot determine the outcome of these settlement negotiations at this time.
 
There are various other lawsuits and claims pending against the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. In our opinion, the ultimate liabilities, if any, and expenses resulting from such lawsuits and claims will not materially affect the consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.
 
Item 4 —  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
No matters were submitted to a vote of Ferro’s security holders during the fourth quarter of 2008.
 
Executive Officers of the Registrant
 
The executive officers of the Company as of March 11, 2009, are listed below, along with their ages and positions held during the past five years. The year indicates when the individual was named to the indicated position. No family relationship exists between any of Ferro’s executive officers.
 
James F. Kirsch — 51
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, 2006
President and Chief Executive Officer, 2005
President and Chief Operating Officer, 2004
 
Sallie B. Bailey — 49
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 2007
Senior Vice President-Finance and Controller, The Timken Company, an international manufacturer of highly engineered bearings and alloy steels and provider of related products and services, 2003
 
Mark H. Duesenberg — 47
Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, 2008
Executive Director, Legal and Government Affairs, Lenovo Group Ltd., a global manufacturer of personal computers and electronic devices, 2008
Legal Director — Europe, Middle East & Africa, Lenovo Group Ltd., 2005
Vice President, Group Legal, Invensys plc, a global manufacturing, technology, and services company in the fields of control systems, industrial automation, and power generation, 2002
 
Ann E. Killian — 54
Vice President, Human Resources, 2005
Vice President, Human Resources, W. W. Holdings, LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of doors, frames and hardware products for the commercial construction industry, 2003
 
Michael J. Murry — 57
Vice President, Inorganic Specialties, 2006
Vice President, Performance Coatings, 2005


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President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director, Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc., a provider of products that reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions for the transportation and power generation industries, 2003
 
Barry D. Russell — 44
Vice President, Electronic Material Systems, 2006
Group Vice President and General Manager, Electronic Materials, Honeywell International, a provider of aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbo chargers; automotive products; and specialty materials, 2004
 
Peter T. Thomas — 53
Vice President, Organic Specialties, 2006
Vice President, Pharmaceuticals and Fine Chemicals and Polymer Additives, 2004


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PART II
 
Item 5 —  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol FOE. At February 27, 2009, we had 1,458 shareholders of record for our common stock. The closing price of the common stock on February 27, 2009, was $1.47 per share.
 
The chart below compares Ferro’s cumulative total shareholder return for the five years ended December 31, 2008, to that of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and the Standard & Poor’s MidCap Specialty Chemicals Index. In all cases, the information is presented on a dividend-reinvested basis and assumes investment of $100.00 on December 31, 2003.
 
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS

(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
The quarterly high and low intra-day sales prices and dividends declared per share for our common stock during 2008 and 2007 were as follows:
 
                                                 
    2008     2007  
    High     Low     Dividends     High     Low     Dividends  
 
First Quarter
  $ 20.65     $ 13.77     $ 0.145     $ 22.95     $ 19.30     $ 0.145  
Second Quarter
    21.10       13.52       0.145       25.48       19.98       0.145  
Third Quarter
    24.13       17.28       0.145       26.03       17.37       0.145  
Fourth Quarter
    20.97       5.54       0.145       23.21       19.28       0.145  
 
If we pay cash dividends in excess of a base dividend amount in any single quarterly period, the conversion rate on our 6.50% Convertible Senior Notes will be increased by formula. The base dividend amount is $0.145 per share, subject to adjustment in certain events.
 
On January 29, 2009, Ferro’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share on the Company’s common stock. On March 11, 2009, we entered into an amendment to our senior credit facility which effectively prohibits us from paying dividends on our common stock. For further discussion, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


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We did not repurchase any of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2008.
 
Item 6 —  Selected Financial Data
 
The following table presents selected financial data for the last five years ended December 31st:
 
                                         
    2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  
 
Net sales
  $ 2,245,152     $ 2,147,904     $ 1,987,606     $ 1,833,064     $ 1,797,707  
(Loss) income from continuing operations
    (53,746 )     (99,566 )     15,422       15,558       26,008  
Basic (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations
    (1.26 )     (2.34 )     0.33       0.33       0.58  
Diluted (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations
    (1.26 )     (2.34 )     0.33       0.33       0.58  
Cash dividends declared per common share
    0.58       0.58       0.58       0.58       0.58  
Total assets
    1,544,500       1,638,260       1,741,602       1,676,598       1,739,885  
Long-term debt, including current portion, and redeemable preferred stock
    596,339       538,758       601,765       568,325       521,658  
 
In 2008, we sold our Fine Chemicals business. In 2002 and 2003, we sold our Powder Coatings, Petroleum Additives, and Specialty Ceramics businesses. For all periods presented, we report those businesses as discontinued operations. These divestitures are further discussed in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Item 7 —  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Overview
 
Market conditions became more difficult as 2008 progressed. Some markets that were relatively strong through the first three quarters of the year weakened in the fourth quarter. Other markets, including those related to construction and appliances exhibited reduced demand throughout the year compared with 2007, but demand from customers serving these markets also slowed sharply in the final three months of the year.
 
Net sales increased 4.5% during 2008. Sales growth was relatively strong in the first nine months of the year, driven by a combination of increased product prices, including pass-throughs of higher precious metals costs, and favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Sales declined in the final three months of the year, compared with the fourth quarter of 2007, due to lower sales volumes resulting from global economic weakness and the effects of difficult credit markets. Lower precious metal prices and unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates also contributed to the decline in sales during the fourth quarter of 2008. For the full year, sales growth was strongest in our Electronic Materials segment. Sales also increased in Performance Coatings, Polymer Additives and Color and Glass Performance Materials. Sales declined in Specialty Plastics, primarily as a result of weak customer demand from customers serving the construction, automotive and appliance markets.
 
Beyond fundamental product demand, the factors that most influenced 2008 results included the following:
 
  •  Cost control initiatives, including costs associated with our restructuring programs,
 
  •  Charges for the impairment of goodwill and other assets, resulting from reduced expectations for future cash flows from several of our businesses, and
 
  •  Volatile raw material costs.


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Prices for many raw materials used in our products were volatile throughout the year. Raw material cost generally increased during the first nine months of 2008, then began to decline from their peaks as commodity prices fell late in the year. On aggregate, raw material costs increased during the year compared with 2007.
 
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses declined during the year. The decline was primarily the result of expense reduction efforts in the last three months of 2008, as we took actions to respond to reduced customer demand for our products. For the year, SG&A expense declined as a percentage of sales.
 
Impairment charges of $80.2 million related to goodwill and other long-lived assets were recorded in our Performance Coatings, Specialty Plastics and Electronic Materials businesses. Goodwill was impaired related to tile coatings products in the Performance Coatings segment, and goodwill and property, plant and equipment were impaired related to plastics products in our Specialty Plastics segment. The impairments were due to lower forecasted cash flows in the businesses resulting from significant reductions in demand from customers due to the current worldwide economic downturn. In addition, we recorded an impairment of property, plant and equipment in our Electronic Materials facility in the Netherlands. This asset impairment was the result of a decline in the operating results and reduced future sales projections for our dielectric material products that are produced at the Netherlands facility.
 
Restructuring charges increased in 2008, related to our manufacturing rationalization programs in our inorganic materials manufacturing operations in Europe, additional manufacturing rationalization in the United States and Latin America, and other restructuring activity to reduce worldwide costs and expenses.
 
Interest expense declined in 2008, primarily as a result of lower interest rates on our debt. During the year, we issued new convertible bonds. The proceeds from the new bonds, along with additional borrowings under our revolving credit facility, were used to repay our 91/8% coupon senior notes, due January 2009. The repayment of the senior notes resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $5.5 million during the year.
 
Loss from continuing operations declined in 2008 compared with 2007, primarily as a result of lower impairment charges, lower SG&A expense and reduced interest expense. These benefits were partially offset by higher restructuring charges and the loss on extinguishment of debt.
 
During 2008, we sold the Fine Chemicals business that was previously part of our Other Businesses segment. As a consequence of the sale, the results from Fine Chemicals are now included in discontinued operations for all periods. As a result of the sale of Fine Chemicals, we recorded a gain on disposal of discontinued operations during 2008.
 
Outlook
 
General economic conditions deteriorated sharply during the last three months of 2008, as major regional economies around the world experienced reduced activity and were negatively affected by weak global credit markets. Demand from our customers who serve markets such as construction, automobiles and appliances, which had been weak through most of 2008, contracted more quickly in the fourth quarter as consumer buying was curtailed. This weakness is expected to continue at least through the first half of 2009, and will negatively affect sales across our product lines.
 
We expect to continue to record charges associated with our current and future restructuring programs, as we proceed with our initiatives to rationalize manufacturing operations in Europe, and as we adjust our worldwide operations to be in line with reduced customer demand.
 
Factors that could adversely affect our future financial performance are contained within “Risk Factors” included under Item 1A.


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Results of Operations
 
Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
 
                                 
    2008     2007     $ Change     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)        
 
Net sales
  $ 2,245,152     $ 2,147,904     $ 97,248       4.5 %
Cost of sales
    1,841,485       1,745,445       96,040       5.5 %
                                 
Gross profit
    403,667       402,459       1,208       0.3 %
Gross margin percentage
    18.0 %     18.7 %                
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    297,119       314,878       (17,759 )     (5.6 )%
Impairment charges
    80,205       128,737       (48,532 )     (37.7 )%
Restructuring charges
    25,937       16,852       9,085       53.9 %
Other expense (income):
                               
Interest expense
    50,145       57,837       (7,692 )     (13.3 )%
Interest earned
    (714 )     (1,505 )     791       (52.6 )%
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    5,531             5,531        
Foreign currency losses, net
    742       1,254       (512 )     (40.8 )%
Loss (gain) on sale of businesses
          1,348       (1,348 )     (100.0 )%
Miscellaneous expense (income), net
    1,239       576       663       115.1 %
                                 
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (56,537 )     (117,518 )     60,981       (51.9 )%
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (2,791 )     (17,952 )     15,161       (84.5 )%
                                 
(Loss) income from continuing operations
    (53,746 )     (99,566 )     45,820       (46.0 )%
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    5,014       5,312       (298 )     (5.6 )%
Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    9,034       (225 )     9,259       (4,115.1 )%
                                 
Net (loss) income
  $ (39,698 )   $ (94,479 )   $ 54,781       (58.0 )%
                                 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
  $ (0.94 )   $ (2.23 )   $ 1.29       (57.8 )%
                                 
 
Net sales grew by 4.5% in 2008, driven by improved product prices and favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The increase in product prices included higher costs for precious metals, which are generally passed through to customers with minimal contribution to gross profit. Changes in exchange rates contributed approximately 3.5 percentage points to the rate of growth in sales. Lower sales volume, particularly in the last three months of the year, partially offset the positive effects of product pricing and exchange rate changes. Sales increased in all regions.
 
Gross profit was nearly flat in 2008 compared with 2007 as increased net sales were offset by an increase in the cost of sales. As a result, gross margin percentage declined during the year. Gross profit was reduced by $3.1 million in 2008 as a result of charges for asset write-offs and costs associated with our manufacturing rationalization programs. Gross profit was also reduced by costs of approximately $3.3 million to clean up an accidental discharge of product into the wastewater treatment facility at our Bridgeport, New Jersey, manufacturing location. Gross profit percentage was negatively impacted by higher raw materials costs, including costs of precious metals. Precious metal costs generally are passed through to customers with minimal gross profit contribution. Gross profit was reduced by $7.9 million in 2007, primarily related to accelerated depreciation and other costs associated with our manufacturing rationalization programs.
 
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses declined by $17.8 million in 2008. SG&A expense as a percent of sales declined to 13.2% of sales in 2008 from 14.7% of sales in 2007. SG&A expense declined primarily as a result of expense reduction efforts during the last three months of the year that were taken in response to slowing economic conditions and reduced sales. SG&A expenses in 2008 included net charges of $3.9 million


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primarily related to charges for corporate development activities, asset write-offs and employee severance expenses, partially offset by benefits from litigation settlements and insurance proceeds. SG&A expense in 2007 included charges of $12.2 million primarily related to litigation settlements and corporate development activities.
 
Impairment charges of $58.4 million related to goodwill and $21.8 million related to long-lived assets in the Tile Coating Systems business within the Performance Coatings segment, the Specialty Plastics segment, and the Electronic Materials segment were recorded in 2008. The goodwill impairment of $41.4 million in tile coatings products of the Tile Coating Systems business was triggered by lower forecasted cash flows resulting from the negative effect on operating results of the significant downturn in demand in U.S. and European housing and construction markets during the fourth quarter of 2008. The goodwill impairment of $17.0 million and asset impairment of $1.9 million in the Specialty Plastics business was the result of the downturn in demand from automotive, appliance and container applications, primarily driven by reduced demand in the fourth quarter of 2008. The decline in auto sales and U.S. home construction negatively impacted the business and the extended time forecasted for recovery in these markets and triggered an indicator of impairment. In addition, the 2008 impairment charge included a $19.9 million impairment of property, plant and equipment in our Electronic Materials facility in Uden, Netherlands. The impairment was the result of a decline in the operating results and reduced future sales projections for our dielectric material products that are produced in the Uden facility. During 2007, an impairment charge of $105.7 million related to goodwill and $23.0 million related to long-lived assets was recorded in our Polymer Additives and Pharmaceuticals businesses.
 
Restructuring charges of $25.9 million were recorded in 2008, primarily associated with the rationalization of our manufacturing operations in the Performance Coatings and Color and Glass Performance Materials segments, and other restructuring activities to reduce costs and expenses throughout all of our businesses. Restructuring charges of $16.9 million in 2007 were primarily related to manufacturing rationalization activities in the Performance Coatings, Color and Glass Performance Materials, and Electronic Materials segments.
 
Interest expense declined in 2008 as a result of lower interest rates on our borrowings, partially offset by higher average borrowing levels. During 2007, a $2.0 million write-off of unamortized fees associated with an unused portion of our term loan arrangements was included in our interest expense. During 2008, we refinanced our 91/8% coupon senior notes using the proceeds of a new convertible bond offering and additional borrowing from our revolving credit facility. The repayment of the senior notes resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $5.5 million during the year.
 
Net foreign currency transaction losses were $0.7 million in 2008, compared with $1.3 million in 2007. We manage foreign currency risks in a wide variety of foreign currencies principally by entering into forward contracts to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations on transactions arising from international trade. The carrying values of these contracts are adjusted to market value and the resulting gains or losses are charged to income or expense in the period.
 
Miscellaneous expense increased in 2008 primarily as a result of an increased provision for an environmental contingency in Latin America related to a previously closed manufacturing site, a loss on forward contracts in the current period, and lower gains on the disposal of assets. The increased expense was partially offset by benefits related primarily to reductions of accruals for contingencies.
 
During 2008, there was a tax benefit of $2.8 million, or 4.9% of the loss before income taxes, compared to a benefit of $18.0 million, or 15.3% of the loss before income taxes in 2007. The primary reasons for the change were a favorable U.S. tax impact on foreign dividends and a decrease in the reserve for uncertain tax positions. These favorable adjustments were offset by a goodwill impairment charge in 2008 with only a partial tax benefit, a net increase in our valuation allowance due to a determination that it is more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets will not be realized, and an effective tax rate on foreign losses that is less than the statutory U.S. tax rate.
 
The 2008 loss from continuing operations was reduced from the loss recorded in 2007 as a result of lower impairment charges, reduced SG&A expense and lower interest expense. Partially offsetting these reduced expenses were higher restructuring charges in 2008 compared with 2007.


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During 2008, we sold the Fine Chemicals business that was previously part of our Other Businesses segment. As a consequence of the sale, the results from Fine Chemicals are now included in discontinued operations for all periods. In addition, primarily as a result of the sale of Fine Chemicals during 2008, we recorded a gain of $9.0 million, net of taxes, on the disposal of discontinued operations.
 
                                 
    2008     2007     $ Change     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)        
 
Segment Sales
                               
Performance Coatings
  $ 627,918     $ 609,285     $ 18,633       3.1 %
Electronic Materials
    558,313       469,885       88,428       18.8 %
Color & Glass Performance Materials
    456,644       445,709       10,935       2.5 %
Polymer Additives
    349,902       334,492       15,410       4.6 %
Specialty Plastics
    225,856       261,956       (36,100 )     (13.8 )%
Pharmaceuticals
    26,519       26,577       (58 )     (0.2 )%
                                 
Total segment sales
  $ 2,245,152     $ 2,147,904     $ 97,248       4.5 %
                                 
Segment Operating Income
                               
Performance Coatings
  $ 36,935     $ 37,965     $ (1,030 )     (2.7 )%
Electronic Materials
    52,868       32,785       20,083       61.3 %
Color & Glass Performance Materials
    39,112       48,222       (9,110 )     (18.9 )%
Polymer Additives
    6,086       10,755       (4,669 )     (43.4 )%
Specialty Plastics
    5,385       15,116       (9,731 )     (64.4 )%
Pharmaceuticals
    3,524       1,947       1,577       81.0 %
                                 
Total segment operating income
  $ 143,910     $ 146,790     $ (2,880 )     (2.0 )%
                                 
 
Performance Coatings Segment Results.  Sales increased in Performance Coatings as a result of growth in sales of tile products, which offset a decline in sales of porcelain enamel products. The primary drivers of the overall increase were favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates and increased prices. Partially offsetting these factors was a decline in volume in our porcelain enamel products. Sales increased in Europe, Latin America and Asia, and declined in the United States. Operating income declined as a result of higher raw material costs and the negative effects of lower manufacturing volumes, partially offset by increased product selling prices and reductions in selling, general and administrative expenses.
 
Electronic Materials Segment Results.  Sales grew in Electronic Materials as a result of improved customer demand for our advanced materials products, particularly conductive pastes used in the manufacture of solar cells, and our surface finishing products. The sales increase was driven by higher product pricing, including increased precious metal costs which generally are passed through to our customers with minimal gross profit contribution. Favorable foreign currency exchange rates and increased product sales volume also contributed to the increased sales. Sales grew primarily as a result of higher product shipments from our manufacturing facilities in the United States, although much of this product volume is used by customers in other regions. Operating income increased as a result of increased sales volume of higher-margin products, increased product pricing and manufacturing productivity improvements, partially offset by higher raw material costs and increased SG&A expense.
 
Color and Glass Performance Materials Segment Results.  Sales increased in Color and Glass Performance Materials as a result of favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates and improved product pricing, partially offset by lower sales volume. Sales increased in all regions, led by increased sales in Europe. Operating income declined compared with the prior year as a result of lower sales volumes and higher raw material costs, partially offset by higher product pricing and lower SG&A expenses.
 
Polymer Additives Segment Results.  Sales increased in Polymer Additives primarily as a result of increased product prices and favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which more than offset lower sales volumes. Sales increased in the United States, Europe and Asia. Operating income declined, primarily as a result of higher raw material costs and lower sales volumes, partially offset by higher product pricing. In addition during


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2008, the business incurred costs of approximately $3.3 million to clean up an accidental discharge of product into the wastewater treatment facility at our Bridgeport, New Jersey, manufacturing plant.
 
Specialty Plastics Segment Results.  Sales declined in Specialty Plastics as a result of lower sales volume, partially offset by higher product pricing and favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Sales were lower in the United States and Europe as a result of weak customer demand. Operating income declined due to lower sales volume and higher raw material costs that were not fully offset by higher product prices and reduced SG&A expense.
 
Pharmaceuticals Segment Results.  Sales were nearly flat in Pharmaceuticals compared with the prior year. Operating profit improved primarily as a result of improved manufacturing efficiency and lower SG&A expense, partially offset by a less favorable combination of sales volume and product mix. Results related to our Fine Chemicals business, which had previously been combined with the results from our Pharmaceuticals business and reported as “Other Businesses,” are now reported as discontinued operations following the sale of the Fine Chemicals business during 2008.
 
                                 
    2008     2007     $ Change     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)        
 
Geographic Revenues
                               
United States
  $ 973,717     $ 900,146     $ 73,571       8.2 %
International
    1,271,435       1,247,758       23,677       1.9 %
                                 
Total geographic revenues
  $ 2,245,152     $ 2,147,904     $ 97,248       4.5 %
                                 
 
Sales increased in the United States primarily driven by higher shipments of Electronic Materials products from our U.S. manufacturing facilities. U.S. sales of Polymer Additive products also increased. The sales increase was partially offset by lower U.S. sales of our Specialty Plastics and Performance Coatings products. Sales increased slightly in international regions, driven primarily by increased sales of tile products in our Performance Coatings business.


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Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
 
                                 
    2007     2006     $ Change     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)        
 
Net sales
  $ 2,147,904     $ 1,987,606     $ 160,298       8.1 %
Cost of sales
    1,745,445       1,585,081       160,364       10.1 %
                                 
Gross profit
    402,459       402,525       (66 )     %
Gross margin percentage
    18.7 %     20.3 %                
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    314,878       302,442       12,436       4.1 %
Impairment charges
    128,737             128,737        
Restructuring charges
    16,852       23,146       (6,294 )     (27.2 )%
Other expense (income):
                           
Interest expense
    57,837       62,714       (4,877 )     (7.8 )%
Interest earned
    (1,505 )     (4,466 )     2,961       (66.3 )%
Foreign currency losses, net
    1,254       1,040       214       20.6 %
Loss (gain) on sale of businesses
    1,348       (67 )     1,415       (2,111.9 )%
Miscellaneous expense (income), net
    576       (87 )     663       (762.1 )%
                                 
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (117,518 )     17,803       (135,321 )     (760.1 )%
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (17,952 )     2,381       (20,333 )     (854.0 )%
                                 
(Loss) income from continuing operations
    (99,566 )     15,422       (114,988 )     (745.6 )%
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    5,312       5,670       (358 )     (6.3 )%
Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    (225 )     (472 )     247       (52.3 )%
                                 
Net (loss) income
  $ (94,479 )   $ 20,620     $ (115,099 )     (558.2 )%
                                 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
  $ (2.23 )   $ 0.46     $ (2.69 )     (584.8 )%
                                 
 
Sales from continuing operations grew by 8.1% in 2007, driven by improved pricing and favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Changes in exchange rates contributed slightly less than half of the increase in sales. Sales growth in Europe, Asia and Latin America was partially offset by a decline of less than one percent in sales in the United States.
 
Gross profit was essentially flat in 2007 compared with 2006. The change in gross profit was limited by increased cost of sales, which grew at a faster rate than sales primarily due to increased raw material costs. As a result, gross margin percentage declined for the year. Gross profit was reduced by $7.9 million in 2007 primarily as a result of charges for accelerated depreciation and other costs associated with our manufacturing rationalization programs. In addition, gross profit was negatively impacted by unplanned manufacturing costs due to temporary interruptions in operations at our manufacturing facilities in South Plainfield, New Jersey, and Bridgeport, New Jersey, and increased costs required to address product specification requirements at our Evansville, Indiana, Specialty Plastics manufacturing location. Higher precious metal prices during 2007 reduced our gross margin percentage, because increases in precious metal prices are generally passed through to customers with minimal gross profit contribution. Gross profit was reduced by $4.6 million in 2006 primarily as a result of charges for manufacturing rationalization activities.
 
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased by 4.1% in 2007. SG&A expense as a percent of sales declined to 14.7% of sales in 2007 from 15.2% of sales in 2006. Charges of $12.2 million were included in the 2007 SG&A expense, primarily related to settlement agreements with plaintiffs in civil lawsuits related to the alleged antitrust violations in the heat stabilizer industry (see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements), other legal settlements and divestment activities. During 2006, SG&A expense included $8.1 million for charges primarily related to accounting investigation and restatement activities, and a settlement loss that


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resulted in a lump sum payment to the beneficiary of Ferro’s deceased former Chief Executive Officer, partially offset by benefits from changes to our postretirement benefit programs.
 
An impairment charge of $128.7 million related to goodwill and other long-lived assets was recorded in 2007 related to our Polymer Additives and Pharmaceuticals businesses. The impairment in the Polymer Additives business was primarily the result of the cumulative negative effect on earnings of a cyclical downturn in certain of the business’ primary U.S.-based end markets, including housing and automobiles; anticipated additional product costs related to recent hazardous material legislation and regulations, such as the newly enacted European Union “REACH” registration system, which requires chemical suppliers to perform toxicity studies on the components of their products and to register certain information; and higher forecasted capital expenditures related to the business. The impairment charge in the Pharmaceuticals business was primarily the result of the longer time necessary to transition the business from a supplier of food supplements and additives to a supplier of high-value pharmaceutical products and services. There were no impairment charges in 2006.
 
Restructuring charges of $16.9 million were recorded in 2007, primarily associated with our manufacturing rationalization activities in the Performance Coatings and Color and Glass Performance Materials segments in Europe and our Electronic Materials segment in the United States. Restructuring charges of $23.1 million in 2006 were primarily related to the same manufacturing rationalization activities.
 
Interest expense declined in 2007 primarily as a result of lower debt levels and lower interest rates resulting from the renegotiation of our credit facilities and accounts receivables securitization program during the second quarter. The lower debt levels were driven by the elimination of cash deposits for precious metals, which occurred during the first half of the year. The 2007 interest expense included a $2.0 million write-off of unamortized fees associated with an unused portion of our term loan arrangements. Interest expense in 2006 included a $2.5 million write-off of fees and discounts related to certain of our debentures that were repaid in July and August 2006 and previously unamortized fees related to our former revolving credit facility. Interest earned declined in 2007 as a result of lower cash deposits for precious metals.
 
Net foreign currency transaction losses were $1.3 million in 2007, up $0.2 million from 2006. We manage foreign currency risks in a wide variety of foreign currencies principally by entering into forward contracts to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations on transactions arising from international trade. The carrying values of these contracts are adjusted to market value and the resulting gains or losses are charged to income or expense in the period.
 
During 2007, we recognized a loss of $1.3 million on the sale of businesses related to an industrial ceramics business that operated in our Niagara Falls, New York, manufacturing facility.
 
During 2007, net taxes were a benefit of $18.0 million, or 15.3% of the loss before income taxes, compared to an expense of $2.4 million or 13.4% of income before taxes in 2006. The change was driven by: a loss before income taxes in 2007 compared to income in 2006; an impairment charge in 2007 where a partial tax benefit was recorded on the charge; a net increase in our valuation allowance due to a determination that it is more likely than not certain deferred tax assets will not be realized; an additional allowance for unremitted earnings from foreign subsidiaries no longer considered indefinitely reinvested; and a statutory change to a lower tax rate in Germany affecting our deferred tax assets.


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We recorded income of $5.3 million, net of taxes, in 2007 related to discontinued operations. The income from discontinued operations was primarily related to our Fine Chemicals business, which was sold in 2008. The results from the Fine Chemicals business are recorded in discontinued operations for all periods.
 
                                 
    2007     2006     $ Change     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)        
 
Segment Sales
                               
Performance Coatings
  $ 609,285     $ 538,385     $ 70,900       13.2 %
Electronic Materials
    469,885       444,463       25,422       5.7 %
Color & Glass Performance Materials
    445,709       387,540       58,169       15.0 %
Polymer Additives
    334,492       313,500       20,992       6.7 %
Specialty Plastics
    261,956       271,307       (9,351 )     (3.4 )%
Pharmaceuticals
    26,577       32,411       (5,834 )     (18.0 )%
                                 
Total segment sales
  $ 2,147,904     $ 1,987,606     $ 160,298       8.1 %
                                 
Segment Operating Income
                               
Performance Coatings
  $ 37,965     $ 42,718     $ (4,753 )     (11.1 )%
Electronic Materials
    32,785       35,136       (2,351 )     (6.7 )%
Color & Glass Performance Materials
    48,222       43,512       4,710       10.8 %
Polymer Additives
    10,755       10,947       (192 )     (1.8 )%
Specialty Plastics
    15,116       14,629       487       3.3 %
Pharmaceuticals
    1,947       (1,219 )     3,166       (259.7 )%
                                 
Total segment operating income
  $ 146,790     $ 145,723     $ 1,067       0.7 %
                                 
 
Performance Coatings Segment Results.  Sales increased in Performance Coatings as a result of growth in sales of tile and porcelain enamel products. The increased sales were due to higher prices and favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Sales increased in all regions, led by growth in Europe. Operating income declined primarily as a result of higher raw material costs, including cobalt, lithium carbonate, nickel, and zinc, as well as higher manufacturing costs and lower manufacturing volumes that were not fully recovered through improved pricing.
 
Electronic Materials Segment Results.  Sales grew in Electronic Materials as a result of improved customer demand in the second half of the year. Demand for dielectric materials, which had been weak in the first half of the year, recovered in the second half. Demand for conductive pastes used by customers who manufacture solar cells was particularly strong in the second half of the year. The primary drivers for the increased sales were increased market demand, higher precious metal prices and favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Sales increases were primarily in Asia and Europe, while sales in the United States were slightly lower. Operating income declined as a result of higher raw material costs that were not fully offset by the positive effects of increased manufacturing volume. In addition, in April 2007, production was temporarily interrupted at our South Plainfield, New Jersey, manufacturing plant to address operational and safety concerns. This production interruption added approximately $3.0 million to manufacturing costs for the year.
 
Color and Glass Performance Materials Segment Results.  Sales increased as a result of growth in glass coatings and performance pigment materials. The positive effects of higher product pricing and favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates were the primary drivers of the sale growth. Sales increased in all regions, led by growth in Europe. Operating income increased mainly as a result of higher prices, partially offset by higher raw material costs, including bismuth, chrome oxide, cobalt and lead oxide.
 
Polymer Additives Segment Results.  Sales grew during 2007 despite the negative effects of weakness in demand from North American residential housing, appliance and automotive markets. Sales increased in both the United States and Europe, the segment’s two primary sales regions. Increased product pricing and favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates more than offset the effects of lower manufacturing volumes during the year. Operating income declined slightly, primarily as a result of higher raw material costs and costs associated with


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an unplanned manufacturing interruption, largely offset by improved prices and cost and expense reduction programs. Polypropylene, tallow and soybean oil were among the raw materials that increased sharply in price during 2007. Operating income was negatively affected by an unexpected operational issue at our Bridgeport, New Jersey, manufacturing plant. Because of an accidental discharge of product into the plant’s on-site watewater treatment facility, we incurred unplanned costs of approximately $2.3 million during the 2007 fourth quarter, including the costs of scrapped product and added wastewater treatment.
 
Specialty Plastics Segment Results.  Sales declined primarily as a result of weak demand from customers who make products used in residential housing, automotive and appliance markets in the United States. This weak demand resulted in lower sales in the United States, which were partially offset by sales growth in Europe. Partially offsetting the effects of lower volumes were increased product pricing and favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Sales of plastic colorants increased during 2007, while sales of filled and reinforced plastics declined. Operating income increased as a result of improved pricing and lower selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by higher raw material costs and the negative effects of lower manufacturing volume. Operating income was also reduced by costs incurred to address product specification issues at our Evansville, Indiana, plant.
 
Pharmaceuticals Segment Results.  Sales declined as the result of lower sales volume. Sales were lower in the United States, which is the primary market for these products. The segment recorded operating income for the year compared to a loss in the prior period, primarily due to a product mix change to higher value pharmaceutical products.
 
                                 
    2007     2006     $ Change     % Change  
    (Dollars in thousands)        
 
Geographic Revenues
                               
United States
  $ 900,146     $ 908,497     $ (8,351 )     (0.9 )%
International
    1,247,758       1,079,109       168,649       15.6 %
                                 
Total geographic revenues
  $ 2,147,904     $ 1,987,606     $ 160,298       8.1 %
                                 
 
Sales declined slightly in the United States, driven by lower regional sales in the Specialty Plastics and Electronic Materials segments. These declines were partially offset by increased U.S. sales in Color and Glass Performance Materials and Performance Coatings. International sales increased in Europe, Asia and Latin America and in all segments.
 
Summary of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities
  $ (9,096 )   $ 144,579     $ 70,944  
Net cash used for investing activities
    (17,050 )     (62,033 )     (68,718 )
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
    23,854       (88,717 )     (3,035 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    458       1,211       381  
                         
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
  $ (1,834 )   $ (4,960 )   $ (428 )
                         
 
Operating activities.  Cash flows from operating activities decreased $153.7 million from 2007 to 2008 primarily as a result of the absence of a return of cash deposits related to our precious metals consignment program, a decrease in accounts payable, and the absence of cash inflows from inventory reductions. Cash flows from operations in 2008 also includes cash payments of $27.3 million used for restructuring programs, an increase of $14.7 million from 2007. Prior to 2008, Ferro Finance Corporation (“FFC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, was a qualified special purpose entity and therefore unconsolidated. In 2008, in connection with an amendment of our U.S. asset securitization program, FFC ceased to be a qualified special purpose entity and was included in our consolidated balance sheet. The consolidation of FFC was a non-cash event and, therefore, is not reflected in our cash flows. Upon consolidation of FFC, accounts receivable increased $105.9 million, the note receivable from FFC decreased $75.9 million, and other non-current assets decreased $30.0 million, with no change in cash.


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Cash flows from operating activities increased by $73.6 million from 2006 to 2007 primarily as a result of the elimination of deposit requirements related to our precious metal consignment programs and lower working capital requirements, partially offset by reduced proceeds from the domestic asset securitization program.
 
Investing activities.  Capital expenditures increased $5.4 million from 2007 to 2008 and $17.0 million from 2006 to 2007. The primary reasons for the increase in capital spending included the construction of a freestanding, state-of-the-art plant in Spain that produces colors for the European tile market, increased investment in the Company’s manufacturing facilities in the Asia-Pacific region, projects related to our manufacturing rationalization programs in the United States and Europe, and investments to support current and anticipated sales growth. In 2008, we sold our fine chemicals business and received proceeds, net of transactional costs, of $56.5 million. In 2006, in connection with an amendment to the asset securitization program, the Company invested an additional $25.0 million in FFC, which at that time was unconsolidated.
 
Financing activities.  In 2006, we entered into an agreement with a group of lenders for a $700 million credit facility, which replaced a revolving credit facility that would have expired later that year. In 2007, we canceled the unused portion of the term loan facility and amended the credit facility. At December 31, 2008, it consisted of a five-year, $300.0 million multi-currency senior revolving credit facility and a six-year senior term loan facility with an outstanding principal balance of $292.5 million. In 2008, Ferro issued $172.5 million of 6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013. The proceeds from the offering, along with available cash, including borrowings under our revolving credit facility, were used to purchase all of Ferro’s outstanding 91/8% Senior Notes that would have matured in 2009. In 2008, we had net borrowings from all of these facilities of $61.0 million, while in 2007, we had net repayments of $62.1 million, for a net increase in our borrowings between years of $123.1 million. In 2006, we had net borrowings of $36.9 million from these facilities, so the net decrease in 2007 in our rate of borrowing was $99.0 million. We paid call premiums and tender costs of $5.3 million in 2008 to extinguish the 91/8% Senior Notes. In addition, we paid debt issuance costs of $5.6 million in 2008 to issue the 6.50% Convertible Senior Notes, $1.8 million in 2007 to amend the 2006 credit facility and $16.2 million in 2006 to establish and use that facility. We also paid dividends on our common stock at the quarterly rate of $0.145 per share, which along with dividends on our preferred stock totaled $26.1 million in 2008, $26.1 million in 2007, and $25.9 million in 2006. In the first quarter of 2009, Ferro’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share.
 
Capital Resources and Liquidity
 
6.50% Convertible Senior Notes
 
In August 2008, Ferro issued $172.5 million of 6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (the “Convertible Notes”). The proceeds from the offering, along with available cash, including borrowings under Ferro’s revolving credit facility, were used to purchase all of Ferro’s outstanding 91/8% Senior Notes. The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.5% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2009. The Convertible Notes mature on August 15, 2013. At December 31, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants under the Convertible Notes’ indentures.
 
91/8% Senior Notes
 
In June 2008, Ferro commenced a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of its outstanding $200 million aggregate principal amount of 91/8% Senior Notes due 2009 (the “91/8% Notes”). In August and September, we purchased all of the 91/8% Notes for $205.3 million, including call premiums and tender costs, and recorded a loss of $5.5 million, including unamortized discounts and fees. We financed the purchase of the 91/8% Notes and related costs from the issuance of the Convertible Notes, along with available cash, including borrowings under Ferro’s revolving credit facility.
 
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facility
 
In 2006, we entered into an agreement with a group of lenders for a $700 million credit facility, consisting of a multi-currency senior revolving credit facility and a senior term loan facility, which replaced a former revolving credit facility that would have expired later that year. In 2007, we cancelled the unused portion of the term loan facility and amended the credit facility (the “2007 Amended Credit Facility”) primarily to increase the size of the


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revolving credit facility, reduce interest rates, and increase operating flexibility. At December 31, 2008, the 2007 Amended Credit Facility consisted of a $300.0 million revolving credit facility, which matures in 2011, and a term loan facility with an outstanding principal balance of $292.5 million, which matures in 2012. The Company is required to make periodic principal payments to the term loan investors with a corresponding reduction in the commitment amount under the term loan facility.
 
At December 31, 2008, we had borrowed $111.8 million of the revolver and had $180.0 million available, after reductions for standby letters of credit secured by this facility. At December 31, 2008, we had borrowed $292.5 million in term loans. In 2007, we began making periodic principal payments on the term loans. We are required to make minimum quarterly principal payments of $0.8 million from January 2009 to July 2011. During the last year of the loan’s life, we are required to repay the remaining balance of the term loans in four quarterly installments. Currently, those last four payments will be $71.0 million each. In addition to the minimum quarterly payments, each April we may be required to make an additional principal payment. The amount of this additional payment is dependent on the Company’s leverage and certain cash flow metrics. Any additional payment that is required reduces, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the amount due in the last four quarterly payments. In April 2008, we made an additional principal payment of $6.4 million.
 
At December 31, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants of the 2007 Amended Credit Facility.
 
At February 28, 2009, we had borrowed $197.8 million of the revolver and had $96.0 million available, after reductions for standby letters of credit secured by this facility. The February 28, 2009, borrowings represent an increase of $86.0 million since December 31, 2008, of which $46.4 million is attributable to our decision to cash collateralize certain of our precious metals consignment arrangements. For further discussion of our precious metals program, see “Consignment and Customer Arrangements for Precious Metals” under Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
On March 11, 2009, we amended the 2007 Amended Credit Facility (the “2009 Amended Credit Facility”) primarily to provide additional operating flexibility and to change pricing to more accurately reflect current market interest rates. The primary effects of the 2009 Amended Credit Facility are to:
 
  •  Increase the interest rates and commitment fees payable thereunder pursuant to a grid structure based on our leverage ratio,
 
  •  Increase the maximum permitted leverage ratio and decrease the minimum permitted fixed charge coverage ratio,
 
  •  Add a minimum quarterly EBITDA requirement for fiscal year 2009,
 
  •  Restrict the Company’s ability to engage in acquisitions and make investments,
 
  •  Limit the amount of cash and cash equivalent collateral the Company is permitted to deliver to participants in our precious metals program to secure our obligations arising under the precious metals consignment agreements,
 
  •  Require additional financial reporting by the Company to the lenders,
 
  •  Increase the amount of the annual excess cash flow required to be used to repay term loans,
 
  •  Require application of the net proceeds of certain dispositions, but excluding the first $20 million of such net proceeds, to be applied to repay debt outstanding under the revolving credit facility and term loans and to permanently reduce availability under the revolving loan facility on a dollar for dollar basis, provided that we are not required to reduce the commitments under the revolving credit facility to below $150 million,
 
  •  Eliminate our ability to request an increase of $50 million in the revolving credit facility,
 
  •  Add provisions governing the obligations of the Company and the lenders if one or more lenders under the revolving credit facility fails to satisfy its funding obligations or otherwise becomes a defaulting lender, and
 
  •  Restrict our ability to make payments with respect to our capital securities. The 2009 Amended Credit Facility effectively prohibits us from paying dividends on our common stock.


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The specific covenants and related definitions can be found in the applicable debt agreements, each of which we have previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Domestic Receivable Sales Program
 
We have an asset securitization program for substantially all of Ferro’s U.S. trade accounts receivable. This program accelerates cash collections at favorable financing costs and helps us manage the Company’s liquidity requirements. We legally sell these trade accounts receivable to FFC, which finances its acquisition of trade receivable assets by issuing beneficial interests in (securitizing) the receivables to multi-seller receivables securitization companies (the “conduits”). FFC and the conduits have no recourse to Ferro’s other assets for failure of debtors to pay when due as the assets transferred are legally isolated in accordance with the U.S. bankruptcy laws. FFC is a wholly-owned subsidiary, which until December 2008 was a qualified special purpose entity (“QSPE”) and, therefore, was not consolidated. In December 2008, we amended the program so that FFC is no longer a QSPE, FFC is included in our consolidated financial statements, and this program is no longer accounted for as an off balance sheet arrangement.
 
In June 2008, we amended the facility to reduce the program’s size from $100 million to $75 million. After reductions for non-qualifying receivables, we had $56.8 million at December 31, 2008, and $52.5 million at February 28, 2009, available under this program. At December 31, 2008 and February 28, 2009, FFC had not issued any beneficial interests in its trade accounts receivable, therefore there was no debt outstanding under the asset securitization program. The Company intends to renew or replace the asset securitization program prior to its scheduled expiration in June 2009, however there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to do so.
 
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
International Receivables Sales Programs.  We maintain several international programs to sell trade accounts receivable, primarily without recourse. The commitments supporting this program can be withdrawn at any time and totaled $81.7 million at December 31, 2008. The amount of outstanding receivables sold under the international programs was $16.7 million at December 31, 2008.
 
Consignment and Customer Arrangements for Precious Metals.  In the production of some of our products, we use precious metals, primarily silver for Electronic Materials products and gold for Color and Glass Performance Materials products. We obtain most precious metals from financial institutions under consignment agreements (generally referred to as our precious metals program). The financial institutions retain ownership of the precious metals and charge us fees based on the amounts we consign. These fees were $4.6 million for 2008. At December 31, 2008, we had on hand $104.2 million of precious metals, measured at fair value, owned by participants in our precious metals program. We also process precious metals owned by our customers.
 
The consignment agreements involve short-term commitments that typically mature within 30 to 180 days of each transaction and are typically renewed on an ongoing basis. As a result, the Company relies on the continued willingness of financial institutions to participate in these arrangements to maintain this source of liquidity. During February and March 2009, several participants in our precious metals program required Ferro to deliver cash collateral to secure Ferro’s obligations arising under the consignment agreements. Ferro delivered the cash collateral to induce those financial institutions to continue participating in Ferro’s precious metals program.
 
If participants in our precious metals program require cash collateral to secure our obligations, Ferro may choose to provide such collateral or purchase the precious metal outright as an alternative to continuing the consignment arrangements. This would require us to borrow under our revolving credit facility or raise funds from other financing sources. Such borrowings would reduce our liquidity and increase our borrowing costs. The 2009 Amended Credit Facility prohibits Ferro from delivering cash and cash equivalent collateral in excess of $120 million to participants in our precious metals program. Accordingly, Ferro would be required to purchase precious metals outright if these participants were unwilling to deliver metals in quantities sufficient to meet the Company’s operating requirements without exceeding the cash collateral limits set forth in the credit facility. Ferro is currently pursuing a variety of initiatives intended to reduce the amount of precious metals required to support our manufacturing operations and reduce our dependence on consignment agreements.


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Bank Guarantees and Standby Letters of Credit.  At December 31, 2008, the Company had bank guarantees and standby letters of credit issued by financial institutions, which totaled $13.9 million. These agreements primarily relate to Ferro’s insurance programs and foreign tax payments.
 
Other Financing Arrangement
 
We maintain other lines of credit to provide global flexibility for Ferro’s short-term liquidity requirements. These facilities are uncommitted lines for our international operations and totaled $24.9 million at December 31, 2008. The unused portions of these lines provided $22.0 million of additional liquidity at December 31, 2008.
 
Liquidity Requirement
 
Our liquidity requirements primarily include debt service, purchase commitments, working capital requirements, capital investments and postretirement obligations. We expect to meet these requirements through cash provided by operating activities and availability under existing or replacement credit facilities or other financing arrangements. Ferro’s level of debt and debt service requirements could have important consequences to its business operations and uses of cash flows.
 
The Company’s aggregate amount of obligations for the next five years and thereafter is set forth below:
 
                                                         
    2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     Thereafter     Totals  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Loans payable to banks
  $ 4,754     $     $     $     $     $     $ 4,754  
Convertible notes
                            172,500             172,500  
Revolving credit facility
                111,803                         111,803  
Term loan facility
    3,050       3,050       73,315       213,083                   292,498  
Other long-term notes
    268       255       209       188       104       519       1,543  
Obligations under capital leases
    1,392       1,360       958       958       909       4,701       10,278  
Obligations under operating leases
    13,105       8,817       6,167       4,518       4,166       12,623       49,396  
Purchase commitments
    34,431       4,043       783       153       38             39,448  
                                                         
    $ 57,000     $ 17,525     $ 193,235     $ 218,900     $ 177,717     $ 17,843     $ 682,220  
                                                         
 
Obligations for interest costs, cash collateralization requirements, income taxes, and contributions to our post-employment benefit plans are not included in the table above, but are discussed below.
 
Cash required for interest costs in 2008 was $52.7 million. We expect that the amount for 2009 will be substantially higher due to the terms of our 2009 Amended Credit Facility, but the actual amount depends on the underlying interest rates on our variable-rate debt and our overall debt levels during the year.
 
As described in “Consignment and Customer Arrangements for Precious Metals” above, we recently were required to provide cash collateral deposits to secure our obligations under our precious metals program.
 
We pay taxes as part of our normal operations as a profitable company. The amount of taxes we pay depends on a variety of factors described in more detail in Critical Accounting Policies below. However, the principal factors are the level of our profitability and the countries in which we earn our taxable income. We have paid and expect to continue to pay taxes for the foreseeable future. Under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, (“FIN No. 48”), we anticipate that between $5.0 and $6.0 million of liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits may be reversed within the next 12 months. These liabilities relate to non-U.S. tax issues and are expected to reverse due to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations periods. Due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the timing of potential future cash flows with these liabilities, we are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period in which these liabilities might be paid or reversed in years beyond 2009.


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We expect to contribute approximately $33.8 million in 2009 and $60.4 million in 2010 to our post-employment benefit plans. We have not projected contributions past 2010 due to the current economic uncertainty and volatility in the global capital markets. We determined these funding amounts based on the minimum contributions required under various applicable regulations in each respective country. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 was enacted in August 2006. While this act has had some effect on specific plan provisions in our U.S. retirement programs, its primary effect has been to change the minimum funding requirements. Until final regulations are issued by the United States Treasury Department, the financial effect can only be estimated. Actual contributions also depend on the future funded status of the plans and on the amount of employee contributions.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
When we prepare our consolidated financial statements we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts we report in the consolidated financial statements and footnotes. We consider the policies discussed below to be more critical than other policies because their application requires our most subjective or complex judgments. These estimates and judgments arise because of the inherent uncertainty in predicting future events. Management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of these policies with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
 
Inventories
 
We value inventory at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined utilizing the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. We periodically evaluate the net realizable value of inventories based primarily upon their age, but also upon assumptions of future usage in production, customer demand and market conditions. Inventories have been reduced to the lower of cost or realizable value by allowances for slow moving or obsolete goods. If actual circumstances are less favorable than those projected by management in its evaluation of the net realizable value of inventories, additional write-downs may be required. Slow moving, excess or obsolete materials are specifically identified and may be physically separated from other materials, and we rework or dispose of these materials as time and manpower permit.
 
Environmental Liabilities
 
Our manufacturing facilities are subject to a broad array of environmental laws and regulations in the countries in which they operate. The costs to comply with complex environmental laws and regulations are significant and will continue for the foreseeable future. We expense these recurring costs as they are incurred. While these costs may increase in the future, they are not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
 
We also accrue for environmental remediation costs when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and we can reasonably estimate the amount. We determine the timing and amount of any liability based upon assumptions regarding future events. Inherent uncertainties exist in such evaluations primarily due to unknown conditions, changing governmental regulations and legal standards regarding liability, and evolving technologies. We adjust these liabilities periodically as remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information becomes available.
 
Income Taxes
 
The breadth of our operations and complexity of income tax regulations require us to assess uncertainties and make judgments in estimating the ultimate amount of income taxes we will pay. The final income taxes we pay are based upon many factors, including existing income tax laws and regulations, negotiations with taxing authorities in various jurisdictions, outcomes of tax litigation, and resolution of disputes arising from federal, state, and international income tax audits. The resolution of these uncertainties may result in adjustments to our income tax assets and liabilities in the future.
 
Deferred income taxes result from differences between the financial and tax basis of our assets and liabilities and we adjust our deferred income tax assets and liabilities for changes in income tax rates and income tax laws when changes are enacted. We record valuation allowances to reduce deferred income tax assets when it is more


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likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. Significant judgment is required in evaluating the need for and the magnitude of appropriate valuation allowances against deferred income tax assets. The realization of these assets is dependent on generating future taxable income, our ability to carry back or carry forward net operating losses and credits to offset taxable income in a prior year, as well as successful implementation of various tax strategies to generate taxable income where net operating losses or credit carryforwards exist. In evaluating our ability to realize the deferred income tax assets, we rely principally on the reversal of existing temporary differences, the availability of tax planning strategies, and forecasted taxable income using historical and projected future operating results.
 
We earn a significant portion of our pre-tax income outside the U.S. Many of these non-U.S. tax jurisdictions have statutory income tax rates that are lower than that in the U.S. Because we carry a majority of our debt in the U.S., we also have significant cash needs in the U.S. to service this debt. As a result, it is necessary for us to perform significant tax and treasury planning and analysis to determine the best actions to achieve the goals of meeting our U.S. cash needs, while also reducing our worldwide taxable income. In this tax and treasury planning, we consider future taxable income in the U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions, future cash needs in the U.S., and the timing and amount of dividend repatriations. Our ability to balance future taxable income and cash flows between the U.S. and foreign locations depends on various strategies, such as the charging of management fees for intercompany services, transfer pricing, intercompany royalties, intercompany sales of technologies and intellectual property, and choosing between allowable tax methods.
 
The amount of income taxes we pay is subject to ongoing audits by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. Our estimate of the potential outcome of any uncertain tax issue is subject to management’s assessment of relevant risks, facts, and circumstances existing at that time. We record a liability for the difference between the benefit recognized and measured based on a more-likely than-not threshold and the tax position taken or expected to be taken on the tax return. To the extent that our assessment of such tax positions changes, the change in estimate is recorded in the period in which the determination is made. We report tax-related interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense.
 
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
 
We sponsor defined benefit plans in the U.S. and many countries outside the U.S., and we also sponsor retiree medical benefits for a segment of our salaried and hourly work force within the U.S. The U.S. pension plans represent approximately 60% of pension plan assets, 63% of benefit obligations and 12% of net periodic pension cost.
 
The assumptions we use in actuarial calculations for these plans have a significant impact on benefit obligations and annual net periodic benefit costs. We meet with our actuaries annually to discuss key economic assumptions used to develop these benefit obligations and net periodic costs. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, affect expense recognized and obligations recorded in future periods.
 
We determine the discount rate for the U.S. pension and retiree medical plans based on a bond model. Using the pension plans’ projected cash flows, the bond model considers all possible bond portfolios that produce matching cash flows and selects the portfolio with the highest possible yield. These portfolios are based on bonds with a quality rating of AA or better under either Moody’s or S&P, but exclude certain bonds, such as callable bonds, bonds with small amounts outstanding, and bonds with unusually high or low yields. The discount rates for the non-U.S. plans are based on a yield curve method, using AA-rated bonds applicable in respective capital markets. The duration of each plan’s liabilities is used to select the rate from the yield curve corresponding to the same duration.
 
For the market-related value of plan assets, we use fair value, rather than a calculated value that recognizes changes in fair value in a systematic and rational manner over several years. We calculate the expected return on assets at the beginning of the year for defined benefit plans as the weighted-average of the expected return for the target allocation of the principal asset classes held by each of the plans. In determining the expected returns, we consider both historical performance and an estimate of future long-term rates of return. Our target asset allocation percentages are 30% bonds and 70% equity securities for U.S. plans and 63% bonds, 30% equity securities, and 7%


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other investments for non-U.S. plans. In 2008, our pension plan assets incurred losses of 31.7% within U.S. plans and 7.8% within non-U.S. plans. Future actual pension expense will depend on future investment allocation and performance, changes in future discount rates and various other factors related to the population of participants in the Company’s pension plans.
 
All other assumptions are reviewed periodically by our actuaries and us and may be adjusted based on current trends and expectations as well as past experience in the plans.
 
The following table provides the sensitivity of net annual periodic benefit costs for our pension plans, including a U.S. nonqualified retirement plan, and the retiree medical plan to a 25-basis-point decrease in both the discount rate and asset return assumption:
 
                 
          25-Basis-Point Decrease
 
    25-Basis-Point Decrease
    in Asset Return
 
    in Discount Rate     Assumption  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
U.S. pension plans
  $ 922     $ 502  
U.S. retiree medical plan
    (59 )      
Non-U.S. pension plans
    760       328  
                 
Total
  $ 1,623     $ 830  
                 
 
The following table provides the rates used in the assumptions and the changes between 2008 and 2007:
 
                         
    2008     2007     Change  
 
Discount rate used to measure benefit cost:
                       
U.S. pension plans
    6.49 %     6.05 %     0.44 %
U.S. retiree medical plan
    6.10 %     5.90 %     0.20 %
Non-U.S. pension plans
    5.56 %     4.69 %     0.87 %
Discount rate used to measure benefit obligations:
                       
U.S. pension plans
    6.74 %     6.49 %     0.25 %
U.S. retiree medical plan
    6.45 %     6.10 %     0.35 %
Non-U.S. pension plans
    5.85 %     5.56 %     0.29 %
Expected return on plan assets:
                       
U.S. pension plans
    8.50 %     8.50 %     %
Non-U.S. pension plans
    5.25 %     4.95 %     0.30 %
 
Changes in the rates used in these assumptions reflect changes in the underlying bond and equity yields.
 
Our overall net periodic benefit cost for all defined benefit plans decreased $6.9 million to $10.7 million in 2008 from $17.6 million in 2007. In 2008, service costs declined by $2.5 million primarily because we froze pension benefit accruals and limited eligibility for retiree medical coverage for a limited number of U.S. employees. We also benefited by $2.9 million from higher expected returns on plan assets primarily due to higher asset balances resulting from actual returns, company contribution, and currency effects in total exceeding benefit payments in 2007. Another component of net periodic cost is the amortization of net actuarial unrecognized gains or losses. These unrecognized gains or losses arise from differences between actual and assumed results and from changes in actuarial assumptions and are recognized in future periods. In 2008, we benefited by $3.7 million from lower amortization of net actuarial losses, which declined in 2007. Partially offsetting these benefits were higher interest costs of $2.0 million driven by higher discount rates.
 
In 2008, we recorded settlement losses of $0.3 million related to retirements in the U.S., settlement gains of $0.8 million related to retirements and terminations in Mexico, Italy and Japan, a curtailment gain of $0.1 million related to the closing of the Rotterdam, Netherlands, manufacturing facility, a settlement loss of $0.2 million related to a required settlement of a plan in France, and special termination benefits of $0.1 million related to terminations in the Netherlands and Indonesia.


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For 2009, we expect our overall net periodic benefit cost to increase to approximately $31 million, an increase of $21 million. The substantial decline through December 2008 in the valuation of investments in the global capital markets increased our actuarial losses, which must be amortized in future periods. At December 31, 2008, our unrecognized net actuarial losses totaled $164.1 million, with an estimated $16.4 million to be recognized in 2009. In addition, the amount of our expected return on plan assets for 2009 will be based on their lower valuation at December 31, 2008.
 
We changed the measurement date for our U.S. plans from September 30th to December 31st when we adopted FASB Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R). Our non-U.S. plans already used a December 31st measurement date. Expense for the gap period from September 30th to December 31st was recognized as an adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2008.
 
Restructuring and Cost Reduction Programs
 
During 2006 through 2008, we developed and initiated several restructuring programs across a number of our business segments with the objectives of leveraging our global scale, realigning and lowering our cost structure, and optimizing capacity utilization. The programs are primarily associated with North America and Europe. Management continues to evaluate our businesses, and therefore, there may be supplemental provisions for new plan initiatives as well as changes in estimates to amounts previously recorded, as payments are made, or actions are completed. Significant restructuring programs are described below. Certain programs that were initiated in 2006 and 2007 continued in 2008.
 
In total, we recorded $25.9 million, $16.9 million and $23.1 million of pre-tax restructuring charges in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. These charges included both termination benefits and asset writedowns. We estimated accruals for termination benefits based on various factors including length of service, contract provisions, local legal requirements, projected final service dates, and salary levels. We also analyzed the carrying value of long-lived assets and recorded estimated accelerated depreciation through the anticipated end of the useful life of the assets affected by the restructuring or recorded an asset impairment. In all likelihood, this accelerated depreciation will result in reducing the net book value of those assets to zero at the date operations cease. While we believe that changes to our estimates are unlikely, the accuracy of our estimates depends on the successful completion of numerous actions. Delays in moving continuing operations to other facilities or increased cash outlays will increase our restructuring costs to such an extent that it could have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. Other events, for example, a delay in completion of construction of new facilities, may also delay the resulting cost savings.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
We recognize sales typically when we ship goods to our customers and when all of the following criteria are met:
 
  •  Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
 
  •  The selling price is fixed and determinable;
 
  •  Collection is reasonably assured; and
 
  •  Title and risk of loss has passed to our customers.
 
In order to ensure the revenue recognition in the proper period, we review material sales contracts for proper cut-off based upon the business practices and legal requirements of each country. For sales of products containing precious metals, we report gross revenues with a separate display of cost of sales to arrive at gross profit. We record revenues this way because we act as the principal in the transactions we enter into and take title and the risks and rewards of ownership of the inventory we process, although the timing of when we take title to the inventory during the production process may vary.


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Valuation of Goodwill and Other Non-amortizing Intangibles
 
While goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives recorded on our balance sheet are no longer amortized, we review these assets for impairment each year on a measurement date of October 31st. We estimate the fair value of the reporting unit associated with these assets using the weighted average of both the income approach and the market approach, which we believe provides a reasonable estimate of the reporting unit’s fair value, unless facts and circumstances exist which indicate a more representative fair value. The income approach uses projected cash flows attributable to the reporting unit over its useful life and allocates certain corporate expenses to the reporting unit in the process. We use historical results and trends and our projections of market growth, internal sales efforts, input cost movements, and cost reduction opportunities to estimate future cash flows. Using a risk adjusted, weighted average cost-of-capital, we discount the cash flow projections to the measurement date. The market approach estimates a price reasonably expected to be realized from the sale of similar businesses, including offers from potential acquirers. If the fair value of any of the units were determined to be less than its carrying value, we would proceed to the second step and obtain comparable market values or independent appraisals of its assets to determine the amount of any impairment.
 
Our estimates of fair value can be affected by a variety of factors. Reductions in actual or projected growth or profitability due to unfavorable market conditions in our business units, or significant increases in previous levels of capital spending, could lead to the impairment of any related goodwill. Additionally, an increase in inflation, interest rates or the risk adjusted weighted-average cost of capital could also lead to a reduction in the value of one or more of our business units and therefore lead to the impairment of goodwill. We believe the 2008 impairments of goodwill are our best estimates based upon the available evidence and analysis performed to date.
 
Assessment of Long-Lived Assets
 
Our long-lived assets include property, plant, equipment, and amortizing intangible assets. We depreciate property, plant and equipment and amortize amortizable intangible assets on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. We continually assess long-lived assets for the appropriateness of their estimated useful lives. When circumstances indicate that there has been a reduction in the economic useful life of an asset or an asset group, we revise our estimates.
 
We also review property, plant and equipment and intangibles for impairment at the asset group level whenever events or circumstances indicate that the undiscounted net cash flows to be generated by their use and eventual disposition are less than the asset group’s recorded value. In the event of impairment, we recognize a loss for the excess of the recorded value of the asset group over its fair value. The long-term nature of these assets requires that we estimate cash inflows and outflows for several years into the future and only take into consideration technological advances known at the time of impairment.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
We use derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and precious metal prices. The accounting for derivative financial instruments can be complex and require significant judgments. Generally, the derivative financial instruments that we use are not complex, and observable market-based inputs are available to measure their fair value. We do not engage in speculative transactions for trading purposes. Financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments, expose us to counterparty credit risk for non-performance. We manage our exposure to counterparty credit risk through minimum credit standards and procedures to monitor concentrations of credit risk. We enter into these derivative financial instruments with major reputable multinational financial institutions. Accordingly, we do not anticipate counter-party default. We continuously evaluate the effectiveness of derivative financial instruments designated as hedges to ensure that they are highly effective. In the event the hedge becomes ineffective, we discontinue hedge treatment. Except as noted below, we do not expect any changes in our risk policies or in the nature of the transactions we enter into to mitigate those risks.
 
Our exposure to interest rate changes arises from our debt agreements with variable market interest rates. We hedge a portion of this exposure by entering into interest rate swap agreements. These swaps are settled quarterly in cash, and the net interest paid or received is effectively recognized as interest expense. We mark these swaps to fair


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value and recognize the resulting gains or losses as other comprehensive income. In 2007, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was based on settlement prices provided by the counterparties. Beginning in 2008 in connection with the adoption of FAS No. 157, the fair value of the swaps is based on the present value of expected future cash flows, which reflects assumptions about current interest rates and the creditworthiness of the Company that market participants would use in pricing the swaps.
 
We manage foreign currency risks in a wide variety of foreign currencies principally by entering into forward contracts to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations on transactions arising from international trade. Our objective in entering into these forward contracts is to preserve the economic value of non-functional currency cash flows. Our principal foreign currency exposures relate to the Euro, the British Pound Sterling, the Japanese Yen, and the Chinese Yuan. We mark these forward contracts to fair value based on market prices for comparable contracts and recognize the resulting gains or losses as other income or expense from foreign currency transactions.
 
We also manage a portion of our exposure to market risk for changes in the pricing of certain raw material commodities using swap arrangements that allow us to fix the price of the commodities for future purchases. These swap arrangements are settled in cash at their maturities. We mark these contracts to fair value based on market prices for comparable contracts and recognize the resulting gains or losses as other comprehensive income. After the contracts mature and the materials are sold, the gains and losses are recognized as a part of cost of sales.
 
Precious metals (primarily silver, gold, platinum and palladium) represent a significant portion of raw material costs in our Electronic Materials products. We also use precious metals in our Color and Glass Performance Materials products. When we enter into a fixed price sales contract at the customer’s request to establish the price for the precious metals content of the order, we also enter into a forward purchase arrangement with a precious metals supplier to completely cover the value of the precious metals content. Prior to 2008, most precious metal contracts were marked to fair value based on market prices for comparable contracts and the resulting gains or losses were recognized as miscellaneous income or expense, respectively. In 2008, most precious metal contracts were designated as normal purchase contracts, which are not marked to market.
 
We also purchase portions of our energy requirements, including natural gas and electricity, under fixed price contracts to reduce the volatility of cost changes. Our current energy contracts are designated as normal purchase contracts, which are not marked to market.
 
Impact of Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 141(R), Business Combinations, (“FAS No. 141(R)”). This statement requires more acquired assets and assumed liabilities to be measured at fair value as of the acquisition date, liabilities related to contingent consideration to be remeasured at fair value in each subsequent reporting period, and all acquisition-related costs in preacquisition periods to be expensed. We are required to apply this standard prospectively beginning in our fiscal year 2009.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51, (“FAS No. 160”). Under this statement, noncontrolling interests (e.g., minority interests) in subsidiaries are measured initially at fair value and classified as a separate component of equity and the amount of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is included in consolidated net income. FAS No. 160 requires entities to apply the measurement requirements prospectively and to apply the presentation and disclosure requirements retrospectively to comparative financial statements. We are required to apply this standard beginning in our fiscal year 2009. If FAS No. 160 had been applied, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries of $9.8 million at December 31, 2008, would have been reclassified to equity, and net income attributable to minority interests of $1.6 million for 2008 would have been included in consolidated net income.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133, (“FAS No. 161”). This statement requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities and encourages, but does not require, comparative disclosures for earlier periods at initial adoption. We are required to apply this standard beginning in our fiscal year 2009. We do not expect the adoption of FAS No. 161 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.


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In April 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets, (“FSP No. FAS 142-3”). This pronouncement amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. We are required to apply this standard prospectively beginning in our fiscal year 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of FSP No. FAS 142-3; at this time, we are uncertain as to the impact on our results of operations and financial position.
 
In May 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. APB 14-1, Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement), (“FSP No. APB 14-1”). This pronouncement specifies that issuers of such instruments should separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. We are required to apply this standard retrospectively beginning in our fiscal year 2009. If FSP No. APB 14-1 had been applied at December 31, 2008, the carrying value of the liability component of our 6.50% Convertible Senior Notes would have been approximately $153.5 million, including $1.2 million of imputed interest; the carrying value of the equity component would have been approximately $19.6 million, net of $0.6 million of allocated third-party transaction costs; and net income would have been approximately $0.8 million lower due primarily to imputed interest, net of tax.
 
In June 2008, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 07-5, Determining Whether an Instrument (or an Embedded Feature) Is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock, (“EITF No. 07-5”), which supersedes EITF No. 01-6, The Meaning of ’Indexed to a Company’s Own Stock.’ FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, (“FAS No. 133”) specifies that a contract issued or held by a company that is both indexed to its own stock and classified in stockholders’ equity is not considered a derivative instrument for purposes of applying FAS No. 133. EITF No. 07-5 provides further guidance in requiring that both an instrument’s contingency exercise provisions and its settlement provisions be evaluated for determining whether the instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed solely to an entity’s own stock. We are required to apply this standard beginning in our fiscal year 2009 and recognize the cumulative effect, if any, of the change in accounting principle in the opening balance of retained earnings. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of EITF No. 07-5; at this time, we are uncertain as to the impact on our results of operations and financial position.
 
In November 2008, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 08-6, Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations, (“EITF No. 08-6”). This pronouncement changes the way a company accounts for equity method investments. Among other things, it requires a company to determine the initial carrying value of an equity method investment by applying the cost accumulation model and to account for share issuances by the investee as a proportionate sale of its investment. We are required to apply this standard prospectively beginning in our fiscal year 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of EITF No. 08-6; at this time, we are uncertain as to the impact on our results of operations and financial position.
 
In November 2008, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 08-7, Accounting for Defensive Intangible Assets, (“EITF No. 08-7”). This pronouncement requires a company to account for an acquired defensive asset as a separate unit of accounting and assign it a useful life based on the period during which the asset would diminish in value. We are required to apply this standard prospectively beginning in our fiscal year 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of EITF No. 08-7; at this time, we are uncertain as to the impact on our results of operations and financial position.
 
In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures About Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets. This pronouncement requires more detailed disclosures about employers’ plan assets, including employers’ investment strategies, major categories of plan assets, concentrations of risk within plan assets, and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets. We are required to apply this standard beginning in our fiscal year 2009. We do not expect the adoption of this FASB Staff Position to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.


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Item 7A — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
The primary objective of the following information is to provide forward-looking quantitative and qualitative information about our exposure to instruments that are sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and costs of raw materials and energy.
 
Our exposure to interest rate risk arises from our debt portfolio. We manage this risk by controlling the mix of fixed versus variable-rate debt after considering the interest rate environment and expected future cash flows. To reduce our exposure to interest rate changes on variable-rate debt, we entered into interest rate swap agreements. These swaps effectively convert a portion of our variable-rate debt to a fixed rate. Our overall objective is to limit variability in earnings, cash flows and overall borrowing costs caused by changes in interest rates, while preserving operating flexibility.
 
We operate internationally and enter into transactions denominated in foreign currencies. These transactions expose us to gains and losses arising from exchange rate movements between the dates foreign currencies are recorded and the dates they are settled. We manage this risk by entering into forward currency contracts that offset these gains and losses.
 
We are subject to cost changes with respect to our raw materials and energy purchases. We attempt to mitigate raw materials cost increases through product reformulations, price increases, and other productivity improvements. We hedge a portion of our exposure to changes in the pricing of certain raw material commodities through swap arrangements that allow us to fix the pricing of the commodities for future purchases. We also enter into forward purchase arrangements with precious metals suppliers to completely cover the value of the precious metals content of fixed price sales contracts. Prior to 2008, most precious metal contracts were marked to fair value, and the resulting gains or losses were recognized as miscellaneous income or expense, respectively. In 2008, most precious metal contracts were designated as normal purchase contracts, which are not marked to market, and had purchase commitments totaling $5.5 million at December 31, 2008. In addition, we purchase portions of our natural gas and electricity requirements under fixed price contracts to reduce the volatility of these costs. Our current energy contracts are designated as normal purchase contracts, which are not marked to market. Our purchase commitments for energy under normal purchase contracts at December 31, 2008, were $22.7 million.


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The notional amounts, carrying amounts of assets (liabilities), and fair values associated with our exposure to these market risks and sensitivity analyses about potential gains (losses) resulting from hypothetical changes in market rates are presented below:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Variable-rate debt and utilization of asset securitization program:
               
Change in annual interest expense from 1% change in interest rates
  $ 2,742     $ 2,636  
Fixed-rate debt:
               
Carrying amount
  $ 174,043     $ 200,404  
Fair value
  $ 85,700     $ 205,705  
Change in fair value from 1% increase in interest rate
  $ (2,877 )   $ (1,929 )
Change in fair value from 1% decrease in interest rate
  $ 3,003     $ 1,957  
Interest rate swaps:
               
Notional amount
  $ 150,000     $ 150,000  
Carrying amount and fair value
  $ (12,724 )   $ (8,109 )
Change in fair value from 1% increase in interest rate
  $ 3,322     $ 5,000  
Change in fair value from 1% decrease in interest rate
  $ (3,401 )   $ (5,181 )
Foreign currency forward contracts:
               
Notional amount
  $ 156,840     $ 142,638  
Carrying amount and fair value
  $ (96 )   $ (268 )
Change in fair value from 10% appreciation of U.S. dollar
  $ 2,523     $ (1,402 )
Change in fair value from 10% depreciation of U.S. dollar
  $ (3,084 )   $ 1,714  
Raw material commodity swaps:
               
Notional amount (in metric tons of base metals)
    330       1,171  
Carrying amount and fair value
  $ (576 )   $ (1,499 )
Change in fair value from 10% change in forward prices
  $ 71     $ 507  
Precious metals forward contracts:
               
Notional amount (in troy ounces)
    129       159,648  
Carrying amount and fair value
  $ 8     $ 755  
Change in fair value from 10% change in forward prices
  $ 11     $ 612  


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Item 8 —  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Ferro Corporation
Cleveland, Ohio
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ferro Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ferro Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective in 2007, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, and, effective in 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, and the recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Pension and Other Postretirement Plans.
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 11, 2009, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/  Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Cleveland, Ohio
March 11, 2009


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
 
Net sales
  $ 2,245,152     $ 2,147,904     $ 1,987,606  
Cost of sales
    1,841,485       1,745,445       1,585,081  
                         
Gross profit
    403,667       402,459       402,525  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    297,119       314,878       302,442  
Impairment charges
    80,205       128,737        
Restructuring charges
    25,937       16,852       23,146  
Other expense (income):
                       
Interest expense
    50,145       57,837       62,714  
Interest earned
    (714 )     (1,505 )     (4,466 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    5,531              
Foreign currency losses, net
    742       1,254       1,040  
Loss (gain) on sale of businesses
          1,348       (67 )
Miscellaneous expense (income), net
    1,239       576       (87 )
                         
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (56,537 )     (117,518 )     17,803  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (2,791 )     (17,952 )     2,381  
                         
(Loss) income from continuing operations
    (53,746 )     (99,566 )     15,422  
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    5,014       5,312       5,670  
Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    9,034       (225 )     (472 )
                         
Net (loss) income
    (39,698 )     (94,479 )     20,620  
Dividends on preferred stock
    (877 )     (1,035 )     (1,252 )
                         
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders
  $ (40,575 )   $ (95,514 )   $ 19,368  
                         
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
    43,261       42,926       42,394  
Incremental common shares attributable to convertible preferred stock, performance shares, deferred stock units, and stock options
                28  
                         
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding
    43,261       42,926       42,422  
                         
Per common share data
                       
Basic (loss) earnings:
                       
From continuing operations
  $ (1.26 )   $ (2.34 )   $ 0.33  
From discontinued operations
    0.32       0.11       0.13  
                         
    $ (0.94 )   $ (2.23 )   $ 0.46  
                         
Diluted (loss) earnings:
                       
From continuing operations
  $ (1.26 )   $ (2.34 )   $ 0.33  
From discontinued operations
    0.32       0.11       0.13  
                         
    $ (0.94 )   $ (2.23 )   $ 0.46  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
ASSETS
Current assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 10,191     $ 12,025  
Accounts and trade notes receivable, net
    296,423       242,039  
Note receivable from Ferro Finance Corporation
          29,577  
Inventories
    256,411       256,019  
Deferred income taxes
    19,167       14,773  
Other receivables
    58,391       33,338  
Other current assets
    8,306       8,218  
Current assets of discontinued operations
          11,203  
                 
Total current assets
    648,889       607,192  
Other assets
               
Property, plant and equipment, net
    456,549       495,599  
Goodwill
    229,665       290,698  
Amortizable intangible assets, net
    11,753       9,071  
Deferred income taxes
    134,139       100,935  
Other non-current assets
    63,505       110,033  
Other assets of discontinued operations
          24,732  
                 
Total assets
  $ 1,544,500     $ 1,638,260  
                 
 
LIABILITIES and SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
               
Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt
  $ 8,883     $ 5,444  
Accounts payable
    232,113       265,323  
Income taxes
    14,361        
Accrued payrolls
    18,695       26,105  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    82,995       108,004  
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
          5,456  
                 
Total current liabilities
    357,047       410,332  
Other liabilities
               
Long-term debt, less current portion
    580,662       520,645  
Postretirement and pension liabilities
    221,110       140,988  
Deferred income taxes
    6,039       8,857  
Other non-current liabilities
    34,047       56,644  
Other liabilities of discontinued operations
          991  
                 
Total liabilities
    1,198,905       1,138,457  
Minority interests
    9,755       9,896  
Series A convertible preferred stock (approximates redemption value)
    11,548       13,623  
Shareholders’ equity
               
Common stock
    52,323       52,323  
Paid-in capital
    166,011       166,391  
Retained earnings
    401,918       468,190  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (98,436 )     (7,765 )
Common shares in treasury, at cost
    (197,524 )     (202,855 )
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    324,292       476,284  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,544,500     $ 1,638,260  
                 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
                                                                 
                                  Accumulated
          Total
 
    Common Shares
                      Other
          Share-
 
    In Treasury     Common
    Paid-in
    Retained
    Comprehensive
    Unearned
    holders’
 
    Shares     Amount     Stock     Capital     Earnings     Income (Loss)(a)     Compensation     Equity  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
 
Balances at December 31, 2005
    9,970     $ (221,095 )   $ 52,323     $ 163,074     $ 605,874     $ (115,990 )   $ (6,123 )   $ 478,063  
Net income
                                    20,620                       20,620  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                                                               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                                            33,468               33,468  
Mimimum pension liability adjustment
                                            15,858               15,858  
Other adjustments
                                            502               502  
                                                                 
Total comprehensive income
                                                            70,448  
Cash dividends(b):
                                                               
Common
                                    (24,649 )                     (24,649 )
Preferred
                                    (1,252 )                     (1,252 )
Income tax benefits
                                    45                       45  
Stock-based compensation transactions
    (512 )     9,819               1,553                               11,372  
Reclassification to initially apply FAS No. 123R as of January 1, 2006
                            (6,123 )                     6,123          
Adjustment to apply FAS No. 158 as of December 31, 2006, net of tax
                                            1,024               1,024  
                                                                 
Balances at December 31, 2006
    9,458       (211,276 )     52,323       158,504       600,638       (65,138 )           535,051  
Net loss
                                    (94,479 )                     (94,479 )
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                                                               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                                            39,167               39,167  
Postretirement benefit liability adjustments
                                            25,589               25,589  
Raw material commodity swap adjustments
                                            (2,161 )             (2,161 )
Interest rate swap adjustments
                                            (5,222 )             (5,222 )
                                                                 
Total comprehensive loss
                                                            (37,106 )
Cash dividends(b):
                                                               
Common
                                    (25,051 )                     (25,051 )
Preferred
                                    (1,035 )                     (1,035 )
Income tax benefits
                                    50                       50  
Stock-based compensation transactions
    (705 )     8,421               7,887                               16,308  
Adjustment to initially apply FIN No. 48 as of January 1, 2007
                                    (11,933 )                     (11,933 )
                                                                 
Balances at December 31, 2007
    8,753       (202,855 )     52,323       166,391       468,190       (7,765 )           476,284  
Net loss
                                    (39,698 )                     (39,698 )
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                                                               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                                            (23,490 )             (23,490 )
Postretirement benefit liability adjustments
                                            (65,235 )             (65,235 )
Raw material commodity swap adjustments
                                            713               713  
Interest rate swap adjustments
                                            (2,973 )             (2,973 )
Other
                                            (52 )             (52 )
                                                                 
Total comprehensive loss
                                                            (130,735 )
Cash dividends(b):
                                                               
Common
                                    (25,192 )                     (25,192 )
Preferred
                                    (877 )                     (877 )
Income tax benefits
                            43                               43  
Stock-based compensation transactions
    (321 )     5,331               (423 )                             4,908  
Adjustment to apply FAS No. 158 as of January 1, 2008, net of tax
                                    (505 )     366               (139 )
                                                                 
Balances at December 31, 2008
    8,432     $ (197,524 )   $ 52,323     $ 166,011     $ 401,918     $ (98,436 )   $     $ 324,292  
                                                                 
 
 
(a) Accumulated translation adjustments were $12,020, $35,510, and $(3,657), accumulated postretirement benefit liability adjustments were $(101,738), $(36,869), and $(62,458), accumulated raw material commodity swap adjustments were $(471), $(1,184), and $977, and accumulated interest rate swap adjustments were $(8,195), $(5,222), and $-0- at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, all net of tax.
 
(b) Dividends were $0.58 per share of common stock and $3.25 per share of convertible preferred stock for 2008, 2007, and 2006.
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Cash flows from operating activities
                       
Net (loss) income
  $ (39,698 )   $ (94,479 )   $ 20,620  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used for) provided by operating activities:
                       
(Gain) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
    (14,048 )     (5,087 )     (5,198 )
Loss (gain) on sale of assets and businesses
    2,598       1,175       (1,626 )
Depreciation and amortization
    73,450       84,048       76,484  
Impairment charges
    80,205       128,737        
Noncash restructuring charges
    351       3,259       15,795  
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts
    5,843       603       1,444  
Retirement benefits
    (15,254 )     (16,533 )     (13,826 )
Deferred income taxes
    (13,692 )     (30,468 )     (13,391 )
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
                       
Accounts and trade notes receivable
    30,455       (5,396 )     (24,793 )
Note receivable from Ferro Finance Corporation
    (46,344 )     (13,494 )     95,842  
Inventories
    (6,462 )     22,687       (30,716 )
Deposits for precious metals
          70,073       (51,073 )
Other receivables and other current assets
    (23,137 )     (13,423 )     250  
Accounts payable
    (27,185 )     9,636       (13,222 )
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    (23,898 )     (2,131 )     10,557  
Other operating activities
    4,435       (2,582 )     (481 )
                         
Net cash (used for) provided by continuing operations
    (12,381 )     136,625       66,666  
Net cash provided by (used for) discontinued operations
    3,285       7,954       4,278  
                         
Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities
    (9,096 )     144,579       70,944  
Cash flows from investing activities
                       
Capital expenditures for plant and equipment of continuing operations
    (70,751 )     (62,782 )     (46,011 )
Capital expenditures for plant and equipment of discontinued operations
    (2,317 )     (4,852 )     (4,604 )
Expenditures for other assets
    (3,400 )            
Cash adjustments to purchase price of prior acquisition
                1,790  
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations
    56,484              
Proceeds from sale of assets and businesses
    2,360       4,850       5,130  
Investment in Ferro Finance Corporation
                (25,000 )
Other investing activities
    574       751       (23 )
                         
Net cash used for investing activities
    (17,050 )     (62,033 )     (68,718 )
Cash flows from financing activities
                       
Net borrowings (repayments) under short-term loans payable to banks
    3,687       (6,857 )     1,334  
Proceeds from convertible notes
    172,500              
Proceeds from revolving credit facility
    1,024,174       779,630       697,929  
Proceeds from term loan facility
          55,000       250,000  
Proceeds from former revolving credit facility
                461,900  
Principal payments on revolving credit facility
    (926,228 )     (893,726 )     (569,976 )
Principal payments on term loan facility
    (9,452 )     (3,050 )      
Principal payments on former revolving credit facility
                (648,000 )
Extinguishment of debt
    (205,269 )           (155,000 )
Debt issue costs
    (5,570 )     (1,783 )     (16,234 )
Cash dividends
    (26,069 )     (26,086 )     (25,901 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    58       9,843       4,168  
Other financing activities
    (3,977 )     (1,688 )     (3,255 )
                         
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
    23,854       (88,717 )     (3,035 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    458       1,211       381  
                         
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (1,834 )     (4,960 )     (428 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    12,025       16,985       17,413  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 10,191     $ 12,025     $ 16,985  
                         
Cash paid during the period for:
                       
Interest
  $ 52,670     $ 56,911     $ 62,980  
Income taxes
  $ 10,308     $ 15,721     $ 10,687  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
 
1.   Our Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Our Business
 
Ferro Corporation (“Ferro,” “we,” “us” or “the Company”) produces performance materials for a broad range of manufacturers in diversified industries throughout the world. Our products are classified as performance materials, rather than commodities, because they are formulated to perform specific and important functions both in the manufacturing processes and in the finished products of our customers. We use inorganic chemical processes, polymer science and materials science to develop and produce these performance materials. Performance materials require a high degree of technical service on an individual customer basis. The value of our products stems from the results and performance they achieve in actual use. We manage our diverse businesses through seven business units that are differentiated from one another by product type. We have grouped these units by their product group below:
 
         
Inorganic Specialties
 
Organic Specialties
 
Electronic Material Systems
 
         
•   Tile Coating Systems
  •   Polymer Additives   •   Electronic Materials
         
•   Porcelain Enamel
  •   Specialty Plastics    
         
•   Color and Glass
  •   Pharmaceuticals    
   Performance Materials
       
 
We sold our Fine Chemicals business in the fourth quarter of 2008, and the financial results from this business are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
 
We produce our products principally in the United States (“U.S.”) and Europe, but we also operate manufacturing plants in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.
 
Ferro sells its products directly to customers or through the use of agents or distributors throughout the world. A large portion of our products are sold in the U.S. and Europe, however, we also sell to customers in strategically important Latin America and Asia-Pacific regions. Our customers use our products to manufacture building and renovation, automotive, household appliance and furnishing, transportation, electronic, and industrial products.
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent company and the accounts of subsidiary businesses in which we own majority and controlling interests. When we consolidate our financial statements we eliminate investments, common stock and paid-in capital accounts, and intercompany transactions, accounts and profits. When we exert significant influence over an investee but do not control it, we account for the investment and the investment income using the equity method. These investments are reported in the other non-current assets section of our balance sheet. When we acquire a subsidiary that is consolidated, its financial results are included in our consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition. When we dispose of a subsidiary that was consolidated, its financial results are included in our consolidated financial statements to the date of the disposition.
 
We legally sell substantially all of our domestic trade accounts receivable to Ferro Finance Corporation (“FFC”) under an asset securitization program. Since FFC is a wholly-owned subsidiary and purchases receivables only from Ferro Corporation, we are FFC’s primary beneficiary. However, until December 2008, FFC was a qualified special purpose entity (“QSPE”) and, therefore, was not consolidated. In December 2008, we amended the program to include an option that, if exercised, would terminate the program. As a result, FFC is no longer a QSPE and is included in our consolidated financial statements.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Use of Estimates and Assumptions in the Preparation of Financial Statements
 
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, which requires us to make estimates and to use judgments and assumptions that affect the timing and amount of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues and expenses recorded and disclosed. The more significant estimates and judgments relate to accounts receivable and inventory allowances, environmental and other contingent liabilities, income taxes, pension and other postretirement benefits, inventories, restructuring and cost reduction programs, revenue recognition, valuation of goodwill and other intangibles, assessment of long-lived assets, and derivative financial instruments. Actual outcomes could differ from our estimates, resulting in changes in revenues or costs that could have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
The financial results of our operations outside of the U.S. are recorded in local currencies, which generally are also the functional currencies for financial reporting purposes. The results of operations outside of the U.S. are translated from these local currencies into U.S. dollars using the average monthly currency exchange rates. We use the average currency exchange rate for these results of operations as a reasonable approximation of the results had specific currency exchange rates been used for each individual transaction. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates at the balance sheet dates, and we record the resulting foreign currency translation adjustment as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity.
 
Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recorded as incurred as other expense (income) in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
Cash Equivalents
 
We consider all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. These instruments are carried at cost.
 
Accounts Receivable and the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
Ferro sells its products to customers in diversified industries throughout the world. No customer or related group of customers represents greater than 10% of net sales or accounts receivable. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral. We provide for uncollectible accounts based on historical experience and specific circumstances, as appropriate. Customer accounts we deem to be uncollectible or to require excessive collection costs are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Historically, write-offs of uncollectible accounts have been within our expectations. When FFC was consolidated in December 2008, the valuation allowance on Ferro’s note receivable from FFC was combined with the valuation allowance on accounts and trade notes receivable. Detailed information about the allowance for doubtful accounts is provided below:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 11,668     $ 6,396     $ 7,524  
Bad debt (credit) expense
    4,472       (345 )     836  


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Note Receivable from Ferro Finance Corporation
 
Before FFC was consolidated in December 2008, we reported a note receivable from FFC, representing proceeds from the sale of trade accounts receivable to FFC that had not yet been received in cash by Ferro. We measured the fair value of the note receivable on a monthly basis using our best estimate of FFC’s ability to pay based on the undiscounted expected future cash collections on the outstanding accounts receivable sold. Detailed information about the valuation allowance for the note receivable is provided below:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Valuation allowance
  $     $ 3,015     $ 2,702  
Bad debt expense
    1,371       948       608  
 
Inventories
 
We value inventory at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined utilizing the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. We periodically evaluate the net realizable value of inventories based primarily upon their age, but also upon assumptions of future usage in production, customer demand and market conditions. Inventories have been reduced to the lower of cost or realizable value by allowances for slow moving or obsolete goods. If actual circumstances are less favorable than those projected by management in its evaluation of the net realizable value of inventories, additional write-downs may be required. Slow moving, excess or obsolete materials are specifically identified and may be physically separated from other materials, and we rework or dispose of these materials as time and manpower permit.
 
We maintain raw material on our premises that we do not own, including precious metals consigned from financial institutions and customers, and raw materials consigned from vendors. Although we have physical possession of the goods, their value is not reflected on our balance sheet because we do not have title.
 
We also obtain precious metals under consignment agreements with financial institutions for periods of one year or less. These precious metals are primarily silver, gold, platinum and palladium and are used in the production of certain products for our customers. Under these arrangements, the financial institutions own the precious metals, and accordingly, we do not report these precious metals as inventory on our consolidated balance sheet although they physically are in our possession. These agreements are cancelable by either party at the end of each consignment period, however, because we have access to a number of consignment arrangements with available capacity, our consignment needs can be shifted among the other participating institutions in order to ensure our supply. In certain cases, these financial institutions have required cash deposits to provide additional collateral beyond the value of the underlying precious metals. The financial institutions charge us fees for these consignment arrangements, and these fees are recorded as cost of sales.
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
 
We record property, plant and equipment at historical cost. In addition to the original purchased cost, including transportation, installation and taxes, we capitalize expenditures that increase the utility or useful life of existing assets. For constructed assets, we capitalize interest costs incurred during the period of construction. We depreciate property, plant and equipment using the straight-line basis for financial reporting purposes, generally over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:
 
     
Buildings
  20 to 40 years
Machinery and equipment
  5 to 15 years
 
We expense repair and maintenance costs, including the costs of major planned overhauls of equipment, as incurred.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
We capitalize the costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use after the preliminary project stage has been completed and management, with the relevant authority, authorizes and commits to funding a computer software project, and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. External direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining internal-use computer software, payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who are directly associated with the project, and interest costs incurred when developing computer software for internal use are capitalized. Capitalization ceases when the project is substantially complete, generally after all substantial testing is completed. Training costs and data conversion costs are expensed as incurred. After capitalization, the software is amortized on a straight-line basis and is subject to impairment in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Boards (“FASB”) Statement No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of.
 
We record asset retirement obligations (“AROs”) as they are incurred. We record an asset and a liability equal to the present value of the estimated costs associated with the retirement of long-lived assets where a legal or contractual obligation exists and the future costs can be reasonably estimated. We depreciate the asset over its remaining estimated useful life and the liability is accreted over time as an operating expense. We estimate the AROs based on judgment, taking into consideration the Company’s historical practices, current business intentions, and other relevant information. In determining the amount of the estimated AROs, we use an expected value technique based upon potential settlement dates and related probabilities of settlement.
 
If we were to abandon or close certain of our facilities, existing legal obligations would be triggered. Although we have no current plans to do so, if we close certain operating facilities, changes to or settlements of the related conditional AROs could negatively affect the Company’s results of operations and cash flows. Estimated liabilities for asset retirement obligations were $1.7 million at December 31, 2008, and $1.1 million at December 31, 2007.
 
Asset Impairment
 
The Company’s long-lived assets include property, plant and equipment, goodwill, and other intangible assets. We review these assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable. The following are examples of such events or changes in circumstances:
 
  •  An adverse change in the business climate or market price of a long-lived asset or asset group;
 
  •  An adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset or asset group is used or in its physical condition; or
 
  •  Current operating losses for a long-lived asset or asset group combined with a history of such losses or projected or forecasted losses that demonstrate that the losses will be continuing.
 
The carrying amount of long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, is not recoverable if the recorded value of the asset group exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group. In the event of impairment, we recognize a loss for the excess of the recorded value over fair value. The long-term nature of these assets requires the estimation of cash inflows and outflows several years into the future and only takes into consideration technological advances known at the time of review.
 
We review goodwill for impairment annually using a measurement date of October 31st, primarily due to the timing of our annual budgeting process, or more frequently in the event of an impairment indicator. The fair value of each reporting unit that has goodwill is estimated using the weighted average of the income approach and the market approach, which we believe provides a reasonable estimate of the reporting unit’s fair value, unless facts or circumstances exist which indicate a more representative fair value. The income approach is a discounted cash flow model, which uses projected cash flows attributable to the reporting unit, including an allocation of certain corporate expenses based on a proportional sales method. We use historical results and trends and our projections of


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
market growth, internal sales efforts, input cost movements, and cost reduction opportunities to estimate future cash flows. Using a risk adjusted, weighted average cost-of-capital, we discount the cash flow projections to the measurement date. The market approach estimates a price reasonably expected to be realized from the sale of the reporting units based on a comparison to similar businesses. If the fair value of any of the reporting units were determined to be less than its carrying value, we would obtain comparable market values or independent appraisals of its net assets. In 2008, we recorded goodwill impairments of $17.0 million in the Specialty Plastics business and $41.4 million in the Tile Coating Systems business. In 2007, we recorded goodwill impairments of $73.5 million for the Polymer Additives business and $32.2 million for the Pharmaceuticals business.
 
Income Taxes
 
We determine income taxes using the liability method of accounting. Income tax expense includes U.S. and international income taxes plus the provision for U.S. taxes on undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries we have deemed not to be permanently reinvested. Tax credits and other incentives reduce tax expense in the year they are claimed. We recognize deferred tax assets if we believe that it is more likely than not that the assets will be realized in future years. We record valuation allowances against deferred tax assets that we believe do not meet the criteria for realization of “more likely than not.” We recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be recognized. We report tax-related interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense.
 
Environmental Liabilities
 
As part of the production of some of our products, we handle, process, use and store hazardous materials. As part of these routine processes, we expense recurring costs associated with control and disposal of hazardous materials as they are incurred. Occasionally we are subject to ongoing, pending or threatened litigation related to the handling of these materials or other matters. If, based on available information, we believe that we have incurred a liability and we can reasonably estimate the amount, we accrue for environmental remediation and other contingent liabilities. We disclose material contingencies if the likelihood of the potential loss is reasonably possible but the amount is not reasonably estimable.
 
In estimating the amount to be accrued for environmental remediation, we use assumptions about:
 
  •  Remediation requirements at the contaminated site;
 
  •  The nature of the remedy;
 
  •  Existing technology;
 
  •  The outcome of discussions with regulatory agencies;
 
  •  Other potentially responsible parties at multi-party sites; and
 
  •  The number and financial viability of other potentially responsible parties.
 
We actively monitor the status of sites, and, as assessments and cleanups proceed, we update our assumptions and adjust our estimates as necessary. Because we are uncertain about the timing of related payments, we do not discount the estimated remediation costs.
 
Unanticipated government enforcement actions, differences in actual results as compared to expected remediation outcomes, changes in health, safety or environmental regulations, or testing requirements could result in higher or lower costs and changes to our estimates.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Contingencies
 
We expense contingent items when events that give rise to the items are probable and the amounts are reasonably estimable. If a loss contingency is reasonably possible and the amount of the loss is material, we disclose the item. If only a range of possible losses can be estimated, we record the low end of the range and disclose the possible range of outcomes. However, if there is a best estimate of the amount of the loss within the range, we will record that amount.
 
Gain contingencies are only recognized when their realization is assured beyond a reasonable doubt. In December 2006, we received a $2.4 million settlement in a class action lawsuit for price-fixing in the rubber chemicals industry. The period covered under the settlement began in 1995 and ended in 2001. We recorded this gain in 2006 as miscellaneous income in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
Restructuring and Cost Reduction Programs
 
We expense costs associated with exit and disposal activities designed to restructure operations and reduce ongoing costs of operations when we incur the related liabilities or when other triggering events occur. After the appropriate level of management having the authority approves the detailed restructuring plan, we establish accruals for underlying activities by estimating employee termination costs. Our estimates are based upon factors including statutory and union requirements, affected employees’ lengths of service, contract provisions, salary level, and health care benefit choices. As part of our assessment of exit and disposal activities, we also analyze the carrying value of the affected long-lived assets for impairment and reductions in the remaining estimated useful lives.
 
We believe our estimates and assumptions used to calculate these restructuring provisions are appropriate, and although we do not anticipate significant changes, actual costs could differ from the estimates should we make changes in the nature or timing of the restructuring plans. The changes in costs, as a result of the eventual timing and number of employees receiving termination benefits and the final disposition or closure of the manufacturing facilities, could have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
 
Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits
 
We recognize postretirement and other employee benefits as employees render the services necessary to earn those benefits. We determine defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit costs and obligations with the assistance of actuarial calculations performed by experts. The calculations and the resulting amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements are affected by assumptions including the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the annual rate of change in compensation for plan-eligible employees, estimated changes in costs of healthcare benefits, and other factors. We evaluate the assumptions used on an annual basis. Prior to 2008, postretirement obligations for U.S. employees were measured each September 30th while these obligations for foreign employees were measured each December 31st. Effective January 1, 2008, we changed the measurement date for our U.S. employees from September 30th to December 31st and recognized the expense for the gap period as an adjustment to retained earnings.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
As part of our risk management activities, we employ derivative financial instruments, primarily interest rate swaps, foreign currency forward contracts, raw material commodity swaps and precious metals forward contracts, to hedge certain anticipated transactions, firm commitments, or assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. We also purchase portions of our energy and precious metal requirements under fixed price forward purchase contracts designated as normal purchase contracts. Under certain circumstances, these contracts require us to settle the obligations in cash at prevailing market prices.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
We record derivatives on our balance sheet as either assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value. We adjust the fair value of derivatives that are not hedges through income. Depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in fair value of the derivatives are either offset against the changes in the fair value of assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in value, if any, is immediately recognized in earnings. We use derivatives only to manage well-defined interest rate, foreign currency and commodity price risks and do not use derivatives for speculative purposes.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
We typically recognize sales when we ship goods to our customers and when all of the following criteria are met:
 
  •  Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
 
  •  The selling price is fixed and determinable;
 
  •  Collection is reasonably assured; and
 
  •  Title and risk of loss has passed to our customers.
 
In order to ensure the revenue recognition in the proper period, we review material sales contracts for proper cut-off based upon the business practices and legal requirements of each country. For sales of products containing precious metals, we report gross revenues with a separate display of cost of sales to arrive at gross profit. We record revenues this way because we act as the principal in the transactions we enter into and take title and the risks and rewards of ownership of the inventory we process, although the timing of when we take title to inventory during the production process may vary.
 
The amount of shipping and handling fees invoiced to our customers at the time our product is shipped is included in net sales. Credit memos issued to customers for sales returns, discounts allowed and sales adjustments are recorded when they are incurred as a reduction of sales. We use estimated allowances to state the related accounts receivable at their net realizable value.
 
Additionally, we provide certain of our customers with incentive rebate programs to promote customer loyalty and encourage greater product sales. We accrue customer rebates over the rebate periods based upon estimated attainments of the provisions in the rebate agreements using available information and record these rebate accruals as reductions of sales.
 
Cost of Sales
 
We include in cost of sales the purchased cost of raw materials, and labor and overhead directly associated with the production process. Cost of sales also includes shipping and handling costs, financing costs associated with precious metals, purchasing and receiving costs, depreciation and leasing costs of buildings and equipment used in production, utilities, operating parts and supplies, warehousing costs, internal transfer costs, other costs of distribution, costs of hazardous materials control and disposal, physical inventory adjustments, and obsolescence and rework costs.
 
Cost of sales is initially recorded using standard costs, which are generally established at least annually to fully absorb qualifying production costs into inventory based on normal production capacity. Production variances related to volume, rework, and other production inefficiencies are expensed as incurred. We review manufacturing costs periodically to ensure that only those costs that clearly relate to production and that increase the economic utility of the related inventories are capitalized into inventory. We adjust the standard cost of inventory at the


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
balance sheet date to actual by applying material purchase price and the appropriate production variances most recently incurred.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
Expenses for sales and administrative functions, including salaries and wages, benefits, stock-based compensation, sales commissions, bad debt expense, lease costs and depreciation related to buildings and equipment not used in production, and outside services such as legal, audit and consulting fees, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Certain warehousing costs amounting to $4.3 million in 2008, $4.2 million in 2007, and $4.0 million in 2006 are also included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
 
Research and development expenses are expensed as incurred and are also included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Amounts expended for development or significant improvement of new or existing products, services and techniques were $33.6 million for 2008, $36.9 million for 2007, and $42.6 million for 2006.
 
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Comprehensive income (loss) includes charges and credits to shareholders’ equity that are not the result of transactions with shareholders. Our total comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income or loss, foreign currency translation adjustments, postretirement benefit liability adjustments, and gains and losses on derivative instruments. The cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments, postretirement benefit liability adjustments, and gains and losses on derivative instruments are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in our consolidated balance sheets and statements of shareholders’ equity.
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
 
On January 1, 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, (“FAS No. 123R”). We now base stock-based compensation costs on the estimated grant-date fair value of stock-based awards that are expected to ultimately vest and adjust expected vesting rates to actual results as these become known. Upon the initial adoption of FAS No. 123R, we reclassified $6.1 million of unearned stock-based compensation to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheet.
 
On December 31, 2006, we adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of FASB Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, (“FAS No. 158”). As a result of our adoption of FAS No. 158, we recorded a decrease in other non-current assets of $1.2 million, an increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $6.5 million, a decrease in postretirement and pension liabilities of $5.2 million, an increase in non-current deferred tax assets of $3.5 million, and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $1.0 million.
 
On January 1, 2007, we adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, (“FIN No. 48”), which clarifies what criteria must be met prior to recognition of the financial statement benefit of a position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on de-recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods, and income tax disclosures. The adoption of this interpretation decreased the opening balance of retained earnings by $11.9 million as of January 1, 2007. We have elected to continue to report interest and penalties as income tax expense.
 
On January 1, 2007, we also adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140, (“FAS No. 156”). This statement requires an entity to recognize at fair value a servicing asset or liability each time it undertakes an obligation to service a financial asset by entering into a servicing contract. We provide “collection agent” services for our


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
U.S. and certain international receivables sales programs. The “collection agent” fees received by the Company approximate adequate compensation. Therefore, the adoption of FAS No. 156 did not have an effect on our consolidated financial statements.
 
On January 1, 2008, we adopted FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, (“FAS No. 157”), FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-1, Application of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement Under Statement 13, (“FSP No. FAS 157-1”), and FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157. On July 1, 2008, we also adopted FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset is not Active, (“FSP No. FAS 157-3”). FAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework and gives guidance regarding the methods used for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements, but does not require any new fair value measurements. FSP No. FAS 157-1 excludes FASB Statement No. 13, Accounting for Leases, (“FAS No. 13”) as well as other accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurement on lease classification or measurement under FAS No. 13 from the scope of FAS No. 157. FSP No. FAS 157-2 delays the effective date of FAS No. 157 for all nonrecurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. FSP No. FAS 157-3 amends FAS No. 157 to give an example of how to determine the fair value of a financial asset in an inactive market, but does not change the fair value measurement principles of FAS No. 157. The portions of these pronouncements that were not delayed were adopted prospectively, and their adoption reduced the disclosed fair value of our borrowings under the revolving credit and term loan facilities and reduced the carrying value of our interest rate swaps. We are currently evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements of adopting the deferred portions of these pronouncements on January 1, 2009.
 
On January 1, 2008, we adopted the measurement provisions of FASB Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R), (“FAS No. 158”). The measurement provisions require companies to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the annual balance sheet date. Previously, we used September 30 as the measurement date for U.S. pension and other postretirement benefits. We have elected to use the September 30, 2007, measurement of assets and benefit obligations to calculate the fiscal year 2008 expense. Expense for the gap period from September 30 to December 31 is recognized as of January 1, 2008, as a charge of $0.5 million, net of tax, to retained earnings and a credit of $0.4 million, net of tax, to accumulated other comprehensive income.
 
On January 1, 2008, we adopted FASB Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115, (“FAS No. 159”). This statement permits us to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value (the “fair value option”). For items for which the fair value option has been elected, we would report unrealized gains and losses in earnings at each subsequent reporting date and recognize up-front costs and fees in earnings as incurred. We have not elected to measure any eligible items at fair value, and we do not have any current plans to do so. Therefore, adoption of FAS No. 159 did not have an effect on our consolidated financial statements.
 
On January 1, 2008, we adopted Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 06-11, Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards, (“EITF No. 06-11”). EITF No. 06-11 requires that the income tax benefit from dividends that are charged to retained earnings and paid to employees for nonvested equity shares be recognized as an increase to paid-in capital. Previously, we recognized this income tax benefit as an increase to retained earnings. Beginning in 2008, we report this income tax benefit as an increase to paid-in capital.
 
In December 2008, we adopted FASB Staff Position No. FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8, Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities, upon it issuance. This pronouncement requires companies to provide additional disclosures about transfers of financial assets and about their involvement with variable interest entities. Other than for some additional disclosures, the adoption of this FASB Staff Position did not have an effect on our consolidated financial statements.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 141(R), Business Combinations, (“FAS No. 141(R)”). This statement requires more acquired assets and assumed liabilities to be measured at fair value as of the acquisition date, liabilities related to contingent consideration to be remeasured at fair value in each subsequent reporting period, and all acquisition-related costs in preacquisition periods to be expensed. We are required to apply this standard prospectively beginning in our fiscal year 2009.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51, (“FAS No. 160”). Under this statement, noncontrolling interests (e.g., minority interests) in subsidiaries to be measured initially at fair value and classified as a separate component of equity and the amount of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is included in consolidated net income. FAS No. 160 requires entities to apply the measurement requirements prospectively and to apply the presentation and disclosure requirements retrospectively to comparative financial statements. We are required to apply this standard beginning in our fiscal year 2009. If FAS No. 160 had been applied, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries of $9.8 million at December 31, 2008 would have been reclassified to equity, and net income attributable to minority interests of $1.6 million for 2008 would have been included in consolidated net income.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133, (“FAS No. 161”). This statement requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities and encourages, but does not require, comparative disclosures for earlier periods at initial adoption. We are required to apply this standard beginning in our fiscal year 2009. We do not expect the adoption of FAS No. 161 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In April 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets, (“FSP No. FAS 142-3”). This pronouncement amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. We are required to apply this standard prospectively beginning in our fiscal year 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of FSP No. FAS 142-3; at this time, we are uncertain as to the impact on our results of operations and financial position.
 
In May 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. APB 14-1, Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement), (“FSP No. APB 14-1”). This pronouncement specifies that issuers of such instruments should separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. We are required to apply this standard retrospectively beginning in our fiscal year 2009. If FSP No. APB 14-1 had been applied at December 31, 2008, the carrying value of the liability component of our 6.50% Convertible Senior Notes would have been approximately $153.5 million, including $1.2 million of imputed interest; the carrying value of the equity component would have been approximately $19.6 million, net of $0.6 million of allocated third-party transaction costs; and net income would have been approximately $0.8 million lower due primarily to imputed interest, net of tax.
 
In June 2008, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 07-5, Determining Whether an Instrument (or an Embedded Feature) Is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock, (“EITF No. 07-5”), which supersedes EITF No. 01-6, The Meaning of ‘Indexed to a Company’s Own Stock.’ FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, (“FAS No. 133”) specifies that a contract issued or held by a company that is both indexed to its own stock and classified in stockholders’ equity is not considered a derivative instrument for purposes of applying FAS No. 133. EITF No. 07-5 provides further guidance in requiring that both an instrument’s contingency exercise provisions and its settlement provisions be evaluated for determining whether the instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed solely to an entity’s own stock. We are required to apply this standard beginning in our fiscal year 2009


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
and recognize the cumulative effect, if any, of the change in accounting principle in the opening balance of retained earnings. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of EITF No. 07-5; at this time, we are uncertain as to the impact on our results of operations and financial position.
 
In November 2008, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 08-6, Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations, (“EITF No. 08-6”). This pronouncement changes the way a company accounts for equity method investments. Among other things, it requires a company to determine the initial carrying value of an equity method investment by applying the cost accumulation model and to account for share issuances by the investee as a proportionate sale of its investment. We are required to apply this standard prospectively beginning in our fiscal year 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of EITF No. 08-6; at this time, we are uncertain as to the impact on our results of operations and financial position.
 
In November 2008, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 08-7, Accounting for Defensive Intangible Assets, (“EITF No. 08-7”). This pronouncement requires a company to account for an acquired defensive asset as a separate unit of accounting and assign it a useful life based on the period during which the asset would diminish in value. We are required to apply this standard prospectively beginning in our fiscal year 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of EITF No. 08-7; at this time, we are uncertain as to the impact on our results of operations and financial position.
 
In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures About Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets. This pronouncement requires more detailed disclosures about employers’ plan assets, including employers’ investment strategies, major categories of plan assets, concentrations of risk within plan assets, and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets. We are required to apply this standard beginning in our fiscal year 2009. We do not expect the adoption of this FASB Staff Position to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
2.   Inventories
 
Inventories at December 31st consisted of the following:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Raw materials
  $ 82,837     $ 72,140  
Work in process
    43,224       41,599  
Finished goods
    130,350       142,280  
                 
Total
  $ 256,411     $ 256,019  
                 
 
In the production of some of our products, we use precious metals, primarily silver for Electronic Materials products and gold for Color and Glass Performance Materials products. We obtain most precious metals from financial institutions under consignment agreements. The financial institutions retain ownership of the precious metals and charge us fees based on the amounts we consign. These fees were $4.6 million in 2008, $3.7 million in 2007, and $3.1 million for 2006 and were charged to cost of sales. We had on hand $104.2 million at December 31, 2008, and $148.3 million at December 31, 2007, of precious metals, measured at fair value, owned by participants in our precious metals program.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
3.   Property, Plant and Equipment
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Land
  $ 33,687     $ 40,455  
Buildings
    230,450       244,046  
Machinery and equipment
    720,044       808,368  
Construction in progress
    35,216       48,518  
Property, plant and equipment under capital leases
    16,957       17,011  
                 
Total property, plant and equipment
    1,036,354       1,158,398  
Total accumulated depreciation
    (579,805 )     (662,799 )
                 
Net property, plant and equipment
  $ 456,549     $ 495,599  
                 
 
Depreciation expense from continuing operations was $65.3 million for 2008, $75.4 million for 2007, and $66.5 million for 2006. Noncash investing activities for capital expenditures, consisting of new capital leases during the year and unpaid capital expenditure liabilities at year end, amounted to $12.8 million for 2008, $16.1 million for 2007, and $4.1 million for 2006. Capitalized interest costs related to property, plant and equipment under construction were $1.7 million in 2008, $2.3 million in 2007, and $1.1 million in 2006.
 
The carrying amount of property, plant and equipment is not recoverable if the recorded value of the asset group exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group. In 2008, the Specialty Plastics business experienced downturns in the automotive, appliance and container markets, particularly in the fourth quarter of 2008. The decline in auto sales and U.S. home construction, which negatively impacted this business and the extended recovery time forecasted in these markets, triggered an impairment. We recorded an asset impairment of $1.9 million as a result of this review. Also in the fourth quarter of 2008, we recorded an impairment of $19.9 million in our Electronic Materials facility in Uden Netherlands. The impairment was the result of a decline in the operating results and reduced future sales projection for our dielectric material products that are produced in this facility.
 
In 2007, we recorded an impairment of $6.8 million on the property, plant and equipment due to the following factors: the cumulative negative effect on earnings of a cyclical downturn in certain of the Polymer Additives business’ primary U.S.-based end markets, including housing and automobiles; anticipated additional product costs due to recent hazardous material legislation and regulations, such as the newly enacted European Union “REACH” registration system, which requires chemical suppliers to perform toxicity studies of the components of their products and to register certain information; and higher forecasted capital expenditures related to the business. Additionally in 2007, in our Pharmaceuticals segment, primarily due to the result of a longer time to transition the business from a supplier of food supplements and additives to a supplier of high-value pharmaceutical products and services, we recorded an impairment of $16.3 million on the property, plant and equipment.
 
In October 2005, the Dutch government placed a lien on one of the Company’s facilities in the Netherlands as collateral for any future payment relating to an unresolved environmental claim. We do not believe the ultimate resolution of this matter will have a material effect on Ferro’s financial position or results of operations.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
4.   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
A summary of goodwill activity follows:
 
         
    (Dollars in
 
    thousands)  
 
Balance at December 31, 2006
  $ 395,835  
Impairments
    (105,653 )
Currency translation adjustments
    516  
         
Balance at December 31, 2007
    290,698  
Impairments
    (58,361 )
Currency translation adjustments
    (2,672 )
         
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ 229,665  
         
 
Details of amortizable intangible assets follow:
 
                         
    Estimated
    December 31,  
    Economic Life     2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Patents
    9-15 years     $ 5,775     $ 6,515  
Other
    1-20 years       14,451       10,483  
                         
Total gross amortizable intangible assets
            20,226       16,998  
Accumulated amortization
            (8,473 )     (7,927 )
                         
Amortizable intangible assets, net
          $ 11,753     $ 9,071  
                         
 
We test goodwill for impairment annually using October 31st as our annual assessment date, primarily due to the timing of our annual budgeting process, or more frequently if we believe indicators of impairment exist, which was the case at December 31, 2008. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, requires an assessment consisting of two tests. In the first test, we test goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit that has goodwill against its carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform a second test to measure impairment. The Specialty Plastics business as of October 31, 2008, and the Tile Coating Systems business as of December 31, 2008, had fair values that were less than the carrying values of their net assets, indicating an impairment of goodwill. As of October 31, 2007, two reporting units, the Polymer Additives business and the Pharmaceuticals business had fair values that were less than the carrying values of their net assets, indicating an impairment of goodwill.
 
We estimate the fair values of reporting units primarily using the weighted average of both the income approach and the market approach, which we believe provides a reasonable estimate of a reporting unit’s fair value, unless facts or circumstances exist which indicate a more representative fair value. The income approach uses projected cash flows attributable to the reporting unit over its useful life and discounted to its present value. The market approach estimates a price reasonably expected to be realized from the sale of similar businesses. Factors considered in both of these approaches included projections of our future operating results, anticipated future cash flows, comparable marketplace data adjusted for our industry grouping, and the cost of capital.
 
In 2008, an impairment of goodwill in our Tile Coating Systems business was triggered by the cumulative negative effect on operating results of the significant downturn in the fourth quarter 2008 in the housing and construction markets, both in the United States and Europe, leading to lower demand from customers serving those markets. The lower demand in these markets was the triggering event for our review for impairment. The Specialty Plastics business experienced downturns in the automotive, appliance and container markets, particularly in the


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
fourth quarter of 2008. The decline in auto sales and U.S. home construction, which negatively impacted this business, and the extended recovery time forecasted in these markets triggered an impairment. The step two analyses required to complete the measurement of the amount of goodwill impairment is not complete. As a result, at December 31, 2008, we have recorded estimated goodwill impairments of $41.4 million for the Tile Coating Systems business and $17.0 million related to the Specialty Plastics business. We believe that these impairments, which fully impair the goodwill for each of these reporting units, are our best estimates based upon the available evidence and analysis performed to date. These amounts may be adjusted upon the completion of the step two test in 2009. The amounts are included in impairment charges in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
As of October 31, 2007, two reporting units, the Polymer Additives business and the Pharmaceuticals business, had fair values that were less than the carrying values of their net assets, indicating an impairment of goodwill. The impairment in the Polymer Additives business was triggered by the cumulative negative effect on operating results of a cyclical downturn in certain of its primary U.S.-based end markets, including housing and automotive; anticipated additional product costs due to recent hazardous material legislation and regulations, such as the newly enacted European Union “REACH” registration system, which requires chemical suppliers to perform toxicity studies of the components of their products and to register certain information; and higher forecasted capital expenditures for this business. The impairment of goodwill in the Pharmaceuticals business was primarily the result of the longer time necessary to transition the business from a supplier of food supplements and additives to a supplier of high-value pharmaceutical products and services. We recorded an impairment of $73.5 million for the Polymer Additives business and $32.2 million for the Pharmaceuticals business in 2007. The amounts are included in impairment charges in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
As part of our restructuring activities in 2006, we recorded an impairment charge of $3.5 million relating to intellectual property at our Niagara Falls, New York, facility.
 
We recorded amortization expense from continuing operations related to intangible assets and other non-current assets, as detailed in the following table:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Intangibles
  $ 938     $ 1,236     $ 965  
Deferred charges and other non-current assets
    7,173       7,460       9,054  
                         
Total amortization expense
  $ 8,111     $ 8,696     $ 10,019  
                         
 
Aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets is expected to be $0.9 million annually in the years 2009 through 2013.
 
5.   Financing and Short-term and Long-term Debt
 
Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt at December 31st consisted of the following:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Loans payable to banks
  $ 4,754     $ 954  
Current portion of long-term debt
    4,129       4,490  
                 
Total loans payable and current portion of long-term debt
  $ 8,883     $ 5,444  
                 
 
The weighted-average interest rate on loans payable to banks was 7.6% at December 31, 2008, and 10.0% at December 31, 2007. These loans are primarily from overdraft facilities.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Long-term debt at December 31st consisted of the following:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
$172.5 million 6.50% Convertible Senior Notes
  $ 172,500     $  
$200 million 91/8% Senior Notes, net of unamortized discounts
          199,636  
Revolving credit facility
    111,803       13,857  
Term loan facility
    292,498       301,950  
Capitalized lease obligations (see Note 14)
    6,447       8,924  
Other notes
    1,543       768  
                 
      584,791       525,135  
Current portion
    (4,129 )     (4,490 )
                 
Total long-term debt, less current portion
  $ 580,662     $ 520,645  
                 
 
The annual maturities of long-term debt for each of the five years after December 31, 2008, were as follows:
 
         
    (Dollars in
 
    thousands)  
 
2009
  $ 4,129  
2010
    4,361  
2011
    185,969  
2012
    213,923  
2013
    173,231  
Thereafter
    3,178  
         
Total maturities of long-term debt
  $ 584,791  
         
 
6.50% Convertible Senior Notes
 
In August 2008, Ferro issued $172.5 million of 6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (the “Convertible Notes”). The proceeds from the offering, along with available cash, including borrowings under Ferro’s revolving credit facility, were used to purchase all of Ferro’s outstanding 91/8% Senior Notes. The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.5% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15th and August 15th of each year, beginning on February 15, 2009. The Convertible Notes mature on August 15, 2013. Under certain circumstances, holders of the Convertible Notes may convert their notes prior to maturity.
 
The initial base conversion rate is 30.9253, equivalent to an initial base conversion price of $32.34 per share of our common stock. If the price of our common stock at conversion exceeds the base conversion price, the base conversion rate is increased by an additional number of shares. The base conversion rate and the additional number of shares are adjusted in certain events. Upon conversion of Convertible Notes, we will pay the conversion value in cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes being converted and in shares of our common stock, for the remainder, if any. Upon a fundamental change, holders may require us to repurchase Convertible Notes for cash equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Convertible Notes are unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with any other unsecured, unsubordinated obligations. At December 31, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants under the Convertible Notes’ indentures.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
91/8% Senior Notes
 
In June 2008, Ferro commenced a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of its outstanding $200 million aggregate principal amount of 91/8% Senior Notes due 2009 (the “91/8% Notes”). In August and September, we purchased all of the 91/8% Notes for $205.3 million, including call premiums and tender costs, and recorded a loss of $5.5 million, including unamortized discounts and fees. We financed the purchase of the 91/8% Notes and related costs from the issuance of the Convertible Notes, along with available cash, including borrowings under Ferro’s revolving credit facility.
 
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facilities
 
In 2006, we entered into an agreement with a group of lenders for a $700 million credit facility, consisting of a multi-currency senior revolving credit facility and a senior term loan facility, which replaced a former revolving credit facility that would have expired later that year. In 2007, we cancelled the unused portion of the term loan facility and amended the credit facility (the “2007 Amended Credit Facility”) primarily to increase the size of the revolving credit facility, reduce interest rates, and increase operating flexibility. At December 31, 2008, the 2007 Amended Credit Facility consisted of a $300.0 million revolving credit facility, which matures in 2011, and a term loan facility with an outstanding principal balance of $292.5 million, which matures in 2012. The Company is required to make periodic principal payments to the term loan investors with a corresponding reduction in the commitment amount under the term loan facility.
 
We had $180.0 million at December 31, 2008, and $277.5 million at December 31, 2007, available under the revolving credit facility, after reductions for standby letters of credit secured by this facility. In 2007, we began making periodic principal payments on the term loans. We are required to make minimum quarterly principal payments of $0.8 million from January 2009 to July 2011. During the last year of the loan’s life, we are required to repay the remaining balance of the term loans in four quarterly installments. Currently, those last four payments will be $71.0 million each. In addition to the minimum quarterly payments, each April we may be required to make an additional principal payment. The amount of this additional payment is dependent on the Company’s leverage and certain cash flow metrics. Any additional payment that is required reduces, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the amount due in the last four quarterly payments. In April 2008, we made an additional principal payment of $6.4 million.
 
On March 11, 2009, we amended the 2007 Amended Credit Facility (the “2009 Amended Credit Facility”) primarily to provide additional operating flexibility and to change pricing to more accurately reflect current market interest rates. The primary effects of the 2009 Amended Credit Facility are to:
 
  •  Increase the interest rates and commitment fees payable thereunder pursuant to a grid structure based on our leverage ratio,
 
  •  Increase the maximum permitted leverage ratio and decrease the minimum permitted fixed charge coverage ratio,
 
  •  Add a minimum quarterly EBITDA requirement for fiscal year 2009,
 
  •  Restrict the Company’s ability to engage in acquisitions and make investments,
 
  •  Limit the amount of cash and cash equivalent collateral the Company is permitted to deliver to participants in our precious metals program to secure our obligations arising under the precious metals consignment agreements,
 
  •  Require additional financial reporting by the Company to the lenders,
 
  •  Increase the amount of the annual excess cash flow required to be used to repay term loans,


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
 
  •  Require application of the net proceeds of certain dispositions, but excluding the first $20 million of such net proceeds, to be applied to repay debt outstanding under the revolving credit facility and term loans and to permanently reduce availability under the revolving loan facility on a dollar for dollar basis, provided that we are not required to reduce the commitments under the revolving credit facility to below $150 million,
 
  •  Eliminate our ability to request an increase of $50 million in the revolving credit facility,
 
  •  Add provisions governing the obligations of the Company and the lenders if one or more lenders under the revolving credit facility fails to satisfy its funding obligations or otherwise becomes a defaulting lender, and
 
  •  Restrict our ability to make payments with respect to our capital securities. The 2009 Amended Credit Facility effectively prohibits us from paying dividends on our common stock.
 
The interest rates under the 2009 Amended Credit Facility are the sum of (A) either (1) LIBOR or (2) the higher of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, the Prime Rate, or LIBOR plus 1.0% and (B) for the revolving credit facility, a variable margin based on the Company’s leverage, or for the term loan facility, a fixed margin. As part of the June 2007 amendments, $175 million of borrowings under the term loan facility were restricted to using three-month LIBOR in determining their interest rates. This change was made in connection with interest rate swap agreements executed in June 2007. These swap agreements effectively fixed the interest rate through June 2011 on $150 million of borrowings under the term loan facility. At December 31, 2008, the average interest rate for revolving credit borrowings was 2.6%, and the effective interest rate for term loan borrowings after adjusting for the interest rate swaps was 6.5%. At December 31, 2007, the average interest rate was 6.5% for revolving credit borrowings and 7.2% for term loan borrowings.
 
The 2009 Amended Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of Ferro’s assets, generally including 100% of the shares of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the shares of the foreign subsidiaries directly owned by the domestic parent company, but excluding trade receivables legally sold pursuant to our accounts receivable sales programs.
 
The 2009 Amended Credit Facility contains customary operating covenants that limit our ability to engage in certain activities, including additional loans and investments; creation of liens; prepayments, redemptions and repurchases of debt; and mergers, acquisitions and asset sales. We are also subject to customary financial covenants, including a leverage ratio, a fixed charge coverage ratio, and a minimum EBITDA requirement. Failure to satisfy certain of these covenants, either immediately or within a brief period, would result in a default. If a default should occur and be continuing and we have not obtained a waiver, the obligations under the 2009 Amended Credit Facility may become immediately due and payable at the option of providers of more than 50% of the credit facility commitment. At December 31, 2008, we were in compliance with the financial covenants of the 2007 Amended Credit Facility.
 
Receivables Sales Programs
 
We have several programs to sell, on an ongoing basis, pools of our trade accounts receivable. These programs accelerate cash collections at favorable financing costs and help us manage the Company’s liquidity requirements. The costs associated with these programs were $5.8 million in 2008, $7.0 million in 2007, and $5.6 million in 2006 and are reported as interest expense.
 
We have an asset securitization program for substantially all of Ferro’s U.S. trade accounts receivable. This program accelerates cash collections at favorable financing costs and helps us manage the Company’s liquidity requirements. We legally sell these trade accounts receivable to FFC, which finances its acquisition of trade receivable assets by issuing beneficial interests in (securitizing) the receivables to multi-seller receivables securitization companies (the “conduits”). FFC and the conduits have no recourse to Ferro’s other assets for failure of debtors to pay when due as the assets transferred are legally isolated in accordance with the


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
U.S. bankruptcy laws. FFC is a wholly-owned subsidiary, which until December 2008 was a qualified special purpose entity (“QSPE”) and, therefore, was not consolidated. At December 31, 2007, Ferro’s consolidated balance sheet does not include outstanding trade accounts receivable sold to FFC of $115.0 million nor FFC’s obligation to the conduits for $54.6 million advanced against beneficial interests in those receivables, but does include a note receivable from FFC of $29.6 million, net of a valuation allowance, representing proceeds from the sale of trade accounts receivable to FFC that have not yet been received in cash by Ferro. In December 2008, we amended the program so that FFC is no longer a QSPE, FFC is included in our consolidated financial statements, and this program is no longer accounted for as an off balance sheet arrangement. Upon consolidation of FFC, accounts receivable increased $105.9 million, the note receivable from FFC decreased $75.9 million, and other non-current assets decreased $30.0 million. At December 31, 2008, Ferro’s consolidated balance sheet includes outstanding trade accounts receivable legally transferred to FFC of $90.3 million, while there was no advance to FFC from the conduits against beneficial interests in those receivables, and the note receivable from FFC was eliminated in consolidation.
 
In June 2008, we amended the facility to reduce the program’s size from $100 million to $75 million. At December 31, 2008, after reductions for non-qualifying receivables, we had $56.8 million available under this program. The Company intends to renew or replace the asset securitization program prior to its scheduled expiration in June 2009, however there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to do so.
 
Activity from this program prior to December 15, 2008, is detailed below:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Sales of trade accounts receivable to FFC
  $ 1,031,164     $ 985,922     $ 994,436  
Purchases of previously sold trade accounts receivable
    6,483       2,302        
Net cash proceeds from FFC
    994,771       969,265       1,090,485  
Trade accounts receivable collected and remitted to FFC and the conduits
    1,049,393       975,243       1,005,885  
Servicing fees from FFC
    563       308       310  
 
The program contains operating covenants that limit FFC’s ability to engage in certain activities, including borrowings, creation of liens, mergers, and investing in other companies. The program also requires FFC and Ferro to provide periodic financial statements and reports on the accounts receivable and limits our ability to make significant changes in receivable collection practices. In addition, FFC is required to maintain a minimum tangible net worth. To meet this requirement, we invested an additional $25 million in FFC in June 2006. The program is subject to customary termination events, including non-performance, deterioration in the quality of the accounts receivable pool, and cross-default provisions with Ferro’s 2009 Amended Credit Facility and other debt obligations with principal outstanding of at least $5 million. If a termination event occurs and is not cured, the program may be terminated or a third party may be selected to act as administrator in collecting FFC’s accounts receivable.
 
In addition, we maintain several international programs to sell trade accounts receivable to financial institutions. The commitments supporting these programs can be withdrawn at any time and totaled $81.7 million at December 31, 2008, and $80.8 million at December 31, 2007. The amount of outstanding receivables sold under the international programs was $16.7 million at December 31, 2008, and $42.1 million at December 31, 2007. Ferro provides normal collection and administration services for the trade accounts receivable sold to certain financial institutions. Servicing fees are not material.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Activity from these programs is detailed below:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Trade accounts receivable sold to financial institutions
  $ 232,065     $ 182,075     $ 104,869  
Cash proceeds from financial institutions
    221,509       178,429       104,676  
Trade accounts receivable collected and remitted to financial institutions
    73,301       84,273       53,090  
 
Other Financing Arrangements
 
We maintain other lines of credit to provide global flexibility for Ferro’s short-term liquidity requirements. These facilities are uncommitted lines for our international operations and totaled $24.9 million at December 31, 2008, and $30.7 million at December 31, 2007. The unused portions of these lines provided additional liquidity of $22.0 million at December 31, 2008, and $28.9 million at December 31, 2007.
 
6.   Financial Instruments
 
The carrying amounts of the following assets and liabilities meeting the definition of a financial instrument approximate their fair values due to the short period to maturity of the instruments:
 
  •  Cash and cash equivalents;
 
  •  Notes receivable;
 
  •  Deposits;
 
  •  Miscellaneous receivables; and
 
  •  Short-term loans payable to banks.
 
Long-term Debt
 
The following financial instruments are measured at fair value at December 31st for disclosure purposes. The carrying values of these instruments may or may not be their fair values.
 
                                 
    2008     2007  
    Carrying
    Fair
    Carrying
    Fair
 
    Amount     Value     Amount     Value  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
$172.5 million 6.50% Convertible Senior Notes
  $ 172,500     $ 84,725     $     $  
$200 million 91/8% Senior Notes
                199,636       205,000  
Revolving credit facility
    111,803       88,757       13,857       13,857  
Term loan facility
    292,498       225,731       301,950       301,950  
Other notes
    1,543       975       768       705  
 
The fair values of the Convertible Notes and the 91/8% Notes are based on a third party’s estimated bid price.
 
The fair values of the revolving credit facility, the term loan facility, and the other long-term notes are based on the present value of expected future cash flows and assumptions about current interest rates. In connection with the adoption of FAS No. 157 in 2008, the fair value also reflects assumptions about the creditworthiness of the Company that market participants would use in pricing the debt.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Derivative Instruments
 
The following financial instruments are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value are classified into the following categories:
 
Level 1:  Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
Level 2:  Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
 
Level 3:  Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
 
The carrying amount, fair value, and classification within the fair value hierarchy of these financial instruments at December 31st were as follows:
 
                                         
    2008        
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Assets
                                       
Foreign currency forward contracts
  $     $ 480     $     $ 480     $ 16  
Precious metals forward contracts
          8             8       755  
                                         
Total fair value
  $     $ 488     $     $ 488     $ 771  
                                         
Liabilities
                                       
Interest rate swaps
  $     $ (12,724 )   $     $ (12,724 )   $ (8,109 )
Foreign currency forward contracts
          (576 )           (576 )     (284 )
Raw material commodity swaps
          (576 )           (576 )     (1,499 )
                                         
Total fair value
  $     $ (13,876 )   $     $ (13,876 )   $ (9,892 )
                                         
 
Interest rate swaps.  To reduce our exposure to interest rate changes on variable-rate debt, we entered into interest rate swap agreements in 2007. These swaps effectively converted $150 million of our variable-rate term loan facility to a fixed rate. We mark these agreements to fair value and recognize the resulting gains or losses as other comprehensive income or loss. In 2007, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was based on settlement prices provided by the counterparties. Beginning in 2008 in connection with the adoption of FAS No. 157, the fair value of the swaps is based on the present value of expected future cash flows, which reflects assumptions about current interest rates and the creditworthiness of the Company that market participants would use in pricing the swaps.
 
Foreign currency forward contracts.  We manage foreign currency risks principally by entering into forward contracts to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations on transactions. We mark these contracts to fair value based on market prices for comparable contracts and recognize the resulting gains or losses in net foreign currency gains or losses. The notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts was $156.8 million at December 31, 2008, and $142.6 million at December 31, 2007.
 
Raw material commodity swaps.  We hedge a portion of our exposure to changes in the pricing of certain raw material commodities principally using swap arrangements that allow us to fix the price of the commodities for future purchases. We mark these contracts to fair value based on market prices for comparable contracts and recognize the resulting gains or losses as other comprehensive income or loss. After the contracts mature and the materials are sold, the gains and losses are recognized as part of cost of sales.
 
Precious metals forward contracts.  We enter into forward purchase arrangements with precious metals suppliers to completely cover the value of fixed price sales contracts for products with precious metal content. Some of these agreements, with purchase commitments totaling $5.5 million at December 31, 2008, are designated as normal purchase contracts and are not marked to fair value. We mark the remaining precious metal contracts to fair


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
value based on market prices for comparable contracts and recognize the resulting gains or losses as miscellaneous income or expense.
 
7.   Income Taxes
 
Income tax (benefits) expenses are based on our (losses) earnings from continuing operations before income taxes as presented in the following table:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
U.S. 
  $ (11,026 )     (143,828 )   $ (32,070 )
Foreign
    (45,511 )     26,310       49,873  
                         
Total
  $ (56,537 )     (117,518 )   $ 17,803  
                         
 
Under the liability method of accounting for income taxes, we determine deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on the temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes. We measure these differences using the income tax rates and laws that are currently in effect.
 
Our income tax (benefit) expense from continuing operations consists of the following components:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Current:
                       
U.S. federal
  $ (2,262 )   $ (2,584 )   $ (2,768 )
Foreign
    21,713       14,688       18,349  
State and local
    580       606       (189 )
                         
Total current
    20,031       12,710       15,392  
Deferred:
                       
U.S. federal
    (7,722 )     (30,320 )     (1,333 )
Foreign
    (15,167 )     (3,824 )     (12,054 )
State and local
    67       3,482       376  
                         
Total deferred
    (22,822 )     (30,662 )     (13,011 )
                         
Total income tax (benefit) expense
  $ (2,791 )   $ (17,952 )   $ 2,381  
                         


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
In addition, income tax expense (benefit) we allocated directly to shareholders’ equity is detailed in the following table:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
  $ 1,952     $ 2,134     $  
Postretirement benefit liability adjustments
    (32,783 )     16,348       1,085  
Raw material commodity swap adjustments
    394       (1,386 )     586  
Interest rate swap adjustments
    (1,643 )     (2,887 )      
Dividends on performance shares
    (43 )     (50 )     (45 )
Stock options exercised
    (3 )     175       (208 )
Other
    (35 )           (214 )
                         
Total income tax expense (benefit) allocated to shareholders’ equity
  $ (32,161 )   $ 14,334     $ 1,204  
                         
 
A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and our effective tax rate follows:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate
    (35.0 )%     (35.0 )%     35.0 %
Goodwill impairment
    27.3       10.4        
Adjustment of valuation allowances
    17.3       4.0       (42.0 )
Foreign tax rate difference
    12.5       0.3       (17.3 )
U.S. tax cost of foreign dividends
    (10.8 )     6.0       41.7  
Uncertain tax positions
    (10.1 )            
Net adjustment of prior year accrual
    (4.0 )     (1.0 )     9.9  
ESOP dividend tax benefit
    (0.8 )     (0.4 )     (3.3 )
Effect of equity earnings
    (0.5 )     (0.3 )     (4.7 )
Extraterritorial income exclusion
                (5.9 )
Miscellaneous
    (0.8 )     0.7        
                         
Effective tax rate
    (4.9 )%     (15.3 )%     13.4 %
                         


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31st were:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Deferred tax assets:
               
Pension and other benefit programs
  $ 72,442     $ 49,256  
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards
    29,932       24,547  
Foreign tax credit carryforwards
    28,503       35,756  
Capitalized research costs
    20,481       17,809  
Accrued liabilities
    14,537       15,380  
Other credit carryforwards
    12,024       8,319  
State net operating loss carryforwards
    5,972       5,691  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    3,619       1,981  
Inventories
    1,626       835  
Deferred gains
          5,426  
Other
    9,917       5,824  
                 
Total deferred tax assets
    199,053       170,824  
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Property, equipment and intangibles — depreciation and amortization
    25,535       43,665  
Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries
    1,942       12,541  
Other
    2,858       2,897  
                 
Total deferred tax liabilities
    30,335       59,103  
                 
Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance
    168,718       111,721  
Valuation allowance
    (21,451 )     (8,906 )
                 
Net deferred tax assets
  $ 147,267     $ 102,815  
                 
 
We had benefits from state operating loss carryforwards and foreign operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes, some of which can be carried forward indefinitely and others expire in one to twenty years.
 
We maintain a valuation allowance due to the uncertainty of realizing certain state and foreign net deferred tax assets. The overall increase in the valuation allowance in 2008 related to net deferred tax assets in Holland and to domestic state tax credits.
 
At December 31, 2008, we had $43.8 million in tax benefits from foreign tax credit carryforwards for tax purposes that can be carried forward for ten years. In our opinion, it is more likely than not that the credits will be utilized before expiration.
 
We classified net deferred income tax assets as of December 31 as detailed in the following table:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Current assets
  $ 19,167     $ 14,773  
Non-current assets
    134,139       100,935  
Current liabilities
          (4,036 )
Non-current liabilities
    (6,039 )     (8,857 )
                 
Net deferred tax assets
  $ 147,267     $ 102,815  
                 


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
The Company adopted the provisions of FIN No. 48 on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN No. 48, the Company recognized an increase of $11.9 million in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as a reduction to the January 1, 2007, balance of retained earnings. Activity and balances of unrecognized tax benefits for 2008 and 2007 are summarized below:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 52,173     $ 47,380  
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
    1,770       1,783  
Additions for tax positions of prior years
    2,774       2,661  
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
    (5,256 )     (1,401 )
Reductions as a result of expiring statutes of limitations
    (11,420 )     (1,817 )
Foreign currency translation of non-U.S. dollar denominated reserves
    (1,472 )     3,692  
Settlements with taxing authorities
    (3,805 )     (125 )
                 
Balance at end of year
  $ 34,764     $ 52,173  
                 
 
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective rate was $12.6 million at December 31, 2008, and $20.8 million at December 31, 2007. The Company recognizes interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of income tax expense. The Company recognized $0.7 million of benefit in 2008 and $0.6 million of expense in 2007 for interest, net of tax, and penalties. The Company had accrued $3.0 million at December 31, 2008, and $4.1 million at December 31, 2007, for the payment of interest, net of tax, and penalties.
 
We anticipate that between $5.0 and $6.0 million of liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits, including accrued interest and penalties, may be reversed within the next 12 months. These liabilities relate to non-U.S. tax issues and are expected to reverse due to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations periods.
 
The Company conducts business globally, and, as a result, the U.S. parent company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, the U.S. parent company and its subsidiaries are subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world, including Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. With few exceptions, we are not subject to federal, state, local or non-U.S. income tax examinations for years before 2001.
 
We have provided $1.9 million for deferred income taxes on $20.2 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. We have not provided deferred income taxes on undistributed earnings of approximately $68.0 million, since we intend to indefinitely reinvest the earnings.
 
8.   Contingent Liabilities
 
As previously disclosed, in February 2003, we produced documents in connection with an investigation by the United States Department of Justice into possible antitrust violations in the heat stabilizer industry. In April 2006, we were notified by the Department of Justice that the Government had closed its investigation. Before closing its investigation, the Department of Justice took no action against the Company or any of its current or former employees. In 2003, the Company was named as a defendant in several lawsuits alleging civil damages and requesting injunctive relief relating to the conduct the Government was investigating, and, in June 2008, the Company was named in four more indirect purchaser lawsuits related to an existing lawsuit in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In July 2007, we entered into a definitive written settlement agreement in the class action lawsuit involving direct purchasers. The settlement agreement was approved by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in December 2007. Although the Company decided to bring this matter to a close through settlement, the Company did not admit to any of the alleged violations and continues to deny any


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
wrongdoing. The Company is vigorously defending the remaining six civil actions alleging antitrust violations in the heat stabilizer industry. These actions are in their early stages; therefore, we cannot determine the outcomes of these lawsuits at this time. In December 2006, we filed a lawsuit against the former owner of our heat stabilizer business seeking indemnification for the defense of these lawsuits and any resulting payments by the Company. In April 2008, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio dismissed our lawsuit, and we have appealed the court’s decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
 
There are various other lawsuits and claims pending against the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. In our opinion, the ultimate liabilities, if any, and expenses resulting from such lawsuits and claims will not materially affect the consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.
 
The Company had bank guarantees and standby letters of credit issued by financial institutions, which totaled $13.9 million at December 31, 2008, and $17.7 million at December 31, 2007. These agreements primarily relate to Ferro’s insurance programs and foreign tax payments. If the Company fails to perform its obligations, the guarantees and letters of credit may be drawn down by their holders, and we would be liable to the financial institutions for the amounts drawn.
 
9.   Retirement Benefits
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
                                                 
    U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans  
    2008     2007     2006     2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Net periodic benefit cost:
                                               
Service cost
  $ 201     $ 1,232     $ 6,568     $ 5,405     $ 6,434     $ 6,131  
Interest cost
    20,705       20,105       20,395       11,503       9,606       7,949  
Expected return on plan assets
    (22,652 )     (20,543 )     (19,232 )     (8,353 )     (7,578 )     (5,899 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    100       157       136       118       125       121  
Net amortization and deferral
    2,495       5,845       6,157       189       570       1,058  
Curtailment and settlement effects
    259       532       2,565       (747 )     (374 )     (24 )
Special termination benefits
                      121       2,156        
                                                 
Total net periodic benefit cost
  $ 1,108     $ 7,328     $ 16,589     $ 8,236     $ 10,939     $ 9,336  
                                                 
Weighted-average assumptions:
                                               
Discount rate
    6.49 %     6.05 %     5.90 %     5.56 %     4.69 %     4.34 %
Rate of compensation increase
    N/A       3.25 %     3.43 %     3.49 %     3.05 %     3.09 %
Expected return on plan assets
    8.50 %     8.50 %     8.50 %     5.25 %     4.95 %     4.63 %
 
In 2008, we recorded settlement losses of $0.3 million related to retirements in the U.S., settlement gains of $0.8 million related to retirements and terminations in Mexico, Italy and Japan, a curtailment gain of $0.1 million related to the closing of the Rotterdam, Netherlands, manufacturing facility, a settlement loss of $0.2 million related to a required settlement of a plan in France, and special termination benefits of $0.1 million related to terminations in the Netherlands and Indonesia.
 
In 2007, we recorded curtailment losses of $0.3 million related to closing our Niagara Falls, New York, manufacturing facility and $0.3 million related to freezing benefits at several U.S. plants and recorded a curtailment gain of $0.3 million related to European restructuring activities in Italy. We also recorded costs of $2.2 million for special termination benefits from other European restructuring activities that resulted in closing the Company’s Rotterdam, Netherlands, manufacturing facility in 2008.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
In 2006, we announced changes to certain of our defined benefit pension plans. Employees who had been participating in our largest U.S. pension plan stopped accruing benefit service after March 31, 2006, and became eligible to receive the basic pension contribution under the Company’s defined contribution plan. As a result, we recorded a curtailment gain of $2.5 million. In 2006, we also recorded settlement losses of $4.9 million in our unfunded nonqualified defined benefit pension plans, related primarily to a lump sum payment to the beneficiary of our deceased former Chief Executive Officer.
 
                                 
    U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Change in benefit obligation:
                               
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
  $ 330,925     $ 340,727     $ 211,241     $ 197,582  
Adjustment to apply measurement provisions of FAS No. 158 as of January 1, 2008
    763                    
Service cost
    201       1,232       5,405       6,434  
Interest cost
    20,705       20,105       11,503       9,606  
Amendments
                (4,716 )     100  
Curtailments
          (1,214 )     (2,614 )     137  
Settlements
    (630 )           (4,493 )     (746 )
Special termination benefits
                121       2,156  
Plan participants’ contributions
          12       755       721  
Benefits paid
    (20,456 )     (18,536 )     (9,345 )     (9,240 )
Actuarial (gain) loss
    (10,969 )     (11,401 )     (7,827 )     (12,562 )
Exchange rate effect
                (14,966 )     17,053  
                                 
Benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 320,539     $ 330,925     $ 185,064     $ 211,241  
                                 
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 320,539     $ 330,925     $ 175,636     $ 197,399  
Change in plan assets:
                               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  $ 294,810     $ 258,737     $ 156,806     $ 143,438  
Adjustment to apply measurement provisions of FAS No. 158 as of January 1, 2008
    (4,627 )                  
Actual return on plan assets
    (78,444 )     32,027       (11,301 )     1,550  
Employer contributions
    10,055       22,570       11,387       8,749  
Plan participants’ contributions
          12       755       721  
Benefits paid
    (20,456 )     (18,536 )     (9,345 )     (9,240 )
Effect of settlements
    (630 )           (4,493 )     (746 )
Exchange rate effect
                (12,414 )     12,334  
                                 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
  $ 200,708     $ 294,810     $ 131,395     $ 156,806  
                                 
Reconciliation of accrued costs:
                               
Funded status
  $ (119,831 )   $ (36,115 )   $ (53,669 )   $ (54,435 )
Contributions between measurement date and end of year
          135              
                                 
Net amount recognized
  $ (119,831 )   $ (35,980 )   $ (53,669 )   $ (54,435 )
                                 


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
                                 
    U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet:
                               
Other non-current assets
  $     $     $ 1,798     $ 1,861  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    (431 )     (508 )     (2,190 )     (2,224 )
Postretirement and pension liabilities
    (119,400 )     (35,472 )     (53,277 )     (54,072 )
                                 
Net amount recognized
  $ (119,831 )   $ (35,980 )   $ (53,669 )   $ (54,435 )
                                 
Weighted-average assumptions as of the measurement date:
                               
Discount rate
    6.74 %     6.49 %     5.85 %     5.56 %
Rate of compensation increase
    N/A       N/A       3.45 %     3.49 %
Pension plans with benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
                               
Benefit obligations
  $ 320,539     $ 330,925     $ 148,422     $ 190,652  
Plan assets
    200,708       294,810       92,955       134,356  
Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
                               
Projected benefit obligations
  $ 320,539     $ 330,925     $ 146,159     $ 187,876  
Accumulated benefit obligations
    320,539       330,925       139,704       176,768  
Plan assets
    200,708       294,810       90,796       131,827  

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Activity and balances in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to defined benefit pension plans are summarized below:
 
                                 
    U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Balance at beginning of year
  $ (54,868 )   $ (85,500 )   $ (16,740 )   $ (22,331 )
Net (loss) gain arising during the year
    (95,788 )     24,099       (9,213 )     5,949  
Prior service cost arising during the year
                4,716       (100 )
Amounts recognized as net periodic benefit costs
    2,854       6,533       (440 )     769  
Adjustment to apply measurement provisions of FAS No. 158 as of January 1, 2008
    649                    
Exchange rate effects
                2,729       (1,027 )
                                 
Balance at end of year
  $ (147,153 )   $ (54,868 )   $ (18,948 )   $ (16,740 )
                                 
Amounts recognized in accumulated other
                               
comprehensive income (loss):
                               
Net loss
  $ (146,784 )   $ (54,374 )   $ (21,879 )   $ (14,807 )
Prior service (cost) credit
    (369 )     (494 )     2,931       (1,933 )
                                 
    $ (147,153 )   $ (54,868 )   $ (18,948 )   $ (16,740 )
                                 
Estimated amounts to be amortized in 2009:
                               
Net loss
  $ (15,380 )           $ (1,035 )        
Prior service (cost) credit
    (98 )             333          
                                 
    $ (15,478 )           $ (702 )        
                                 
 
We base the expected return on plan assets at the beginning of the year on the weighted-average expected return for the target asset allocations of the principal asset categories held by each plan. In determining the expected return, the Company considers both historical performance and an estimate of future long-term rates of return. The Company consults with and considers the opinion of its actuaries in developing appropriate return assumptions.
 
The Company establishes asset allocation ranges for each major category of plan assets. The risks inherent in the various asset categories are considered along with the benefit obligations, financial status and short-term liquidity needs of the fund. The target allocation for each major asset category and the actual weighted average asset allocations at the pension plan measurement dates were:
 
                                                 
    U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans  
    Target
                Target
             
    Allocation     2008     2007     Allocation     2008     2007  
 
Debt Securities
    30 %     40 %     31 %     63 %     65 %     61 %
Equity Securities
    70       60       69       30       25       29  
Other
                      7       10       10  
                                                 
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
                                                 
 
The Company’s U.S. pension plans held 424,651 shares of the Company’s common stock with a market value of $3.0 million at December 31, 2008, and $8.8 million at December 31, 2007, and received $0.2 million of dividends from the Company’s common stock in 2008, 2007, and 2006.
 
We expect to contribute approximately $10.1 million to our U.S. pension plans and $10.1 million to our non-U.S. pension plans in 2009.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
We estimate that future pension benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, will be as follows:
 
                 
    U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
2009
  $ 20,167     $ 9,025  
2010
    20,422       9,298  
2011
    20,896       10,278  
2012
    21,489       10,441  
2013
    21,923       10,648  
2014-2018
    116,956       62,574  
 
Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefit Plans
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Net periodic benefit cost:
                       
Service cost
  $ 64     $ 512     $ 690  
Interest cost
    2,923       3,387       3,287  
Amortization of prior service cost
    (1,643 )     (1,349 )     (835 )
Net amortization and deferral
                 
Curtailment and settlement effects
          (3,197 )     (2,453 )
                         
Total net periodic benefit cost
  $ 1,344     $ (647 )   $ 689  
                         
Weighted-average assumptions:
                       
Discount rate
    6.10 %     5.90 %     5.90 %
Current trend rate for health care costs
    9.40 %     10.10 %     9.30 %
Ultimate trend rate for health care costs
    5.20 %     5.20 %     5.20 %
Year that ultimate trend rate is reached
    2017       2017       2013  
 
In 2007, we recorded a curtailment gain of $3.1 million related to closing our Niagara Falls, New York, manufacturing facility. In 2006, we limited eligibility for retiree medical and life insurance coverage for nonunion employees and recorded a curtailment gain of $2.5 million.
 
A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effect:
 
                 
    1-Percentage
    1-Percentage
 
    Point Increase     Point Decrease  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Effect on total of service and interest cost components
  $ 218     $ (198 )
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation
    2,753       (2,519 )
 


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Change in benefit obligation:
               
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
  $ 52,923     $ 60,475  
Adjustment to apply measurement provisions of FAS No. 158 as of January 1, 2008
    (2,714 )      
Service cost
    64       512  
Interest cost
    2,923       3,387  
Effect of curtailment
    (1,540 )     (2,794 )
Benefits paid
    (4,159 )     (3,548 )
Actuarial (gain) loss
    (333 )     (5,109 )
                 
Benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 47,164     $ 52,923  
                 
Change in plan assets:
               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  $     $  
Adjustment to apply measurement provisions of FAS No. 158 as of January 1, 2008
    (819 )      
Employer contributions
    4,978       3,548  
Benefits paid
    (4,159 )     (3,548 )
                 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
  $     $  
                 
Reconciliation of accrued costs:
               
Funded status
  $ (47,164 )   $ (52,923 )
Contributions between measurement date and end of year
          819  
Curtailment gain between measurement date and end of year
          2,383  
                 
Net amount recognized
  $ (47,164 )   $ (49,721 )
                 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet:
               
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
  $ (4,956 )   $ (4,554 )
Postretirement and pension liabilities
    (42,208 )     (45,167 )
                 
Net amount recognized
  $ (47,164 )   $ (49,721 )
                 
Weighted-average assumptions as of December 31:
               
Discount rate
    6.45 %     6.10 %
Current trend rate for health care costs
    8.70 %     9.40 %
Ultimate trend rate for health care costs
    5.20 %     5.20 %
Year that ultimate trend rate is reached
    2018       2017  

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Activity and balances in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to our postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plans are summarized below:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 9,463     $ 3,723  
Net loss (gain) arising during the year
    333       5,109  
Prior service cost arising during the year
    1,540       1,980  
Amounts recognized as net periodic benefit costs
    (1,643 )     (1,349 )
Adjustment to apply measurement provisions of FAS No. 158 as of January 1, 2008
    (80 )      
                 
Balance at end of year
  $ 9,613     $ 9,463  
                 
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
               
Net (loss) gain
  $ 4,609     $ 3,945  
Prior service cost
    5,004       5,518  
                 
    $ 9,613     $ 9,463  
                 
Estimated amounts to be amortized in 2009:
               
Net (loss) gain
  $          
Prior service cost
    (1,748 )        
                 
    $ (1,748 )        
                 
 
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 provides subsidies for certain drug costs to companies that provide coverage that is actuarially equivalent to the drug coverage under Medicare D. We estimate that future postretirement health care and life insurance benefit payments will be as follows:
 
                 
    Before
    After
 
    Medicare Subsidy     Medicare Subsidy  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
2009
  $ 5,461     $ 4,956  
2010
    5,381       4,866  
2011
    5,258       4,738  
2012
    5,037       4,510  
2013
    4,835       4,312  
2014-2018
    21,201       18,816  
 
Other Retirement Plans
 
We also have defined contribution retirement plans covering certain employees. Our contributions are determined by the terms of the plans and are limited to amounts that are deductible for income taxes. The largest plan covers U.S. salaried and non-bargaining hourly employees. In this plan, the Company contributes a percentage of eligible employee basic compensation and also a percentage of employee contributions. Generally, benefits under these plans vest gradually over a period of five years from date of employment. The expense applicable to these plans was $8.3 million, $8.5 million, and $7.8 million in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
10.   Serial Convertible Preferred Stock
 
We are authorized to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of serial convertible preferred stock without par value. In 1989, Ferro issued 1,520,215 shares of 7% Series A ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) to the Trustee of the Ferro Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) at a price of $46.375 per share for a total consideration of $70.5 million. All shares of the Series A Preferred Stock have been allocated to participating individual employee accounts. The Trustee may redeem the Series A Preferred Stock to provide for distributions to, loans to, or withdrawals by participants or to satisfy an investment election provided to participants. The Company can redeem any or all of the Series A Preferred Stock at any time. The redemption price is $46.375 per preferred share plus earned but unpaid dividends as of the date of redemption. The redemption value approximates the carrying value. In addition, the Trustee can convert any or all of the Series A Preferred Stock at any time into Ferro common stock at a conversion rate of 2.5988 shares of common stock (adjusted for stock splits) per preferred share.
 
Each share of Series A Preferred Stock carries one vote, voting together with the common stock on most matters. The Series A Preferred Stock accrues dividends at an annual rate of 7% on shares outstanding. The dividends are cumulative from the date of issuance. To the extent the Company is legally permitted to pay dividends and the Board of Directors declares a dividend payable, Ferro pays dividends on a quarterly basis. In the case of liquidation or dissolution of the Company, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive $46.375 per preferred share, or $25.00 per preferred share in the event of involuntary liquidation, plus earned but unpaid dividends, before any amount is paid to holders of the Company’s common stock.
 
There were 249,017 shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at December 31, 2008, and 293,766 shares outstanding at December 31, 2007. The number of shares redeemed was 44,749 in 2008 (72,649 in 2007 and 75,856 in 2006).
 
11.   Common Stock
 
Our common stock has a par value of $1 per share. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, there were 300,000,000 authorized and 52,323,053 shares issued. We did not purchase common stock on the open market in 2008, 2007, or 2006. The 2009 Amended Credit Facility limits our ability to purchase shares.
 
12.   Stock-based Compensation
 
In November 2006, our shareholders approved the 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan’s purpose is to promote the Company’s and the shareholders’ long-term financial interests and growth by attracting, retaining and motivating high-quality executives and directors and aligning their interests with those of our shareholders. The Plan authorizes us to grant several different types of long-term incentives, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, performance shares, other common stock-based awards, and dividend equivalent rights. Unissued authorized shares or treasury stock may be issued under the Plan. Generally, Ferro has issued treasury stock to satisfy the common stock requirements of its long-term incentive plans. The Plan has an effective date of September 28, 2006, and reserves 3,000,000 common shares for future issuance.
 
Previous incentive plans authorized various types of long-term incentives, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares and common stock awards. No further grants may be made under these previous plans. However, any outstanding awards or grants made under these plans will continue until the end of their specified terms. Stock options granted under the previous plans have terms of 10 years and performance share awards granted under those plans have terms of three years.
 
Stock options, performance shares, deferred stock units, and restricted share awards are the only grant types currently outstanding. These are discussed separately below because of the significant differences between the grant types.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Stock Options
 
General Information
 
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) awards stock options under the Plan and generally grants stock options during regularly scheduled meetings. The exercise price of stock options granted may not be less than the per share fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. Stock options have a term of 10 years and vest evenly over four years on the anniversary of the grant date. The normal vesting period is used for retirement eligible employees. In the case of death, retirement or change in control, the stock options become 100% vested and exercisable.
 
Stock Option Valuation Model and Method Information
 
We estimate the fair value of each stock option on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. We use judgment in selecting these assumptions because they may significantly impact the timing and amount of compensation expense and we base our judgments primarily on historical data. When appropriate, we adjust the historical data for circumstances that are not likely to occur in the future. We adjust the assumptions each year based upon new information.
 
We estimate stock option forfeitures based upon historical employee termination rates. The following table details the estimation method and the ranges of assumptions used for differing grants of stock options:
 
         
Assumption
 
Estimation Method
 
Range
 
Expected life, in years
  Historical stock option exercise experience   6.25 to 8.20
Risk-free interest rate
  Yield of U.S. Treasury Bonds with remaining life equal to expected life of the stock option   2.67% to 5.94%
Expected volatility
  Historical daily price observations of the Company’s common stock over a period equal to the expected life of the stock option   28.07% to 37.30%
Expected dividend yield
  Historical dividend rate at the date of grant   2.18% to 6.99%


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Stock Option Activity Information
 
A summary of the stock option activity for 2008 is as follows:
 
                                 
          Per Share
    Weighted-
       
          Weighted-
    Average
       
          Average
    Remaining
    Aggregate
 
    Number of
    Exercise
    Contractual
    Intrinsic
 
    Shares     Price     Term     Value  
                (In years)     (Dollars in
 
                      thousands)  
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2007
    4,239,408     $ 22.36                  
Granted
    515,600       17.41                  
Exercised
    (2,750 )     21.06                  
Forfeited or expired
    (566,898 )     22.74                  
                                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2008
    4,185,360       21.70       5.0     $  
                                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2008
    3,151,356       22.44       3.9        
                                 
Vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2008
    4,058,670       21.71       5.0        
                                 
 
The per share weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options granted during the year was $4.25 in 2008, $6.24 in 2007, and $5.93 in 2006.
 
We calculated the aggregate intrinsic value in the table above by subtracting the total pretax difference between our common stock’s closing fair market value per share on the last trading day of the year and the stock option exercise price for each grant and that result by the number of shares that would have been received by the option holders had they exercised all their in-the-money stock options. At December 31, 2008, there were no in-the-money stock options. We do not record the aggregate intrinsic value for financial accounting purposes, and the value changes daily based on the changes in the fair market value of our common stock.
 
Information related to the stock options exercised follows:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
  $ 58     $ 9,843     $ 4,169  
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised
    7       947       577  
Income tax benefit related to stock options exercised
    3       333       202  
 
A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested stock options as of December 31, 2008, and changes during 2008, is presented below:
 
                 
          Per Share
 
          Weighted-
 
          Average
 
          Grant-date
 
    Shares     Fair Value  
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2007
    1,000,007     $ 6.01  
Granted
    515,600       4.25  
Vested
    (366,215 )     5.99  
Forfeited
    (115,388 )     5.36  
                 
Nonvested at December 31, 2008
    1,034,004       5.21  
                 


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Stock-Based Compensation Expense Information
 
A summary of the amounts recorded and to be recorded related to stock-based compensation related to stock options follows:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Compensation expense recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses
  $ 2,274     $ 2,363     $ 3,035  
Deferred income tax benefits related to compensation expense
    796       827       1,062  
Total fair value of stock options vested
    2,195       2,698       3,230  
Unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options
    3,656       4,057       5,035  
Expected weighted-average recognition period for unrecognized compensation, in years
    2.3       2.4       2.4  
 
Performance Shares
 
General Information
 
We maintain multiple performance share awards whereby these awards, expressed as shares of the Company’s common stock, are earned only if the Company meets specific performance targets over a three-year period. The grants have a duration of three years, and we establish a new grant each year. Therefore, there are three grants outstanding at a given point in time. On the grant date, we issue restricted common stock to the participants and a trustee holds the shares for the benefit of the participants until the end of the performance period. During the performance period, participants have voting rights and receive dividends on the restricted common shares.
 
We pay half of the value of any earned performance shares in cash and half in unrestricted common shares. The portions of the awards that will be paid in cash are treated as liabilities, and therefore, we remeasure our liability, and the related compensation expense, at the balance sheet date based upon the fair value of the Company’s common stock. We treat the awards that are settled with common stock as equity awards, and therefore, the amount of stock-based compensation we record over the performance period is equal to the fair value on the grant date. The compensation expense for all performance share awards is adjusted for the achievement of the performance share award’s performance conditions based upon our best estimate using available facts and circumstances.
 
Performance Share Award Information
 
In the following table, we have identified the potential number of common shares that may be issued and the common stock price on the date of each grant. For the portion of the awards that are treated as liabilities, the awards were remeasured using the common stock closing market price of $7.05 at December 31, 2008.
 
                                 
                Per Share
       
          Potential Number
    Weighted-Average
    Potential Future
 
    Potential Number
    of Shares at
    Common
    Stock-Based
 
    of Shares at
    December 31,
    Stock Price at
    Compensation
 
Plan
  Grant Date     2008     Grant Date     Expense  
                      (In thousands)  
 
2006 – 2008
    271,200       225,600     $ 18.03     $  
2007 – 2009
    131,600       118,400       21.99       112  
2008 – 2010
    77,825       77,825       17.26        
 
The potential compensation expense is reduced during the performance period by forfeitures and non-attainment of performance conditions. However, actual compensation expense related to the grants may be greater than the amount in the table above because the plan allows for us to pay up to 200% of the grant date value if the


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Company’s performance goals are exceeded. Conversely, the actual compensation expense related to the grants may be lower than the amount in the table if the Company’s performance goals are not met.
 
At December 31, 2008, we estimated each plan’s average achievement percentage as follows:
 
         
    Achievement
 
Plan
  Percentage  
 
2006 – 2008
    53.1 %
2007 – 2009
    22.5 %
2008 – 2010
    00.0 %
 
Stock-Based Compensation Expense Information
 
A summary of the amounts recorded and to be recorded related to stock-based compensation related to the performance share awards follows:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Compensation (credit) expense recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses
  $ (710 )   $ 1,018     $ 1,224  
Estimated future compensation cost
    112       1,836       2,603  
 
The expected recognition period for the estimated future compensation cost was 2.0 years for 2008, 2007 and 2006. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had accrued $0.2 million of compensation related to the performance share awards. During 2008, we recorded deferred income tax benefits related to compensation expense for performance share awards of $0.2 million.
 
Deferred Stock Units
 
General Information
 
Under the Plan, the Company may award deferred stock units (“DSUs”), expressed as shares of the Company’s common stock, to non-employee directors of the Company. For accounting purposes, the awards are treated as if they were stock compensation. The DSUs vest in one year from the date of the award and are forfeited in the event the recipient is no longer serving as a director, except in the case of retirement, death or disability. The directors also have the option to transfer the vested units into the Deferred Compensation Plan. The first DSUs were awarded in 2007.
 
Deferred Stock Unit Activity Information
 
                 
          Per Share
 
          Weighted-
 
          Average
 
          Award-date
 
    Shares     Price  
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2007
    32,900     $ 22.07  
Awarded
    34,200       17.26  
Exercised
    (32,900 )     22.07  
Forfeited
           
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2008
    34,200       17.26  
                 
 
The per share weighted-average award-date fair value of the DSUs awarded in 2008 was $16.69. Compensation expense recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses for DSUs was $0.6 million in 2008, and the


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
unrecognized compensation cost was $0.1 million at December 31, 2008. We also recorded deferred tax benefits related to compensation expense for DSUs of $0.2 million in 2008.
 
Directors’ Deferred Compensation
 
The Company has established the Ferro Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-employee Directors, permitting its non-employee directors to voluntarily defer all or a portion of their compensation. The voluntarily deferred amounts are placed in individual accounts in a benefit trust known as a “rabbi trust” and invested in the Company’s common stock with dividends reinvested in additional shares. All disbursements from the trust are made in the Company’s common stock. The Company has applied the provisions of EITF Issue No. 97-14, “Accounting for Deferred Compensation Arrangements Where Amounts Earned are Held in A Rabbi Trust and Invested.” The stock held in the rabbi trust is classified as treasury stock in shareholders’ equity and the deferred compensation obligation that is required to be settled in shares of Company’s common stock is classified as paid-in capital. The rabbi trust held 180,497 shares ($3.8 million at cost) and 152,262 shares ($3.1 million at cost) at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
Restricted Share Awards
 
General Information:
 
Under the Plan, the Company may award restricted shares of Ferro common stock. The restricted shares vest in three years from the date of the award and are forfeited if the recipient’s employment terminates, except in the case of death or disability. During the vesting period, the recipient is not entitled to exercise rights pertaining to the restricted shares, including the right to vote such shares, and dividends on the restricted shares are deferred without interest. Following the vesting period, the recipient may not dispose of the shares for two years, without Ferro’s prior written consent. The first restricted shares were awarded in 2008.
 
Restricted Share Awards Activity Information:
 
                 
          Per Share
 
          Weighted-
 
          Average
 
          Award-date Fair
 
    Shares     Value  
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2007
        $  
Awarded
    99,600       17.51  
Vested
           
Forfeited
    (7,200 )     17.22  
                 
Nonvested at December 31, 2008
    92,400       17.53  
                 
 
At December 31, 2008, there was $1.2 million unrecognized compensation cost related to the restricted share awards. The cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 2.79 years. Compensation expense recorded in selling, general and administration expense for the restricted share awards was $0.4 million in fiscal 2008.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Stock-based Compensation Transactions in Shareholders’ Equity
 
The stock-based compensation transactions in shareholders’ equity consisted of the following:
 
                         
    Common Shares
       
    in Treasury     Paid-in
 
    Shares     Amount     Capital  
    (In thousands)  
 
2006:
                       
Stock options
    (232 )   $ 4,080     $ 3,299  
Performance shares, net
    (95 )     2,016       (1,952 )
Preferred stock conversions
    (185 )     3,723       206  
                         
      (512 )   $ 9,819     $ 1,553  
                         
2007:
                       
Stock options
    (497 )   $ 8,399     $ 3,360  
Performance shares, net
    (25 )     (215 )     978  
Deferred stock units
                632  
Directors’ deferred compensation
          (3,127 )     3,127  
Preferred stock conversions
    (183 )     3,364       (210 )
                         
      (705 )   $ 8,421     $ 7,887  
                         
2008:
                       
Stock options
    (3 )   $ 50     $ 2,293  
Performance shares, net
          25       (83 )
Deferred stock units
    (33 )     596       (48 )
Directors’ deferred compensation
          (664 )     664  
Preferred stock conversions
    (185 )     3,519       (1,872 )
Restricted shares
    (100 )     1,805       (1,377 )
                         
      (321 )   $ 5,331     $ (423 )
                         
 
13.   Restructuring and Cost Reduction Programs
 
During 2008, we continued several restructuring programs across a number of our business segments with the objectives of leveraging our global scale, realigning and lowering our cost structure and optimizing capacity utilization. The programs are primarily associated with North America and Europe. Management continues to evaluate our business, and therefore, there may be supplemental provisions for new plan initiatives as well as changes in estimates to amounts previously recorded as payments are made or actions are completed.
 
Inorganic Specialties.  In July 2006, we announced our Inorganic Specialties Group European operations restructuring, in our Performance Coatings and Color and Glass Performance Materials segments that affected operations in Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, and Germany. We expect these actions to significantly reduce cost in our manufacturing operations.
 
The initial phase of this European restructuring resulted in a workforce reduction of 130 employees in these two segments and we are evaluating further workforce reductions. A decision to proceed with actions related to any additional charges will be made after the Company has completed required consultations with employee representatives at the affected sites. Revised total anticipated charges through 2009 amount to $11.6 million. Charges


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
incurred through 2007 amounted to $9.0 million. Restructuring charges for the year ended December 31, 2008, include $1.5 million for employee severance costs, other costs of $0.8 million, and $0.3 million of accrual reversals.
 
In May 2007, we began another phase of our European restructuring by initiating discussions with representatives of workers in our Rotterdam, Netherlands, porcelain enamel manufacturing site within our Performance Coating segment. In September 2007, we reached an agreement with the Rotterdam Works Council. As a result, the Company discontinued porcelain enamel manufacturing at this facility in the third quarter of 2008 and consolidated production at other European facilities. This consolidation resulted in the reduction of 84 employees. Restructuring charges are expected to total $26.7 million. During 2007, we recorded $11.8 million in restructuring charges and an additional $0.5 million for inventory write downs included in cost of sales. During 2008, we recorded $9.1 million for employee severance costs, $3.8 million for future minimum lease obligations, and $1.4 million in other costs, partly offset by a pension curtailment credit of $0.1 million.
 
Additionally we undertook Inorganic Specialties Group worldwide restructuring plans in 2007 and 2008 for our Performance Coatings, and Color and Glass Performance Materials segments in North America, Latin America and Asia. These restructuring plans resulted in the reduction of 234 employees. Total estimated charges for these restructuring actions through 2008 are $7.3 million. During 2007, we recorded total charges of $1.4 million. During 2008, we recorded $4.9 million of severance, $0.4 million of impairment charges and $0.2 million in other costs.
 
Organic Specialties.  Our Organic Specialties Group has initiated several restructuring programs for its Specialty Plastics and Polymer Additives segments. In 2008, we announced restructuring programs in our Specialty Plastics segment operations in North America, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. These 2008 initiatives resulted in the reduction of 95 employees. Total anticipated costs are $2.5 million. During 2008, we recorded $1.8 million in severance costs and $0.2 million in lease termination costs. Additionally, in 2007 and 2006, we incurred $2.0 million of severance costs related to prior restructuring efforts.
 
In 2008, we closed the Polymer Additives facility in Castanheira, Portugal, and announced further restructuring efforts in North America and Belgium for our Polymer Additives segment. These efforts resulted in the elimination of 16 employees with total restructuring costs of $1.6 million. In 2008, we recorded $0.6 million in severance costs, $0.5 million in contract termination costs, and $0.5 million in asset impairment costs.
 
Electronic Material Systems.  In November 2006, we announced a restructuring of the Electronic Materials segment due to excess capacity for the production of dielectric materials. We ceased production at our Niagara Falls, New York, manufacturing facility in December 2007 and transferred some of its production to facilities in Penn Yan, New York, and Uden, Netherlands.
 
During 2008, our Electronic Material Systems Group initiated a multi- functional restructuring plan in Uden, Netherlands. These actions impacted 8 employees. Total anticipated charges through 2009 amount to $0.7 million. During 2008, we recorded charges of $0.5 million related to employee terminations benefits and other costs of $0.1 million, including repairs, equipment relocation fees, and professional fees.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
We have summarized the activities and accruals related to our restructuring and cost reduction programs below:
 
                                 
    Employee
                   
    Termination
    Other
    Asset
       
    Benefits     Costs     Impairment     Total  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Balance, December 31, 2005
  $ 2,232     $ 66     $     $ 2,298  
Restructuring charges
    7,351             15,795       23,146  
Cash payments
    (2,853 )     (27 )           (2,880 )
Non-cash items
                (15,795 )     (15,795 )
                                 
Balance, December 31, 2006
    6,730       39             6,769  
Restructuring charges
    11,013       2,580       3,259       16,852  
Cash payments
    (11,225 )     (1,439 )           (12,664 )
Currency translation adjustment
    166       17             183  
Non-cash items
    1,697       363       (3,259 )     (1,199 )
                                 
Balance, December 31, 2007
    8,381       1,560             9,941  
Restructuring charges
    18,189       6,839       909       25,937  
Cash payments
    (24,852 )     (2,466 )           (27,318 )
Currency translation adjustment
    (289 )     (582 )           (871 )
Non-cash items
    (223 )     (249 )     (909 )     (1,381 )
                                 
Balance, December 31, 2008
  $ 1,206     $ 5,102     $     $ 6,308  
                                 
 
We expect to make cash payments to settle the remaining liability for employee termination benefits and other costs primarily over the next twelve months, except where legal or contractual restrictions prevent us from doing so.
 
We did not incur any restructuring charges for discontinued operations in 2008, 2007 or 2006.
 
14.   Leases
 
Rent expense for all operating leases was $21.1 million in 2008, $20.2 million in 2007, and $14.9 million in 2006. Amortization of assets recorded under capital leases is recorded as depreciation expense.
 
The Company has a number of capital lease arrangements relating primarily to buildings and production equipment. Assets held under capitalized leases and included in property, plant and equipment at December 31st were as follows:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Gross amounts capitalized:
               
Buildings
  $ 3,100     $ 3,100  
Equipment
    13,857       13,911  
                 
      16,957       17,011  
Accumulated amortization:
               
Buildings
    (1,666 )     (1,589 )
Equipment
    (10,821 )     (8,954 )
                 
      (12,487 )     (10,543 )
                 
Net assets under capitalized leases
  $ 4,470     $ 6,468  
                 


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
At December 31, 2008, future minimum lease payments under all non-cancelable leases were as follows:
 
                 
    Capital Leases     Operating Leases  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
2009
  $ 1,392     $ 13,105  
2010
    1,360       8,817  
2011
    958       6,167  
2012
    958       4,518  
2013
    909       4,166  
Thereafter
    4,701       12,623  
                 
Total minimum lease payments
    10,278     $ 49,396  
                 
Less amount representing executory costs
    116          
                 
Net minimum lease payments
    10,162          
Less amount representing imputed interest
    3,715          
                 
Present value of net minimum lease payments
    6,447          
Less current portion
    810          
                 
Long-term obligations at December 31, 2008
  $ 5,637          
                 
 
15.   Discontinued Operations
 
In the fourth quarter of 2008, we sold our Fine Chemicals business to Novolyte Technologies LP (“Novolyte”), an affiliate of Arsenal Capital Management LP. Fine Chemicals was a reportable segment, previously included in the Other Businesses segment. The sale generated gross proceeds of $60.0 million, subject to a post-closing working capital adjustment, a pretax gain of $16.7 million, and an after tax gain of $9.1 million. The gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations also includes residual legal and environmental costs directly related to the Powder Coatings, Petroleum Additives and Specialty Ceramics businesses, which were sold in 2002 and 2003.
 
The gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations resulted in the following pre-tax losses and related income tax benefits:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations before income tax expense (benefit)
  $ 16,614     $ (369 )   $ (738 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    7,580       (144 )     (266 )
                         
Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit)
  $ 9,034     $ (225 )   $ (472 )
                         


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
The following operations of the Fine Chemicals business, which had previously been presented as a separate reporting segment, have been segregated from continuing operations and are included in discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Interest expense has been allocated to discontinued operations based on the ratio of the net assets of discontinued operations to consolidated net assets before debt.
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Net sales
  $ 60,980     $ 56,881     $ 53,919  
Cost of sales
    47,464       42,677       40,799  
                         
Gross profit
    13,516       14,204       13,120  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    4,303       4,187       2,769  
Other expense (income):
                       
Interest expense
    1,526       1,853       1,713  
Foreign currency losses, net
    19              
Miscellaneous expense (income), net
    76       (36 )      
                         
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes
    7,592       8,200       8,638  
Income tax expense
    2,578       2,888       2,968  
                         
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
  $ 5,014     $ 5,312     $ 5,670  
                         
 
The following is a summary of the assets and liabilities of the Fine Chemicals business at December 31, 2007, and are presented separately on the consolidated balance sheets:
 
         
    (Dollars in
 
    thousands)  
 
Accounts receivable, net
  $ 3,330  
Inventories
    6,780  
Deferred income taxes
    991  
Other receivables
    81  
Other current assets
    21  
         
Current assets of discontinued operations
  $ 11,203  
         
Property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 24,360  
Goodwill
    372  
         
Other assets of discontinued operations
  $ 24,732  
         
Accounts payable
  $ 4,268  
Accrued payrolls
    310  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    878  
         
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
  $ 5,456  
         
Deferred income taxes
  $ 991  
         
Other liabilities of discontinued operations
  $ 991  
         
 
We have continuing environmental remediation obligations that are related to these divestitures, and we have accrued $3.0 million as of December 31, 2008, and $3.3 million as of December 31, 2007, for these matters. The estimated amounts we have accrued are based on our assessment of the nature and extent of the soil and/or


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
groundwater contamination and the remedial actions we expect to perform. In some cases, we have agreed to the required remedial actions with the relevant governmental authorities, and we have based our estimates of the costs to remediate upon those actions. Where alternative technologies exist to remediate a contaminated site, we have determined our estimates of the costs to remediate based on the technologies that we are most likely to use.
 
16.   (Loss) earnings per Share from Continuing Operations
 
Details of the calculations of basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share follow:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (In thousands,
 
    except per share amounts)  
 
Basic (loss) earnings per share computation:
                       
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders
  $ (40,575 )   $ (95,514 )   $ 19,368  
Less: Income from discontinued operations
    (14,048 )     (5,087 )     (5,198 )
                         
    $ (54,623 )   $ (100,601 )   $ 14,170  
                         
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
    43,261       42,926       42,394  
Basic (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations
  $ (1.26 )   $ (2.34 )   $ 0.33  
Diluted (loss) earnings per share computation:
                       
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders
  $ (40,575 )   $ (95,514 )   $ 19,368  
Less: Income from discontinued operations
    (14,048 )     (5,087 )     (5,198 )
Plus: Convertible preferred stock
                 
                         
    $ (54,623 )   $ (100,601 )   $ 14,170  
                         
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
    43,261       42,926       42,394  
Assumed exercise of stock options
                 
Assumed satisfaction of performance share conditions
                28  
Assumed satisfaction of deferred stock unit conditions
                 
Assumed conversion of convertible notes
                 
Assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock
                 
                         
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding
    43,261       42,926       42,422  
                         
Diluted (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations
  $ (1.26 )   $ (2.34 )   $ 0.33  
 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options, preferred stock or other share-based awards were exercised or converted into common stock. The dilutive effect is computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes that the hypothetical proceeds from exercise or conversion are used by the Company to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. The incremental shares (the difference between shares assumed to be issued versus purchased), to the extent they would have been dilutive, are included in the denominator of the diluted (loss) earnings per share calculation. Options to purchase 4.3 million, 4.5 million, and 5.1 million shares of common stock, performance shares of 0.6 million, 0.5 million, and 0.3 million, and preferred stock convertible into 0.7 million, 0.8 million, and 1.0 million shares of common stock for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and an immaterial number of deferred stock units were antidilutive or unearned and therefore excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
17.   Reporting for Segments
 
The Company has six reportable segments:  Performance Coatings, Electronic Materials, Color and Glass Performance Materials, Polymer Additives, Specialty Plastics, and Pharmaceuticals. We have combined our Tile Coating Systems and Porcelain Enamel business units into one reportable segment, Performance Coatings, based on their similar economic and operating characteristics.
 
In past years, our Other Businesses segment reported the combined results of operations from Ferro’s Pharmaceuticals and Fine Chemicals businesses. The Fine Chemicals business was sold during the fourth quarter of 2008, and the financial results from this business are now included in discontinued operations.
 
The accounting policies of our segments are consistent with those described in the summary of significant accounting policies found in Note 1. We measure segment income for internal reporting purposes as net operating profit before interest and taxes. Segment income excludes unallocated corporate expenses, primarily corporate employment costs and professional services, and charges associated with impairments, restructuring and cost reduction programs.
 
We have presented net sales to external customers by segment in the table below. Sales between segments were not material:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Performance Coatings
  $ 627,918     $ 609,285     $ 538,385  
Electronic Materials
    558,313       469,885       444,463  
Color and Glass Performance Materials
    456,644       445,709       387,540  
Polymer Additives
    349,902       334,492       313,500  
Specialty Plastics
    225,856       261,956       271,307  
Pharmaceuticals
    26,519       26,577       32,411  
                         
Total net sales
  $ 2,245,152     $ 2,147,904     $ 1,987,606  
                         
 
Below are each segment’s income and reconciliations to (loss) income before taxes from continuing operations:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Performance Coatings
  $ 36,935     $ 37,965     $ 42,718  
Electronic Materials
    52,868       32,785       35,136  
Color and Glass Performance Materials
    39,112       48,222       43,512  
Polymer Additives
    6,086       10,755       10,947  
Specialty Plastics
    5,385       15,116       14,629  
Pharmaceuticals
    3,524       1,947       (1,219 )
                         
Total segment income
    143,910       146,790       145,723  
Unallocated corporate expenses
    37,362       59,209       45,640  
Impairment charges
    80,205       128,737        
Restructuring charges
    25,937       16,852       23,146  
Other expense, net
    56,943       59,510       59,134  
                         
(Loss) income before income taxes from continuing operations
  $ (56,537 )   $ (117,518 )   $ 17,803  
                         


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
We do not allocate restructuring charges to individual segment income. Restructuring charges related to the following segments:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Performance Coatings
  $ 17,806     $ 13,469     $ 914  
Electronic Materials
    602       (929 )     16,488  
Color and Glass Performance Materials
    3,877       4,105       4,127  
Polymer Additives
    1,617              
Specialty Plastics
    2,035       207       1,617  
Pharmaceuticals
                 
                         
Total restructuring charges
  $ 25,937     $ 16,852     $ 23,146  
                         
 
The following table details depreciation and amortization expense by segment:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Performance Coatings
  $ 17,736     $ 17,854     $ 14,543  
Electronic Materials
    17,294       18,444       18,565  
Color and Glass Performance Materials
    8,101       11,228       9,581  
Polymer Additives
    10,753       11,033       10,765  
Specialty Plastics
    3,314       3,705       3,841  
Pharmaceuticals
    1,693       2,684       2,569  
                         
Total segment depreciation and amortization
    58,891       64,948       59,864  
Unallocated depreciation and amortization
    14,559       19,100       16,620  
                         
Total depreciation and amortization
  $ 73,450     $ 84,048     $ 76,484  
                         
 
Segment assets primarily consist of trade accounts receivable; inventories; property, plant and equipment; and intangible assets. Unallocated assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents, deferred taxes and assets related to uncertain tax positions. Total assets at December 31st by segment are detailed below:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Performance Coatings
  $ 379,054     $ 444,226  
Electronic Materials
    330,013       361,637  
Color and Glass Performance Materials
    260,927       288,951  
Polymer Additives
    139,572       154,154  
Specialty Plastics
    62,952       94,826  
Pharmaceuticals
    41,243       36,063  
                 
Total segment assets
    1,213,761       1,379,857  
Assets of discontinued operations
          35,935  
Unallocated assets
    330,739       222,468  
                 
Total assets
  $ 1,544,500     $ 1,638,260  
                 


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
Each segment’s goodwill at December 31st is detailed below:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Performance Coatings
  $ 590     $ 45,269  
Electronic Materials
    151,901       152,081  
Color and Glass Performance Materials
    68,949       68,078  
Polymer Additives
           
Specialty Plastics
          17,045  
Pharmaceuticals
    8,225       8,225  
                 
Total goodwill
  $ 229,665     $ 290,698  
                 
 
We have detailed each segment’s expenditures for long-lived assets, including acquisitions, in the table below:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Performance Coatings
  $ 29,294     $ 17,900     $ 17,646  
Electronic Materials
    18,892       13,866       7,256  
Color and Glass Performance Materials
    7,715       10,591       6,378  
Polymer Additives
    8,379       7,925       7,084  
Specialty Plastics
    1,989       1,300       2,271  
Pharmaceuticals
    3,645       4,173       3,486  
                         
Total segment expenditures for long-lived assets
    69,914       55,755       44,121  
Expenditures for long-lived assets of discontinued operations
    2,317       4,852       4,604  
Unallocated corporate expenditures for long-lived assets
    4,237       7,027       1,890  
                         
Total expenditures for long-lived assets
  $ 76,468     $ 67,634     $ 50,615  
                         
 
We sell our products throughout the world and we attribute sales to countries based on the country where we generate the customer invoice. No single country other than the U.S. and Spain represents greater than 10% of our net sales. We have detailed net sales by geographic region in the table below:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
United States
  $ 973,717     $ 900,146     $ 908,497  
Spain
    362,370       339,516       198,470  
Other international
    909,065       908,242       880,639  
                         
Total sales
  $ 2,245,152     $ 2,147,904     $ 1,987,606  
                         
 
None of our operations in countries other than the U.S. owns greater than 10% of consolidated long-lived assets. We have detailed long-lived assets that consist of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, and amortizable intangible assets by geographic region at December 31st in the table below:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
United States
  $ 402,192     $ 425,824     $ 558,577  
International
    295,775       369,544       350,863  
                         
Total long-lived assets
  $ 697,967     $ 795,368     $ 909,440  
                         


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
18.   Related Party Transactions
 
We had the following transactions with our unconsolidated affiliates:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Sales
  $ 10,157     $ 9,727     $ 7,659  
Purchases
    5,495       5,573       5,229  
Dividends and interest received
    159       702       1,590  
Commissions and royalties received
    194       132       136  
Commissions and royalties paid
    230       227       130  
 
A Ferro Director, Mr. Bulkin, and a former Ferro Director, Mr. Weisser, serve on the board of Bunge Limited. We made purchases from Bunge Limited of $25.1 million in 2008, $14.2 million in 2007, and $12.5 million in 2006. Accounts payable related to these purchases were $0.5 million at December 31, 2008, and $3.2 million at December 31, 2007. At December 31, 2008, we were committed to purchases of $0.2 million in 2008 from Bunge Limited.
 
19.   Summarized Financial Information of Unconsolidated Affiliates Accounted For Under the Equity Method
 
We participate in several joint ventures that are located in Spain, Italy, South Korea and Thailand through investments in the common stock of affiliated companies. As of December 31, 2008, our percentage of ownership interest in these affiliates ranges from 36% to 50%. Because we exert significant influence over the affiliates, but we do not control them, our investments have been accounted for under the equity method and their results and financial position are not consolidated.
 
In May 2006, we sold a 20% owned, $1.2 million investment in a joint venture in Spain for cash proceeds of $1.6 million. We recorded the resulting pre-tax gain of $0.4 million in miscellaneous expense (income), net in the consolidated statements of operations. We have included the results of this joint venture’s operations in investment income and the summarized condensed income statement information presented below up to the date of the sale.
 
Investment income from these equity method investments, which is reported in miscellaneous expense (income), net was $1.2 million in 2008, $2.5 million in 2007, and $2.4 million in 2006. The combined balance of our equity method investments was $16.0 million at December 31, 2008, and $15.4 million at December 31, 2007.
 
The income that we record for these investments is equal to our proportionate share of the affiliates’ income and our investments are equal to our proportionate share of the affiliate’s shareholders’ equity based upon our ownership percentage. Below we have summarized condensed income statement and balance sheet information for the combined equity method investees:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Net sales
  $ 73,048     $ 67,894     $ 72,976  
Gross profit
    20,337       18,475       18,808  
Income from continuing operations
    4,065       8,284       7,841  
Net income
    2,755       5,667       5,479  
 


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FERRO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 — (Continued)
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Current assets
  $ 42,466     $ 50,677  
Non-current assets
    24,914       25,371  
Current liabilities
    23,552       28,046  
Non-current liabilities
    4,450       4,348  
 
20.   Subsequent Events
 
On January 29, 2009, Ferro’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share on the Company’s common stock.
 
On March 11, 2009, we entered into an amendment to our senior credit facility. For further information on this amendment, see Note 5. This amendment includes terms which effectively prohibit us from paying dividends on our common stock.
 
21.   Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
 
                                         
                      Per Common Share  
                Net
    Basic
    Diluted
 
Quarter
  Net Sales     Gross Profit     Income (Loss)     Earnings (Loss)     Earnings (Loss)  
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  
 
2007
                                       
1
  $ 515,057     $ 102,349     $ 6,079     $ 0.14     $ 0.14  
2
    538,478       102,936       4,540       0.10       0.10  
3
    537,244       97,564       5,585       0.12       0.12  
4
    557,125       99,610       (110,683 )     (2.58 )     (2.58 )
                                         
Total
  $ 2,147,904     $ 402,459     $ (94,479 )   $ (2.23 )   $ (2.23 )
                                         
2008
                                       
1
  $ 590,838     $ 109,265     $ 9,140     $ 0.21     $ 0.21  
2
    631,976       118,974       9,365       0.21       0.21  
3
    590,150       110,343       4,831       0.11       0.11  
4
    432,188       65,085       (63,034 )     (1.46 )     (1.46 )
                                         
Total
  $ 2,245,152     $ 403,667     $ (39,698 )   $ (0.94 )   $ (0.94 )
                                         
 
Quarterly earnings per share amounts do not always add to the full year amounts due to the averaging of shares.
 
We sold our Fine Chemicals segment in the fourth quarter of 2008, and the financial results from this business are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
 
Pre-tax restructuring charges in 2007 were $1.5 million in the first quarter, $0.3 million in the second quarter, $5.8 million in the third quarter and $9.3 million in the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter of 2007 also included pre-tax impairment charges of $128.7 million. Pre-tax restructuring charges in 2008 were $4.2 million in the first quarter, $9.0 million in the second quarter, $9.0 million in the third quarter and $3.7 million in the fourth quarter. The third quarter of 2008 also included a pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt of $5.5 million. The fourth quarter of 2008 also included pre-tax impairment charges of $80.2 million and a pre-tax gain on disposal of discontinued operations of $16.7 million.

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Item 9 —  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
None.
 
Item 9A —  Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Ferro is committed to maintaining disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
The Company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), as of December 31, 2008. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2008.
 
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). The Company’s internal control system is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).
 
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of its management and directors; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. In making this assessment, the Company used the control criteria framework of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission published in its report entitled Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements, has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, which is included below.


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Ferro Corporation
Cleveland, Ohio
 
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Ferro Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on that risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, the Company has maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.


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We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008, of the Company and our report dated March 11, 2009, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule and included an explanatory paragraph concerning the adoption of new accounting standards in 2007 and 2006.
 
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Cleveland, Ohio
March 11, 2009
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting and Other Remediation
 
During the fourth quarter of 2008, there were no changes in our internal controls or in other factors that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
 
Item 9B —  Other Information
 
None.


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PART III
 
Item 10 —  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
The information on Ferro’s directors is contained under the heading “Election of Directors” of the Proxy Statement for Ferro Corporation’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated here by reference. The information about the Audit Committee and the Audit Committee financial expert is contained under the heading “Corporate Governance-Board Committees-Audit Committee” of the Proxy Statement for Ferro Corporation’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated here by reference. Information on Ferro’s executive officers is contained under the heading “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Part 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Section 16(a) filing information is contained under the subheading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” of the Proxy Statement for Ferro Corporation’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated here by reference.
 
Ferro has adopted a series of policies dealing with business and ethics. These policies apply to all Ferro Directors, officers and employees. A summary of these policies may be found on Ferro’s Web site and the full text of the policies is available in print, free of charge, by writing to: General Counsel, Ferro Corporation, 1000 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1147, USA. Exceptions, waivers and amendments of those policies may be made, if at all, only by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, and, in the event any such exceptions, waivers or amendments are granted, a description of the change or event will be posted on Ferro’s Web site (www.ferro.com) within four business days. Ferro maintains a worldwide hotline that allows employees throughout the world to report confidentially any detected violations of these legal and ethical conduct policies consistent with local legal requirements and subject to local legal limitations.
 
Item 11 —  Executive Compensation
 
The information on executive compensation is contained under the headings “Executive Compensation Discussion & Analysis” and “2008 Executive Compensation” of the Proxy Statement for Ferro Corporation’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated here by reference.
 
Item 12 —  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
The information contained under the headings “Stock Ownership by Director, Executive Officers and Employees” and “Stock Ownership by Other Major Shareholders” of the Proxy Statement for Ferro Corporation’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated here by reference.
 
The numbers of shares issued and available for issuance under Ferro’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2008, were as follows:
 
                         
    Number of Shares to
          Number of Shares
 
    Be Issued on
    Weighted-Average
    Remaining Available
 
    Exercise of
    Exercise Price of
    for Future Issuance
 
    Outstanding Options,
    Outstanding Options,
    Under Equity
 
Equity Compensation Plan
  and Other Awards     and Other Awards     Compensation Plans(1)  
 
Approved by Ferro Shareholders(2)
    4,108,360 shares     $ 21.64       1,702,175 shares (4)
Not Approved by Ferro
Shareholders(3)
    104,553 shares     $ 24.96       0 shares  
Total
    4,212,913 shares     $ 21.70       1,702,175 shares  
 
 
(1) Excludes shares listed in the second column.
 
(2) Includes options issued under the Company’s Stock Option Plan and 2003 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan.
 
(3) Includes options granted in excess of 100,000 shares to the Chief Executive Officer and phantom units issued under the Company’s Executive Employee Deferred Compensation Plan and Supplemental Executive Defined Contribution Plan.


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(4) Shares are only available under the 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan and may be issued as stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, performance shares, and other common stock-based awards.
 
A description follows of the material features of each plan that was not approved by Ferro shareholders:
 
  •  Stock Options.  On February 11, 2002 and February 9, 2001, respectively, the Board granted Mr. Ortino, then our Chief Executive Officer, 155,000 and 122,000 options to purchase shares. Of this amount, options for 100,000 shares each year were granted under the 1985 Employee Stock Option Plan approved by shareholders and the remaining options were approved and granted by the Board from available treasury shares. The options granted in 2002 have an exercise price of $25.50 and the options granted in 2001 have an exercise price of $23.60. Both grants have a maximum term of ten years and vested evenly over four years from the grant date.
 
  •  Executive Employee Deferred Compensation Plan.  The Ferro Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Executive Employees allows participants to defer up to 75% of annual base salary and up to 100% of incentive cash bonus awards and cash performance share payouts. Participants may elect to have all or a portion of their deferred compensation accounts deemed to be invested in shares of Ferro Common Stock, and credited with hypothetical appreciation, depreciation, and dividends. When distributions are made from this Plan in respect of such shares, the distributions are made in actual shares of Ferro Common Stock.
 
  •  Supplemental Executive Defined Contribution Plan.  The Ferro Corporation Supplemental Defined Contribution Plan for Executive Employees allows participants to be credited annually with matching and basic pension contributions that they would have received under the Company’s 401(k) plan except for the applicable IRS limitations on compensation and contributions. Contributions vest at 20% for each year of service, are deemed invested in Ferro Common Stock and earn dividends. Distributions are made in Ferro Common Stock or in cash.
 
Item 13 —  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
There are no relationships or transactions that are required to be reported. The information about director independence is contained under the heading “Corporate Governance — Director Independence” of the Proxy Statement for Ferro Corporation’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated here by reference.
 
Item 14 —  Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
The information contained under the heading “Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounts” of the Proxy Statement for Ferro Corporation’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated here by reference.


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PART IV
 
Item 15 —  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
 
  (a)  The consolidated financial statements of Ferro Corporation and its subsidiaries contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
 
  •  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006;
 
  •  Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2008 and 2007;
 
  •  Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006;
 
  •  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006; and
 
  •  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
  (b)  Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, contained on page 101 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All other schedules have been omitted because the material is not applicable or is not required as permitted by the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements.
 
  (c)  The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index beginning on page 102 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
FERRO CORPORATION
 
  By 
/s/  James F. Kirsch
James F. Kirsch
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Date: March 11, 2009
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in their indicated capacities as of the 11th day of March 2009.
 
         
/s/  James F. Kirsch

James F. Kirsch
  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
/s/  Sallie B. Bailey

Sallie B. Bailey
  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
     
/s/  Nicholas Katzakis

Nicholas Katzakis
  Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
     
/s/  Michael H. Bulkin

Michael H. Bulkin
  Director
     
/s/  Sandra Austin Crayton

Sandra Austin Crayton
  Director
     
/s/  Richard J. Hipple

Richard J. Hipple
  Director
     
/s/  Jennie S. Hwang

Jennie S. Hwang
  Director
     
/s/  William B. Lawrence

William B. Lawrence
  Director
     
/s/  Michael F. Mee

Michael F. Mee
  Director
     
/s/  Perry W. Premdas

Perry W. Premdas
  Director
     
/s/  William J. Sharp

William J. Sharp
  Director
     
/s/  Dennis W. Sullivan

Dennis W. Sullivan
  Director


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FERRO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006
 
                                                 
          Additions Charged
                   
          (Reductions
                   
    Balance at
    Credited) to           Adjustment for
    Balance
 
    Beginning
    Costs and
    Other
          Differences in
    at End of
 
    of Period     Expenses     Accounts     Deductions     Exchange Rates     Period  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Allowance for Possible Losses on Collection of Accounts and Trade Notes Receivable:
                                               
Year ended December 31, 2008
  $ 6,396       4,472       3,544 (1)     (2,436 )     (308 )   $ 11,668  
                                                 
Year ended December 31, 2007
  $ 7,524       (345 )           (1,430 )     647     $ 6,396  
                                                 
Year ended December 31, 2006
  $ 7,507       836             (1,468 )     649     $ 7,524  
                                                 
Allowance for Possible Losses on Collection of Note Receivable from Ferro Finance Corporation:
                                               
Year ended December 31, 2008
  $ 3,015       1,371       (3,544 )(1)     (842 )         $  
                                                 
Year ended December 31, 2007
  $ 2,702       948             (635 )         $ 3,015  
                                                 
Year ended December 31, 2006
  $ 3,158       608             (1,064 )         $ 2,702  
                                                 
Valuation Allowance on Net Deferred Tax Assets
                                               
Year ended December 31, 2008
  $ 8,906       20,598             (8,053 )         $ 21,451  
                                                 
Year ended December 31, 2007
  $ 4,023       4,644       545       (469 )     163     $ 8,906  
                                                 
Year ended December 31, 2006
  $ 9,651       (5,800 )                 172     $ 4,023  
                                                 
 
 
(1) When Ferro Finance Corporation (“FFC”) was consolidated in December 2008, the valuation allowance on Ferro’s note receivable from FFC was combined with the valuation allowance on accounts and trade notes receivable.


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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
The following exhibits are filed with this report or are incorporated here by reference to a prior filing in accordance with Rule 12b-32 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Exhibit:
 
         
  3     Articles of Incorporation and by-laws
  3 .1   Eleventh Amended Articles of Incorporation of Ferro Corporation. (Reference is made to Exhibit 4.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed March 5, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  3 .2   Certificate of Amendment to the Eleventh Amended Articles of Incorporation of Ferro Corporation filed December 29, 1994. (Reference is made to Exhibit 4.2 to Ferro Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed March 5, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  3 .3   Certificate of Amendment to the Eleventh Amended Articles of Incorporation of Ferro Corporation filed June 23, 1998. (Reference is made to Exhibit 4.3 to Ferro Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed March 5, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  3 .4   Ferro Corporation Code of Regulations. (Reference is made to Exhibit 4.4 to Ferro Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed March 5, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  4     Instruments defining rights of security holders, including indentures
  4 .1   Senior Indenture, dated as of March 5, 2008, by and between Ferro Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association. (Reference is made to Exhibit 4.5 to Ferro Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed March 5, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  4 .2   First Supplemental Indenture, dated August 19, 2008, by and between Ferro Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (with Form of 6.50% Convertible Senior Note due 2013). (Reference is made to Exhibit 4.2 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 19, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
        The Company agrees, upon request, to furnish to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission a copy of any instrument authorizing long-term debt that does not authorize debt in excess of 10% of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
  10     Material Contracts
  10 .1   Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated March 11, 2009, among Ferro Corporation; Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, as term loan administrative agent; National City Bank, as revolving loan administrative agent. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 11, 2009, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .2   Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 12, 2008, among Ferro Corporation; Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, as term loan administrative agent; National City Bank, as revolving loan administrative agent. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 18, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .3   Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated January 4, 2008, among Ferro Corporation; certain of Ferro’s subsidiaries; Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, as term loan administrative agent; and National City Bank, as revolving loan administrative agent; and various financial institutions as lenders. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 10, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .4   First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and First Amendment to Pledge and Security Agreement, dated December 17, 2007, among Ferro Corporation; certain of Ferro’s subsidiaries; Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, as Term Loan Administrative Agent; and National City Bank, as revolving loan administrative agent; and various financial institutions as lenders. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.2 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 10, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)


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  10 .5   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 8, 2007, among Ferro; certain of Ferro’s subsidiaries; Credit Suisse, as term loan administrative agent; National City Bank, as revolving loan administrative agent and collateral agent; KeyBank National Association, as documentation agent; Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., as syndication agent; and various financial institutions as lenders. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.3 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 11, 2007, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .6   Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of June 6, 2006, made by Ferro Corporation and each U.S. Subsidiary, as Grantors, in favor of National City Bank, as Collateral Agent. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.2 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 12, 2006, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .7   Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2008, among Ferro Color & Glass Corporation, Ferro Pfanstiehl Laboratories, Inc. and Ferro Corporation. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 7, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .8   Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Purchase and Contribution Agreement dated October 31, 2008 by and among Ferro Finance Corporation, Ferro Corporation and Citicorp North America, Inc. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.3 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 16, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .9   Amended and Restated Purchase and Contribution Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2008, between Ferro Corporation and Ferro Finance Corporation. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.2 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 7, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .10   Amendment No. 4 to Second Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated December 15, 2008, among Ferro Corporation, Ferro Color & Glass Corporation, Ferro Pfanstiehl Laboratories, Inc., Ferro Finance Corporation, CAFCO, LLC, Citicorp North America, Inc., and Citibank, N.A. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 16, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .11   Amendment No. 3 to Second Amended and restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated October 31, 2008, by and among Ferro Corporation, Ferro Finance Corporation, CAFCO, LLC, and Citicorp North America, Inc. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.2 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 16, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .12   Amendment No. 2 to Second Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2008, among Ferro Finance Corporation, as Seller; CAFCO, LLC, as the Investor; Citibank, N.A., as a Bank; Citicorp North America, Inc., as the Agent; Ferro Color & Glass Corporation and Ferro Pfanstiehl Laboratories, Inc., each as an Originator; and Ferro Corporation, as Originator and Collection Agent. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.2 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 16, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .13   Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 3, 2008, among Ferro Finance Corporation, as Seller; CAFCO, LLC, as the Investor; Citibank, N.A., as a Bank; Citicorp North America, Inc., as the Agent; Ferro Color & Glass Corporation and Ferro Pfanstiehl Laboratories, Inc., each as an Originator; and Ferro Corporation, as Originator and Collection Agent. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 16, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .14   Second Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2008, among Ferro Finance Corporation, as Seller, and CAFCO, LLC, as the Investor, and Citibank, N.A., as a Bank, Citicorp North America, Inc., as the Agent, Ferro Color & Glass Corporation and Ferro Pfanstiehl Laboratories, Inc., each as an Originator, and Ferro Corporation, as Originator and Collection Agent and Originator. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.3 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 7, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .15   Ferro Corporation Employee Stock Option Plan. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)*
  10 .16   Ferro Corporation 2003 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan.*
  10 .17   Form of Terms of Incentive Stock Option Award Grants under the Ferro Corporation 2003 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan.*

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  10 .18   Form of Terms of Performance Share Awards under the Ferro Corporation 2003 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan.*
  10 .19   Ferro Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.01 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 8, 2006, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)*
  10 .20   Form of Terms of Incentive Stock Option Award Grants under the Ferro Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan.*
  10 .21   Form of Terms of Nonstatutory Stock Option Grants under the Ferro Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan.*
  10 .22   Form of Terms of Performance Share Awards under the Ferro Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan.*
  10 .23   Form of Terms of Restricted Share Awards under the Ferro Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan.*
  10 .24   Form of Terms of Deferred Stock Unit Awards under the Ferro Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan.*
  10 .25   Ferro Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Executive Employees. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 24, 2007, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)*
  10 .26   Ferro Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.2 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 24, 2007, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)*
  10 .27   Ferro Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors Trust Agreement. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.11.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)*
  10 .28   Ferro Corporation Supplemental Defined Benefit Plan for Executive Employees. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.3 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 24, 2007, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)*
  10 .29   Ferro Corporation Supplemental Defined Contribution Plan for Executive Employees. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.4 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 24, 2007, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)*
  10 .30   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008, between Mr. Kirsch and Ferro Corporation. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.3 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 7, 2009, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)*
  10 .31   Form of Indemnification Agreement. (James F. Kirsch is the only officer that is party to an indemnification agreement with Ferro Corporation.)*
  10 .32   Change in Control Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2009, between Mr. Kirsch and Ferro Corporation. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 7, 2009, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)*
  10 .33   Form of Change in Control Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2009. (Sallie B. Bailey, Mark H. Duesenberg, Ann E. Killian, James F. Kirsch, Michael J. Murry, Barry D. Russell and Peter T. Thomas have entered into this form of change in control agreement.) (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.2 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 7, 2009, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)*
  10 .34   Employment Transition Agreement between Ferro Corporation and Thomas M. Gannon. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 26, 2006, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)*
  10 .35   First Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated October 31, 2008, between Ferro Corporation and Novolyte Technologies LP. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 4, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .36   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2008, between Ferro Corporation and Novolyte Technologies LP. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 3, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)

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  10 .37   Suzhou Equity Transfer Agreement, dated October 31, 2008, among Novolyte Technologies Limited, Novolyte Technologies LP and Ferro Corporation. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.3 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 4, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  10 .38   Purchase Agreement, dated March 21, 2008, between Ferro (Holland) B.V. and Brix Houwelingen Projecten XVIII B.V. (Reference is made to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 26, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated here by reference.)
  12     Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
  21     List of Subsidiaries.
  23 .1   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
  31 .1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
  31 .2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
  32 .1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350.
  32 .2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350.
 
 
* Indicates management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement in which one or more Directors and/or executives of Ferro Corporation may be participants.

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