UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

Commission file number 1-640

 

NL INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

No securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

 

Indicate by check mark:

If the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ☐    No   ☒

If the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

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 and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

If disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

The aggregate market value of the 8.3 million shares of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of NL Industries, Inc. as of June 30, 2017 (the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently-completed second fiscal quarter) approximated $58.7 million.

As of February 28, 2018, 48,714,884 shares of the Registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

Documents incorporated by reference

The information required by Part III is incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

 

 

 

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PART I

 

The Company

NL Industries, Inc. was organized as a New Jersey corporation in 1891.  Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol NL.  References to “NL Industries,” “NL,” the “Company,” the “Registrant,” “we,” “our,” “us” and similar terms mean NL Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliate, unless the context otherwise requires.  

Our principal executive offices are located at Three Lincoln Center, 5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700, Dallas, TX 75240.  Our telephone number is (972) 233-1700.  We maintain a website at www.nl-ind.com.  

Business summary

We are primarily a holding company.  We operate in the component products industry through our majority-owned subsidiary, CompX International Inc. (NYSE MKT: CIX).  We operate in the chemicals industry through our noncontrolling interest in Kronos Worldwide, Inc.  CompX and Kronos (NYSE: KRO); each file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  

Organization

At December 31, 2017, Valhi, Inc. (NYSE: VHI) held approximately 83% of our outstanding common stock and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Contran Corporation held an aggregate of 93% of Valhi’s outstanding common stock. As discussed in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, Lisa K. Simmons and Serena Simmons Connelly may be deemed to control Contran, Valhi, and us.

Forward-looking statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.  Statements in this Annual Report that are not historical facts are forward-looking in nature and represent management’s beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information.  In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “believes,” “intends,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “anticipates,” “expects” or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategies or trends.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know if these expectations will be correct.  Such statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results.  Actual future results could differ materially from those predicted.  The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from those described herein are the risks and uncertainties discussed in this Annual Report and those described from time to time in our other filings with the SEC include, but are not limited to, the following:

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Should one or more of these risks materialize or if the consequences of such a development worsen, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those currently forecasted or expected.  We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of changes in information, future events or otherwise.  

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Operations and equity investment

Information regarding our operations and the companies conducting such operations is set forth below.  Geographic financial information is included in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.  

 

COMPONENT PRODUCTS - COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.  

Industry overview - Through our majority-owned subsidiary, CompX, we manufacture engineered components utilized in a variety of applications and industries.  We manufacture mechanical and electrical cabinet locks and other locking mechanisms used in the recreational transportation, postal, office and institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage and healthcare applications.  We also manufacture stainless steel exhaust systems, gauges, throttle controls and trim tabs for the recreational marine and other industries.  We continuously seek to diversify into new markets and identify new applications and features for our products, which we believe provide a greater potential for higher rates of earnings growth as well as diversification of risk.  

Manufacturing, operations and products - CompX’s Security Products business, with one manufacturing facility in South Carolina and one in Illinois shared with the Marine Components business, manufactures mechanical and electronic cabinet locks and other locking mechanisms used in a variety of applications including ignition systems, mailboxes, file cabinets, desk drawers, tool storage cabinets, vending and gaming machines, high security medical cabinetry, electronic circuit panels, storage compartments and gas station security.  We believe that CompX is a North American market leader in the manufacture and sale of cabinet locks and other locking mechanisms.  These products include:

A substantial portion of CompX’s Security Products sales consists of products with specialized adaptations to an individual customer’s specifications, some of which are listed above.  CompX also has a standardized product line suitable for many customers which is offered through a North American distribution network to locksmith and smaller original equipment manufacturer distributors via its STOCK LOCKS^® distribution program.  

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CompX’s Marine Components business, with a facility in Wisconsin and a facility shared with the Security Products business in Illinois, manufactures and distributes stainless steel exhaust components, gauges, throttle controls, trim tabs, hardware and accessories primarily for performance and ski/wakeboard boats.  CompX’s specialty Marine Components products are high precision components designed to operate within tight tolerances in the highly demanding marine environment.  These products include:

The following table sets forth the location, size and business operations for each of CompX’s operating facilities at December 31, 2017:

 

SP – Security Products business

MC – Marine Components business

We believe all of CompX’s facilities are well maintained and satisfactory for their intended purposes.

Raw materials - The primary raw materials used in CompX’s manufacturing processes are:

These raw materials are purchased from several suppliers, are readily available from numerous sources and accounted for approximately 11% of our total cost of sales for 2017.  Total material costs, including purchased components, represented approximately 44% of our cost of sales in 2017.

CompX occasionally enters into short-term commodity-related raw material supply arrangements to mitigate the impact of future price increases in commodity-related raw materials, including zinc, brass and stainless steels.  These arrangements generally provide for stated unit prices based upon specified purchase volumes, which help CompX to stabilize its commodity-related raw material costs to a certain extent.  During 2016 and 2017, markets for the primary commodity-related raw materials used in the manufacture of CompX’s locking mechanisms, primarily zinc and brass, generally strengthened, resulting in price increases that exceeded general inflation rates.  In the case of zinc, CompX’s purchases late in 2017 bore unit costs over 50% higher than those acquired two years earlier.  Over that same period, the market for stainless steel, the primary raw material used for the manufacture of marine exhaust headers and pipes, remained relatively stable.  While CompX expects the markets for its primary commodity-related raw materials to stabilize during 2018, CompX recognizes that strengthening economic conditions may exert upward price pressure on these and other manufacturing materials. When purchased on the spot market, each of these raw materials may be subject to sudden and unanticipated price increases.  CompX generally seeks to mitigate the impact

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of fluctuations in these raw material costs on its margins through improvements in production efficiencies or other operating cost reductions.  In the event CompX is unable to offset raw material cost increases with other cost reductions, it may be difficult to recover those cost increases through increased product selling prices or raw material surcharges due to the competitive nature of the markets served by CompX’s products.  Consequently, overall operating margins can be affected by commodity-related raw material cost pressures.  Commodity market prices are cyclical, reflecting overall economic trends, specific developments in consuming industries and speculative investor activities.

Patents and trademarks - CompX holds a number of patents relating to component products, certain of which we believe to be important to CompX and its continuing business activity.  Patents generally have a term of 20 years, and CompX’s patents have remaining terms ranging from less than 1 year to 17 years at December 31, 2017.  

CompX’s major trademarks and brand names in addition to CompX® include:  

 

 

Sales, marketing and distribution - A majority of CompX’s component sales are direct to large OEM customers through our factory-based sales and marketing professionals supported by engineers working in concert with field salespeople and independent manufacturer’s representatives.  We select manufacturer’s representatives based on special skills in certain markets or relationships with current or potential customers.  

In addition to sales to large OEM customers, a substantial portion of CompX’s Security Products sales are made through distributors.  We have a significant North American market share of cabinet lock security product sales as a result of the locksmith distribution channel.  We support our locksmith distributor sales with a line of standardized products used by the largest segments of the marketplace.  These products are packaged and merchandised for easy availability and handling by distributors and end users.  

We sell to a diverse customer base with only one customers representing 10% or more of our sales in 2017 (United States Postal Service representing 16%).  Our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 44% of our sales in 2017.    

Competition - The markets in which CompX participates are highly competitive.  CompX competes primarily on the basis of product design, including space utilization and aesthetic factors, product quality and durability, price, on-time delivery, service and technical support.  CompX focuses its efforts on the middle and high-end segments of the market, where product design, quality, durability and service are valued by the customer.  The Security Products business competes against a number of U.S. and non-U.S. manufacturers.  The Marine Components business competes with small U.S. manufacturers and is minimally affected by non-U.S. competitors.  

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Regulatory and environmental matters - CompX’s operations are subject to federal, state and local  environmental laws and regulations relating to the use, storage, handling, generation, transportation, treatment, emission, discharge, disposal, remediation of and exposure to hazardous and non-hazardous substances, materials and wastes (“Environmental Laws”).  CompX’s operations are also subject to federal, state and local regulations relating to worker health and safety.  We believe that CompX is in substantial compliance with all such laws and regulations.  To date, the costs of maintaining compliance with such laws and regulations have not significantly impacted our results of operations.  We currently do not anticipate any significant costs or expenses relating to such matters; however, it is possible future laws and regulations may require us to incur significant additional expenditures.  

Employees - As of December 31, 2017, CompX employed 520 people, all in the United States.  We believe our labor relations are good at all of our facilities.

CHEMICALS - KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC.  

Business overview - Kronos is a leading global producer and marketer of value-added titanium dioxide pigments, or TiO₂, a base industrial product used in a wide range of applications.  Kronos, along with its distributors and agents, sells and provides technical services for its products to approximately 4,000 customers in 100 countries with the majority of sales in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.  We believe that Kronos has developed considerable expertise and efficiency in the manufacture, sale, shipment and service of its products in domestic and international markets.  

TiO₂ is a white inorganic pigment used in a wide range of products for its exceptional durability and its ability to impart whiteness, brightness and opacity.  TiO₂ is a critical component of everyday applications, such as coatings, plastics and paper, as well as many specialty products such as inks, food and cosmetics.  TiO₂ is widely considered to be superior to alternative white pigments in large part due to its hiding power (or opacity), which is the ability to cover or mask other materials effectively and efficiently.  TiO₂ is designed, marketed and sold based on specific end-use applications.  

TiO₂ is the largest commercially used whitening pigment because it has a high refractive rating, giving it more hiding power than any other commercially produced white pigment.  In addition, TiO₂ has excellent resistance to interaction with other chemicals, good thermal stability and resistance to ultraviolet degradation. Although there are other white pigments on the market, Kronos believes that there are no effective substitutes for TiO₂ because no other white pigment has the physical properties for achieving comparable opacity and brightness or can be incorporated in as cost-effective a manner.  Pigment extenders such as kaolin clays, calcium carbonate and polymeric opacifiers are used together with TiO₂ in a number of end-use markets.  However, these products are not able to duplicate the opacity performance characteristics of TiO₂ and Kronos believes that these products are unlikely to have a significant impact on the use of TiO₂.  

TiO2 is considered a “quality-of-life” product.  Demand for TiO2 has generally been driven by worldwide gross domestic product and has generally increased with rising standards of living in various regions of the world.  According to industry estimates, TiO2 consumption has grown at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 3% since 1990.  Per capita consumption of TiO2 in Western Europe and the United States far exceeds that in other areas of the world, and these regions are expected to continue to be the largest consumers of TiO2 on a per capita basis.  We believe that Western Europe and North America currently account for approximately 20% and 17% of global TiO2 consumption, respectively.  Markets for TiO2 are generally increasing in South America, Eastern Europe, the Asia Pacific region and China and we believe these are significant markets where we expect continued growth as economies in these regions continue to develop and quality-of-life products, including TiO2, experience greater demand.

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Products and end-use markets - Kronos, including its predecessors, has produced and marketed TiO₂ in North America and Europe, its primary markets, for over 100 years.  We believe that Kronos is the largest producer of TiO₂ in Europe with approximately one-half of its sales volumes attributable to markets in Europe.  The table below shows Kronos’ market share for its significant markets, Europe and North America, for the last three years.

 

We believe that Kronos is the leading seller of TiO₂ in several countries, including Germany, with an estimated 10% share of worldwide TiO₂ sales volume in 2017.  Overall, Kronos is one of the top six producers of TiO₂ in the world.

Kronos offers its customers a broad portfolio of products that includes over 40 different TiO₂ pigment grades under the Kronos^® trademark, which provide a variety of performance properties to meet customers’ specific requirements.  Kronos’ major customers include domestic and international paint, plastics, decorative laminate and paper manufacturers.  Kronos ships TiO₂ to customers in either a powder or slurry form via rail, truck and/or ocean carrier.  Sales of its core TiO₂ pigments represented approximately 94% of Kronos’ net sales in 2017.  Kronos and its agents and distributors primarily sell its products in three major end-use markets: coatings, plastics and paper.  

The following tables show Kronos’ approximate TiO₂ sales volume by geographic region and end use for the year ended December 31, 2017:

 

Some of the principal applications for Kronos’ products include the following.

TiO₂ for coatings - Kronos’ TiO₂ is used to provide opacity, durability, tinting strength and brightness in industrial coatings, as well as coatings for commercial and residential interiors and exteriors, automobiles, aircraft, machines, appliances, traffic paint and other special purpose coatings.  The amount of TiO₂ used in coatings varies widely depending on the opacity, color and quality desired.  In general, the higher the opacity requirement of the coating, the greater the TiO₂ content.

TiO₂ for plastics - Kronos produces TiO₂ pigments that improve the optical and physical properties in plastics, including whiteness and opacity.  TiO₂ is used to provide opacity in items such as containers and packaging materials, and vinyl products such as windows, door profiles and siding.  TiO₂ also generally provides hiding power, neutral undertone, brightness and surface durability for housewares, appliances, toys, computer cases and food packages.  TiO₂’s high brightness along with its opacity is used in some engineering plastics to help mask their undesirable natural color.  TiO₂ is also used in masterbatch, which is a concentrate of TiO₂ and other additives and is one of the largest uses for TiO₂ in the plastics end-use market.  In masterbatch, the TiO₂ is dispersed at high concentrations into a plastic resin and is then used by manufacturers of plastic containers, bottles, packaging and agricultural films.

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TiO₂ for paper - Kronos’ TiO₂ is used in the production of several types of paper, including laminate (decorative) paper, filled paper and coated paper to provide whiteness, brightness, opacity and color stability.  Although Kronos sells its TiO₂ to all segments of the paper end-use market, its primary focus is on the TiO₂ grades used in paper laminates, where several layers of paper are laminated together using melamine resin under high temperature and pressure.  The top layer of paper contains TiO₂ and plastic resin and is the layer that is printed with decorative patterns.  Paper laminates are used to replace materials such as wood and tile for such applications as counter tops, furniture and wallboard.  TiO₂ is beneficial in these applications because it assists in preventing the material from fading or changing color after prolonged exposure to sunlight and other weathering agents.

TiO₂ for other applications - Kronos produces TiO₂ to improve the opacity and hiding power of printing inks.  TiO₂ allows inks to achieve very high print quality while not interfering with the technical requirements of printing machinery, including low abrasion, high printing speed and high temperatures.  Kronos’ TiO₂ is also used in textile applications where TiO₂ functions as an opacifying and delustering agent.  In man-made fibers such as rayon and polyester, TiO₂ corrects an otherwise undesirable glossy and translucent appearance.  Without the presence of TiO₂, these materials would be unsuitable for use in many textile applications.

Kronos produces high purity sulfate process anatase TiO₂ used to provide opacity, whiteness and brightness in a variety of cosmetic and personal care products, such as skin cream, lipstick, eye shadow and toothpaste.  Kronos’ TiO₂ is also found in food products, such as candy and confectionaries and in pet foods where it is used to obtain uniformity of color and appearance.  In pharmaceuticals, Kronos’ TiO₂ is used commonly as a colorant in pill and capsule coatings as well as in liquid medicines to provide uniformity of color and appearance.  Kronos^® purified anatase grades meet the applicable requirements of the CTFA (Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrances Association), USP and BP (United States Pharmacopoeia and British Pharmacopoeia) and the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration).  

Kronos’ TiO₂ business is enhanced by the following three complementary businesses, which comprised approximately 6% of its net sales in 2017:

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Manufacturing, operations and properties - Kronos produces TiO₂ in two crystalline forms: rutile and anatase.  Rutile TiO₂ is manufactured using both a chloride production process and a sulfate production process, whereas anatase TiO₂ is only produced using a sulfate production process.  Manufacturers of many end-use applications can use either form, especially during periods of tight supply for TiO₂.  The chloride process is the preferred form for use in coatings and plastics, the two largest end-use markets.  Due to environmental factors and customer considerations, the proportion of TiO₂ industry sales represented by chloride process pigments has increased relative to sulfate process pigments, and in 2017, chloride process production facilities represented approximately 50% of industry capacity.  The sulfate process is preferred for use in selected paper products, ceramics, rubber tires, man-made fibers, food products, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.  Once an intermediate TiO₂ pigment has been produced by either the chloride or sulfate process, it is “finished” into products with specific performance characteristics for particular end-use applications through proprietary processes involving various chemical surface treatments and intensive micronizing (milling).  

Kronos produced 576,000 metric tons of TiO₂ in 2017, up from the 546,000 metric tons produced in 2016.  Kronos’ production amounts include its share of the output produced by its TiO₂ manufacturing joint-venture discussed below in “TiO₂ Manufacturing Joint Venture.”  Kronos’ average production capacity utilization rates were approximately 95% and 98% of capacity in 2015 and 2016, respectively, and at full practical capacity in 2017.  Kronos’ production rates in the first quarter of 2015 were impacted by the implementation of certain productivity-enhancing improvement projects at other facilities, as well as necessary improvements to ensure continued compliance with its permit regulations, which resulted in longer-than-normal maintenance shutdowns in some instances.  

Kronos operates facilities throughout North America and Europe, including the only sulfate process plant in North America and four TiO₂ plants in Europe (one in each of Leverkusen, Germany; Nordenham, Germany; Langerbrugge, Belgium; and Fredrikstad, Norway).  In North America, Kronos has a TiO₂ plant in Varennes, Quebec, Canada and, through the manufacturing joint venture described below in “TiO₂ Manufacturing Joint Venture,” a 50% interest in a TiO₂ plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Kronos’ production capacity has increased by approximately 6% over the past ten years due to debottlenecking programs, with only moderate capital expenditures.  Kronos currently expects to operate its TiO₂ plants at full practical capacity levels in 2018.  

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The following table presents the division of Kronos’ expected 2018 manufacturing capacity by plant location and type of manufacturing process:

 

Kronos owns the land underlying all of its principal production facilities unless otherwise indicated in the table above.  

Kronos also operates two ilmenite mines in Norway pursuant to a governmental concession with an unlimited term.  In addition, Kronos operates a rutile slurry manufacturing plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana, which converts dry pigment manufactured for Kronos at the Lake Charles TiO₂ facility into a slurry form that is then shipped to customers.  

Kronos has various corporate and administrative offices located in the U.S., Germany, Norway, Canada, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom and various sales offices located in North America.

TiO₂ Manufacturing Joint Venture - Kronos and HPA each own a 50% interest in a manufacturing joint venture, Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P., or LPC.  LPC owns and operates a chloride-process TiO2 plant located in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  Kronos and Venator share production from the plant equally pursuant to separate offtake agreements, unless we and Venator otherwise agree (such as in 2015, when we purchased approximately 52% of the production from the plant).

A supervisory committee directs the business and affairs of the joint venture, including production and output decisions.  This committee is composed of four members, two of whom Kronos appoints and two of whom Venator appoints.  Two general managers manage the operations of the joint venture acting under the direction of the supervisory committee.  Kronos appoints one general manager and Venator appoints the other.

The joint venture is not consolidated in Kronos’ financial statements, because Kronos does not control it.  Kronos accounts for our interest in the joint venture by the equity method.  The joint venture operates on a break-even

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basis and therefore Kronos does not have any equity in earnings of the joint venture.  Kronos is required to purchase one half of the TiO2 produced by the joint venture.  All costs and capital expenditures are shared equally with Venator with the exception of feedstock (purchased natural rutile ore or slag) and packaging costs for the pigment grades produced.  Kronos’ share of net costs is reported as cost of sales as the TiO2 is sold.  

Raw materials - The primary raw materials used in chloride process TiO2 are titanium-containing feedstock (purchased natural rutile ore or slag), chlorine and coke.  Chlorine is available from a number of suppliers, while petroleum coke is available from a limited number of suppliers.  Titanium-containing feedstock suitable for use in the chloride process is available from a limited but increasing number of suppliers principally in Australia, South Africa, Canada, India and the United States.  Kronos purchases chloride process grade slag from Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium Limited under a long-term supply contract that automatically renews at the end of 2018 for successive two-year renewal periods, unless terminated before December 31, 2018.  Kronos also purchase upgraded slag from Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium Limited under a long-term supply contract that expires at the end of 2019.  Kronos purchases natural rutile ore primarily from Iluka Resources, Limited under a contract which expires in 2018.  In the past Kronos has been, and it expects that it will continue to be, successful in obtaining short-term and long-term extensions to these and other existing supply contracts prior to their expiration.  Kronos expects the raw materials purchased under these contracts, and contracts that Kronos may enter into, will meet its chloride process feedstock requirements over the next several years.

The primary raw materials used in sulfate process TiO2 are titanium-containing feedstock, primarily ilmenite or purchased sulfate grade slag and sulfuric acid.  Sulfuric acid is available from a number of suppliers.  Titanium-containing feedstock suitable for use in the sulfate process is available from a limited number of suppliers principally in Norway, Canada, Australia, India and South Africa.  As one of the few vertically-integrated producers of sulfate process TiO2, Kronos operates two rock ilmenite mines in Norway, which provided all of the feedstock for Kronos’ European sulfate process TiO2 plants in 2017.  Kronos expects ilmenite production from its mines to meet Kronos’ European sulfate process feedstock requirements for the foreseeable future.  For Kronos’ Canadian sulfate process plant, Kronos purchases sulfate grade slag primarily from Rio Tinto Fer et Titane Inc. under a supply contract that renews annually, subject to termination upon twelve months written notice.  Kronos expects the raw materials purchased under these contracts, and contracts that it may enter into, to meet Kronos’ sulfate process feedstock requirements over the next several years.

Many of Kronos’ raw material contracts contain fixed quantities Kronos is required to purchase, or specify a range of quantities within which Kronos is required to purchase.  The pricing under these agreements is generally negotiated quarterly.

The following table summarizes Kronos’ raw materials purchased or mined in 2017.  

 

Sales and marketing - Kronos’ marketing strategy is aimed at developing and maintaining strong customer relationships with new and existing accounts.  Because TiO₂ represents a significant raw material cost for Kronos’ customers, the purchasing decisions are often made by customers’ senior management.  Kronos works to maintain close relationships with the key decision makers, through in-depth and frequent in-person meetings.  Kronos endeavors to extend these commercial and technical relationships to multiple levels within its customers’ organization by using its direct sales force and technical service group to accomplish this objective.  Kronos believes this has helped build customer loyalty to Kronos and strengthen its competitive position.  Close cooperation and strong customer relationships enable Kronos to stay closely attuned to trends in its customers’ businesses.  Where appropriate, Kronos works in conjunction with customers to solve formulation or application problems by modifying specific product

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properties or developing new pigment grades.  Kronos also focuses its sales and marketing efforts on those geographic and end-use market businesses where Kronos believes it can realize higher selling prices.  This focus includes continuously reviewing and optimizing customer and product portfolios.  

Kronos’ marketing strategy is also aimed at working directly with customers to monitor the success of its products in their end-use applications, evaluate the need for improvements in product and process technology and identify opportunities to develop new product solutions for its customers.  Kronos’ marketing staff closely coordinates with its sales force and technical specialists to ensure that the needs of its customers are met, and to help develop and commercialize new grades where appropriate.  

Kronos sells a majority of its products through its direct sales force operating from five sales offices in Europe and two sales offices in North America.  Kronos also utilizes sales agents and distributors who are authorized to sell its products in specific geographic areas.  In Europe, Kronos’ sales efforts are conducted primarily through its direct sales force and its sales agents.  Kronos’ agents do not sell any TiO₂ products other than KRONOS^® brand products.  In North America, Kronos’ sales are made primarily through its direct sales force and supported by a network of distributors.  In export markets, where we have increased our marketing efforts over the last several years, our sales are made through our direct sales force, sales agents and distributors. In addition to its direct sales force and sales agents, many of Kronos’ sales agents also act as distributors to service its customers in all regions.  Kronos offers customer and technical service to the customers who purchase its products through distributors as well as to its larger customers serviced by its direct sales force.  

Kronos sells to a diverse customer base and no single customer comprised more than 10% of Kronos’ sales in 2017.  Kronos’ largest ten customers accounted for approximately 34% of sales in 2017.

Neither Kronos’ business as a whole nor any of its principal product groups is seasonal to any significant extent.  However, TiO₂ sales are generally higher in the second and third quarters of the year, due in part to the increase in paint production in the spring to meet demand during the spring and summer painting seasons.  With certain exceptions, Kronos has historically operated its production facilities at near full capacity rates throughout the entire year, which among other things helps to minimize its per-unit production costs.  As a result, Kronos normally will build inventories during the first and fourth quarters of each year, in order to maximize product availability during the higher demand periods normally experienced in the second and third quarters.  

Competition - The TiO₂ industry is highly competitive.  Kronos competes primarily on the basis of price, product quality, technical service and the availability of high performance pigment grades.  Since TiO₂ is not a traded commodity, its pricing is largely a product of negotiation between suppliers and their respective customers.  Price and availability are the most significant competitive factors along with quality and customer service for the majority of our product grades.  Increasingly, we are focused on providing pigments that are differentiated to meet specific customer requests and specialty grades that are differentiated from our competitor’s products.  During 2017, Kronos had an estimated 10% share of worldwide TiO₂ sales volume, and based on sales volumes, we believe that Kronos is the leading seller of TiO₂ in several countries, including Germany.  

Kronos’ principal competitors are The Chemours Company, or Chemours;  Cristal Global; Venator Materials PLC (formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary, and now a majority-owned subsidiary, of Huntsman Corporation); Tronox Incorporated; and Lomon Billions.  The top six TiO₂ producers (i.e. Kronos and our five principal competitors) account for approximately 66% of the world’s production capacity.  Chemours added a new 200,000 metric ton capacity line at its plant in Mexico which commenced production in the second quarter of 2016.  In 2016, Venator announced it was closing its sulfate process facility in South Africa, reducing its overall capacity by 25,000 metric tons.  In 2017, one of Venator’s European sulfate plants, which has a capacity of 130,000 metric tons, operated at significantly reduced rates due to a fire at the facility.

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The following chart shows Kronos’ estimate of worldwide production capacity in 2017:

 

 

Chemours has over one-half of total North American TiO₂ production capacity and is Kronos’ principal North American competitor.  In February 2017, Tronox announced a definitive agreement to acquire the TiO₂ assets of Cristal, but in December 2017 the U.S. Federal Trade Commission filed an administrative complaint challenging the merger.  Tronox has indicated it intends to vigorously defend against such action.

Over the past ten years, Kronos and its competitors have increased industry capacity through debottlenecking projects, which in part compensated for the shutdown of various TiO₂ plants throughout the world.  Although overall industry demand is expected to remain strong in 2018 as a result of improving worldwide economic conditions, we do not expect any other significant efforts will be undertaken by us or our principal competitors to further increase capacity for the foreseeable future, other than through debottlenecking projects.  If actual developments differ from our expectations, the TiO₂ industry’s performance and that of our own could be unfavorably affected.

The TiO₂ industry is characterized by high barriers to entry consisting of high capital costs, proprietary technology and significant lead times (typically three to five years in our experience) required to construct new facilities or to expand existing capacity.  Kronos believes it is unlikely any new TiO₂ plants will be constructed in Europe or North America in the foreseeable future.  

Research and development - Kronos employs scientists, chemists, process engineers and technicians who are engaged in research and development, process technology and quality assurance activities in Leverkusen, Germany.  These individuals have the responsibility for improving Kronos’ chloride and sulfate production processes, improving product quality and strengthening Kronos’ competitive position by developing new applications.  Kronos’ expenditures for these activities were approximately $16 million in 2015, $13 million in 2016 and $20 million in 2017.  Kronos expects to spend approximately $19 million on research and development in 2018.  

Kronos continually seeks to improve the quality of its grades and has been successful at developing new grades for existing and new applications to meet the needs of its customers and increase product life cycles.  Since the beginning of 2013, Kronos has added five new grades for pigments and other applications.

Patents, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights - Kronos has a comprehensive intellectual property protection strategy that includes obtaining, maintaining and enforcing its patents, primarily in the United States, Canada and Europe.  Kronos also protects its trademark and trade secret rights and has entered into license agreements with third parties concerning various intellectual property matters.  Kronos has also from time to time been involved in disputes over intellectual property.  

Patents - Kronos has obtained patents and has numerous patent applications pending that cover its products and the technology used in the manufacture of its products.  Kronos’ patent strategy is important to Kronos and its continuing business activities.  In addition to maintaining its patent portfolio, Kronos seeks patent protection for its technical developments, principally in the United States, Canada and Europe.  U.S. patents are generally in effect for 20 years from the date of filing.  Kronos’ U.S. patent portfolio includes patents having remaining terms ranging from four years to 20 years.  

Trademarks and trade secrets - Kronos’ trademarks, including KRONOS^®, are covered by issued and/or pending registrations, including in Canada and the United States.  Kronos protects the trademarks that it uses in connection with the products it manufactures and sells and has developed goodwill in connection with its long-term

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use of Kronos’ trademarks.  Kronos conducts research activities in secret and Kronos protects the confidentiality of its trade secrets through reasonable measures, including confidentiality agreements and security procedures, including data security.  Kronos relies upon unpatented proprietary knowledge and continuing technological innovation and other trade secrets to develop and maintain its competitive position.  Kronos’ proprietary chloride production process is an important part of Kronos’ technology and its business could be harmed if it fails to maintain confidentiality of its trade secrets used in this technology.

Employees - As of December 31, 2017, Kronos employed the following number of people:

 

Certain employees at each of Kronos’ production facilities are organized by labor unions.  In Europe, Kronos’ union employees are covered by master collective bargaining agreements for the chemical industry that are generally renewed annually.  In Canada, Kronos’ union employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that expires in June 2018.  At December 31, 2017, approximately 86% of Kronos’ worldwide workforce is organized under collective bargaining agreements.  It is possible that there could be future work stoppages or other labor disruptions that could materially and adversely affect Kronos’ business, results of operations, financial position or liquidity.  

Regulatory and environmental matters - Kronos’ operations and properties are governed by various environmental laws and regulations, which are complex, change frequently and have tended to become stricter over time.  These environmental laws govern, among other things, the generation, storage, handling, use and transportation of hazardous materials; the emission and discharge of hazardous materials into the ground, air or water; and the health and safety of employees.  Certain of Kronos’ operations are, or have been, engaged in the generation, storage, handling, manufacture or use of substances or compounds that may be considered toxic or hazardous within the meaning of applicable environmental laws and regulations.  As with other companies engaged in similar businesses, certain of Kronos’ past and current operations and products have the potential to cause environmental or other damage.  Kronos has implemented and continues to implement various policies and programs in an effort to minimize these risks.  Kronos’ policy is to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations at all of its facilities and to strive to improve environmental performance.  It is possible that future developments, such as stricter requirements in environmental laws and enforcement policies, could adversely affect Kronos’ operations, including production, handling, use, storage, transportation, sale or disposal of hazardous or toxic substances or require Kronos to make capital and other expenditures to comply, and could adversely affect its consolidated financial position and results of operations or liquidity.  

Kronos’ U.S. manufacturing operations are governed by federal, state and local environmental and worker health and safety laws and regulations.  These include the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, or CERCLA, as well as the state counterparts of these statutes.  Some of these laws hold current or previous owners or operators of real property liable for the costs of cleaning up contamination, even if these owners or operators did not know of, and were not responsible for, such contamination.  These laws also assess liability on any person who arranges for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances, regardless of whether the affected site is owned or operated by such person.  Although Kronos has not incurred and does not currently anticipate any material liabilities in connection with such environmental laws, it may be required to make expenditures for environmental remediation in the future.  

While the laws regulating operations of industrial facilities in Europe vary from country to country, a common regulatory framework is provided by the European Union, or the EU.  Germany and Belgium are members of the EU and follow its initiatives.  Norway is not a member but generally patterns its environmental regulatory actions after the EU.  

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At Kronos’ sulfate plant facilities in Germany, it recycles spent sulfuric acid either through contracts with third parties or at its own facilities.  In addition, at Kronos’ German locations it has a contract with a third party to treat certain sulfate-process effluents.  At its Norwegian plant, Kronos ships spent acid to a third party location where it is used as a neutralization agent.  These contracts may be terminated by either party after giving three or four years advance notice, depending on the contract.  

From time to time, Kronos’ facilities may be subject to environmental regulatory enforcement under U.S.  and non-U.S. statutes.  Typically Kronos establishes compliance programs to resolve these matters.  Occasionally, Kronos may pay penalties.  To date such penalties have not involved amounts having a material adverse effect on Kronos’ consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.  We believe that all of Kronos’ facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws.  

Kronos’ capital expenditures related to ongoing environmental compliance, protection and improvement programs, including capital expenditures which are primarily focused on increased operating efficiency but also result in improved environmental protection such as lower emissions from its manufacturing facilities, were $16.1 million in 2017 and are currently expected to be approximately $26 million in 2018.

Other

In addition to our 87% ownership of CompX and our 30% ownership of Kronos at December 31, 2017, we also own 100% of EWI RE, Inc., an insurance brokerage and risk management services company.  We also hold certain marketable securities and other investments.  See Notes 5 and 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Regulatory and environmental matters - We discuss regulatory and environmental matters in the respective business sections contained elsewhere herein and in Item 3 - “Legal Proceedings.” In addition, the information included in Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements under the captions “Lead pigment litigation” and “Environmental matters and litigation” is incorporated herein by reference.  

Insurance - We maintain insurance for our businesses and operations, with customary levels of coverage, deductibles and limits.  See also Item 3 – “Legal Proceedings – Insurance coverage claims” and Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Business strategy - We routinely compare our liquidity requirements and alternative uses of capital against the estimated future cash flows we expect to receive from our subsidiaries and affiliates.  As a result of this process, we have in the past and may in the future seek to raise additional capital, incur debt, repurchase indebtedness in the market, modify our dividend policies, consider the sale of our interests in our subsidiaries, affiliates, business, marketable securities or other assets, or take a combination of these and other steps, to increase liquidity, reduce indebtedness and fund future activities.  Such activities have in the past and may in the future involve related companies.  From time to time, we also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests among our respective subsidiaries and related companies.  

We and other entities that may be affiliated with Contran routinely evaluate acquisitions of interests in, or combinations with, companies, including related companies, perceived by management to be undervalued in the marketplace.  These companies may or may not be engaged in businesses related to our current businesses.  In some instances, we have actively managed the businesses acquired with a focus on maximizing return-on-investment through cost reductions, capital expenditures, improved operating efficiencies, selective marketing to address market niches, disposition of marginal operations, use of leverage and redeployment of capital to more productive assets.  In other instances, we have disposed of the acquired interest in a company prior to gaining control.  We intend to consider such activities in the future and may, in connection with such activities, consider issuing additional equity securities and increasing our indebtedness.  

Available information - Our fiscal year ends December 31.  We furnish our shareholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements.  In addition, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other information with the SEC.  Our consolidated subsidiary (CompX) and our significant equity method investee (Kronos) also file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy and information statements and other information with the SEC.  We also make our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments thereto available free of charge through our website at www.nl-ind.com

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as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed with the SEC.  We also provide to anyone, without charge, copies of such documents upon written request.  Such requests should be directed to the attention of the Corporate Secretary at our address on the cover page of this Form 10-K.  

Additional information, including our Audit Committee charter, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Corporate Governance Guidelines can be found on our website.  Information contained on our website is not part of this Annual Report.  

The general public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549.  The public may obtain information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  We are an electronic filer and the SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.  

Listed below are certain risk factors associated with us and our businesses. See also certain risk factors discussed in Item 7 – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.”  In addition to the potential effect of these risk factors, any risk factor which could result in reduced earnings or operating losses, or reduced liquidity, could in turn adversely affect our ability to service our liabilities or pay dividends on our common stock or adversely affect the quoted market prices for our securities.  

We could incur significant costs related to legal and environmental matters.  

We formerly manufactured lead pigments for use in paint.  We and others have been named as defendants in various legal proceedings seeking damages for personal injury, property damage and governmental expenditures allegedly caused by the use of lead-based paints.  These lawsuits seek recovery under a variety of theories, including public and private nuisance, negligent product design, negligent failure to warn, strict liability, breach of warranty, conspiracy/concert of action, aiding and abetting, enterprise liability, market share or risk contribution liability, intentional tort, fraud and misrepresentation, violations of state consumer protection statutes, supplier negligence and similar claims.  The plaintiffs in these actions generally seek to impose on the defendants responsibility for lead paint abatement and health concerns associated with the use of lead-based paints, including damages for personal injury, contribution and/or indemnification for medical expenses, medical monitoring expenses and costs for educational programs.  As with all legal proceedings, the outcome is uncertain.  Any liability we might incur in the future could be material.  See also Item 3 - “Legal Proceedings - Lead pigment litigation.”

Certain properties and facilities used in our former operations are the subject of litigation, administrative proceedings or investigations arising under various environmental laws.  These proceedings seek cleanup costs, personal injury or property damages and/or damages for injury to natural resources.  Some of these proceedings involve claims for substantial amounts.  Environmental obligations are difficult to assess and estimate for numerous reasons, and we may incur costs for environmental remediation in the future in excess of amounts currently estimated.  Any liability we might incur in the future could be material.  See also Item 3 - “Legal Proceedings - Environmental matters and litigation.”

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Our assets consist primarily of investments in our operating subsidiaries and affiliates, and we are dependent upon distributions from our subsidiaries and affiliates.  

The majority of our operating cash flows are generated by our operating subsidiaries and affiliates, and our ability to service liabilities and to pay dividends on our common stock (to the extent such dividends are declared by our board of directors) depends to a large extent upon the cash dividends or other distributions we receive from our subsidiaries and affiliates.  Our subsidiaries and affiliates are separate and distinct legal entities and they have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay such cash dividends or other distributions to us.  In addition, the payment of dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries and affiliates could be subject to restrictions under applicable law, monetary transfer restrictions, currency exchange regulations in jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries and affiliates operate or any other restrictions imposed by current or future agreements to which our subsidiaries and affiliates may be a party, including debt instruments.  Events beyond our control, including changes in general business and economic conditions, could adversely impact the ability of our subsidiaries and affiliates to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.  If our subsidiaries and affiliates were to become unable to make sufficient cash dividends or other distributions to us, our ability to service our liabilities and to pay dividends on our common stock (if declared) could be adversely affected.  

In addition, a significant portion of our assets consist of ownership interests in our subsidiaries and affiliates.  If we were required to liquidate any of such securities in order to generate funds to satisfy our liabilities, we may be required to sell such securities at a time or times at which we would not be able to realize what we believe to be the actual value of such assets.  

We operate in mature and highly competitive markets, resulting in pricing pressure and the need to continuously reduce costs.  

Many of the markets CompX serves are highly competitive, with a number of competitors offering similar products.  CompX focuses efforts on the middle and high-end business of the market where we feel that we can compete due to the importance of product design, quality and durability to the customer.  However, our ability to effectively compete is impacted by a number of factors.  The occurrence of any of these factors could result in reduced earnings or operating losses.  

Our development of innovative features for our current component products is critical to sustaining and growing our sales.  

Historically, CompX’s ability to provide value-added custom engineered component products that address requirements of technology and space utilization has been a key element of its success.  CompX spends a significant amount of time and effort to refine, improve and adapt our existing products for new customers and applications.  Since expenditures for these types of activities are not considered research and development expense under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the amount of our research and development expenditures, which is not significant, is not indicative of the overall effort involved in the development of new product

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features.  The introduction of new product features requires the coordination of the design, manufacturing and marketing of the new product features with current and potential customers.  The ability to coordinate these activities with current and potential customers may be affected by factors beyond CompX’s control.  While we will continue to emphasize the introduction of innovative new product features that target customer-specific opportunities, we do not know if any new product features CompX introduces will achieve the same degree of success that it has achieved with its existing products.  Introduction of new product features typically requires us to increase production volume on a timely basis while maintaining product quality.  Manufacturers often encounter difficulties in increasing production volumes, including delays, quality control problems and shortages of qualified personnel or raw materials.  As CompX attempts to introduce new product features in the future, we do not know if CompX will be able to increase production volumes without encountering these or other problems, which might negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations.  

Failure to protect our intellectual property rights or claims by others that we infringe their intellectual property rights could substantially harm our business.  

CompX relies on patent, trademark and trade secret laws in the United States and similar laws in other countries to establish and maintain intellectual property rights in our technology and designs.  Despite these measures, any of our intellectual property rights could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or misappropriated.  Others may independently discover our trade secrets and proprietary information, and in such cases we could not assert any trade secret rights against such parties.  Further, we do not know if any of our pending trademark or patent applications will be approved.  Costly and time-consuming litigation could be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of our intellectual property rights.  In addition, the laws of certain countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States.  Therefore, in certain jurisdictions, we may be unable to protect our technology and designs adequately against unauthorized third party use, which could adversely affect our competitive position.  

Third parties may claim that we or our customers are infringing upon their intellectual property rights.  Even if we believe that such claims are without merit, they can be time-consuming and costly to defend and distract our management’s and technical staff’s attention and resources.  Claims of intellectual property infringement also might require us to redesign affected technology, enter into costly settlement or license agreements or pay costly damage awards, or face a temporary or permanent injunction prohibiting us from marketing or selling certain of our technology.  If we cannot or do not license the infringed technology on reasonable pricing terms or at all, or substitute similar technology from another source, our business could be adversely impacted.  

Higher costs or limited availability of our raw materials may reduce our earnings and decrease our liquidity.  

Certain raw materials used in CompX’s products are commodities that are subject to significant fluctuations in price in response to world-wide supply and demand as well as speculative investor activity.  Zinc and brass are the principal raw materials used in the manufacture of security products.  Stainless steel tubing is the major raw material used in the manufacture of marine exhaust systems.  These raw materials are purchased from several suppliers and are generally readily available from numerous sources.  CompX occasionally enters into short-term raw material supply arrangements to mitigate the impact of future increases in commodity-related raw material costs.  Materials purchased outside of these arrangements are sometimes subject to unanticipated and sudden price increases.  Should our vendors not be able to meet their contractual obligations or should we otherwise be unable to obtain necessary raw materials, we may incur higher costs for raw materials or may be required to reduce production levels, either of which may decrease our liquidity or negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations as we may be unable to offset the higher costs with increases in our selling prices or reductions in other operating costs.  

For Kronos, the number of sources for and availability of certain raw materials is specific to the particular geographical region in which a facility is located.  For example, titanium-containing feedstocks suitable for use in Kronos’ TiO₂ facilities are available from a limited number of suppliers around the world.  Political and economic instability in the countries from which Kronos purchases its raw material supplies could adversely affect their availability.  If Kronos’ worldwide vendors were unable to meet their contractual obligations and Kronos was unable to obtain necessary raw materials, Kronos could incur higher costs for raw materials or may be required to reduce production levels.  Kronos experienced significantly higher ore costs in 2012 which carried over into 2013.  Kronos has seen moderation in the purchase cost of third-party feedstock ore since 2013 through the first half of 2017; however, the cost of third-party feedstock ore Kronos procured in the last half of 2017 is slightly higher as compared

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to the first half of 2017.  Kronos may also experience higher operating costs such as energy costs, which could affect its profitability.  Kronos may not always be able to increase its selling prices to offset the impact of any higher costs or reduced production levels, which could reduce Kronos’ earnings and decrease its liquidity.

Kronos has long-term supply contracts that provide for its TiO₂ feedstock requirements that currently expire through 2019.  While Kronos believes it will be able to renew these contracts, there can be no assurance Kronos will be successful in renewing them or in obtaining long-term extensions to them prior to expiration. Kronos’ current agreements (including those entered into through January 2018) require Kronos to purchase certain minimum quantities of feedstock with minimum purchase commitments aggregating approximately $383 million in years subsequent to December 31, 2017.  In addition, Kronos has other long-term supply and service contracts that provide for various raw materials and services. These agreements require Kronos to purchase certain minimum quantities or services with minimum purchase commitments aggregating approximately $131 million at December 31, 2017.  Kronos’ commitments under these contracts could adversely affect Kronos’ financial results if it significantly reduces its production and were unable to modify the contractual commitments.

Demand for, and prices of, certain of Kronos’ products are influenced by changing market conditions for its products, which may result in reduced earnings or in operating losses.  

Kronos’ sales and profitability is largely dependent on the TiO₂ industry.  In 2017, 94% of Kronos’ sales were attributable to sales of TiO₂.  TiO₂ is used in many “quality of life” products for which demand historically has been linked to global, regional and local gross domestic product and discretionary spending, which can be negatively impacted by regional and world events or economic conditions.  Such events are likely to cause a decrease in demand for our products and, as a result, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.  

Pricing within the global TiO₂ industry over the long term is cyclical and changes in economic conditions, especially in Western industrialized nations, can significantly impact Kronos’ earnings and operating cash flows.  Historically, the markets for many of Kronos’ products have experienced alternating periods of increasing and decreasing demand.  Relative changes in the selling prices for Kronos’ products are one of the main factors that affect the level of Kronos’ profitability.  In periods of increasing demand, Kronos’ selling prices and profit margins generally will tend to increase, while in periods of decreasing demand Kronos’ selling prices and profit margins generally tend to decrease.  In addition, pricing may affect customer inventory levels as customers may from time to time accelerate purchases of TiO₂ in advance of anticipated price increases or defer purchases of TiO₂ in advance of anticipated price decreases.  Kronos’ ability to further increase capacity without additional investment in greenfield or brownfield capacity increases may be limited and as a result, Kronos’ profitability may become even more dependent upon the selling prices of its products.

The TiO₂ industry is concentrated and highly competitive and Kronos faces price pressures in the markets in which it operates, which may result in reduced earnings or operating losses.  

The global market in which Kronos operates its business is concentrated with the top six TiO₂ producers accounting for approximately two-thirds of the world’s production capacity and is highly competitive.  Competition is based on a number of factors, such as price, product quality and service.  Some of Kronos’ competitors may be able to drive down prices for Kronos’ products if their costs are lower than Kronos’ costs.  In addition, some of Kronos’ competitors’ financial, technological and other resources may be greater than Kronos’ resources and such competitors may be better able to withstand changes in market conditions.  Kronos’ competitors may be able to respond more quickly than it can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements.  Further, consolidation of Kronos’ competitors or customers may result in reduced demand for Kronos’ products or make it more difficult for it to compete with its competitors.  The occurrence of any of these events could result in reduced earnings or operating losses.

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Kronos’ leverage may impair our financial condition.  

As of December 31, 2017, Kronos had consolidated debt of approximately $474.5 million, which relates primarily to Senior Notes issued in September 2017.  Kronos’ level of debt could have important consequences to its stockholders (including us) and creditors, including:

Indebtedness outstanding under Kronos’ revolving North American credit facility and revolving European credit facility accrues interest at variable rates.  To the extent market interest rates rise, the cost of Kronos’ debt would increase, adversely affecting Kronos’ financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In addition to Kronos’ indebtedness, at December 31, 2017, Kronos is party to various lease and other agreements (including feedstock ore purchase contracts and other long-term supply and service contracts as discussed above) pursuant to which, along with its indebtedness, Kronos is committed to pay approximately $433 million in 2018.  Kronos’ ability to make payments on and refinance its debt and to fund planned capital expenditures depends on Kronos’ future ability to generate cash flow.  To some extent, this is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond Kronos’ control.  In addition, Kronos’ ability to borrow funds under its revolving credit facilities in the future will, in some instances, depend in part on its ability to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial covenants contained in the applicable credit agreement.  

Kronos’ business may not generate cash flows from operating activities sufficient to enable Kronos to pay its debts when they become due and to fund other liquidity needs.  As a result, Kronos may need to refinance all or a portion of its debt before maturity.  Kronos may not be able to refinance any of its debt in a timely manner on favorable terms, if at all in the current credit markets.  Any inability to generate sufficient cash flows or to refinance Kronos’ debt on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition.  

Global climate change legislation could negatively impact our financial results or limit our ability to operate our businesses.  

CompX operates production facilities in the United States and Kronos operates production facilities in several countries in North America and Europe.  We believe that all production facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws.  Legislation has been passed, or proposed legislation is being considered, to limit greenhouse gases through various means including emissions permits and/or energy taxes.  In several production facilities, Kronos consumes large amounts of energy, primarily electricity and natural gas.  To date the climate change legislation in effect has not had a material adverse effect on our financial results.  However, if further greenhouse gas legislation were to be enacted in one or more countries, it could negatively impact our future results from operations through increased costs of production, particularly as it relates to our energy requirements or our need to obtain emissions permits.  If such increased costs of production were to materialize, we may be unable to pass price increases onto our customers to compensate for increased production costs, which may decrease our liquidity, income from operations and results of operations.  

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Technology failures or cyber security breaches could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

We rely on information technology systems to manage, process and analyze data, as well as to facilitate the manufacture and distribution of our products to and from our plants. We receive, process and ship orders, manage the billing of and collections from our customers, and manage the accounting for and payment to our vendors.   Although we have systems and procedures in place to protect our information technology systems, there can be no assurance that such systems and procedures would be sufficiently effective.  Therefore, any of our information technology systems may be susceptible to outages, disruptions or destruction as well as cybersecurity breaches or attacks, resulting in a disruption of our business operations, injury to people, harm to the environment or our assets, and/or the inability to access our information technology systems.  If any of these events were to occur, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

None

Our principal executive offices are located in an office building located at 5430 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Texas, 75240-2620.  The principal properties used in the operations of our subsidiaries and affiliates, including certain risks and uncertainties related thereto, are described in the applicable business sections of Item 1 – “Business.” We believe that our facilities are generally adequate and suitable for our respective uses.  

We are involved in various legal proceedings.  In addition to information that is included below, we have included certain of the information called for by this Item in Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, and we are incorporating that information here by reference.  

Lead pigment litigation

Our former operations included the manufacture of lead pigments for use in paint and lead-based paint.  We, other former manufacturers of lead pigments for use in paint and lead-based paint (together, the “former pigment manufacturers”), and the Lead Industries Association (LIA), which discontinued business operations in 2002, have been named as defendants in various legal proceedings seeking damages for personal injury, property damage and governmental expenditures allegedly caused by the use of lead-based paints.  Certain of these actions have been filed by or on behalf of states, counties, cities or their public housing authorities and school districts, and certain others have been asserted as class actions.  These lawsuits seek recovery under a variety of theories, including public and private nuisance, negligent product design, negligent failure to warn, strict liability, breach of warranty, conspiracy/concert of action, aiding and abetting, enterprise liability, market share or risk contribution liability, intentional tort, fraud and misrepresentation, violations of state consumer protection statutes, supplier negligence and similar claims.

The plaintiffs in these actions generally seek to impose on the defendants responsibility for lead paint abatement and health concerns associated with the use of lead-based paints, including damages for personal injury, contribution and/or indemnification for medical expenses, medical monitoring expenses and costs for educational programs.  To the extent the plaintiffs seek compensatory or punitive damages in these actions, such damages are generally unspecified.  In some cases, the damages are unspecified pursuant to the requirements of applicable state law.  A number of cases are inactive or have been dismissed or withdrawn.  Most of the remaining cases are in various pre-trial stages.  Some are on appeal following dismissal or summary judgment rulings or a trial verdict in favor of either the defendants or the plaintiffs.

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We believe that these actions are without merit, and we intend to continue to deny all allegations of wrongdoing and liability and to defend against all actions vigorously.  Other than with respect to the Santa Clara case discussed below, we do not believe it is probable that we have incurred any liability with respect to all of the lead pigment litigation cases to which we are a party, and with respect to all such lead pigment litigation cases to which we are a party, including the Santa Clara case, we believe liability to us that may result, if any, in this regard cannot be reasonably estimated, because:

Accordingly, we have not accrued any amounts for any of the pending lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation cases filed by or on behalf of states, counties, cities or their public housing authorities and school districts, or those asserted as class actions. In addition, we have determined that liability to us which may result, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated at this time because there is no prior history of a loss of this nature on which an estimate could be made and there is no substantive information available upon which an estimate could be based. In one of these lead pigment cases, in April 2000 we were served with a complaint in County of Santa Clara v. Atlantic Richfield Company, et al, (Superior Court of the State of California, County of Santa Clara, Case No. 1-00-CV-788657) brought by a number of California government entities against the former pigment manufacturers, the LIA and certain paint manufacturers.  The County of Santa Clara sought to recover compensatory damages for funds the plaintiffs had expended or would in the future expend for medical treatment, educational expenses, abatement or other costs due to exposure to, or potential exposure to, lead paint, disgorgement of profit, and punitive damages.  In July 2003, the trial judge granted defendants’ motion to dismiss all remaining claims.  Plaintiffs appealed and the intermediate appellate court reinstated public nuisance, negligence, strict liability, and fraud claims in March 2006.  A fourth amended complaint was filed in March 2011 on behalf of The People of California by the County Attorneys of Alameda, Ventura, Solano, San Mateo, Los Angeles and Santa Clara, and the City Attorneys of San Francisco, San Diego and Oakland.  That complaint alleged that the presence of lead paint created a public nuisance in each of the prosecuting jurisdictions and sought its abatement.  In July and August 2013, the case was tried.  In January 2014, the trial court judge issued a judgment finding us, The Sherwin Williams Company and ConAgra Grocery Products Company jointly and severally liable for the abatement of lead paint in pre-1980 homes, and ordered the defendants to pay an aggregate $1.15 billion to the people of the State of California to fund such abatement.  The trial court’s judgment also found that to the extent any abatement funds remained unspent after four years, such funds were to be returned to the defendants.  In February 2014, we filed a motion for a new trial, and in March 2014 the trial court denied the motion.  Subsequently in March 2014, we filed a notice of appeal with the Sixth District Court of Appeal for the State of California. On November 14, 2017, the Sixth District Court of Appeal issued its opinion, upholding the trial court’s judgment, except that it reversed the portion of the judgment requiring abatement of homes built between 1951 and 1980, which significantly reduced the number of homes subject to the abatement order.  In addition, the appellate court ordered the case be remanded to the trial court to recalculate the amount of the abatement fund, to limit it to the amount necessary to cover the cost of investigating and remediating pre-1951 homes, and to hold an evidentiary hearing to appoint a suitable receiver.  In addition, the appellate court found that NL and the other defendants had the right to seek recovery from liable parties that contributed to a hazardous condition at a particular property.  Subsequently, NL and the other defendants filed a Petition with the California Supreme Court seeking its review of a number of issues.  On February 14, 2018, the California Supreme Court denied such petition.  NL and the other defendants have indicated they intend to file an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking its review of two federal issues in the trial court’s original judgment.  Review by the U.S. Supreme Court is discretionary, and there can be no assurance that the U.S. Supreme Court would agree to hear any such appeal that NL and the other defendants would file, or if they would agree to hear any such appeal, that the U.S. Supreme Court would rule in favor of NL and the other defendants.  NL and the other defendants intend to seek a stay of the case in the trial court, pending its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.  Granting of such a stay by the appellate court is discretionary.  If no such stay is issued, the remand to the trial court would proceed, and under such remand the trial court would, among other things, (i) assign

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a new judge to the case (the original judge has retired), (ii) recalculate the amount of the abatement fund, excluding remediation of homes built between 1951 and 1980, (iii) hold an evidentiary hearing to appoint a suitable receiver for the abatement fund and (iv) enter an order setting forth its rulings on these issues.  NL believes any party will have a right to appeal any of these new decisions made by the trial court from the remand of the case.

The Santa Clara case is unusual in that this is the second time that an adverse verdict in the lead pigment litigation has been entered against NL (the first adverse verdict against NL was ultimately overturned on appeal). Given the appellate court’s November 2017 ruling, and the denial of an appeal by the California Supreme Court, we have concluded that the likelihood of a loss in this case has reached a standard of “probable” as contemplated by ASC 450.  However, we have also concluded that the amount of such loss cannot be reasonably estimated at this time (nor can a range of loss be reasonably estimated) because, among other things:

Accordingly, the total ultimate amount of any abatement fund, and NL’s share of any abatement is not presently known.  For all of the reasons noted above, NL has concluded that the amount of loss for this matter cannot be reasonably estimated at this time (nor can any reasonable range of loss be estimated).  However, as with any legal proceeding, there is no assurance that any appeal would be successful, and it is reasonably possible, based on the outcome of the appeals process and the remand proceedings in the trial court, that NL may in the future incur some liability resulting in the recognition of a loss contingency accrual that could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and liquidity.

In June 2000, a complaint was filed in Illinois state court, Lewis, et al. v. Lead Industries Association, et al (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division, Case No. 00CH09800.)  Plaintiffs seek to represent two classes, one consisting of minors between the ages of six months and six years who resided in housing in Illinois built before 1978, and another consisting of individuals between the ages of six and twenty years who lived in Illinois housing built before 1978 when they were between the ages of six months and six years and who had blood lead levels of 10 micrograms/deciliter or more.  The complaint seeks damages jointly and severally from the former pigment manufacturers and the LIA to establish a medical screening fund for the first class to determine blood lead levels, a medical monitoring fund for the second class to detect the onset of latent diseases and a fund for a public education campaign.  In April 2008, the trial court judge certified a class of children whose blood lead levels were screened venously between August 1995 and February 2008 and who had incurred expenses associated with such screening.  In March 2012, the trial court judge decertified the class.  In June 2012, the trial court judge granted plaintiffs the right to appeal his decertification order, and in August 2012 the appellate court granted plaintiffs permission to appeal.  In March 2013, the appellate court agreed with the trial court’s rationale regarding legislative requirements to screen children’s blood lead levels and remanded the case for further proceedings in the trial court.  In July 2013, plaintiffs moved to vacate the decertification.  In October 2013, the judge denied plaintiffs’ motion to

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vacate the decertification of the class.  In March 2014, plaintiffs filed a new class certification motion.  In April 2015, a class was certified consisting of parents or legal guardians of children who lived in certain “high risk” areas in Illinois between August 18, 1995 and February 19, 2008, and incurred an expense or liability for having their children’s blood lead levels tested.

In addition to the foregoing litigation, various legislation and administrative regulations have, from time to time, been proposed that seek to (a) impose various obligations on present and former manufacturers of lead pigment and lead-based paint with respect to asserted health concerns associated with the use of such products and (b) effectively overturn court decisions in which we and other pigment manufacturers have been successful.  Examples of such proposed legislation include bills which would permit civil liability for damages on the basis of market share, rather than requiring plaintiffs to prove that the defendant’s product caused the alleged damage, and bills which would revive actions barred by the statute of limitations.  While no legislation or regulations have been enacted to date that are expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity, the imposition of market share liability or other legislation could have such an effect.  

New cases may continue to be filed against us.  We cannot assure you that we will not incur liability in the future in respect of any of the pending or possible litigation in view of the inherent uncertainties involved in court and jury rulings.  In the future, if new information regarding such matters becomes available to us (such as a final, non-appealable adverse verdict against us or otherwise ultimately being found liable with respect to such matters), at that time we would consider such information in evaluating any remaining cases then-pending against us as to whether it might then have become probable we have incurred liability with respect to these matters, and whether such liability, if any, could have become reasonably estimable.  The resolution of any of these cases could result in the recognition of a loss contingency accrual that could have a material adverse impact on our net income for the interim or annual period during which such liability is recognized and a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial condition and liquidity.  

Environmental matters and litigation

Our operations are governed by various environmental laws and regulations.  Certain of our businesses are and have been engaged in the handling, manufacture or use of substances or compounds that may be considered toxic or hazardous within the meaning of applicable environmental laws and regulations.  As with other companies engaged in similar businesses, certain of our past and current operations and products have the potential to cause environmental or other damage.  We have implemented and continue to implement various policies and programs in an effort to minimize these risks.  Our policy is to maintain compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations at all of our plants and to strive to improve environmental performance.  From time to time, we may be subject to environmental regulatory enforcement under U.S. and non-U.S. statutes, the resolution of which typically involves the establishment of compliance programs.  It is possible that future developments, such as stricter requirements of environmental laws and enforcement policies, could adversely affect our production, handling, use, storage, transportation, sale or disposal of such substances.  We believe that all of our facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws.  

Certain properties and facilities used in our former operations, including divested primary and secondary lead smelters and former mining locations, are the subject of civil litigation, administrative proceedings or investigations arising under federal and state environmental laws and common law.  Additionally, in connection with past operating practices, we are currently involved as a defendant, potentially responsible party (PRP) or both, pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (CERCLA), and similar state laws in various governmental and private actions associated with waste disposal sites, mining locations, and facilities that we or our predecessors, our subsidiaries or their predecessors currently or previously owned, operated or used, certain of which are on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Superfund National Priorities List or similar state lists.  These proceedings seek cleanup costs, damages for personal injury or property damage and/or damages for injury to natural resources.  Certain of these proceedings involve claims for substantial amounts.  Although we may be jointly and severally liable for these costs, in most cases we are only one of a number of PRPs who may also be jointly and severally liable, and among whom costs may be shared or allocated.  In addition, we are also a party to a number of personal injury lawsuits filed in various jurisdictions alleging claims related to environmental conditions alleged to have resulted from our operations.  

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Obligations associated with environmental remediation and related matters are difficult to assess and estimate for numerous reasons including the:

In addition, the imposition of more stringent standards or requirements under environmental laws or regulations, new developments or changes regarding site cleanup costs or the allocation of costs among PRPs, solvency of other PRPs, the results of future testing and analysis undertaken with respect to certain sites or a determination that we are potentially responsible for the release of hazardous substances at other sites, could cause our expenditures to exceed our current estimates.  We cannot assure you that actual costs will not exceed accrued amounts or the upper end of the range for sites for which estimates have been made, and we cannot assure you that costs will not be incurred for sites where no estimates presently can be made.  Further, additional environmental and related matters may arise in the future.  If we were to incur any future liability, this could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements, results of operations and liquidity.  

We record liabilities related to environmental remediation and related matters (including costs associated with damages for personal injury or property damage and/or damages for injury to natural resources) when estimated future expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable.  We adjust such accruals as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change.  Unless the amounts and timing of such estimated future expenditures are fixed and reasonably determinable, we generally do not discount estimated future expenditures to their present value due to the uncertainty of the timing of the payout.  We recognize recoveries of costs from other parties, if any, as assets when their receipt is deemed probable.  At December 31, 2016 and 2017, we have not recognized any receivables for recoveries.  

We do not know and cannot estimate the exact time frame over which we will make payments for our accrued environmental and related costs.  The timing of payments depends upon a number of factors, including but not limited to the timing of the actual remediation process; which in turn depends on factors outside of our control.  At each balance sheet date, we estimate the amount of our accrued environmental and related costs which we expect to pay within the next twelve months, and we classify this estimate as a current liability.  We classify the remaining accrued environmental costs as a noncurrent liability.  

On a quarterly basis, we evaluate the potential range of our liability for environmental remediation and related costs at sites where we have been named as a PRP or defendant, including sites for which our wholly-owned environmental management subsidiary, NL Environmental Management Services, Inc., (EMS), has contractually assumed our obligations.  At December 31, 2017, we had accrued approximately $112 million related to approximately 39 sites associated with remediation and related matters that we believe are at the present time and/or in their current phase reasonably estimable.  The upper end of the range of reasonably possible costs to us for remediation and related matters for which we believe it is possible to estimate costs is approximately $154 million, including the amount currently accrued.

We believe that it is not reasonably possible to estimate the range of costs for certain sites.  At December 31, 2017, there were approximately 5 sites for which we are not currently able to reasonably estimate a range of costs.  For these sites, generally the investigation is in the early stages, and we are unable to determine whether or not we actually had any association with the site, the nature of our responsibility, if any, for the contamination at the site and the extent of contamination at and cost to remediate the site.  The timing and availability of information on these sites is dependent on events outside of our control, such as when the party alleging liability provides information to us.  At certain of these previously inactive sites, we have received general and special notices of liability from the EPA and/or

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state agencies alleging that we, sometimes with other PRPs, are liable for past and future costs of remediating environmental contamination allegedly caused by former operations.  These notifications may assert that we, along with any other alleged PRPs, are liable for past and/or future clean-up costs.  As further information becomes available to us for any of these sites, which would allow us to estimate a range of costs, we would at that time adjust our accruals.  Any such adjustment could result in the recognition of an accrual that would have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements, results of operations and liquidity.

In June 2006, we and several other PRPs received a Unilateral Administrative Order (UAO) from the EPA regarding a formerly-owned mine and milling facility located in Park Hills, Missouri.  The Doe Run Company is the current owner of the site, which was purchased by a predecessor of Doe Run from us in approximately 1936.  Doe Run is also named in the Order.  In April 2008, the parties signed a definitive cost sharing agreement for sharing of the costs anticipated in connection with the order and in May 2008, the parties began work at the site as required by the UAO and in accordance with the cost sharing agreement.  In the fourth quarter of 2010, NL reached its capped payment obligation under the cost sharing agreement with Doe Run.  In the fourth quarter of 2013, Doe Run completed the remainder of the construction work.  A Removal Action Report and Post-Removal Site Control plan were submitted to the EPA by Doe Run in 2016.  In March 2017, EPA approved the Removal Action Report and Post-Removal Site Control submitted by Doe Run but requested an amendment, which Doe Run submitted in July 2017, and which completes the remediation obligations under the Order.

In June 2008, we received a Directive and Notice to Insurers from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) regarding the Margaret’s Creek site in Old Bridge Township, New Jersey.  NJDEP alleged that a waste hauler transported waste from one of our former facilities for disposal at the site in the early 1970s.  NJDEP referred the site to the EPA, and in November 2009, the EPA added the site to the National Priorities List under the name “Raritan Bay Slag Site.”  In 2012, EPA notified NL of its potential liability at this site.  In May 2013, EPA issued its Record of Decision for the site.  In June 2013, NL filed a contribution suit under CERCLA and the New Jersey Spill Act titled NL Industries, Inc. v. Old Bridge Township, et al. (United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Civil Action No. 3:13-cv-03493-MAS-TJB) against the current owner, Old Bridge Township, and several federal and state entities NL alleges designed and operated the site and who have significant potential liability as compared to NL which is alleged to have been a potential source of material placed at the site by others.  NL’s suit also names certain former NL customers of the former NL facility alleged to be the source of some of the materials.  In January 2014, EPA issued a UAO to NL for clean-up of the site based on the EPA’s preferred remedy set forth in the Record of Decision.   NL is in discussions with EPA about NL’s performance of a defined amount of the work at the site and is otherwise taking actions necessary to respond to the UAO.  If these discussions and actions are unsuccessful, NL will defend vigorously against all claims while continuing to seek contribution from other PRPs.  In March 2017, in a parallel lawsuit initiated by NL in State court against the State of New Jersey, which has significant potential liability as compared to NL, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the State of New Jersey had not waived its immunity under the Spill Act for its pre-1977 conduct.  In August 2017, NL filed an amended complaint in the State court alleging post-1977 conduct by the State that led to contamination.  In September 2017, the State filed its answer and counterclaims.  NL has denied liability on the State’s counterclaims and intends to continue to seek contribution from the State.

In September 2008, we received a Special Notice letter from the EPA for liability associated with the Tar Creek Superfund site in Ottawa County, Oklahoma (Tar Creek) and a demand for related past and future costs.  We responded with a good-faith offer to pay certain of the EPA’s past costs and to complete limited work in the areas in which we operated.  In October 2008, we received a claim from the State of Oklahoma for past, future and relocation costs in connection with the site.  In November 2015, the United States Department of Justice lodged with the federal court a fully-executed consent decree between the United States, the State of Oklahoma and NL that resolves the claims of the United States and the State of Oklahoma for past and future cleanup costs at Tar Creek.  In September 2017, the federal court approved the cash out consent decree.  

In August 2009, we were served with a complaint in Raritan Baykeeper, Inc.  d/b/a NY/NJ Baykeeper et al. v.  NL Industries, Inc.  et al.  (United States District Court, District of New Jersey, Case No.  3:09-cv-04117).  This is a citizen’s suit filed by two local environmental groups pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Clean Water Act against NL, current owners, developers and state and local government entities.  The complaint alleges that hazardous substances were and continue to be discharged from our former Sayreville, New Jersey property into the sediments of the adjacent Raritan River.  The former Sayreville site is currently being remediated by owner/developer parties under the oversight of the NJDEP.  The plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, imposition of civil penalties and an award of costs.  We have denied liability and will defend vigorously against all claims.

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In June 2011, we were served in ASARCO LLC v.  NL Industries, Inc., et al.  (United States District Court, Western District of Missouri, Case No.  4:11-cv-00138-DGK).  The plaintiff brought this CERCLA contribution action against several defendants to recover a portion of the amount it paid in settlement with the U.S.  Government during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy in relation to the Tar Creek site, the Cherokee County Superfund Site in southeast Kansas, the Oronogo-Duenweg Lead Mining Belt Superfund Site in Jasper County, Missouri and the Newton County Mine Tailing Site in Newton County, Missouri.  We have denied liability and will defend vigorously against all of the claims.  In the second quarter of 2012, NL filed a motion to stay the case.  In the first quarter of 2013, NL’s motion was granted and the court entered an indefinite stay.  In the first quarter of 2015, Asarco was granted permission to seek an interlocutory appeal of that stay order.  In March 2015, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals denied Asarco’s request for an interlocutory appeal of the stay order and the trial court’s indefinite stay remains in place.

In September 2011, we were served in ASARCO LLC v.  NL Industries, Inc., et al.  (United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, Case No.  4:11-cv-00864).  The plaintiff brought this CERCLA contribution action against several defendants to recover a portion of the amount it paid in settlement with the U.S. Government during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy in relation to the Southeast Missouri Mining District.  In May 2015, the trial court on its own motion entered an indefinite stay of the litigation.  In June 2015, Asarco filed an appeal of the stay in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.  NL has moved to dismiss that appeal as improperly filed.  In October 2015, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals granted NL’s motion to dismiss Asarco’s appeal and the trial court’s indefinite stay remains in place.  

In July 2012, we were served in EPEC Polymers, Inc., v.  NL Industries, Inc., (United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Case 3:12-cv-03842-PGS-TJB).  The plaintiff, a landowner of property located across the Raritan River from our former Sayreville, New Jersey operation, claims that contaminants from NL’s former Sayreville operation came to be located on its land.  The complaint seeks compensatory and punitive damages and alleges, among other things, trespass, private nuisance, negligence, strict liability, and claims under CERCLA and the New Jersey Spill Act.  In April 2016, the case was stayed and administratively terminated pending court-ordered mediation.  In October 2017, the parties informed the court that further mediation would not be fruitful.  The case was reopened in December 2017.  We will continue to deny liability and defend vigorously against all of the claims.  

In March 2013, NL received Special Notice from EPA for Operable Unit 1, residential area, at the Big River Mine Tailings Superfund Site in St. Francois County, Missouri.  The site encompasses approximately eight former mine and mill areas, only one of which is associated with former NL operations, as well as adjacent residential areas.  NL initiated a dialog with EPA regarding a potential settlement for this operable unit.

In September 2013, EPA issued to NL and 34 other PRPs general notice of potential liability and a demand for payment of past costs and performance of a Remedial Design for the Gowanus Canal Superfund Site in Brooklyn, New York.  In March 2014, EPA issued a UAO to NL and approximately 27 other PRPs for performance of the Remedial Design at the site.  EPA contends that NL is liable as the alleged successor to the Doehler Die Casting Company, and therefore responsible for any potential contamination at the Site resulting from Doehler’s ownership/operation of a warehouse and a die casting plant it owned 90 years ago. NL believes that it has no liability at the Site.  NL is currently in discussions with EPA regarding a de minimis settlement and is otherwise taking actions necessary to respond to the UAO. If these discussions are unsuccessful, NL will continue to deny liability and will defend vigorously against all of the claims.

In June 2016, NL and one other party received special notice from EPA for Operable Unit 2 of the Madison County Mines Superfund Site near Fredericktown, Missouri.  The Site includes several mining properties in Madison County, Missouri.  Operable Unit 2 is a former cobalt mine and refinery that is now owned by another mining company.  In the special notice, EPA requested that NL and the other mining company agree to perform a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study for Operable Unit 2.  NL initiated a dialog with EPA regarding the special notice.

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In February 2017, the United States lodged a consent decree in United States v. NL Industries, Inc. (United States District Court, Western District of New York, Case No. 17-cv-124).  The consent decree between NL and EPA is one of several consent decrees that will together resolve all private and government claims related to the NL Industries, Inc. Superfund Site in Depew, New York (“Depew Site”).  In 2007, we completed the remediation of one area of the Depew Site under an Administrative Order on Consent.  EPA later cleaned up another part of the site.  In 2010, we filed a lawsuit, captioned NL Industries, Inc. v. ACF Industries, Inc. (United States District Court, Western District of New York, No. 10-cv-1989), seeking contribution from other responsible parties that contributed to the contamination at the site.  In 2016, with all cleanups complete, NL, EPA, and the defendant responsible parties negotiated a global settlement.  The consent decrees for this global settlement resolve all government and private party claims relating to the site, including those set forth in our lawsuit.  In July 2017, the District Court entered the Consent Decree and NL paid the settlement amount to the United States.  NL’s obligation at the Site are now complete.

 

In August 2017, we were served in Refined Metals Corporation v.  NL Industries, Inc., (United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Case 1:17-cv-2565).  This is a CERCLA and state law contribution action brought by the current owner of a former secondary lead smelting facility located in Beech Grove, Indiana.  We intend to deny liability and will defend vigorously against all claims.

Other litigation

In addition to the matters described above, we and our affiliates are also involved in various other environmental, contractual, product liability, patent (or intellectual property), employment and other claims and disputes incidental to present and former businesses.  In certain cases, we have insurance coverage for these items, although we do not expect additional material insurance coverage for environmental matters.  We currently believe that the disposition of all of these various other claims and disputes (including asbestos-related claims), individually or in the aggregate, should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity beyond the accruals already provided.  

Insurance coverage claims

We are involved in certain legal proceedings with a number of our former insurance carriers regarding the nature and extent of the carriers’ obligations to us under insurance policies with respect to certain lead pigment and asbestos lawsuits.  The issue of whether insurance coverage for defense costs or indemnity or both will be found to exist for our lead pigment and asbestos litigation depends upon a variety of factors and we cannot assure you that such insurance coverage will be available.  In addition to information that is included below, we have included certain of the information called for by this Item in Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, and we are incorporating that information here by reference.  

We have agreements with certain of our former insurance carriers pursuant to which the carriers reimburse us for a portion of our future lead pigment litigation defense costs, and one such carrier reimburses us for a portion of our future asbestos litigation defense costs.  We are not able to determine how much we will ultimately recover from these carriers for defense costs incurred by us because of certain issues that arise regarding which defense costs qualify for reimbursement.  While we continue to seek additional insurance recoveries, we do not know if we will be successful in obtaining reimbursement for either defense costs or indemnity.  Accordingly, we recognize insurance recoveries in income only when receipt of the recovery is probable and we are able to reasonably estimate the amount of the recovery.  See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  

We have settled insurance coverage claims concerning environmental claims with certain of our principal former insurance carriers.  We do not expect further material settlements relating to environmental remediation coverage.  

Not applicable

 

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PART II

 

Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: NL).  As of February 28, 2018, there were approximately 1,900 holders of record of our common stock.  The following table sets forth the high and low closing per share sales prices for our common stock for the periods indicated, according to Bloomberg, and cash dividends paid during such periods.  On February 28, 2018 the closing price of our common stock was $8.05 per share.

 

Prior to 2015, after considering our results of operations, financial conditions and cash requirements for our businesses, our Board of Directors suspended our regular quarterly dividend.  The declaration and payment of future dividends, and the amount thereof, is discretionary and is dependent upon these and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.  The amount and timing of past dividends is not necessarily indicative of the amount or timing of any future dividends which might be paid.  There are currently no contractual restrictions on the amount of dividends which we may pay.  

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Performance graph

Set forth below is a table and line graph comparing the yearly change in our cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock against the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price Index and the S&P 500 Industrial Conglomerates Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2017.  The graph shows the value at December 31 of each year assuming an original investment of $100 at December 31, 2012 and the reinvestment of dividends.

 

 

 

The information contained in the performance graph shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically request that the material be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate this performance graph by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act.  

Equity compensation plan information

We have an equity compensation plan, which was approved by our shareholders, pursuant to which an aggregate of 200,000 shares of our common stock can be awarded to members of our board of directors.  At December 31, 2017, 154,000 shares are available for award under this plan.  See Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  

 

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The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Item 7 - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business overview

We are primarily a holding company.  We operate in the component products industry through our majority-owned subsidiary, CompX International Inc.  We also own a noncontrolling interest in Kronos Worldwide, Inc.  Both CompX (NYSE MKT: CIX) and Kronos (NYSE: KRO) file periodic reports with the SEC.  

CompX is a leading manufacturer of engineered components utilized in a variety of applications and industries.  Through its Security Products operations, CompX manufactures mechanical and electronic cabinet locks and other locking mechanisms used in recreational transportation, postal, office and institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage and healthcare applications.  CompX also manufactures stainless steel exhaust systems, gauges, throttle controls, and trim tabs for the recreational marine and other industries through its Marine Components operations.

We account for our 30% non-controlling interest in Kronos by the equity method.  Kronos is a leading global producer and marketer of value-added titanium dioxide pigments.  TiO₂ is used for a variety of manufacturing applications including coatings, plastics, paper and other industrial products.  

Net income (loss) overview

Our net income attributable to NL stockholders was $116.1 million, or $2.38 per share, in 2017 compared to a net income of $15.3 million, or $.31 per share, in 2016 and net loss of $23.9 million, or $.49 per share, in 2015.  

As more fully described below, the increase in our earnings per share from 2016 to 2017 is primarily due to the net effects of:

As more fully described below, the increase in our earnings per share from 2015 to 2016 is primarily due to the net effects of:

Our 2017 net income per share attributable to NL stockholders includes:

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Our 2016 net income per share attributable to NL stockholders includes:

Our 2015 net loss per share attributable to NL stockholders includes:

Outlook

We currently expect our net income attributable to NL stockholders in 2018 to be lower than 2017 primarily due to lower equity in earnings from Kronos, higher litigation and related costs in 2018 and to a lesser extent lower income from operations attributable to CompX.

Critical accounting policies and estimates

The accompanying “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).  The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reported period.  On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to

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the recoverability of long-lived assets, pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and the underlying actuarial assumptions related thereto, the realization of deferred income tax assets and accruals for litigation, income tax and other contingencies.  We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.  Actual results may differ significantly from previously-estimated amounts under different assumptions or conditions.

The following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements:

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We record a reserve for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, for tax positions where we believe it is more-likely-than-not our position will not prevail with the applicable tax authorities.  It is possible that in the future we may change our assessment regarding the probability that our tax positions will prevail that would require an adjustment to the amount of our reserve for uncertain tax positions that could either increase or decrease, as applicable, reported net income in the period the change in assessment was made.

Income from operations of CompX and Kronos is impacted by certain significant judgments and estimates, as summarized below:

In addition, general corporate and other items are impacted by the significant judgments and estimates for impairment of marketable securities and equity method investments, defined benefit pension and OPEB plans, deferred income tax asset valuation allowances and loss accruals.

Income (loss) from operations

The following table shows the components of our income (loss) from operations.

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The following table shows the components of our income (loss) before income taxes exclusive of our income (loss) from operations.

CompX International Inc.

Net sales - Net sales increased approximately $3.1 million in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily due to higher Security Products sales volumes to government security, electronic lock and other markets, partially offset by a decrease in sales of security products to an original equipment manufacturer of recreational transportation products. Marine Components also contributed with higher sales, primarily to the waterski/wakeboard boat market. Relative changes in selling prices did not have a material impact on net sales comparisons.

Net sales for 2016 were comparable to 2015 because our Security Products segment was able to substantially replace revenue for a government security end-user project which did not recur in 2016 with a new project with the same customer. Marine Components also contributed with higher sales to the waterski/wakeboard boat market.  Relative changes in selling prices did not have a material impact on net sales comparisons.

Cost of sales and gross margin – Cost of sales increased from 2016 to 2017 primarily due to increased sales volumes for CompX’s Security Products and Marine Components businesses, and to a lesser extent higher raw material prices (mostly zinc and brass) and increased employee medical costs.  Gross margin dollars in 2017 were comparable to 2016.  As a percentage of sales, gross margin for 2017 decreased compared to 2016 due primarily to unfavorable relative changes in customer and product mix, higher raw material prices and increased employee medical costs in CompX’s Security Products business, as well as higher manufacturing costs for the CompX’s Marine Components business.

Cost of sales for 2016 was down from 2015 on comparable sales, resulting in an increase in gross margin.  As a percentage of sales, gross margin for 2016 was favorable to 2015 due primarily to higher variable margins resulting from favorable customer and product mix for each of CompX’s Security Products and Marine Components businesses.

Operating costs and expenses - Operating costs and expenses consist primarily of sales and administrative-related personnel costs, sales commissions and advertising expenses directly related to product sales and administrative costs relating to CompX’s businesses and its corporate management activities, as well as gains and losses on plant, property and equipment.  Operating costs and expenses were comparable in 2015, 2016 and 2017 on an absolute basis and as a percentage of sales.

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Income from operations - As a percentage of net sales, income from operations decreased slightly from 2016 to 2017 while income from operations increased slightly from 2015 to 2016.  Operating margins were primarily impacted by the factors impacting cost of sales, gross margin and operating costs discussed above.  

General – CompX’s profitability primarily depends on our ability to utilize our production capacity effectively, which is affected by, among other things, the demand for our products and our ability to control our manufacturing costs, primarily comprised of labor costs and materials.  The materials used in our products consist of purchased components and raw materials some of which are subject to fluctuations in the commodity markets such as zinc, brass and stainless steel.  Total material costs represented approximately 44% of our cost of sales in 2017, with commodity-related raw materials accounting for approximately 11% of our cost of sales.  During 2016 and 2017, markets for the primary commodity-related raw materials used in the manufacture of our locking mechanisms, primarily zinc and brass, generally strengthened, resulting in price increases that exceeded general inflation rates.  In the case of zinc, our purchases late in 2017 bore unit costs over 50% higher than those acquired two years earlier. The rapid rise in prices for zinc and brass increased our 2017 aggregate purchase cost for these materials by approximately $0.5 million.  Over that same period, the market for stainless steel, the primary raw material used for the manufacture of marine exhaust headers and pipes, remained relatively stable.  While we expect the markets for our primary commodity-related raw materials to stabilize during 2018, we recognize that anticipated strengthening economic conditions may exert upward price pressure on these and other manufacturing materials.

CompX occasionally enters into short-term commodity-related raw material supply arrangements to mitigate the impact of future increases in commodity-related raw material costs.  See Item 1 - “Business- Raw Materials.”  

Results by reporting unit

The key performance indicator for CompX’s reporting units is the level of their income from operations (see discussion below).

Security Products - Security Products net sales increased 2% to $96.6 million in 2017 compared to $94.7 million in 2016, as improved sales to government security, electronic lock and other markets more than offset a

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decrease of approximately $2.9 million in sales to a customer serving the recreational transportation market. As a percentage of sales, gross profit for 2017 decreased compared to 2016 primarily due to unfavorable relative changes in customer and product mix, and to a lesser extent higher raw material prices (mostly zinc and brass) and increased employee medical costs.  Operating costs and expenses for 2017 were comparable to 2016.  As a result, Security Products operating income as a percentage of net sales for 2017 was below 2016.

Security Products net sales decreased 1% to $94.7 million in 2016 compared to $95.6 million in 2015. Sales for 2015 included approximately $6.3 million for a government security end-user project which did not recur in 2016. During the second half of 2016, we were awarded a substantial new project for the same customer which began to ship in August and was completed in December 2016, totaling $5.8 million in net sales. Gross profit margins for 2016 increased compared to 2015 on favorable variable margins resulting from relative changes in product and customer mix particularly in the fourth quarter. Operating costs and expenses for 2016 were comparable to 2015. Security Products operating income as a percentage of net sales for 2016 increased compared to 2015 primarily as a result of the factors impacting gross profit and operating costs and expenses discussed above.

Marine Components - Marine Components net sales increased 8% in 2017 as compared to 2016 as a result of continued strong demand for our products, particularly those sold to the ski/wakeboard boat market. Gross profit margin and operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased in 2017 compared to 2016 principally due to unfavorable relative changes in customer and product mix and higher manufacturing costs, including the impact of personnel turnover in key manufacturing departments.

Marine Component sales increased 6% in 2016 over 2015 primarily due to improved demand for products sold to the ski/wakeboard boat market, including the continuing introduction of new product lines to that market.  As a percentage of net sales, gross margin and the operating income percentage improved due to improved pricing, changes in customer and product mix, improved manufacturing efficiencies and increased leverage of fixed costs as a result of higher production volumes.

Outlook - The strong demand for our products in 2017, like the previous two years, was supported by continued high demand from existing customers for government security applications, as well as continued growth in electronic lock sales.  In 2017, the impact of strong demand for these products was somewhat offset by lower sales to the transportation market, where a significant customer of the segment experienced weakened sales in 2017, which is expected to continue into 2018. We also continue to benefit from innovation and diversification in our product offerings to the recreational boat markets served by our Marine Components segment. In 2018, we will seek to capitalize on positive momentum in each of our business segments and on generally improving economic conditions to grow sales and profitability. We will continue to monitor economic conditions and sales order rates and respond to fluctuations in customer demand through continuous evaluation of staffing levels and consistent execution of our lean manufacturing and cost improvement initiatives. Additionally, we continue to seek opportunities to gain market share in markets we currently serve, to expand into new markets and to develop new product features in order to mitigate the impact of changes in demand as well as broaden our sales base.

General corporate items, interest and dividend income, interest expense, provision for income taxes, noncontrolling interest and related party transactions

Insurance recoveries - We have agreements with certain insurance carriers pursuant to which the carriers reimburse us for a portion of our past lead pigment and asbestos litigation defense costs.  Insurance recoveries include amounts we received from these insurance carriers.  Substantially all of the $3.7 million of insurance recoveries we recognized in 2015 relate to a first quarter settlement we reached with one of our insurance carriers in which they agreed to reimburse us for a portion of our past litigation defense costs.  

The agreements with certain of our insurance carriers also include reimbursement for a portion of our future litigation defense costs.  We are not able to determine how much we will ultimately recover from these carriers for defense costs incurred by us because of certain issues that arise regarding which defense costs qualify for reimbursement.  Accordingly, these insurance recoveries are recognized when receipt is probable and the amount is determinable.  See Notes 13 and 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Corporate expense - Corporate expenses were $14.9 million in 2017, $2.1 million or 12% lower than in 2016 primarily due to lower environmental and related costs somewhat offset by higher litigation and related costs.  Included in corporate expenses are:

Corporate expenses were $17.0 million in 2016, $.5 million or 3% lower than in 2015 primarily due to lower litigation and related costs somewhat offset by higher environmental and related costs.  Included in corporate expenses are:

Overall, we currently expect that our net general corporate expenses in 2018 will be higher than in 2017 primarily due to higher expected litigation and related costs.

The level of our litigation and related expenses varies from period to period depending upon, among other things, the number of cases in which we are currently involved, the nature of such cases and the current stage of such cases (e.g. discovery, pre-trial motions, trial or appeal, if applicable).  See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  If our current expectations regarding the number of cases in which we expect to be involved during 2017 or the nature of such cases were to change, our corporate expenses could be higher than we currently estimate.

Obligations for environmental remediation costs are difficult to assess and estimate and it is possible that actual costs for environmental remediation will exceed accrued amounts or that costs will be incurred in the future for sites in which we cannot currently estimate our liability.  If these events were to occur in 2017, our corporate expenses would be higher than we currently estimate.  In addition, we adjust our environmental accruals as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change.  Such further information or changed circumstances could result in an increase in our accrued environmental costs.  See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest and dividend income – Interest income increased $1.8 million in 2017 compared to 2016 and increased $.6 million in 2016 compared to 2015 primarily due to higher cash and cash equivalent balances available for investment, higher average outstanding balances under CompX’s loan to Valhi under a promissory note (originated late in 2016) and higher average interest rates.     

Income tax expense (benefit) - We recognized income tax benefits of $28.6 million in 2015, $2.8 million in 2016 and $5.6 million in 2017.  Our income tax benefit in 2015 includes a first quarter non-cash income tax benefit of $3.0 million related to the release of a portion of our reserve for uncertain tax positions due to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations.  As discussed below, our income tax benefit in 2017 includes a non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $37.5 million related to the revaluation of our net deferred income tax liability resulting from the reduction in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate enacted into law on December 22, 2017.  

In accordance with GAAP, we recognize deferred income taxes on our undistributed equity in earnings (losses) of Kronos.  Because we and Kronos are part of the same U.S. federal income tax group, any dividends we receive from Kronos are nontaxable to us.  Accordingly, we do not recognize and we are not required to pay income taxes on dividends from Kronos.  Therefore, our effective income tax rate will generally be lower than the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate in periods during which we receive dividends from Kronos and recognize equity in earnings of Kronos (such as in 2016 and 2017).  Conversely, our effective income tax rate will generally be higher than the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate in periods during which we receive dividends from Kronos and recognize equity in losses of Kronos (such as in 2015).  We received aggregate dividends from Kronos of $21.1 million in each of 2015, 2016 and 2017.  Our effective tax rate attributable to our equity in earnings (losses) of Kronos, including the effect of non-taxable dividends we received from Kronos, was 49.0% in 2015, 21.2% in 2016 and 28.1% in 2017.  

On December 22, 2017, H.R.1, formally known as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (“2017 Tax Act”) was enacted into law.  This new tax legislation, among other changes, reduces the Federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018, eliminates the domestic production activities deduction and allows for the expensing of certain capital expenditures.  Following the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued

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Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 118 to provide guidance on the accounting and reporting impacts of the 2017 Tax Act.  SAB 118 states that companies should account for changes related to the 2017 Tax Act in the period of enactment if all information is available and the accounting can be completed. In situations where companies do not have enough information to complete the accounting in the period of enactment, a company must either 1) record an estimated provisional amount if the impact of the change can be reasonably estimated; or 2) continue to apply the accounting guidance that was in effect immediately prior to the 2017 Tax Act if the impact of the change cannot be reasonably estimated.  If estimated provisional amounts are recorded, SAB 118 provides a measurement period of no longer than one year during which companies should adjust those amounts as additional information becomes available.

Under GAAP, we are required to revalue our net deferred tax liability associated with our net taxable temporary differences in the period in which the new tax legislation is enacted based on deferred tax balances as of the enactment date, to reflect the effect of such reduction in the corporate income tax rate.  Other than with respect to temporary differences related to our marketable securities, and certain year-end actuarial valuations associated with our defined benefit pension and OPEB plans, our temporary differences as of December 31, 2017 are not materially different from our temporary differences as of the enactment date.  Accordingly, revaluation of our temporary differences is based on our net deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2017 (except for our temporary differences related to our marketable securities, and certain year-end actuarial valuations associated with our defined benefit pension and OPEB plans, for which such revaluation is based on the deferred income tax asset/liability as of the enactment date).  Such revaluation resulted in a non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $37.5 million recognized in continuing operations, reducing our net deferred tax liability.  The amounts recorded as of December 31, 2017 as a result of the 2017 Tax Act represent estimates based on information currently available and, in accordance with the guidance in SAB 118, these amounts are provisional and subject to adjustment as we obtain additional information and complete our analysis in 2018.  If the underlying guidance or tax laws change and such change impacts the income tax effects of the new legislation recognized at December 31, 2017, or we determine we have additional tax liabilities under other provisions of the 2017 Tax Act, we will recognize an adjustment in the reporting period within the measurement period, which period ends December 22, 2018, in which such adjustment is determined.  

See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about our 2017 income tax items, including a tabular reconciliation of our statutory tax expense (benefit) to our actual tax expense (benefit).

Noncontrolling interest - Noncontrolling interest in net income of CompX attributable to continuing operations is consistent in each of 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Related party transactions - We are a party to certain transactions with related parties.  See Notes 1 and 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  It is our policy to engage in transactions with related parties on terms, in our opinion, no less favorable to us than we could obtain from unrelated parties.

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Equity in earnings (losses) of Kronos Worldwide, Inc.

 

 

Industry conditions and 2017 overview – Due to the successful implementation of previously-announced price increases, average selling prices began to rise in the second quarter of 2016 and have continued to rise through the full year of 2017.  Kronos started 2017 with average selling prices 11% higher than the beginning of 2016.  Kronos’ average selling prices at the end of 2017 were 27% higher than at the end of 2016, with higher prices in all major markets.  Kronos experienced higher sales volumes most notably in the North American market as well as the European market in 2017 as compared to 2016.

 

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The following table shows Kronos’ capacity utilization rates during 2016 and 2017.

 

Throughout 2016, Kronos experienced moderation in the cost of TiO₂ feedstock ore procured from third parties.  Kronos’ cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold declined throughout 2016 and into the first six months of 2017 primarily due to the moderation in the cost of TiO₂ feedstock ore in 2016 and the first half of 2017.  However, the cost of third-party feedstock ore we procured in 2017 was comparable to slightly higher as compared to 2016, and such higher cost feedstock began to be reflected in Kronos’ results of operations in the third quarter of 2017 and continued through the fourth quarter of 2017.  Overall, the cost of third-party feedstock ore Kronos procured in the full year of 2017 was slightly higher as compared to 2016.  Consequently, Kronos’ cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in 2017 was slightly higher than its cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in 2016 (excluding the effect of changes in currency exchange rates).

Net sales – Kronos’ net sales increased 27% or $364.7 million in 2017 compared to 2016, primarily due to the favorable effects of a 22% increase in average TiO₂ selling prices (which increased net sales by approximately $300 million) and a 5% increase in sales volumes (which increased net sales by approximately $68 million).  TiO₂ selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures, changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs.

Kronos’ sales volumes increased primarily due to higher sales most notably in the North American market as well as the European market in 2017 as compared to 2016.  Kronos’ sales volumes in 2017 set a new overall record for a full-year period.  Kronos estimates that changes in currency exchange rates increased its net sales by approximately $16 million, or 1%, as compared to 2016.

Kronos’ net sales increased 1% or $15.5 million in 2016 compared to 2015, primarily due to the net effect of a 7% increase in sales volumes (which increased net sales by approximately $94 million) and a 3% decrease in average TiO₂ selling prices (which decreased net sales by approximately $40 million).  TiO₂ selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures, changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs.

Kronos’ sales volumes increased in 2016 compared to 2015 primarily due to higher sales in North American, European and export markets partially offset by lower sales in the Latin American market.  Kronos’ sales volumes in 2016 set a new overall record for a full-year period.  Kronos estimates that changes in currency exchange rates decreased net sales by approximately $9 million, or 1%, as compared to 2015.  

Cost of sales and gross margin – Kronos’ cost of sales increased $62.8 million or 6% in 2017 compared to 2016 due to the net impact of a 5% increase in sales volumes, efficiencies related to a 5% increase in TiO₂ production volumes, higher raw materials and other production costs of approximately $13 million and currency fluctuations (primarily the euro).  Kronos’ production volumes in 2017 set a new overall record for a full-year period.

Kronos’ cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 68% in 2017 compared to 81% in 2016 as the favorable effects of higher average selling prices and efficiencies related to higher production volumes more than offset the higher raw materials and other production costs, as discussed above.

Kronos’ gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased to 32% in 2017 compared to 19% in 2016.  As discussed and quantified above, our gross margin increased primarily due to the net effect of higher average selling prices, higher sales and production volumes and higher raw materials and other production costs.

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Cost of sales decreased $49.2 million or 4% in 2016 compared to 2015 due to the net impact of lower raw materials and other production costs of approximately $76 million (primarily caused by the lower third-party feedstock ore costs, as discussed above), approximately $4.6 million in savings resulting from workforce reductions implemented in 2015, a 3% increase in TiO₂ production volumes and currency fluctuations (primarily the euro).  In addition, cost of sales in 2015 includes approximately $10.8 million of severance costs related to the workforce reduction plan.

Kronos’ cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 81% in 2016 compared to 86% in 2015, as the favorable effects of lower raw materials and other production costs, efficiencies related to higher production volumes, and the impact of the $10.8 million workforce reduction charge classified in cost of sales in 2015 and associated cost savings from such workforce reduction realized in 2016 more than offset the unfavorable impact of lower average selling prices, as discussed above.

Kronos’ gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased to 19% in 2016 compared to 14% in 2015.  As discussed and quantified above, Kronos’ gross margin increased primarily due to the net effect of lower selling prices, lower raw materials and other production costs (including 2015 workforce reduction charges of $10.8 million classified as cost of sales and the associated $4.6 million of cost savings from such workforce reduction realized in 2016), higher sales volumes and higher production volumes.

Other operating income and expense, net – Kronos’ other operating income and expense, net in 2017 was $228.5 million, an increase of $52.6 million compared to 2016.  Kronos’ other operating income and expense, net increased in 2017 in part due to higher shipping and handling costs of $11 million, higher general and administrative costs related to the implementation of a new accounting and manufacturing software system of $8 million, higher research, development and certain sales technical support costs of $7 million and currency fluctuations (primarily the euro).  Kronos’ other operating income and expense, net in 2016 includes income aggregating $4.3 million related to insurance settlement gains from two separate business interruption claims.  Selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately 12% of net sales in 2017 and 13% in 2016.

Kronos’ other operating income and expense, net in 2016 was $175.9 million, a decrease of $17.5 million compared to 2015.  Kronos’ other operating income and expense, net in 2015 included $10.9 million of severance costs related to workforce reductions classified in selling, general and administrative expense.  Kronos’ other operating income and expense, net in 2016 includes the favorable impact of approximately $5.6 million in cost savings realized from the workforce reductions implemented in 2015 along with income aggregating $4.3 million related to insurance settlement gains from two separate business interruption claims.  Selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately 13% of net sales in 2016 and 2015.

Income (loss) from operations – Kronos’ income from operations increased by $249.3 million, from $81.1 million in 2016 to $330.4 million in 2017.  Kronos’ income from operations as a percentage of net sales increased to 19% in 2017 from 6% in 2016.  This increase was driven by the increase in gross margin, discussed above, partially offset by income aggregating $4.3 million related to insurance settlement gains from two separate business interruption claims in 2016.  Kronos estimates that changes in currency exchange rates decreased income from operations by approximately $18 million in 2017 as compared to 2016.

Kronos’ income from operations increased by $82.2 million, from a loss from operations of $1.1 million in 2015 to income from operations of $81.1 million in 2016.  Kronos’ income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net sales increased to 6% in 2016 from less than 1% in 2015.  This increase was driven by the increase in gross margin, discussed above, as well as the impact of the $10.9 million 2015 workforce reduction charge classified in selling, general and administrative expense and the associated cost savings from such workforce reductions realized in 2016 of $5.6 million, and the income aggregating $4.3 million related to insurance settlement gains from two separate business interruption claims.  Kronos estimates that changes in currency exchange rates increased income from operations by approximately $14 million in 2016 as compared to 2015.

Other non-operating income (expense) – Kronos recognized a loss on prepayment of debt in the third quarter of 2017 aggregating $7.1 million, associated with the prepayment and termination of its term loan indebtedness.

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Kronos’ interest expense decreased $1.5 million from $20.5 million in 2016 to $19.0 million in 2017 primarily due to higher capitalized interest in 2017.  

Kronos recognized a $12.0 million pre-tax impairment charge in the third quarter of 2015 due to other-than-temporary impairment on its investment in Valhi common stock held for sale.

Kronos’ interest expense increased $2.0 million from $18.5 million in 2015 to $20.5 million in 2016 primarily due to the interest rate swap contract which was effective September 30, 2015 and higher average debt levels in 2016.  

Income tax expense (benefit) - Kronos recognized an income tax benefit of $48.8 million in 2017, income tax expense of $17.9 million in 2016 and income tax expense of $142.8 million in 2015.  Kronos’ income tax expense in 2015 includes an aggregate non-cash deferred income tax expense of $159.0 million related to the recognition of a deferred income tax asset valuation allowance for our German and Belgian operations (mostly recognized in the second quarter).  Kronos’ income tax expense in 2016 includes a $3.4 million current income tax benefit related to the execution and finalization of an Advance Pricing Agreement between the U.S. and Canada, an aggregate $2.2 million non-cash tax benefit as the result of a net decrease in its deferred income tax valuation allowance and a $2.4 increase to its reserve for uncertain tax positions.  As discussed below, Kronos’ income tax benefit in 2017 includes the following:

Kronos’ earnings are subject to income tax in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions, and the income tax rates applicable to Kronos’ pre-tax earnings (losses) of its non-U.S. operations are generally lower than the income tax rates applicable to its U.S. operations.  Excluding the effect of any increase or decrease in its deferred income tax asset valuation allowance or changes in its reserve for uncertain tax positions, Kronos would generally expect its overall effective tax rate to be lower than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% primarily because of its non-U.S. operations.  Kronos’ effective income tax rate in 2016, excluding the impact of the reduction in its deferred income tax asset valuation allowances it recognized and the change to its reserve for uncertain tax positions, was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the change to prior year tax discussed above. Kronos’ effective income tax rate in 2017, excluding the impact of the reversal of the deferred income tax asset valuation allowances, the one-time repatriation tax, the impact of the change in Kronos’ permanent reinvestment assertion with respect to the post-1986 undistributed earnings of its European subsidiaries and the change to its reserve for uncertain tax positions, was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the impact of the earnings of Kronos’ non-U.S. subsidiaries.  

Kronos has substantial net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards in Germany (the equivalent of $652 million for German corporate purposes and $.5 million for German trade tax purposes at December 31, 2017) and in Belgium (the equivalent of $50 million for Belgian corporate tax purposes at December 31, 2017), all of which have an indefinite carryforward period.  As a result, Kronos has net deferred income tax assets with respect to these two jurisdictions, primarily related to these NOL carryforwards.  The German corporate tax is similar to the U.S. federal income tax, and the German trade tax is similar to the U.S. state income tax.  Prior to June 30, 2015, and using all available evidence, Kronos had concluded no deferred income tax asset valuation allowance was required to be

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recognized with respect to these net deferred income tax assets under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria, primarily because (i) the carryforwards have an indefinite carryforward period, (ii) Kronos utilized a portion of such carryforwards during the most recent three-year period, and (iii) Kronos expected to utilize the remainder of the carryforwards over the long term.  Kronos had also previously indicated that facts and circumstances could change, which might in the future result in the recognition of a valuation allowance against some or all of such deferred income tax assets.  However, as of June 30, 2015, and given Kronos’ operating results during the second quarter of 2015 and its expectations at that time for its operating results for the remainder of 2015, which had been driven in large part by the trend in Kronos’ average TiO₂ selling prices over such periods as well as the $21.1 million pre-tax charge recognized in the second quarter of 2015 in connection with the implementation of certain workforce reductions, Kronos did not have sufficient positive evidence to overcome the significant negative evidence of having cumulative losses in the most recent twelve consecutive quarters in both its German and Belgian jurisdictions at June 30, 2015 (even considering that the carryforward period of the German and Belgian NOL carryforwards is indefinite, one piece of positive evidence).  Accordingly, at June 30, 2015, Kronos concluded that it was required to recognize a non-cash deferred income tax asset valuation allowance under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria with respect to its German and Belgian net deferred income tax assets at such date.  Kronos recognized an additional non-cash deferred income tax asset valuation allowance during the second half of 2015 due to losses recognized by its German and Belgian operations during such period.  Such valuation allowance aggregated $168.9 million at December 31, 2015.  During 2016, Kronos recognized an aggregate $2.2 million non-cash tax benefit as the result of a net decrease in such deferred income tax asset valuation allowance, as the impact of utilizing a portion of its German NOLs during such period more than offset the impact of additional losses recognized by Kronos’ Belgian operations during such period.  Such valuation allowance aggregated approximately $173 million at December 31, 2016 ($153 million with respect to Germany and $20 million with respect to Belgium).  During the first six months of 2017, Kronos recognized an aggregate non-cash income tax benefit of $12.7 million as a result of a net decrease in such deferred income tax asset valuation allowance, due to the utilization of a portion of both the German and Belgian NOLs during such period.  Kronos continues to believe it will ultimately realize the full benefit of these German and Belgian NOL carryforwards, in part because of their indefinite carryforward period.  As previously disclosed, Kronos’ ability to reverse all or a portion of either the German or Belgian valuation allowance is dependent on the presence of sufficient positive evidence, such as the existence of cumulative profits in the most recent twelve consecutive quarters or profitability in recent quarters during which such profitability was trending upward throughout such period, and the ability to demonstrate future profitability for a sustainable period.  As noted below, Kronos determined such conditions were satisfied at June 30, 2017.  

Although Kronos’ Belgian operations were profitable in the first quarter of 2017 and Kronos utilized a portion of the Belgian NOLs during such period, its Belgian operations continued to have cumulative losses in the most recent twelve quarters at March 31, 2017.  Although the results of Kronos’ German operations had improved during 2016 and the first quarter of 2017, indicating a change in the negative trend in earnings that existed at December 31, 2015, and Kronos utilized a portion of its German NOLs during 2016 and the first quarter of 2017, and Kronos had cumulative income with respect to its German operations for the most recent twelve consecutive quarters at March 31, 2017, the sustainability of such positive trend in earnings had not yet been demonstrated at such date.  As previously disclosed, while neither Kronos’ business as a whole nor any of its principal product groups is seasonal to any significant extent, TiO₂ sales are generally higher in the second and third quarters of the year, due in part to the increase in paint production in the spring to meet demand during the spring and summer painting seasons.  While Kronos has some insight into the overall demand expected to be generated by a particular year’s paint season and TiO₂ pricing at the end of the first quarter (the start of the paint season), Kronos has much greater insight and certainty regarding overall demand and TiO₂ pricing for a particular year’s paint season by the end of the second quarter of the year, in part because some factors, such as weather, can have an impact on both overall demand and pricing each year.  Accordingly, at March 31, 2017 Kronos did not have sufficient positive evidence to support a sustainable profit trend and consequently, Kronos did not have sufficient positive evidence under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria to support reversal of the entire valuation allowance related to its German or Belgian operations at such date.  During the second quarter of 2017, Kronos’ German and Belgian operations continued to be profitable, and both reported levels of profitability higher as compared to the first quarter of 2017.  As previously disclosed, Kronos’ consolidated results of operations in general, and its German and Belgian operations in particular, were favorably impacted during the second quarter of 2017 by, among other things, continued higher average TiO₂ selling prices and higher sales volumes.  Kronos’ German operations had cumulative income for the most recent twelve consecutive quarters at June 30, 2017.  While Kronos’ Belgian operations had cumulative losses in the most recent twelve consecutive quarters at June 30, 2017, such operations generated income in both the first and second quarters of 2017, with higher income in the second quarter as compared to the first quarter, the amount of cumulative losses of its Belgian operations for the

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most recent twelve consecutive quarters was lower as of June 30, 2017 as compared to both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and Kronos expected to have cumulative profits in the third and fourth quarters.  Kronos’ production facilities had been operating at near practical capacity utilization rates in the first six months of 2017.  In addition, consistent with Kronos’ previously-disclosed expectation regarding its consolidated results of operations for the second half of 2017, Kronos believed it was likely its German and Belgian operations would continue to report improved operating results in 2017 as compared to 2016.  Accordingly, at June 30, 2017 Kronos concluded it had sufficient positive evidence under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria to support reversal of the entire valuation allowance related to its German and Belgian operations.  Such sufficient positive evidence included, among other things, the existence of cumulative profits in the most recent twelve consecutive quarters (Germany) or profitability in recent quarters during which such profitability was trending upward throughout such period (Belgium), the ability to demonstrate future profitability in Germany and Belgium for a sustainable period (as supported by, among other things, recent trends in profitability, driven in large part by increases in TiO₂ selling prices, and continued strong demand indicating that such profitability trends will continue in the future), and the indefinite carryforward period for the German and Belgian NOLs.  As discussed below regarding accounting for income taxes at interim dates, a large portion ($149.9 million) of the remaining valuation allowance as of June 30, 2017 was reversed in the second quarter, with the remainder reversed during the second half of 2017.

In accordance with the ASC 740-270 guidance regarding accounting for income taxes at interim dates, the amount of the valuation allowance reversed at June 30, 2017 ($149.9 million, of which $141.9 million related to Germany and $8.0 million related to Belgium) relates to Kronos’ change in judgment at that date regarding the realizability of the related deferred income tax asset as it relates to future years (i.e. 2018 and after).  A change in judgment regarding the realizability of deferred tax assets as it relates to the current year is considered in determining the estimated annual effective tax rate for the year and is recognized throughout the year, including interim periods subsequent to the date of the change in judgment.  Accordingly, Kronos’ income tax benefit in 2017 includes an aggregate non-cash income tax benefit of $186.7 million related to the reversal of the German and Belgian valuation allowance, comprised of $12.7 million recognized in the first half of 2017 related to the utilization of a portion of both the German and Belgian NOLs during such period, $149.9 million related to the portion of the valuation allowance reversed as of June 30, 2017 and $24.1 million recognized in the second half of 2017 related to the utilization of a portion of both the German and Belgian NOLs during such period.  In addition, Kronos’ deferred income tax asset valuation allowance increased $13.7 million in 2017 as a result of changes in currency exchange rates, which increase was recognized as part of other comprehensive income (loss).

On December 22, 2017, the 2017 Tax Act was enacted into law.  This new tax legislation, among other changes, (i) reduces the U.S. Federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018; (ii) implements a territorial tax system and imposes a one-time repatriation tax (Transition Tax) on the deemed repatriation of the post-1986 undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries accumulated up through December 31, 2017, regardless of whether such earnings are repatriated; (iii) eliminates U.S. tax on future non-U.S. earnings (subject to certain exceptions); (iv) eliminates the domestic production activities deduction beginning in 2018;  (v) eliminates the net operating loss carryback and provides for an indefinite carryforward period subject to an 80% annual usage limitation; (vi) allows for the expensing of certain capital expenditures; (vii) imposes a tax on global intangible low-tax income; and (viii) imposes a base erosion anti-abuse tax.  Following the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 118 to provide guidance on the accounting and reporting impacts of the 2017 Tax Act.  SAB 118 states that companies should account for changes related to the 2017 Tax Act in the period of enactment if all information is available and the accounting can be completed.  In situations where companies do not have enough information to complete the accounting in the period of enactment, a company must either 1) record an estimated provisional amount if the impact of the change can be reasonably estimated; or 2) continue to apply the accounting guidance that was in effect immediately prior to the 2017 Tax Act if the impact of the change cannot be reasonably estimated.  If estimated provisional amounts are recorded, SAB 118 provides a measurement period of no longer than one year during which companies should adjust those amounts as additional information becomes available.  

Under GAAP, Kronos is required to revalue its net deferred tax asset associated with its U.S. net deductible temporary differences in the period in which the new tax legislation is enacted based on deferred tax balances as of the enactment date, to reflect the effect of such reduction in the corporate income tax rate.  Kronos’ temporary differences as of December 31, 2017 are not materially different from Kronos’ temporary differences as of the enactment date, accordingly revaluation of its net deductible temporary differences is based on its net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2017.  Such revaluation is recognized in continuing operations and is not material to Kronos.  

Prior to the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act, the undistributed earnings of Kronos’ European subsidiaries were deemed to be permanently reinvested (Kronos had not made a similar determination with respect to the undistributed

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earnings of its Canadian subsidiary).  Pursuant to the Transition Tax provisions imposing a one-time repatriation tax on post-1986 undistributed earnings, Kronos recognized a provisional current income tax expense of $76.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.  Kronos will elect to pay such tax over an eight year period beginning in 2018, including approximately $6.1 million which will be paid in 2018 and is netted with Kronos’ current receivables from affiliates (income taxes receivable from Valhi) classified as a current asset in Kronos’ Consolidated Balance Sheet, and the remaining $70.1 million is recorded as a noncurrent payable to affiliate (income taxes payable to Valhi) classified as a noncurrent liability in Kronos’ Consolidated Balance Sheet and will be paid in increments over the remainder of the eight year period.  The amounts recorded as of December 31, 2017 as a result of the 2017 Tax Act represent estimates based on information currently available and, in accordance with the guidance in SAB 118, these amounts are provisional and subject to adjustment as Kronos obtains additional information and completes its analysis in 2018.  If the underlying guidance or tax laws change and such change impacts the income tax effects of the new legislation recognized at December 31, 2017 or Kronos determines it has additional tax liabilities under other provisions of the 2017 Tax Act, including the tax on global intangible low-tax income and the base erosion anti-abuse tax, Kronos will recognize an adjustment in the first reporting period within the measurement period in which such adjustment is determined.  Such measurement period ends December 22, 2018 pursuant to the guidance of SAB 118.  

Prior to the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act, the undistributed earnings of Kronos’ European subsidiaries were deemed to be permanently reinvested (Kronos had not made a similar determination with respect to the undistributed earnings of its Canadian subsidiary).  As a result of the implementation of a territorial tax system under the 2017 Tax Act, effective January 1, 2018 and the Transition Tax which in effect taxes the post-1986 undistributed earnings of Kronos’ non-U.S. subsidiaries accumulated up through December 31, 2017, Kronos has now determined that all of the post-1986 undistributed earnings of its European subsidiaries are not permanently reinvested (Kronos had previously concluded that all of the undistributed earnings of its Canadian subsidiary are not permanently reinvested).  Accordingly, in the fourth quarter of 2017 Kronos has recognized an aggregate provisional non-cash deferred income tax expense of $4.5 million for the estimated U.S. state and non-U.S. income tax and withholding tax liability attributable to all of such previously-considered permanently reinvested undistributed earnings.  Kronos is currently reviewing certain other provisions under the 2017 Tax Act that would impact its determination of the aggregate temporary differences attributable to its investments in its non-U.S. subsidiaries.   Kronos continues to assert indefinite reinvestment as it relates to its outside basis differences attributable to its investments in its non-U.S. subsidiaries, other than post-1986 undistributed earnings of its European subsidiaries and all undistributed earnings of its Canadian subsidiary.  It is possible that a change in facts and circumstances, such as a change in the expectation regarding future dispositions or acquisitions or a change in tax law, could result in a conclusion that some or all of such investments are no longer permanently reinvested.  It is currently not practical for Kronos to determine the amount of the unrecognized deferred income tax liability related to its investments in its non-U.S. subsidiaries due to the complexities associated with Kronos’ organizational structure, changes in the 2017 Tax Act and the U.S. taxation of such investments in the states in which Kronos operates.  

Certain U.S. deferred tax attributes of one of Kronos’ non-U.S. subsidiaries, which subsidiary is treated as a dual resident for U.S. income tax purposes, were subject to various limitations.  As a result, Kronos had previously concluded that a deferred income tax asset valuation allowance was required to be recognized with respect to such subsidiary’s U.S. net deferred income tax asset because such assets did not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria primarily due to (i) the various limitations regarding use of such attributes due to the dual residency; (ii) the dual resident subsidiary had a history of losses and absent distributions from Kronos’ non-U.S. subsidiaries, which were previously not determinable, such subsidiary was expected to continue to generate losses; and (iii) a limited NOL carryforward period for U.S. tax purposes.  Because Kronos had concluded the likelihood of realization of such subsidiary’s net deferred income tax asset was remote, we had not previously disclosed such valuation allowance or the associated amount of the subsidiary’s net deferred income tax assets (exclusive of such valuation allowance).  Primarily due to changes enacted under the 2017 Tax Act, Kronos has concluded it now has sufficient positive evidence under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria to support reversal of the entire valuation allowance related to such subsidiary’s net deferred income tax asset, which evidence included, among other things, (i) the inclusion under the Transition Tax provisions of significant earnings for U.S. income tax purposes which significantly and positively impacts the ability of such deferred tax attributes to be utilized by Kronos; (ii) the indefinite carryforward period for U.S. net operating losses incurred after December 31, 2017; (iii) an expectation of continued future profitability for Kronos’ U.S. operations; and (iv) a positive taxable income basket for U.S. tax purposes in excess of the U.S. deferred tax asset related to the U.S. attributes of such subsidiary.  Accordingly, in the fourth quarter

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Kronos recognized an $18.7 million non-cash deferred income tax benefit as a result of the reversal of such valuation allowance.

Kronos’ consolidated effective income tax rate in 2018 is expected to be higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% because the income tax rates applicable to the earnings (losses) of its non-U.S. operations will be higher than the income tax rates applicable to its U.S. operations.

Effects of Currency Exchange Rates

Kronos has substantial operations and assets located outside the United States (primarily in Germany, Belgium, Norway and Canada).  The majority of its sales from non-U.S. operations are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, principally the euro, other major European currencies and the Canadian dollar.  A portion of its sales generated from its non-U.S. operations is denominated in the U.S. dollar (and consequently Kronos’ non-U.S. operations will generally hold U.S. dollars from time to time).  Certain raw materials used worldwide, primarily titanium-containing feedstocks, are purchased in U.S. dollars, while labor and other production costs are purchased primarily in local currencies.  Consequently, the translated U.S. dollar value of Kronos’ non-U.S. sales and operating results are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations which may favorably or unfavorably impact reported earnings and may affect the comparability of period-to-period operating results.  In addition to the impact of the translation of sales and expenses over time, Kronos’ non-U.S. operations also generate currency transaction gains and losses which primarily relate to the (i) difference between the currency exchange rates in effect when non-local currency sales or operating costs (primarily U.S. dollar denominated) are initially accrued and when such amounts are settled with the non-local currency, (ii) changes in currency exchange rates during time periods when Kronos’ non-U.S. operations are holding non-local currency (primarily U.S. dollars), and (iii) relative changes in the aggregate fair value of currency forward contracts held from time to time.  Kronos periodically uses currency forward contracts to manage a portion of its currency exchange risk, and relative changes in the aggregate fair value of any currency forward contracts it holds from time to time serves in part to mitigate the currency transaction gains or losses Kronos would otherwise recognize from the first two items described above.

Overall, Kronos estimates that fluctuations in currency exchange rates had the following effects on its sales and income from operations for the periods indicated.

 

 

The $16 million increase in Kronos’ net sales (translation gain) was caused primarily by a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro (mostly in the fourth quarter), as our euro-denominated sales were translated into more U.S. dollars in 2017 as compared to 2016.  The weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone in 2017 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of Kronos’ net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by Kronos’ Canadian and Norwegian operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar.

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The $18 million decrease in Kronos’ income from operations was comprised of the following:

 

 

The $9 million reduction in net sales (translation loss) was caused primarily by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, as our euro-denominated sales were translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2016 as compared to 2015.  The strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone in 2016 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of Kronos’ net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by Kronos’ Canadian and Norwegian operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The $14 million increase in Kronos’ income from operations was comprised of the following:

Outlook

During 2017 Kronos operated its production facilities at full practical capacity compared to 98% of practical capacity in 2016.  Kronos expects its production volumes in 2018 to be slightly lower as compared to the record 2017 production volumes.  Assuming current global economic conditions continue and based on anticipated production levels, Kronos expects its 2018 sales volumes to be slightly lower as compared to record 2017 sales volumes.  Kronos will continue to monitor current and anticipated near-term customer demand levels and align its production and inventories accordingly.

The cost of third-party feedstock ore Kronos purchased in 2017 was slightly higher as compared to 2016, and such higher cost feedstock ore began to be reflected in Kronos’ results of operations in the third quarter of 2017 and continued through the fourth quarter of 2017.  Consequently, Kronos’ cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in 2017

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was slightly higher as compared to its cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in 2016 (excluding the effect of changes in currency exchange rates).  Kronos expects its cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in 2018 will be higher than its per-metric ton cost in 2017 primarily due to higher feedstock costs.

Kronos started 2017 with average selling prices 11% higher than the beginning of 2016, and average selling prices increased by an additional 27% during the full year of 2017.  Industry data indicates that overall TiO₂ inventory held by producers declined significantly during 2016 and remained at low levels throughout 2017.  With the strong sales volumes experienced in 2017, Kronos continues to see evidence of strong demand for its TiO₂ products across nearly all segments.

Overall, Kronos expects its sales will be higher as compared to 2017, primarily as a result of expected higher average selling prices, and Kronos expects its income from operations in 2018 will be higher as compared to 2017, principally as a result of expected higher average selling prices in 2018 as compared to 2017, partially offset by higher raw material costs (principally feedstock ore).  However, Kronos expects its net income in 2018 will be lower as compared to 2017, as the favorable impact of higher expected income from operations in 2018 would be more than offset by the favorable impact of the aggregate net income tax benefit of $136.5 million recognized in 2017.

Due to the constraints of high capital costs and extended lead time associated with adding significant new TiO₂ production capacity, especially for premium grades of TiO₂ products produced from the chloride process, Kronos believes increased and sustained profit margins will be necessary to financially justify major expansions of TiO₂ production capacity required to meet expected future growth in demand.  Any major expansion of TiO₂ production capacity, if announced, would take several years before such production would become available to meet future growth in demand.

Kronos’ expectations for its future operating results are based upon a number of factors beyond its control, including worldwide growth of gross domestic product, competition in the marketplace, continued operation of competitors, unexpected or earlier-than-expected capacity additions or reductions and technological advances.  If actual developments differ from Kronos’ expectations, its results of operations could be unfavorably affected.

Assumptions on defined benefit pension plans and OPEB plans

Defined benefit pension plans - We maintain various defined benefit pension plans in the U.S. and the U.K.  See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Under defined benefit pension plan accounting, defined benefit pension plan expense and prepaid and accrued pension costs are each recognized based on certain actuarial assumptions, principally the assumed discount rate, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets and the assumed increase in future compensation levels.  We recognize the full funded status of our defined benefit pension plans as either an asset (for overfunded plans) or a liability (for underfunded plans) in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.  

We recognized consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense of $.4 million in 2015, $.9 million in 2016 and $1.1 in 2017.  The funding requirements for these defined benefit pension plans are generally based upon applicable regulations (such as ERISA in the U.S.) and will generally differ from pension expense recognized under GAAP for financial reporting purposes. We made contributions to all of our plans of approximately $.8 million in 2015, $.6 million in 2016 and $1.0 million in 2017.  

The discount rates we use for determining defined benefit pension expense and the related pension obligations are based on current interest rates earned on long-term bonds that receive one of the two highest ratings given by recognized rating agencies in the applicable country where the defined benefit pension benefits are being paid.  In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate discount rates, and these advisors may in some cases use their own market indices.  We adjust these discount rates as of each December 31 valuation date to reflect then-current interest rates on such long-term bonds.  We use these discount rates to determine the actuarial present value of the pension obligations as of December 31 of that year.  We also use these discount rates to determine the interest component of defined benefit pension expense for the following year.

At December 31, 2017, our projected benefit obligations for defined benefit plans comprised $44.7 million related to U.S. plans and $9.3 million for the U.K. plan, which is associated with a former disposed business.  We use

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different discount rate assumptions in determining our defined benefit pension plan obligations and expense for the plans we maintain in the United States and the U.K. as the interest rate environment differs from country to country.  

We used the following discount rates for our defined benefit pension plans:

 

The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets represents the estimated average rate of earnings expected to be earned on the funds invested or to be invested from the plans’ assets provided to fund the benefit payments inherent in the projected benefit obligations.  Unlike the discount rate, which is adjusted each year based on changes in current long-term interest rates, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets will not necessarily change based upon the actual short-term performance of the plan assets in any given year.  Defined benefit pension expense each year is based upon the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets for each plan, the actual fair value of the plan assets as of the beginning of the year and an estimate of the amount of contributions to and distributions from the plan during the year.  Differences between the expected return on plan assets for a given year and the actual return are deferred and amortized over future periods based either upon the expected average remaining service life of the active plan participants (for plans for which benefits are still being earned by active employees) or the average remaining life expectancy of the inactive participants (for plans in which benefits are not still being earned by active employees).  

At December 31, 2017, approximately 73% of the plan assets were related to plan assets for our plans in the U.S., with the remainder related to the United Kingdom plan.  We use different long-term rates of return on plan asset assumptions for our U.S. and U.K. defined benefit pension plan expense because the respective plan assets are invested in a different mix of investments and the long-term rates of return for different investments differ from country to country.  

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions, we consider the long-term asset mix (e.g. equity vs. fixed income) for the assets for each of our plans and the expected long-term rates of return for such asset components.  In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate long-term rates of return.  The assets of our U.S. plan are invested in the Combined Master Retirement Trust (CMRT), a collective investment trust sponsored by Contran to permit the collective investment by certain master trusts which fund certain employee benefits sponsored by Contran and certain of its affiliates, including us.  Such assumed asset mixes are discussed in Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Our U.S. pension plan weighted average asset allocations by asset category were as follows:

 

We regularly review our actual asset allocation for our U.K. plan, and will periodically rebalance the investments in the plan to more accurately reflect the targeted allocation.  The CMRT trustee and investment committee do not maintain a specific target asset allocation in order to achieve their objectives, but instead they periodically change the asset mix of the CMRT based upon, among other things, advice they receive from third-party advisors and their expectations regarding potential returns for various investment alternatives and what asset mix will generate the greatest overall return.  

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Our assumed long-term rates of return on plan assets for 2015, 2016 and 2017 were as follows:

 

We currently expect to use the same long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions in 2018 as we used in 2017 for purposes of determining the 2018 defined benefit pension plan expense.

To the extent that a plan’s particular pension benefit formula calculates the pension benefit in whole or in part based upon future compensation levels, the projected benefit obligations and the pension expense would be based in part upon expected increases in future compensation levels.  However, we have no active employees participating in our defined benefit pension plans.  Such plans are closed to additional participants and assumptions regarding future compensation levels are not applicable for our plans.  

In addition to the actuarial assumptions discussed above, because we maintain a defined benefit pension plan in the U.K., the amount of recognized defined benefit pension expense and the amount of net pension asset and net pension liability will vary based upon relative changes in currency exchange rates.  

A reduction in the assumed discount rate generally results in an actuarial loss, as the actuarially-determined present value of estimated future benefit payments will increase.  Conversely, an increase in the assumed discount rate generally results in an actuarial gain.  In addition, an actual return on plan assets for a given year that is greater than the assumed return on plan assets results in an actuarial gain, while an actual return on plan assets that is less than the assumed return results in an actuarial loss.  Other actual outcomes that differ from previous assumptions, such as individuals living longer or shorter than assumed in mortality tables, which are also used to determine the actuarially-determined present value of estimated future benefit payments, changes in such mortality tables themselves or plan amendments, will also result in actuarial losses or gains.  These amounts are recognized in other comprehensive income.  In addition, any actuarial gains generated in future periods would reduce the negative amortization effect included in earnings of any cumulative unrecognized actuarial losses, while any actuarial losses generated in future periods would reduce the favorable amortization effect included in earnings of any cumulative unrecognized actuarial gains.

During 2017, all of our defined benefit pension plans generated a combined net actuarial gain of approximately $.5 million.  This actuarial gain resulted primarily due to the actual 2017 return on plan assets being higher than the expected returns for our defined benefit pension assets and the favorable impact of increasing the discount rate assumption for our U.K. plan for December 31, 2017 as compared to December 31, 2016, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of decreasing the discount rate assumption for our U.S. plan for December 31, 2017 as compared to December 31, 2016.  

Based on the actuarial assumptions described above and our current expectation for what actual average currency exchange rates will be during 2018, we expect to recognize defined benefit pension expense of approximately $.4 million in 2018.  In comparison, we expect to be required to contribute approximately $2.1 million to such plans during 2018.  

As noted above, defined benefit pension expense and the amounts recognized as accrued pension costs are based upon the actuarial assumptions discussed above.  We believe that all of the actuarial assumptions used are reasonable and appropriate.  However, if we had lowered the assumed discount rate by 25 basis points for all of our plans as of December 31, 2017, our aggregate projected benefit obligations would have increased by approximately $1.1 million at that date.  Such a change would not materially impact our defined benefit pension expense for 2018.  Similarly, if we lowered the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets by 25 basis points for all of our plans, such a change would not materially impact our defined benefit pension expense for 2018.  

OPEB plans - We provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for eligible retired employees in the U.S.  Under other postretirement employee benefits (OPEB) accounting, OPEB expense and accrued OPEB costs are based on certain actuarial assumptions, principally the assumed discount rate and the assumed rate of increases in future health care costs.  We recognize the full unfunded status of our OPEB plans as a liability. See Note 11 to our

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Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the consolidated OPEB cost we recognized during the last three years, the amount of our accrued OPEB costs and the associated actuarial assumptions utilized.

Based on such actuarial assumptions and amended benefit formula, we expect to recognize consolidated OPEB income of approximately $.2 million in 2018.  In comparison, we expect to be required to make approximately $.4 million of contributions during 2018.  

We believe that all of the actuarial assumptions used are reasonable and appropriate.  If we had lowered the assumed discount rate by 25 basis points for all of our OPEB plans as of December 31, 2017, our aggregate projected benefit obligations would not materially impact our OPEB costs. Similarly, a one percent assumed change in health care trend rates would not materially impact our OPEB costs.

Non-U.S. Operations

Kronos - Kronos has substantial operations located outside the United States (principally Europe and Canada) for which the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.  As a result, the reported amount of our net investment in Kronos will fluctuate based upon changes in currency exchange rates.  At December 31, 2017, Kronos had substantial net assets denominated in the euro, Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone.  

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Consolidated cash flows

Operating activities-

Trends in cash flows from operating activities, excluding the impact of deferred taxes and relative changes in assets and liabilities, are generally similar to trends in our income (loss) from operations. Changes in working capital are primarily related to changes in receivables and inventories (as discussed below) and payables and accrued liabilities.  Net cash provided by operating activities was $18.6 million in 2017 compared to $27.7 million in 2016.  The $9.1 million net decrease in cash provided by operating activities includes the net effects of:

Net cash provided by operating activities was $27.7 million in 2016 compared to $27.6 million in 2015.  The $.1 million net increase in cash provided by operating activities includes the net effects of:

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We do not have complete access to CompX’s cash flows in part because we do not own 100% of CompX.  A detail of our consolidated cash flows from operating activities is presented in the table below.  Intercompany dividends have been eliminated.  The reference to NL Parent in the tables below is a reference to NL Industries, Inc., as the parent company of CompX and our other wholly-owned subsidiaries.

 

Relative changes in working capital can have a significant effect on cash flows from operating activities.  As shown below, our total average days sales outstanding increased from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017 primarily as a result of the timing of sales and collections in the last month of 2017 compared to 2016.  As shown below, our average number of days in inventory at December 31, 2017 is comparable to December 31, 2016.  The variability in days in inventory primarily relates to the complexity of the production processes, and therefore the length of time it takes to produce end products, as well as seasonal cycles.  For comparative purposes, we have provided 2015 numbers below.  

 

Investing activities-

Capital expenditures, substantially all of which relate to CompX, have primarily emphasized improving our manufacturing facilities and investing in manufacturing equipment, utilizing new technologies and increased automation of the manufacturing process, to provide for increased productivity and efficiency in order to meet expected customer demand and properly maintain our facilities and technology infrastructure.  Capital expenditures were $4.3 million in 2015, $3.2 million in 2016, and $2.8 million in 2017.    

Investing activities also include net loans by CompX to Valhi of $27.4 million in 2016 and $10.8 million in 2017 under a promissory note receivable from an affiliate.   See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financing activities-

Cash flows from financing activities include CompX dividends paid to its stockholders other than us aggregating $.3 million in each of 2015, 2016 and 2017.  Financing activities in 2016 also includes net borrowings of $.5 million under our secured revolving credit facility with Valhi entered into in November 2016.  See Notes 10 and 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Prior to 2015, after considering our results of operations, financial conditions and cash requirements for our businesses, our Board of Directors suspended our regular quarterly dividend.  The declaration and payment of future dividends, and the amount thereof, is discretionary and is dependent upon these and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.  The amount and timing of past dividends is not necessarily indicative of the amount or timing of any future dividends which might be paid.  There are currently no contractual restrictions on the amount of dividends which we may pay.  Distributions to noncontrolling interests consist of CompX dividends paid to shareholders other than us.  

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Outstanding debt obligations

At December 31, 2017, NL had outstanding debt obligations of $.5 million under its secured revolving credit facility with Valhi, and CompX did not have any outstanding debt obligations.  We are in compliance with all of the covenants contained in our revolving credit facility with Valhi at December 31, 2017.  See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Kronos’ North American and European revolvers and its senior secured notes contain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict its ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of our assets to, another entity, and contains other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of this type.  Certain of Kronos’ credit agreements contain provisions which could result in the acceleration of indebtedness prior to their stated maturity for reasons other than defaults for failure to comply with typical financial or payment covenants.  For example, certain credit agreements allow the lender to accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness upon a change of control (as defined in the agreement) of the borrower.  In addition, certain credit agreements could result in the acceleration of all or a portion of the indebtedness following a sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business.  Kronos’ European revolving credit facility also requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios, and one of such requirements is based on the ratio of net debt to the last twelve months EBITDA of the borrowers.  Kronos is in compliance with all of its debt covenants at December 31, 2017.  Kronos believes that it will be able to continue to comply with the financial covenants contained in its credit facilities through their maturity.

Future Cash Requirements

Liquidity-

Our primary source of liquidity on an ongoing basis is our cash flow from operating activities and credit facilities with affiliates and banks as further discussed below.  We generally use these amounts to fund capital expenditures (substantially all of which relate to CompX), pay ongoing environmental remediation and litigation costs, and provide for the payment of dividends (if declared).  

At December 31, 2017, we had aggregate cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $102.9 million, substantially all of which was held in the U.S.  A detail (in millions) by entity is presented in the table below.  

 

In addition, at December 31, 2017 we owned 14.4 million shares of Valhi common stock with an aggregate market value of $88.7 million.  See Note 5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  We also owned 35.2 million shares of Kronos common stock at December 31, 2017 with an aggregate market value of $907.6 million.  See Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  

We routinely compare our liquidity requirements and alternative uses of capital against the estimated future cash flows we expect to receive from our subsidiaries and affiliates.  As a result of this process, we have in the past and may in the future seek to raise additional capital, incur debt, repurchase indebtedness in the market or otherwise, modify our dividend policies, consider the sale of our interests in our subsidiaries, affiliates, business, marketable securities or other assets, or take a combination of these and other steps, to increase liquidity, reduce indebtedness and fund future activities.  Such activities have in the past and may in the future involve related companies.  

We periodically evaluate acquisitions of interests in or combinations with companies (including related companies) perceived by management to be undervalued in the marketplace.  These companies may or may not be engaged in businesses related to our current businesses.  We intend to consider such acquisition activities in the future and, in connection with this activity, may consider issuing additional equity securities and increasing indebtedness.  From time to time, we also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests among our respective subsidiaries and related companies.  

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Based upon our expectations of our operating performance, and the anticipated demands on our cash resources we expect to have sufficient liquidity to meet our short-term obligations (defined as the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2018).  If actual developments differ materially from our expectations, our liquidity could be adversely affected.  In this regard, Valhi has agreed to loan us up to $50 million on a revolving basis.  At December 31, 2017, we had $.5 million in outstanding borrowings under this facility, and we had $49.5 million available for future borrowing under the facility.  See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Capital expenditures-

Capital expenditures for 2018 are estimated at approximately $3.8 million, substantially all of which relate to CompX.  Capital spending for 2018 is expected to be funded through cash on hand and cash generated from operations.

Dividends-

Because our operations are conducted primarily through subsidiaries and affiliates, our long-term ability to meet parent company-level corporate obligations is largely dependent on the receipt of dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries and affiliates.  A detail of annual dividends we expect to receive from our subsidiaries and affiliates in 2018, based on the number of shares of common stock of these affiliates we own as of December 31, 2017 and their current regular quarterly dividend rate, is presented in the table below.  In this regard, in February 2018 Kronos increased its regular quarterly dividend from $.15 per share to $.17 per share, beginning with its dividend payable in March 2018.

 

Investments in our subsidiaries and affiliates and other acquisitions-

We have in the past and may in the future, purchase the securities of our subsidiaries and affiliates or third-parties in market or privately-negotiated transactions.  We base our purchase decisions on a variety of factors, including an analysis of the optimal use of our capital, taking into account the market value of the securities and the relative value of expected returns on alternative investments.  In connection with these activities, we may consider issuing additional equity securities or increasing our indebtedness.  We may also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests of our businesses among our subsidiaries and related companies.  

Off balance sheet financing arrangements

Other than operating lease commitments disclosed in Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we are not party to any material off-balance sheet financing arrangements

Commitments and contingencies

We are subject to certain commitments and contingencies, as more fully described in Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements or in Part I, Item 3 of this report.  In addition to those legal proceedings described in Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, various legislation and administrative regulations have, from time to time, been proposed that seek to (i) impose various obligations on present and former manufacturers of lead pigment and lead-based paint (including us) with respect to asserted health concerns associated with the use of such products and (ii) effectively overturn court decisions in which we and other pigment manufacturers have been successful.  Examples of such proposed legislation include bills which would permit civil liability for damages on the basis of market share, rather than requiring plaintiffs to prove that the defendant’s product caused the alleged damage

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and bills which would revive actions barred by the statute of limitations.  While no legislation or regulations have been enacted to date that are expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity, enactment of such legislation could have such an effect.  

As more fully described in the notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we are party to various debt, leases and other agreements which contractually and unconditionally commit us to pay certain amounts in the future.  See Notes 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  The following table summarizes our contractual commitments as of December 31, 2017 by the type and date of payment.

 

The timing and amount shown for principal payments on our outstanding indebtedness (which consists of our secured revolving credit facility with Valhi) is based on the contractual maturity date of such indebtedness.  Interest expense associated with such outstanding indebtedness at December 31, 2017 is not material.  The amount shown for our commitments related to operating leases and fixed asset acquisitions are based upon the contractual payment amount and the contractual payment date for such commitments.  The timing and amount shown for raw material and other purchase obligations, which consist of all open purchase orders and contractual obligations (primarily commitments to purchase raw materials) is also based on the contractual payment amount and the contractual payment date for such commitments.  Fixed asset acquisitions include firm purchase commitments for capital projects.  

The above table does not include:

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 19 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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General - We are exposed to market risk from changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates, raw materials and equity security prices.  

Interest rates - We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, primarily related to our indebtedness.  We have an outstanding principal amount of indebtedness of $.5 million at December 31, 2017 bearing interest at prime plus 1.875% (6.4% at December 31, 2017) with a maturity date of December 31, 2023.  The carrying value of such outstanding indebtedness approximates its fair value.  

Marketable security prices - We are exposed to market risk due to changes in prices of the marketable securities which we own.  The fair value of our equity securities at December 31, 2016 and 2017 was $49.7 million and $88.7 million, respectively.  The potential change in the aggregate fair value of these investments, assuming a 10% change in prices, would be $5.0 million and $8.9 million at December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.  

Raw materials - CompX will occasionally enter into short-term raw material arrangements to mitigate the impact of future increases in raw material costs.  Otherwise, we generally do not have long-term supply agreements for our raw material requirements because either we believe the risk of unavailability of those raw materials is low and we believe the price to be stable or because long-term supply agreements for those materials are generally not available.  We do not engage in commodity hedging programs.  

Other - The above discussion and sensitivity analysis presented above include forward-looking statements of market risk which assume hypothetical changes in market prices.  Actual future market conditions will likely differ materially from such assumptions.  Accordingly, such forward-looking statements should not be considered to be projections of future events, gains or losses.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties some of which are listed in “Business."

The information called for by this Item is contained in a separate section of this Annual Report.  See “Index of Financial Statements” (page F-1).  

None

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures which, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), means controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit to the SEC under the Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions to be made regarding required disclosure.  Each of Robert D. Graham, our Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and Gregory M. Swalwell, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017.  Based upon their evaluation, these executive officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the date of this evaluation.

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Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting which, as defined by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) means a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the 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 (“GAAP”), and includes those policies and procedures that:

Our evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting is based upon the framework established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013 (commonly referred to as the “2013 COSO” framework).  Based on our evaluation under that framework, we have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

Other

As permitted by the SEC, our assessment of internal control over financial reporting excludes (i) internal control over financial reporting of equity method investees and (ii) internal control over the preparation of any financial statement schedules which would be required by Article 12 of Regulation S-X.  However, our assessment of internal control over financial reporting with respect to equity method investees did include controls over the recording of amounts related to our investment that are recorded in the consolidated financial statements, including controls over the selection of accounting methods for our investments, the recognition of equity method earnings and losses and the determination, valuation and recording of our investment account balances.  

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There have been no changes to our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  

Certifications

Our chief executive officer is required to annually file a certification with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), certifying our compliance with the corporate governance listing standards of the NYSE.  During 2017, our chief executive officer filed such annual certification with the NYSE.  The 2017 certification was unqualified.  

Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer are also required to, among other things, quarterly file certifications with the SEC regarding the quality of our public disclosures, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  We have filed the certifications for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  

 

Not applicable PART III

 

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The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our 2018 definitive proxy statement to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.  

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our 2018 proxy statement.  

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our 2018 proxy statement.  

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our 2018 proxy statement.  See also Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  

 

The Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our 2018 proxy statement.  

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PART IV

 

(a) and (c) Financial Statements

The Registrant

The consolidated financial statements of the Registrant listed on the accompanying Index of Financial Statements (see page F-1) are filed as part of this Annual Report.  

50%-or-less persons

The consolidated financial statements of Kronos (30%-owned at December 31, 2017) are incorporated by reference in Exhibit 99.1 of this Annual Report pursuant to Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X.  Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting of Kronos is not included as part of Exhibit 99.1.  The Registrant is not required to provide any other consolidated financial statements pursuant to Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X.  

(b)Exhibits

We have included as exhibits the items listed in the Exhibit Index.  We will furnish a copy of any of the exhibits listed below upon payment of $4.00 per exhibit to cover our cost to furnish the exhibits.  Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, any instrument defining the rights of holders of long-term debt issues and other agreements related to indebtedness which do not exceed 10% of consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2017 will be furnished to the Commission upon request.

 

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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 report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

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NL INDUSTRIES, INC.

Annual Report on Form 10-K

Items 8, 15(a) and 15(c)

Index of Financial Statements

 

All financial statement schedules have been omitted either because they are not applicable or required, or the information that would be required to be included is disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

F-1

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of NL Industries, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of NL Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”).  In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.  The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks.  Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.  Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Dallas, Texas

March 12, 2018

We have served as the Company's auditor since 1924.

 

 

 

F-2

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NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

F-3

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NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 14 and 17)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.  

 

 

 

F-4

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NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.  

 

 

F-5

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NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

F-6

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NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017

(In thousands)

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-7

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NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

F-8

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NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

(In thousands)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.  

 

 

 

F-9

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NL INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2017

 

Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies:

Nature of our business - NL Industries, Inc.  (NYSE: NL) is primarily a holding company.  We operate in the component products industry through our majority-owned subsidiary, CompX International Inc.  (NYSE MKT: CIX).  We operate in the chemicals industry through our noncontrolling interest in Kronos Worldwide, Inc.  (NYSE:  KRO).  

 

Organization - At December 31, 2017, Valhi, Inc. (NYSE: VHI) held approximately 83% of our outstanding common stock and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Contran Corporation held approximately 93% of Valhi’s outstanding common stock. All of Contran’s outstanding voting stock is held by a family trust established for the benefit of Lisa K. Simmons and Serena Simmons Connelly and their children for which Ms. Simmons and Ms. Connelly are co-trustees, or is held directly by Ms. Simmons and Ms. Connelly or entities related to them.  Consequently, Ms. Simmons and Ms. Connelly may be deemed to control Contran, Valhi and us.

Unless otherwise indicated, references in this report to “we,” “us” or “our” refer to NL Industries, Inc.  and its subsidiaries and affiliate, Kronos, taken as a whole.  

Management’s estimates - In preparing our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at each balance sheet date and the reported amounts of our revenues and expenses during each reporting period.  Actual results may differ significantly from previously-estimated amounts under different assumptions or conditions.  

Principles of consolidation - Our consolidated financial statements include the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of NL and our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, including CompX.  We account for the 13% of CompX stock we do not own as a noncontrolling interest.  We eliminate all material intercompany accounts and balances.  Changes in ownership of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries are accounted for as equity transactions with no gain or loss recognized on the transaction unless there is a change in control.  

Currency translation - The financial statements of Kronos’ non-U.S. subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars.  The functional currency of Kronos’ non-U.S. subsidiaries is generally the local currency of their country.  Accordingly, Kronos translates the assets and liabilities at year-end rates of exchange, while they translate their revenues and expenses at average exchange rates prevailing during the year.  We accumulate the resulting translation adjustments in stockholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of related deferred income taxes.  Kronos recognizes currency transaction gains and losses in income which is reflected as part of our equity in earnings (losses) of Kronos.

Cash and cash equivalents - We classify bank time deposits and government and commercial notes and bills with original maturities of three months or less as cash equivalents.  

Restricted cash equivalents - We classify cash equivalents that have been segregated or are otherwise limited in use as restricted.  Such restrictions include cash pledged as collateral with respect to performance obligations or letters of credit required by regulatory agencies for certain environmental remediation sites, cash pledged as collateral with respect to certain workers compensation liabilities, and cash held in trust by our insurance brokerage subsidiary pending transfer to the applicable insurance or reinsurance carrier.  To the extent the restricted amount relates to a recognized liability, we classify such restricted amount as either a current or noncurrent asset to correspond with the classification of the liability.  To the extent the restricted amount does not relate to a recognized liability, we classify restricted cash as a current asset.  Restricted cash equivalents classified as a current asset are presented separately on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and restricted cash equivalents classified as a noncurrent asset are presented as a component of other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, as disclosed in Note 8.

F-10

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Marketable securities and securities transactions - We carry marketable securities at fair value.  Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and, with certain exceptions, this framework is generally applied to all financial statement items required to be measured at fair value.  The standard requires fair value measurements to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

We classify all of our marketable securities as available-for-sale and unrealized gains or losses on these securities are recognized through other comprehensive income, net of related deferred income taxes. We base realized gains and losses upon the specific identification of securities sold.  See Note 5.  

Accounts receivable - We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts for known and estimated potential losses arising from sales to customers based on a periodic review of these accounts.  

Inventories and cost of sales - We state inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value.  We generally base inventory costs for all inventory categories on an average cost that approximates the first-in, first-out method.  Inventories include the costs for raw materials, the cost to manufacture the raw materials into finished goods and overhead.  Depending on the inventory’s stage of completion, our manufacturing costs can include the costs of packing and finishing, utilities, maintenance and depreciation, shipping and handling, and salaries and benefits associated with our manufacturing process.  We allocate fixed manufacturing overhead costs based on normal production capacity.  Unallocated overhead costs resulting from periods with abnormally low production levels are charged to expense as incurred.  As inventory is sold to third parties, we recognize the cost of sales in the same period that the sale occurs.  We periodically review our inventory for estimated obsolescence or instances when inventory is no longer marketable for its intended use and we record any write-down equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and its estimated net realizable value based on assumptions about alternative uses, market conditions and other factors.  

Investment in Kronos Worldwide, Inc.  - We account for our 30% non-controlling interest in Kronos by the equity method.  Distributions received from Kronos are classified for statement of cash flow purposes using the “nature of distribution” approach under ASC Topic 230.  See Note 6.  

Goodwill - Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of individual net assets acquired in business combinations.  Goodwill is not subject to periodic amortization.  We evaluate goodwill for impairment, annually, or when circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.  See Note 7.  

Property and equipment; depreciation expense - We state property and equipment, including purchased computer software for internal use, at cost.  We compute depreciation of property and equipment for financial reporting purposes principally by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of 15 to 40 years for buildings and 3 to 20 years for equipment and software.  We use accelerated depreciation methods for income tax purposes, as permitted.  Depreciation expense was $3.6 million in 2015, $3.8 million in 2016, and $3.7 million in 2017.  Upon sale or retirement of an asset, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is recognized in income currently.  Expenditures for maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are expensed; expenditures for major improvements are capitalized.  

F-11

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We perform impairment tests when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.  We consider all relevant factors.  We perform impairment tests by comparing the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset to the asset’s net carrying value to determine whether impairment exists.  

Employee benefit plans - Accounting and funding policies for our retirement and post-retirement benefits other than pensions (OPEB) plans are described in Note 11.  

Income taxes - We, Valhi and our qualifying subsidiaries are members of Contran’s consolidated U.S.  federal income tax group (the Contran Tax Group) and we and certain of our qualifying subsidiaries also file consolidated unitary state income tax returns with Contran in qualifying U.S. jurisdictions.  As a member of the Contran Tax Group, we are jointly and severally liable for the federal income tax liability of Contran and the other companies included in the Contran Tax Group for all periods in which we are included in the Contran Tax Group.  See Note 17.  As a member of the Contran Tax Group, we are party to a tax sharing agreement with Valhi and Contran which provides that we compute our provision for income taxes on a separate-company basis using the tax elections made by Contran.  Pursuant to our tax sharing agreement, we make payments to or receive payments from Valhi in amounts that we would have paid to or received from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or the applicable state tax authority had we not been a member of the Contran Tax Group.  We made net payments to Valhi of $.6 million in 2015, less than $.1 million in 2016 and $3.1 million in 2017.

We recognize deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the income tax and financial reporting carrying amounts of our assets and liabilities, including investments in our subsidiaries and affiliates who are not members of the Contran Tax Group and undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries which are not permanently reinvested.  In addition, we recognize deferred income taxes with respect to the excess of the financial reporting carrying amount over the income tax basis of our direct investment in Kronos common stock because the exemption under GAAP to avoid recognition of such deferred income taxes is not available to us.  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities for each tax-paying jurisdiction in which we operate are netted and presented as either a noncurrent deferred income tax asset or liability as applicable.  We periodically evaluate our deferred tax assets in the various taxing jurisdictions in which we operate and adjust any related valuation allowance based on the estimate of the amount of such deferred tax assets which we believe do not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria.

We account for the tax effects of a change in tax law as a component of the income tax provision related to continuing operations in the period of enactment, including the tax effects of any deferred income taxes originally established through a financial statement component other than continuing operations (i.e. other comprehensive income).  Changes in applicable income tax rates over time as a result of changes in tax law, or times in which a deferred income tax asset valuation allowance is initially recognized in one year and subsequently reversed in a later year, can give rise to “stranded” tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income in which the net accumulated income tax (benefit) remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income does not correspond to the then-applicable income tax rate applied to the pre-tax amount which resides in accumulated other comprehensive income.  As permitted by GAAP, our accounting policy is to remove any such stranded tax effect remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income, by recognizing an offset to our provision for income taxes related to continuing operations, only at the time when there is no remaining pre-tax amount in accumulated other comprehensive income.  For accumulated other comprehensive income related to marketable securities, this would occur whenever we would have no available-for-sale marketable securities for which unrealized gains and losses are recognized through other comprehensive income.  For accumulated other comprehensive income related to foreign currency translation, this would occur only upon the sale or complete liquidation of one of our foreign subsidiaries (including foreign subsidiaries of Kronos).  For defined pension benefit plans and OPEB plans, this would occur whenever we or one of our subsidiaries which previously sponsored a defined benefit pension or OPEB plan had terminated such a plan and had no future obligation or plan asset associated with such a plan.

We record a reserve for uncertain tax positions for tax positions where we believe it is more-likely-than-not our position will not prevail with the applicable tax authorities.  The amount of the benefit associated with our uncertain tax positions that we recognize is limited to the largest amount for which we believe the likelihood of realization is greater than 50%.  We accrue penalties and interest on the difference between tax positions taken on our tax returns and the amount of benefit recognized for financial reporting purposes.  We classify our reserves for uncertain tax positions in a separate current or noncurrent liability, depending on the nature of the tax position.  See Note 14.  

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Environmental remediation costs - We record liabilities related to environmental remediation obligations when estimated future expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable.  We adjust these accruals as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change.  We generally do not discount estimated future expenditures to present value.  We recognize any recoveries of remediation costs from other parties when we deem their receipt probable.  We expense any environmental remediation related legal costs as incurred.  At December 31, 2016 and 2017, we had not recognized any receivables for recoveries.  See Note 17.  

Net sales - We record sales when products are shipped and title and other risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer.  Amounts charged to customers for shipping and handling costs are not material.  We state sales net of price, early payment and distributor discounts and volume rebates.  We report taxes assessed by a governmental authority that we collect from our customers that is both imposed on and concurrent with our revenue producing activities (such as sales and use taxes) on a net basis (meaning we do not recognize these taxes in either our revenues or in our costs and expenses).  

Selling, general and administrative expenses; advertising costs; research and development costs - Selling, general and administrative expenses include costs related to marketing, sales, distribution, research and development, and administrative functions such as accounting, treasury and finance, as well as costs for salaries and benefits, travel and entertainment, promotional materials and professional fees.  We expense advertising costs and research and development costs as incurred.  Advertising costs were not significant in any year presented.

Corporate expenses - Corporate expenses include environmental, legal and other costs attributable to formerly-owned business units.  

Earnings per share – Basic and diluted earnings per share of common stock is based upon the weighted average number of our common shares actually outstanding during each period.

 

Note 2 - Geographic information:

We operate in the security products industry and marine components industry through our majority ownership of CompX.  CompX manufactures and sells security products including locking mechanisms and other security products for sale to the transportation, postal, office and institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage, healthcare and other industries with a facility in South Carolina and a facility shared with Marine Components in Illinois.  CompX also manufactures and distributes stainless steel exhaust systems, gauges and throttle controls primarily for recreational boats.  

For geographic information, the point of origin (place of manufacture) for all net sales is the U.S., the point of destination for net sales is based on the location of the customer.  

 

All of our net property and equipment is located in the United States at December 31, 2016 and 2017.

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Note 3 - Accounts and other receivables, net:

 

Accrued insurance recoveries are discussed in Note 17.

 

Note 4 - Inventories, net:

 

 

 

Note 5 - Marketable securities:

 

 

At December 31, 2016 and 2017, we held approximately 14.4 million shares of our immediate parent company, Valhi. See Note 1.  We account for our investment in Valhi common stock as available-for-sale marketable equity securities and any unrealized gains or losses on the securities are recognized through other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income taxes.  Our shares of Valhi common stock are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices, representing a Level 1 input within the fair value hierarchy. At December 31, 2016 and 2017, the quoted market prices of Valhi common stock were $3.46 and $6.17 per share, respectively.

 

The Valhi common stock we own is subject to the restrictions on resale pursuant to certain provisions of the SEC Rule 144.  In addition, as a majority-owned subsidiary of Valhi we cannot vote our shares of Valhi common stock under Delaware General Corporation Law, but we do receive dividends from Valhi on these shares, when declared and paid.

 

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Note 6 - Investment in Kronos Worldwide, Inc.:

At December 31, 2016 and 2017, we owned approximately 35.2 million shares of Kronos common stock.  The per share quoted market price of Kronos at December 31, 2016 and 2017 was $11.94 and $25.77 per share, respectively, or an aggregate market value of $420.5 million and $907.6 million, respectively.  The change in the carrying value of our investment in Kronos during the past three years is summarized below:

 

 

Selected financial information of Kronos is summarized below:

 

 

 

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Note 7 - Goodwill:

All of our goodwill recognized is related to our component products operations and was generated from CompX’s acquisitions of certain business units.  There have been no changes in the carrying amount of our goodwill during the past three years.

We assign goodwill based on the reporting unit (as that term is defined in ASC Topic 350-20-20 Goodwill) which corresponds to CompX’s security products operations.  We test for goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level.  In accordance with ASC 350-20-35, we test for goodwill impairment during the third quarter of each year or when circumstances arise that indicate an impairment might be present.  

In 2015, 2016 and 2017, our goodwill was tested for impairment only in the third quarter of each year in connection with our annual testing.  No impairment was indicated as part of such annual review of goodwill.  As permitted by GAAP, during 2015 and 2017 we used the qualitative assessment of ASC 350-20-35 for our annual impairment test and determined it was not necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test.  During 2016, we used the quantitative assessment of ASC 350-20-35 for our annual impairment test using discounted cash flows to determine the estimated fair value of our Security Products reporting unit.  Such discounted cash flows are a Level 3 input as defined by ASC 820-10-35. Prior to 2015, all of the goodwill related to CompX’s marine components operations (which aggregated $10.1 million) was impaired, and all of the goodwill related to our wholly-owned subsidiary EWI Re, Inc., (EWI) an insurance brokerage and risk management services company (which aggregated $6.4 million) was impaired.  Our gross goodwill at December 31, 2017 was $43.7 million.

 

 

Note 8 - Other assets:

 

 

Note 9 - Accrued and other current liabilities:

 

 

Note 10 - Long-term debt:

 

In November 2016, we entered into a financing transaction with Valhi.  Previously, and in contemplation of the financing transaction described herein, we formed NLKW Holding, LLC and capitalized it with 35.2 million shares of the common stock of Kronos held by us.  

 

The financing transaction consisted of two steps.  Under the first step, NLKW entered into a $50 million revolving credit facility (the “Valhi Credit Facility”) pursuant to which NLKW can borrow up to $50 million from Valhi (with such commitment amount subject to increase from time to time at Valhi’s sole discretion).  Proceeds from any borrowings by NLKW under the Valhi Credit Facility would be available for one or more loans from NLKW to us in accordance with the terms of the second step of the financing transaction: a Back-to-Back Credit Facility, as described below.  Outstanding

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borrowings under the Valhi Credit Facility bear interest at the prime rate plus 1.875% per annum, payable quarterly, with all amounts due on December 31, 2023.  The maximum principal amount which may be outstanding from time-to-time under the Valhi Credit Facility is limited to 50% of the amount determined by multiplying the number of shares of Kronos common stock pledged by the most recent closing price of such security on the New York Stock Exchange.  Borrowings under the Valhi Credit Facility are collateralized by the assets of NLKW (consisting primarily of the shares of Kronos common stock pledged) and 100% of the membership interest in NLKW held by us.  The Valhi Credit Facility contains a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict NLKW’s ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, and merge or consolidated with, or sell or transfer substantially all of NLKW’s assets to, another entity, and require NLKW to maintain a minimum specified level of consolidated net worth.  Upon an event of default, Valhi will be entitled to terminate its commitment to make further loans to NLKW, to declare the outstanding loans (with interest) immediately due and payable, and, in the case of certain insolvency events with respect to NLKW or us, to exercise its rights with respect to the collateral.  Such collateral rights include the right to purchase all of the shares of Kronos common stock pledged at a purchase price equal to the aggregate market value of such stock (with such market value determined by an independent third-party valuation provider), less amounts owing to Valhi under the Valhi Credit Facility, with up to 50% of such purchase price being payable by Valhi in the form of an unsecured promissory note bearing interest at the prime rate plus 2.75% per annum, payable quarterly, with all amounts due no later than five years from the date of purchase, and with the remainder of such purchase price payable in cash at the date of purchase.

 

Contemporaneously with the entering into of the Valhi Credit Facility, NLKW entered into a $50 million revolving credit facility (the “Back-to-Back Credit Facility”) with us, pursuant to which we can borrow up to $50 million from NLKW (with such commitment amount subject to increase from time to time in NLKW’s sole discretion).  Proceeds from any borrowings under the Back-to-Back Credit Facility would be available for our general corporate purposes, including providing resources to assist us in the resolution of certain claims and contingent liabilities which may be asserted against us.  Outstanding borrowings under the Back-to-Back Credit Facility bear interest at the same rate and are payable on the same maturity date as are borrowings by NLKW under the Valhi Credit Facility.  Borrowings under the Back-to-Back Credit Facility are on an unsecured basis; however, as a condition thereto, we pledged to Valhi as collateral for the Valhi Credit Facility our 100% membership interest in NLKW.  Any outstanding borrowings and interest on such borrowings under the Back-to-Back Credit Facility are eliminated in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

We had borrowings under the Valhi Credit Facility of $0.5 million as of December 31, 2017.  The average interest rate as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 6.38% and 5.97%, respectively. See Note 16.  We are in compliance with all of the covenants contained in the Valhi Credit Facility at December 31, 2017.

   

 

Note 11 - Employee benefit plans:

Defined contribution plans - We maintain various defined contribution pension plans.  Company contributions are based on matching or other formulas.  Defined contribution plan expense approximated $2.5 million in 2015, $2.7 million in 2016 and $2.5 million in 2017.  

Defined benefit pension plans - We maintain a defined benefit pension plan in the U.S.  We also maintain a plan in the United Kingdom related to a former disposed business unit in the U.K.  The benefits under our defined benefit plans are based upon years of service and employee compensation.  The plans are closed to new participants and no additional benefits accrue to existing plan participants.  Our funding policy is to contribute annually the minimum amount required under ERISA (or equivalent non-U.S.) regulations plus additional amounts as we deem appropriate.  

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We expect to contribute approximately $2.1 million to all of our defined benefit pension plans during 2018.  Benefit payments to all plan participants out of plan assets are expected to be the equivalent of:

 

The funded status of our defined benefit pension plans is presented in the table below.

 

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The amounts shown in the table above for actuarial losses (gains) at December 31, 2016 and 2017 have not been recognized as components of our periodic defined benefit pension cost as of those dates.  These amounts will be recognized as components of our periodic defined benefit cost in future years.  These amounts, net of deferred income taxes, are recognized in our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2016 and 2017.  We expect that $1.5 million of the unrecognized actuarial losses will be recognized as a component of our periodic defined benefit pension cost in 2018.

The table below details the changes in other comprehensive income during 2015, 2016 and 2017.  

 

The components of our net periodic defined benefit pension cost are presented in the table below.  The amount shown below for the amortization of unrecognized actuarial losses in 2015, 2016 and 2017, net of deferred income taxes, was recognized as a component of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.  

 

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Certain information concerning our defined benefit pension plans (including information concerning certain plans for which ABO exceeds the fair value of plan assets as of the indicated date) is presented in the table below.

 

The weighted-average discount rate assumptions used in determining the actuarial present value of our benefit obligations as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 are 3.7% and 3.4%, respectively.  Such weighted-average rates were determined using the projected benefit obligations at each date.  Since our plans are closed to new participants and no new additional benefits accrue to existing plan participants, assumptions regarding future compensation levels are not applicable.  Consequently, the accumulated benefit obligations for all of our defined benefit pension plans were equal to the projected benefit obligations at December 31, 2016 and 2017.

The weighted-average rate assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension cost for 2015, 2016 and 2017 are presented in the table below.  Such weighted-average discount rates were determined using the projected benefit obligations as of the beginning of each year and the weighted-average long-term return on plan assets was determined using the fair value of plan assets as of the beginning of each year.

 

 

Variances from actuarially assumed rates will result in increases or decreases in accumulated pension obligations, pension expense and funding requirements in future periods.  

At December 31, 2016 and 2017, all of the assets attributable to our U.S. plan were invested in the Combined Master Retirement Trust (CMRT), a collective investment trust sponsored by Contran to permit the collective investment by certain master trusts that fund certain employee benefits plans sponsored by Contran and certain of its affiliates.    

For 2015, 2016 and 2017, the long-term rate of return assumption for plan assets invested in the CMRT was 7.5%, based on the long-term asset mix of the assets of the CMRT and the expected long-term rates of return for such asset components as well as advice from Contran’s actuaries.

The CMRT unit value is determined semi-monthly, and the plans have the ability to redeem all or any portion of their investment in the CMRT at any time based on the most recent semi-monthly valuation. However, the plans do not have the right to individual assets held by the CMRT and the CMRT has the sole discretion in determining how

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to meet any redemption request.  For purposes of our plan asset disclosure, we consider the investment in the CMRT as a Level 2 input because (i) the CMRT value is established semi-monthly and the plans have the right to redeem their investment in the CMRT, in part or in whole, at any time based on the most recent value and (ii) observable inputs from Level 1 or Level 2 (or assets not subject to classification in the fair value hierarchy) were used to value approximately 92% and 93% of the assets of the CMRT at December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively, as noted below.  CMRT assets not subject to classification in the fair value hierarchy consist principally of certain investments measured at net asset value per share in accordance with ASC 820-10.  

 

The aggregate fair value of all of the CMRT assets, including funds of Contran and its other affiliates that also invest in the CMRT, and supplemental asset mix details of the CMRT are as follows:

 

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The composition of our December 31, 2016 and 2017 pension plan assets by fair value level is shown in the table below.  

 

 

Postretirement benefits other than pensions - We provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for eligible retired employees.  These plans are closed to new participants, and no additional benefits accrue to existing plan participants.  The majority of all retirees are required to contribute a portion of the cost of their benefits and certain current and future retirees are eligible for reduced health care benefits at age 65.  We have no OPEB plan assets, rather, we fund postretirement benefits as they are incurred, net of any contributions by the retiree.  At December 31, 2017, we currently expect to contribute approximately $.4 million to all OPEB plans during 2018.  Contribution to our OPEB plans to cover benefit payments expected to be paid to OPEB plan participants are summarized in the table below:  

 

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The funded status of our OPEB plans is presented in the table below.  

 

The amounts shown in the table above for unrecognized actuarial losses at December 31, 2016 and 2017 have not been recognized as components of our periodic OPEB cost as of those dates.  These amounts will be recognized as components of our periodic OPEB cost in future years.  These amounts, net of deferred income taxes, are now recognized in our accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2016 and 2017.  We expect to recognize approximately $.3 million of actuarial gains as a component of our net periodic OPEB benefit in 2018.  

The table below details the changes in other comprehensive income during 2015, 2016 and 2017.  

 

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The components of our periodic OPEB cost are presented in the table below.  The amounts shown below for the amortization of unrecognized actuarial gains and prior service credit in 2015, 2016 and 2017, net of deferred income taxes, were recognized as components of our accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.  

 

 

A summary of our key actuarial assumptions used to determine the net benefit obligation as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 follows:

 

The assumed health care cost trend rates have an effect on the amount we report for health care plans.  A one-percent change in assumed health care cost trend rates would not have a material effect on the net periodic OPEB cost for 2017 or on the accumulated OPEB obligation at December 31, 2017.   

The weighted-average discount rate used in determining the net periodic OPEB cost for 2017 was 3.1% (the rate was 3.2% in 2016 and 3.0% in 2015).  The weighted-average rate was determined using the projected benefit obligation as of the beginning of each year.

Variances from actuarially-assumed rates will result in additional increases or decreases in accumulated OPEB obligations, net periodic OPEB cost and funding requirements in future periods.

 

 

Note 12 - Other noncurrent liabilities:

 

Our reserve for uncertain tax positions is discussed in Note 14.

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Note 13 - Other operating income (expense):

We have agreements with certain insurance carriers pursuant to which the carriers reimburse us for a portion of our past lead pigment and asbestos litigation defense costs.  Insurance recoveries include amounts we received from these insurance carriers.  The majority of the $3.7 million of insurance recoveries we recognized in 2015 relate to a settlement we reached with one of our insurance carriers in the first quarter of 2015 in which they agreed to reimburse us for a portion of our past litigation defense costs.    

The agreements with certain of our insurance carriers also include reimbursement for a portion of our future litigation defense costs.  We are not able to determine how much we will ultimately recover from these carriers for defense costs incurred by us because of certain issues that arise regarding which defense costs qualify for reimbursement.  Accordingly, these insurance recoveries are recognized when the receipt is probable and the amount is determinable.  See Note 17.  

 

 

Note 14 - Income taxes:

The provision for income taxes and the difference between such provision for income taxes, the amount that would be expected using the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and the comprehensive provision for income taxes are presented below.

 

 

 

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The components of the net deferred tax liability at December 31, 2016 and 2017 are summarized in the following table.  

 

In accordance with GAAP, we recognize deferred income taxes on our undistributed equity in earnings (losses) of Kronos.  Because we and Kronos are part of the same U.S. federal income tax group, any dividends we receive from Kronos are nontaxable to us.  Accordingly, we do not recognize and we are not required to pay income taxes on dividends from Kronos.  We received aggregate dividends from Kronos of $21.1 million in each of 2015, 2016 and 2017.  See Note 6.  The amounts shown in the table above of our income tax rate reconciliation for rate differences on equity in earnings (losses) of Kronos represents the benefit associated with such non-taxability of the dividends we receive from Kronos, as it relates to the amount of deferred income taxes we recognize on our undistributed equity in earnings (losses) of Kronos.

We believe that we have adequate accruals for additional taxes and related interest expense which could ultimately result from tax examinations.  We believe the ultimate disposition of tax examinations should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.  

  

The following table shows the changes in the amount of our uncertain tax positions (exclusive of the effect of interest and penalties) during 2015, 2016 and 2017:

 

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In the first quarter of 2015, we recognized a non-cash income tax benefit of $3.0 million related to the release of a portion of our reserve for uncertain tax positions due to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. We currently estimate that our unrecognized tax benefits will not change materially during the next twelve months.  If our uncertain tax positions were recognized, a benefit of $7.3 million would affect our rate in 2017.  We accrue interest and penalties on our uncertain tax positions as a component of our provision for income taxes.  The amount of interest and penalties we accrued during 2015, 2016 and 2017 was not material.  

We and Contran file income tax returns in U.S. federal and various state and local jurisdictions.  Our U.S. income tax returns prior to 2014 are generally considered closed to examination by applicable tax authorities.  On December 22, 2017, H.R.1, formally known as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (2017 Tax Act) was enacted into law.  This new tax legislation, among other changes, reduces the Federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018, eliminates the domestic production activities deduction and allows for the expensing of certain capital expenditures.  Following the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 118 to provide guidance on the accounting and reporting impacts of the 2017 Tax Act.  SAB 118 states that companies should account for changes related to the 2017 Tax Act in the period of enactment if all information is available and the accounting can be completed. In situations where companies do not have enough information to complete the accounting in the period of enactment, a company must either 1) record an estimated provisional amount if the impact of the change can be reasonably estimated; or 2) continue to apply the accounting guidance that was in effect immediately prior to the 2017 Tax Act if the impact of the change cannot be reasonably estimated.  If estimated provisional amounts are recorded, SAB 118 provides a measurement period of no longer than one year during which companies should adjust those amounts as additional information becomes available.

Under GAAP, we are required to revalue our net deferred tax liability associated with our net taxable temporary differences in the period in which the new tax legislation is enacted based on deferred tax balances as of the enactment date, to reflect the effect of such reduction in the corporate income tax rate.  Other than with respect to temporary differences related to our marketable securities, and certain year-end actuarial valuations associated with our defined benefit pension and OPEB plans, our temporary differences as of December 31, 2017 are not materially different from our temporary differences as of the enactment date.  Accordingly, revaluation of our temporary differences is based on our net deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2017 (except for our temporary differences related to our marketable securities, and certain year-end actuarial valuations associated with our defined benefit pension and OPEB plans, for which such revaluation is based on the deferred income tax asset/liability as of the enactment date).  Such revaluation resulted in a non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $37.5 million recognized in continuing operations, reducing our net deferred tax liability.  The amounts recorded as of December 31, 2017 as a result of the 2017 Tax Act represent estimates based on information currently available and, in accordance with the guidance in SAB 118, these amounts are provisional and subject to adjustment as we obtain additional information and complete our analysis in 2018. If the underlying guidance or tax laws change and such change impacts the income tax effects of the new legislation recognized at December 31, 2017, or we determine we have additional tax liabilities under other provisions of the 2017 Tax Act, we will recognize an adjustment in the first reporting period within the measurement period, which period ends December 22, 2018, in which such adjustment is determined.

Income tax matters related to Kronos

Kronos has substantial net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards in Germany (the equivalent of $652 million for German corporate purposes and $.5 million for German trade tax purposes at December 31, 2017) and in Belgium (the equivalent of $50 million for Belgian corporate tax purposes at December 31, 2017), all of which have an indefinite carryforward period.  As a result, Kronos has net deferred income tax assets with respect to these two jurisdictions, primarily related to these NOL carryforwards.  The German corporate tax is similar to the U.S. federal income tax, and the German trade tax is similar to the U.S. state income tax.  Prior to June 30, 2015, and using all available evidence, Kronos had concluded no deferred income tax asset valuation allowance was required to be recognized with respect to these net deferred income tax assets under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria, primarily because (i) the carryforwards have an indefinite carryforward period, (ii) Kronos utilized a portion of such carryforwards during the most recent three-year period, and (iii) Kronos expected to utilize the remainder of the carryforwards over the long term.  Kronos had also previously indicated that facts and circumstances could change, which might in the future result in the recognition of a valuation allowance against some or all of such deferred income tax assets.  However, as of June 30, 2015, and given Kronos’ operating results during the second quarter of 2015 and

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Kronos’ expectations at that time for its operating results for the remainder of 2015, Kronos did not have sufficient positive evidence to overcome the significant negative evidence of having cumulative losses in the most recent twelve consecutive quarters in both its German and Belgian jurisdictions at June 30, 2015 (even considering that the carryforward period of Kronos’ German and Belgian NOL carryforwards is indefinite, one piece of positive evidence).  Accordingly, at June 30, 2015, Kronos concluded that it was required to recognize a non-cash deferred income tax asset valuation allowance under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria with respect to its German and Belgian net deferred income tax assets at such date.  Such valuation allowance aggregated $150.3 million at June 30, 2015.  Kronos recognized an additional $8.7 million non-cash deferred income tax asset valuation allowance under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria during the third and fourth quarters of 2015.  During 2016, Kronos recognized an aggregate $2.2 million non-cash tax benefit as the result of a net decrease in such deferred income tax asset valuation allowance, as the impact of utilizing a portion of Kronos’ German NOLs during such period more than offset the impact of additional losses recognized by its Belgian operations during such period.  Such valuation allowance aggregated approximately $173 million at December 31, 2016 ($153 million with respect to Germany and $20 million with respect to Belgium).  During the first six months of 2017, Kronos recognized an aggregate non-cash income tax benefit of $12.7 million as a result of a net decrease in such deferred income tax asset valuation allowance, due to the utilization of a portion of both the German and Belgian NOLs during such period.  At June 30, 2017, Kronos concluded it had sufficient positive evidence under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria to support reversal of the entire valuation allowance related to its German and Belgian operations.  Such sufficient positive evidence at June 30, 2017 included, among other things, the existence of cumulative profits in the most recent twelve consecutive quarters (Germany) or profitability in recent quarters during which such profitability was trending upward throughout such period (Belgium), the ability to demonstrate future profitability in Germany and Belgium for a sustainable period, and the indefinite carryforward period for the German and Belgian NOLs. As discussed below regarding accounting for income taxes at interim dates, a large portion ($149.9 million) of the remaining valuation allowance as of June 30, 2017 was reversed in the second quarter with the remainder reversed during the second half of 2017.

In accordance with the ASC 740-270 guidance regarding accounting for income taxes at interim dates, the amount of the valuation allowance reversed at June 30, 2017 ($149.9 million, of which $141.9 million related to Germany and $8.0 million related to Belgium) relates to Kronos’ change in judgment at that date regarding the realizability of the related deferred income tax asset as it relates to future years (i.e. 2018 and after).  A change in judgment regarding the realizability of deferred tax assets as it relates to the current year is considered in determining the estimated annual effective tax rate for the year and is recognized throughout the year, including interim periods subsequent to the date of the change in judgment.   Accordingly, Kronos’ income tax benefit in 2017 includes an aggregate non-cash income tax benefit of $186.7 million related to the reversal of the German and Belgian valuation allowance, comprised of $12.7 million recognized in the first half of 2017 related to the utilization of a portion of both the German and Belgian NOLs during such period, $149.9 million related to the portion of the valuation allowance reversed as of June 30, 2017 and $24.1 million recognized in the second half of 2017 related to the utilization of a portion of both the German and Belgian NOLs during such period.  In addition, Kronos’ deferred income tax asset valuation allowance increased $13.7 million in 2017 as a result of changes in currency exchange rates, which increase was recognized as part of other comprehensive income (loss).

In addition to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate discussed above, the 2017 Tax Act (i) implements a territorial tax system and imposes a one-time repatriation tax (Transition Tax) on the deemed repatriation of the post-1986 undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries accumulated up through December 31, 2017, regardless of whether such earnings are repatriated; (ii) eliminates U.S. tax on future foreign earnings (subject to certain exceptions); (iii) eliminates the net operating loss carryback and provides for an indefinite carryforward period subject to an 80% annual usage limitation; (iv) eliminates the domestic production activities deduction beginning in 2018; (v) allows for the expensing of certain capital expenditures; and (vi) imposes a tax on global intangible low-tax income; and (vii) imposes a base erosion anti-abuse tax.  

Kronos’ temporary differences as of December 31, 2017 are not materially different from its temporary differences as of the enactment date, accordingly revaluation of its net deductible temporary differences is based on its net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2017. Such revaluation is recognized in continuing operations and is not material to Kronos.

Prior to the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act, the undistributed earnings of Kronos’ European subsidiaries were deemed to be permanently reinvested (Kronos had not made a similar determination with respect to the undistributed

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earnings of its Canadian subsidiary).  Pursuant to the Transition Tax provisions imposing a one-time repatriation tax on post-1986 undistributed earnings, Kronos recognized a provisional current income tax expense of $76.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.  Kronos will elect to pay such tax over an eight year period beginning in 2018, including approximately $6.1 million which will be paid in 2018 and the remaining $70.1 million will be paid in increments over the remainder of the eight year period.  The amounts recorded as of December 31, 2017 as a result of the 2017 Tax Act represent estimates based on information currently available and, in accordance with the guidance in SAB 118, these amounts are provisional and subject to adjustment as Kronos obtains additional information and completes its analysis in 2018.  If the underlying guidance or tax laws change and such change impacts the income tax effects of the new legislation recognized at December 31, 2017 or Kronos determines it has additional tax liabilities under other provisions of the 2017 Tax Act, including the tax on global intangible low-taxed income and the base erosion anti-abuse tax, Kronos will recognize an adjustment in the reporting period within the measurement period in which such adjustment is determined.  Such measurement period ends December 22, 2018 pursuant to the guidance of SAB 118.  

Prior to the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act the undistributed earnings of our European subsidiaries were deemed to be permanently reinvested (we had not made a similar determination with respect to the undistributed earnings of its Canadian subsidiary).  As a result of the implementation of a territorial tax system under the 2017 Tax Act, effective January 1, 2018, and the Transition Tax which in effect taxes the post-1986 undistributed earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries accumulated up through December 31, 2017, Kronos has now determined that all of the post-1986 undistributed earnings of its European subsidiaries are not permanently reinvested (Kronos had previously concluded that all of the undistributed earnings of its Canadian subsidiary are not permanently reinvested). Accordingly, in the fourth quarter of 2017 Kronos recognized an aggregate provisional non-cash deferred income tax expense of $4.5 million for the estimated U.S. state and foreign income tax and withholding tax liability attributable to all of such previously-considered permanently reinvested undistributed earnings.  Kronos is currently reviewing certain other provisions under the 2017 Tax Act that would impact its determination of the aggregate temporary differences attributable to its investment in its non-U.S. subsidiaries.  Kronos continues to assert indefinite reinvestment as it relates to its outside basis differences attributable to its investments in its non-U.S. subsidiaries, other than post-1986 undistributed earnings of its European subsidiaries and all undistributed earnings of its Canadian subsidiary. It is possible that a change in facts and circumstances, such as a change in the expectation regarding future dispositions or acquisitions or a change in tax law, could result in a conclusion that some or all of such investments are no longer permanently reinvested.  

Certain U.S. deferred tax attributes of one of Kronos’ non-U.S. subsidiaries, which subsidiary is treated as a dual resident for U.S. income tax purposes, were subject to various limitations.  As a result, Kronos had previously concluded that a deferred income tax asset valuation allowance was required to be recognized with respect to such subsidiary’s U.S. net deferred income tax asset because such assets did not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria primarily due to (i) the various limitations regarding use of such attributes due to the dual residency; (ii) the dual resident subsidiary had a history of losses and absent distributions from Kronos’ non-U.S. subsidiaries, which were previously not determinable, such subsidiary was expected to continue to generate losses; and (iii) a limited NOL carryforward period for U.S. tax purposes.  Because Kronos had concluded the likelihood of realization of such subsidiary’s net deferred income tax asset was remote, Kronos had not previously disclosed such valuation allowance or the associated amount of the subsidiary’s net deferred income tax assets (exclusive of such valuation allowance).  Primarily due to changes enacted under the 2017 Tax Act, Kronos has concluded it now has sufficient positive evidence under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria to support reversal of the entire valuation allowance related to such subsidiary’s net deferred income tax asset, which evidence included, among other things, (i) the inclusion under the Transition Tax provisions of significant earnings for U.S. income tax purposes which significantly and positively impacts the ability of such deferred tax attributes to be utilized by Kronos; (ii) the indefinite carryforward period for U.S. net operating losses incurred after December 31, 2017; (iii) an expectation of continued future profitability for U.S. operations; and (iv) a positive taxable income basket for U.S. tax purposes in excess of the U.S. deferred tax asset related to the U.S. attributes of such subsidiary.  Accordingly, in the fourth quarter Kronos recognized an $18.7 million non-cash deferred income tax benefit as a result of the reversal of such valuation allowance.

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None of our or Kronos’ U.S. and non-U.S. tax returns are currently under examination. As a result of prior audits in certain jurisdictions which are now settled, in 2008 Kronos filed Advance Pricing Agreement Requests with the tax authorities in the U.S., Canada and Germany.  These requests have been under review with the respective tax authorities since 2008 and prior to 2016, it was uncertain whether an agreement would be reached between the tax authorities and whether Kronos would agree to execute and finalize such agreements.  

 

 

 

Note 15 - Stockholders’ equity:

Long-term incentive compensation plan – We have a long-term incentive plan that provides for the award of stock to our board of directors, and up to a maximum of 200,000 shares can be awarded.  We awarded 9,000 shares under this plan in each of 2015 and 2017 and 14,000 shares in 2016.  At December 31, 2017, 154,000 shares were available for future grants under this plan.

Long-term incentive compensation plan of subsidiaries and affiliates - CompX and Kronos each have a share based incentive compensation plan pursuant to which an aggregate of up to 200,000 shares of their common stock can be awarded to members of their board of directors.  At December 31, 2017, Kronos had 155,500 shares available for award and CompX had 166,000 shares available for award.

Dividends – Prior to 2015,   after considering our results of operations, financial conditions and cash requirements for our businesses, our Board of Directors suspended our regular quarterly dividend.  The declaration and payment of future dividends, and the amount thereof, is discretionary and is dependent upon these and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

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Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) - Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NL stockholders, including amounts resulting from our investment in Kronos Worldwide (see Note 6), are presented in the table below.

 

See Note 11 for amounts related to our defined benefit pension plans and OPEB plans.  

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Note 16 - Related party transactions:

We may be deemed to be controlled by Ms. Simmons and Ms. Connelly.  See Note 1.  Corporations that may be deemed to be controlled by or affiliated with such individuals sometimes engage in (a) intercorporate transactions such as guarantees, management and expense sharing arrangements, shared fee arrangements, joint ventures, partnerships, loans, options, advances of funds on open account, and sales, leases and exchanges of assets, including securities issued by both related and unrelated parties and (b) common investment and acquisition strategies, business combinations, reorganizations, recapitalizations, securities repurchases, and purchases and sales (and other acquisitions and dispositions) of subsidiaries, divisions or other business units, which transactions have involved both related and unrelated parties and have included transactions which resulted in the acquisition by one related party of a publicly-held noncontrolling interest in another related party.  While no transactions of the type described above are planned or proposed with respect to us other than as set forth in these financial statements, we continuously consider, review and evaluate, and understand that Contran and related entities consider, review and evaluate such transactions.  Depending upon the business, tax and other objectives then relevant, it is possible that we might be a party to one or more such transactions in the future.

Current receivables and payables to affiliates are summarized in the table below:

 

 

From time to time, we may have loans and advances outstanding between us and various related parties, pursuant to term and demand notes.  We generally enter into these loans and advances for cash management purposes.  When we loan funds to related parties, we are generally able to earn a higher rate of return on the loan than the lender would earn if the funds were invested in other instruments and when we borrow from related parties, we are generally able to pay a lower rate of interest than we would pay if we borrowed from unrelated parties.  While certain of such loans may be of a lesser credit quality than cash equivalent instruments otherwise available to us, we believe that we have evaluated the credit risks involved and reflected those credit risks in the terms of the applicable loans.  On November 14, 2016, NLKW entered into the Valhi Credit Facility whereby, we could borrow up to $50 million.  NLKW had borrowings outstanding of $0.5 million as of December 31, 2017 under the Valhi Credit Facility, and we incurred a nominal amount of interest expense under such credit facility for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.  See Note 10.  In addition, in August 2016 CompX entered into an unsecured revolving demand promissory note with Valhi whereby CompX has agreed to loan Valhi up to $40 million.  CompX’s loan to Valhi bears interest at prime plus 1.00%, payable quarterly, with all principal due on demand, but in any event no earlier than December 31, 2019.  The amount of CompX’s outstanding loans to Valhi at any time is at its discretion.  At December 31, 2017, the outstanding principal balance receivable from Valhi under the promissory note was $38.2 million. Interest income (including unused commitment fees) on CompX’s loan to Valhi was $.2 million in 2016 and $1.8 million in 2017.                

 

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Under the terms of various intercorporate services agreements (ISAs) we enter into with Contran, employees of Contran will provide certain management, tax planning, financial and administrative services to the company on a fee basis.  Such charges are based upon estimates of the time devoted by the Contran employees to our affairs and the compensation and other expenses associated with those persons.  Because of the large number of companies affiliated with Contran, we believe we benefit from cost savings and economies of scale gained by not having certain management, financial and administrative staffs duplicated at each entity, thus allowing certain Contran employees to provide services to multiple companies but only be compensated by Contran.  The net ISA fees charged to us by Contran, (including amounts attributable to Kronos for all periods) aggregated approximately $23.3 million in 2015, $24.5 million in 2016 and $24.5 million in 2017.  This agreement is renewed annually.   

Contran and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates, including us, purchase certain of their insurance policies as a group, with the costs of the jointly-owned policies being apportioned among the participating companies.  Tall Pines Insurance Company and EWI RE, Inc. provide for or broker certain insurance policies for Contran and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates, including us.  Tall Pines purchases reinsurance from third-party insurance carriers with an A.M. Best Company rating of generally at least A- (excellent) for substantially all of the risks it underwrites.  Tall Pines is a subsidiary of Valhi and EWI is a subsidiary of Valhi and us.  Consistent with insurance industry practices, Tall Pines and EWI receive commissions from insurance and reinsurance underwriters and/or assess fees for the policies that they provide or broker. The aggregate premiums paid to Tall Pines and EWI by us (including amounts attributable to Kronos for all periods, including its Louisiana Pigment Company joint venture), were $12.2 million in 2015, $11.3 million in 2016 and $11.8 million in 2017.  These amounts principally represent payments for insurance premiums, which include premiums or fees paid to Tall Pines or fees paid to EWI.  These amounts also include payments to insurers or reinsurers through EWI for the reimbursement of claims within our applicable deductible or retention ranges that such insurers or reinsurers paid to third parties on our behalf, as well as amounts for claims and risk management services and various other third-party fees and expenses incurred by the program.  We expect these relationships with Tall Pines and EWI will continue in 2018.  

With respect to certain of such jointly-owned policies, it is possible that unusually large losses incurred by one or more insured party during a given policy period could leave the other participating companies without adequate coverage under that policy for the balance of the policy period.  As a result, and in the event that the available coverage under a particular policy would become exhausted by one or more claims, Contran and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates, including us, have entered into a loss sharing agreement under which any uninsured loss arising because the available coverage had been exhausted by one or more claims will be shared ratably amongst those entities that had submitted claims under the relevant policy.  We believe the benefits in the form of reduced premiums and broader coverage associated with the group coverage for such policies justifies the risk associated with the potential for any uninsured loss.

Contran and certain of its subsidiaries, including us, participate in a combined information technology data recovery program that Contran provides from a data recovery center that it established.  Pursuant to the program, Contran and certain of its subsidiaries, including us, as a group share information technology data recovery services.  The program apportions its costs among the participating companies.  The aggregate amount we paid to Contran for such services (including amounts attributable to Kronos for all periods) was $180,000 in 2015, $158,000 in 2016 and $161,000 in 2017.  We expect that this relationship with Contran will continue in 2018.

 

 

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Note 17 - Commitments and contingencies:

Lead pigment litigation

Our former operations included the manufacture of lead pigments for use in paint and lead-based paint.  We, other former manufacturers of lead pigments for use in paint and lead-based paint (together, the “former pigment manufacturers”), and the Lead Industries Association (LIA), which discontinued business operations in 2002, have been named as defendants in various legal proceedings seeking damages for personal injury, property damage and governmental expenditures allegedly caused by the use of lead-based paints.  Certain of these actions have been filed by or on behalf of states, counties, cities or their public housing authorities and school districts, and certain others have been asserted as class actions.  These lawsuits seek recovery under a variety of theories, including public and private nuisance, negligent product design, negligent failure to warn, strict liability, breach of warranty, conspiracy/concert of action, aiding and abetting, enterprise liability, market share or risk contribution liability, intentional tort, fraud and misrepresentation, violations of state consumer protection statutes, supplier negligence and similar claims.

The plaintiffs in these actions generally seek to impose on the defendants responsibility for lead paint abatement and health concerns associated with the use of lead-based paints, including damages for personal injury, contribution and/or indemnification for medical expenses, medical monitoring expenses and costs for educational programs.  To the extent the plaintiffs seek compensatory or punitive damages in these actions, such damages are generally unspecified.  In some cases, the damages are unspecified pursuant to the requirements of applicable state law.  A number of cases are inactive or have been dismissed or withdrawn.  Most of the remaining cases are in various pre-trial stages.  Some are on appeal following dismissal or summary judgment rulings or a trial verdict in favor of either the defendants or the plaintiffs.  

We believe that these actions are without merit, and we intend to continue to deny all allegations of wrongdoing and liability and to defend against all actions vigorously.  Other than with respect to the Santa Clara case discussed below, we do not believe it is probable that we have incurred any liability with respect to all of the lead pigment litigation cases to which we are a party, and with respect to all such lead pigment litigation cases to which we are a party, including the Santa Clara case, we believe liability to us that may result, if any, in this regard cannot be reasonably estimated, because:

Accordingly, we have not accrued any amounts for any of the pending lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation cases filed by or on behalf of states, counties, cities or their public housing authorities and school districts, or those asserted as class actions.  In addition, we have determined that liability to us which may result, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated at this time because there is no prior history of a loss of this nature on which an estimate could be made and there is no substantive information available upon which an estimate could be based.  

In one of these lead pigment cases, in April 2000 we were served with a complaint in County of Santa Clara v. Atlantic Richfield Company, et al. (Superior Court of the State of California, County of Santa Clara, Case No. 1-00-CV-788657) brought by a number of California government entities against the former pigment manufacturers, the LIA and certain paint manufacturers.  The County of Santa Clara sought to recover compensatory damages for funds the plaintiffs have expended or would in the future expend for medical treatment, educational expenses, abatement or other costs due to exposure to, or potential exposure to, lead paint, disgorgement of profit, and punitive damages.  In July 2003, the trial judge granted defendants’ motion to dismiss all remaining claims.  Plaintiffs appealed and the

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intermediate appellate court reinstated public nuisance, negligence, strict liability, and fraud claims in March 2006.  A fourth amended complaint was filed in March 2011 on behalf of The People of California by the County Attorneys of Alameda, Ventura, Solano, San Mateo, Los Angeles and Santa Clara, and the City Attorneys of San Francisco, San Diego and Oakland.  That complaint alleged that the presence of lead paint created a public nuisance in each of the prosecuting attorney jurisdictions and sought its abatement.  In July and August 2013, the case was tried.  In January 2014, the trial court judge issued a judgment finding us, The Sherwin Williams Company and ConAgra Grocery Products Company jointly and severally liable for the abatement of lead paint in pre-1980 homes, and ordered the defendants to pay an aggregate $1.15 billion to the people of the State of California to fund such abatement.  The trial court’s judgment also found that to the extent any abatement funds remained unspent after four years, such funds were to be returned to the defendants.  In February 2014, we filed a motion for a new trial, and in March 2014 the trial court denied the motion.  Subsequently in March 2014, we filed a notice of appeal with the Sixth District Court of Appeal for the State of California. On November 14, 2017, the Sixth District Court of Appeal issued its opinion, upholding the trial court’s judgment, except that it reversed the portion of the judgment requiring abatement of homes built between 1951 and 1980, which significantly reduced the number of homes subject to the abatement order.  In addition, the appellate court ordered the case be remanded to the trial court to recalculate the amount of the abatement fund, to limit it to the amount necessary to cover the cost of investigating and remediating pre-1951 homes, and to hold an evidentiary hearing to appoint a suitable receiver.  In addition, the appellate court found that NL and the other defendants had the right to seek recovery from liable parties that contributed to a hazardous condition at a particular property.  Subsequently, NL and the other defendants filed a Petition with the California Supreme Court seeking its review of a number of issues.  On February 14, 2018, the California Supreme Court denied such petition.  NL and the other defendants have indicated they intend to file an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking its review of two federal issues in the trial court’s original judgment.  Review by the U.S. Supreme Court is discretionary, and there can be no assurance that the U.S. Supreme Court would agree to hear any such appeal that NL and the other defendants would file, or if they would agree to hear any such appeal, that the U.S. Supreme Court would rule in favor of NL and the other defendants.  NL and the other defendants intend to seek a stay of the case to the trial court, pending its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.  Granting of such a stay by the appellate court is discretionary.  If no such stay is issued, the remand to the trial court would proceed, and under such remand the trial court would, among other things, (i) assign a new judge to the case (the original judge has retired), (ii) recalculate the amount of the abatement fund, excluding remediation of homes built between 1951 and 1980, (iii) hold an evidentiary hearing to appoint a suitable receiver for the abatement fund, and (iv) enter an order setting forth its rulings on these issues.  NL believes any party will have a right to appeal any of these new decisions made by the trial court from the remand of the case.

The Santa Clara case is unusual in that this is the second time that an adverse verdict in the lead pigment litigation has been entered against NL (the first adverse verdict against NL was ultimately overturned on appeal).   Given the appellate court’s November 2017 ruling, and the denial of an appeal by the California Supreme Court, we have concluded that the likelihood of a loss in this case has reached a standard of “probable” as contemplated by ASC 450.   However, we have also concluded that the amount of such loss cannot be reasonably at this time estimated (nor can a range of loss be reasonably estimated) because, among other things:

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Accordingly, the total ultimate amount of any abatement fund, and NL’s share of any abatement is not presently known.  For all of the reasons noted above, NL has concluded that the amount of loss for this matter cannot be reasonably estimated at this time (nor can any reasonable range of loss be estimated).  However, as with any legal proceeding, there is no assurance that any appeal would be successful, and it is reasonably possible, based on the outcome of the appeals process and the remand proceedings in the trial court, that NL may in the future incur some liability resulting in the recognition of a loss contingency accrual that could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and liquidity.

New cases may continue to be filed against us.  We cannot assure you that we will not incur liability in the future in respect of any of the pending or possible litigation in view of the inherent uncertainties involved in court and jury rulings.  In the future, if new information regarding such matters becomes available to us (such as a final, non-appealable adverse verdict against us or otherwise ultimately being found liable with respect to such matters), at that time we would consider such information in evaluating any remaining cases then-pending against us as to whether it might then have become probable we have incurred liability with respect to these matters, and whether such liability, if any, could have become reasonably estimable.  The resolution of any of these cases could result in the recognition of a loss contingency accrual that could have a material adverse impact on our net income for the interim or annual period during which such liability is recognized and a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial condition and liquidity.  

Environmental matters and litigation

Our operations are governed by various environmental laws and regulations.  Certain of our businesses are and have been engaged in the handling, manufacture or use of substances or compounds that may be considered toxic or hazardous within the meaning of applicable environmental laws and regulations.  As with other companies engaged in similar businesses, certain of our past and current operations and products have the potential to cause environmental or other damage.  We have implemented and continue to implement various policies and programs in an effort to minimize these risks.  Our policy is to maintain compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations at all of our plants and to strive to improve environmental performance.  From time to time, we may be subject to environmental regulatory enforcement under U.S. and non-U.S. statutes, the resolution of which typically involves the establishment of compliance programs.  It is possible that future developments, such as stricter requirements of environmental laws and enforcement policies, could adversely affect our production, handling, use, storage, transportation, sale or disposal of such substances.  We believe that all of our facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws.

Certain properties and facilities used in our former operations, including divested primary and secondary lead smelters and former mining locations, are the subject of civil litigation, administrative proceedings or investigations arising under federal and state environmental laws and common law.  Additionally, in connection with past operating practices, we are currently involved as a defendant, potentially responsible party (PRP) or both, pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (CERCLA), and similar state laws in various governmental and private actions associated with waste disposal sites, mining locations, and facilities that we or our predecessors, our subsidiaries or their predecessors currently or previously owned, operated or used, certain of which are on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Superfund National Priorities List or similar state lists.  These proceedings seek cleanup costs, damages for personal injury or property damage and/or damages for injury to natural resources.  Certain of these proceedings involve claims for substantial amounts.  Although we may be jointly and severally liable for these costs, in most cases we are only one of a number of PRPs who may also be jointly and severally liable, and among whom costs may be shared or allocated.  In addition, we are occasionally named as a party in a number of personal injury lawsuits filed in various jurisdictions alleging claims related to environmental conditions alleged to have resulted from our operations.

Obligations associated with environmental remediation and related matters are difficult to assess and estimate for numerous reasons including the:

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In addition, the imposition of more stringent standards or requirements under environmental laws or regulations, new developments or changes regarding site cleanup costs or the allocation of costs among PRPs, solvency of other PRPs, the results of future testing and analysis undertaken with respect to certain sites or a determination that we are potentially responsible for the release of hazardous substances at other sites, could cause our expenditures to exceed our current estimates.  We cannot assure you that actual costs will not exceed accrued amounts or the upper end of the range for sites for which estimates have been made, and we cannot assure you that costs will not be incurred for sites where no estimates presently can be made.  Further, additional environmental and related matters may arise in the future.  If we were to incur any future liability, this could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements, results of operations and liquidity.

We record liabilities related to environmental remediation and related matters (including costs associated with damages for personal injury or property damage and/or damages for injury to natural resources) when estimated future expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable.  We adjust such accruals as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change.  Unless the amounts and timing of such estimated future expenditures are fixed and reasonably determinable, we generally do not discount estimated future expenditures to their present value due to the uncertainty of the timing of the payout.  We recognize recoveries of costs from other parties, if any, as assets when their receipt is deemed probable.  At December 31, 2016 and 2017, we have not recognized any receivables for recoveries.

We do not know and cannot estimate the exact time frame over which we will make payments for our accrued environmental and related costs.  The timing of payments depends upon a number of factors, including but not limited to the timing of the actual remediation process; which in turn depends on factors outside of our control.  At each balance sheet date, we estimate the amount of our accrued environmental and related costs which we expect to pay within the next twelve months, and we classify this estimate as a current liability.  We classify the remaining accrued environmental costs as a noncurrent liability.

The table below presents a summary of the activity in our accrued environmental costs during the past three years.  The amount charged to expense is included in corporate expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

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On a quarterly basis, we evaluate the potential range of our liability for environmental remediation and related costs at sites where we have been named as a PRP or defendant, including sites for which our wholly-owned environmental management subsidiary, NL Environmental Management Services, Inc., (EMS), has contractually assumed our obligations.  At December 31, 2017, we had accrued approximately $112 million related to approximately 39 sites associated with remediation and related matters that we believe are at the present time and/or in their current phase reasonably estimable.  The upper end of the range of reasonably possible costs to us for remediation and related matters for which we believe it is possible to estimate costs is approximately $154 million, including the amount currently accrued.  These accruals have not been discounted to present value.

We believe that it is not possible to estimate the range of costs for certain sites.  At December 31, 2017, there were approximately 5 sites for which we are not currently able to estimate a range of costs.  For these sites, generally the investigation is in the early stages, and we are unable to determine whether or not we actually had any association with the site, the nature of our responsibility, for the contamination at the site, if any, and the extent of contamination at and cost to remediate the site.  The timing and availability of information on these sites is dependent on events outside of our control, such as when the party alleging liability provides information to us.  At certain of these previously inactive sites, we have received general and special notices of liability from the EPA and/or state agencies alleging that we, sometimes with other PRPs, are liable for past and future costs of remediating environmental contamination allegedly caused by former operations.  These notifications may assert that we, along with any other alleged PRPs, are liable for past and/or future clean-up costs.  As further information becomes available to us for any of these sites which would allow us to estimate a range of costs, we would at that time adjust our accruals.  Any such adjustment could result in the recognition of an accrual that would have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements, results of operations and liquidity.

Insurance coverage claims

We are involved in certain legal proceedings with a number of our former insurance carriers regarding the nature and extent of the carriers’ obligations to us under insurance policies with respect to certain lead pigment and asbestos lawsuits.  The issue of whether insurance coverage for defense costs or indemnity or both will be found to exist for our lead pigment and asbestos litigation depends upon a variety of factors and we cannot assure you that such insurance coverage will be available.

We have agreements with three former insurance carriers pursuant to which the carriers reimburse us for a portion of our future lead pigment litigation defense costs, and one such carrier reimburses us for a portion of our future asbestos litigation defense costs.  We are not able to determine how much we will ultimately recover from these carriers for defense costs incurred by us because of certain issues that arise regarding which defense costs qualify for reimbursement.  While we continue to seek additional insurance recoveries, we do not know if we will be successful in obtaining reimbursement for either defense costs or indemnity.  Accordingly, we recognize insurance recoveries in income only when receipt of the recovery is probable and we are able to reasonably estimate the amount of the recovery.

In January 2014, we were served with a complaint in Certain Underwriters at Lloyds, London, et al v. NL Industries, Inc. (Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, Index No. 14/650103).  The plaintiff, a former insurance carrier of ours, is seeking a declaratory judgment of its obligations to us under insurance policies issued to us by the plaintiff with respect to certain lead pigment lawsuits.  The case is now proceeding in the trial court.  We believe the action is without merit and intend to defend NL’s rights in this action vigorously.

In February 2014, we were served with a complaint in Zurich American Insurance Company, as successor-in-interest to Zurich Insurance Company, U.S. Branch vs. NL Industries, Inc., and The People of the State of California, acting by and through county Counsels of Santa Clara, Alameda, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Mateo, Solano and Ventura Counties and the city Attorneys of Oakland, San Diego, and San Francisco, et al (Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, Case No.: 1-14-CV-259924). In January 2015, an Order of Deposit Under CCP § 572 was entered by the trial court.

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Other litigation

We have been named as a defendant in various lawsuits in several jurisdictions, alleging personal injuries as a result of occupational exposure primarily to products manufactured by our former operations containing asbestos, silica and/or mixed dust.  In addition, some plaintiffs allege exposure to asbestos from working in various facilities previously owned and/or operated by us.  There are 101 of these types of cases pending, involving a total of approximately 574 plaintiffs.  In addition, the claims of approximately 8,676 plaintiffs have been administratively dismissed or placed on the inactive docket in Ohio state courts.  We do not expect these claims will be re-opened unless the plaintiffs meet the courts’ medical criteria for asbestos-related claims.  We have not accrued any amounts for this litigation because of the uncertainty of liability and inability to reasonably estimate the liability, if any.  To date, we have not been adjudicated liable in any of these matters.  

Based on information available to us, including:

we believe that the range of reasonably possible outcomes of these matters will be consistent with our historical costs (which are not material).  Furthermore, we do not expect any reasonably possible outcome would involve amounts material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.  We have sought and will continue to vigorously seek, dismissal and/or a finding of no liability from each claim.  In addition, from time to time, we have received notices regarding asbestos or silica claims purporting to be brought against former subsidiaries, including notices provided to insurers with which we have entered into settlements extinguishing certain insurance policies.  These insurers may seek indemnification from us.

In addition to the litigation described above, we and our affiliates are also involved in various other environmental, contractual, product liability, patent (or intellectual property), employment and other claims and disputes incidental to present and former businesses.  In certain cases, we have insurance coverage for these items, although we do not expect additional material insurance coverage for environmental matters.  We currently believe the disposition of all of these various other claims and disputes (including asbestos-related claims), individually and in the aggregate, should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity beyond the accruals already provided.

Concentrations of credit risk

Component products are sold primarily in North America to original equipment manufacturers.  The ten largest customers related to our operations accounted for approximately 48% in 2015, 46% in 2016 and 44% in 2017.  One customer of CompX’s Security Products business accounted for 13% of total sales in 2015, 14% in 2016 and 16% in 2017.  Another customer of CompX’s Security Products business accounted for approximately 12% of total sales in 2015, and 11% in 2016.  

Other

Rent expense principally for CompX operating facilities and equipment was not significant in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and at December 31, 2017, future minimum rentals under noncancellable operating leases are also not significant.  

Income taxes

We and Valhi are a party to a tax sharing agreement providing for the allocation of tax liabilities and tax payments as described in Note 1.  Under applicable law, we, as well as every other member of the Contran Tax Group, are each jointly and severally liable for the aggregate federal income tax liability of Contran and the other companies included in the Contran Tax Group for all periods in which we are included in the Contran Tax Group.  Valhi has

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agreed, however, to indemnify us for any liability for income taxes of the Contran Tax Group in excess of our tax liability computed in accordance with the tax sharing agreement.

 

Note 18 - Financial instruments:

The following table summarizes the valuation of our marketable securities on a fair value basis as of December 31, 2016 and 2017:

 

The following table presents the financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure as December 31, 2016 and 2017:

 

The fair value of our noncontrolling interest in CompX stockholders’ equity is based upon its quoted market price at each balance sheet date, which represents Level 1 inputs.  Due to their near-term maturities, the carrying amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered equivalent to fair value.

 

Note 19 – Recent accounting pronouncements:

Adopted

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-04, Intangibles— Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which aims to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test.  Previously, Step 2 measured a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  Instead, under the new ASU, an entity performs its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and a goodwill impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value.  In no circumstances will the loss recognized exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.  We have elected to adopt this ASU beginning with our goodwill impairment test performed in the third quarter of 2017.  The application of ASU 2017-04 did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), which permits a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the 2017 Tax Act.  The reclassification permitted by ASU 2018-02 is optional and is not required to be adopted, but if adopted it must be adopted by us no later than the first quarter of 2019 (with early adoption permitted).  Consistent with Note 1, we have considered the optional nature of ASU 2018-02, and we have elected to not adopt the reclassification.

Pending Adoption

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).  This standard replaces existing revenue recognition guidance, which in many cases was tailored for specific industries, with a uniform accounting standard applicable to all industries and transactions.  The new standard, as amended, is currently effective for us beginning with the first quarter of 2018.  Entities may elect to adopt ASU No. 2014-09 retrospectively for all periods for all contracts and transactions which occurred during the period (with a few exceptions for practical expediency) or modified retrospectively with a cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption.  We will adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2018 including the expanded disclosure requirements using the modified retrospective approach to adoption.  Our sales generally involve single performance obligations to ship goods pursuant to customer purchase orders without further underlying contracts.  Prices for our products are based on published price lists, customer agreements and individual customer orders which do not involve variable consideration, financing components, noncash consideration or consideration paid to our customers.  We currently record sales when products are shipped and title and other risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer, which is generally upon delivery of our products to transport carriers.  Under ASU 2014-09, we will record sales when our customers obtain control of our products, which we have determined is also upon delivery of our products to transport carriers, consistent with our current practice.  Accordingly, we expect adoption of this standard will have minimal effect on our revenues and disclosures.  

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which addresses certain aspects related to the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments.  The ASU requires equity investments (except for those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in the consolidation of the investee) to generally be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income.  The amendment also requires a number of other changes,  including among others: simplifying the impairment assessment for equity instruments without readily determinable fair values; eliminating the requirement for public business entities to disclose methods and assumptions used to determine fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost; requiring an exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; and requiring separate presentation of financial assets and liabilities by measurement category and form of asset.  The changes indicated above will be effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018, with prospective application required, and early adoption is not permitted.  The most significant aspect of adopting this ASU will be the requirement to recognize changes in fair value of our available-for-sale marketable equity securities in net income (currently changes in fair value of such securities are recognized in other comprehensive income).

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which is a comprehensive rewriting of the lease accounting guidance which aims to increase comparability and transparency with regard to lease transactions.   The primary change will be the recognition of lease assets for the right-of-use of the underlying asset and lease liabilities for the obligation to make payments by lessees on the balance sheet for leases currently classified as operating leases.   The ASU also requires increased qualitative disclosure about leases in addition to quantitative disclosures currently required.  Companies are required to use a modified retrospective approach to adoption with a practical expedient which will allow companies to continue to account for existing leases under the prior guidance unless a lease is modified, other than the requirement to recognize the right-of-use asset and lease liability for all operating leases.  The changes indicated above will be effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted.  We are in the process of assessing all of our current leases.  We have not yet evaluated the effect this ASU will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements, but given the insignificant amount of our future minimum payments under non-cancellable operating leases at December 31, 2017 discussed in Note 17, we do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material effect on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation— Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which requires that the

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service cost component of net periodic defined benefit pension and OPEB cost be reported in the same line item as other compensation costs for applicable employees incurred during the period.  Other components of such net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component, and below income from operations (if such a subtotal is presented).  These other net benefit cost components must be disclosed either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes to the financial statements.  In addition only the service cost component is eligible for capitalization in assets where applicable (inventory or internally constructed fixed assets for example).  The amendments in ASU 2017-06 are effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018, early adoption as of the beginning of an annual period is permitted, retrospective presentation is required for the income statement presentation of the service cost component and other components of net benefit cost, and prospective application is required for the capitalization in assets of the service cost component of net benefit cost.  We will adopt this ASU in the first quarter of 2018.  Our net benefit cost for both defined benefit pension plans and OPEB plans does not include any service cost component, none of such net benefit costs are capitalized in assets, we present a subtotal for income from operations and our net benefit cost is currently included in the determination of income from operations.  Accordingly, adoption of this standard will change the determination of the amount we report as income from operations.  As disclosed in Note 11, our total net periodic defined benefit pension costs were $.4 million in 2015, $.9 million in 2016 and $1.1 million in 2017, and our net periodic OPEB cost was a credit of $.6 million in 2015, $.6 million in 2016 and $.1 million in 2017.

 

Note 20 - Quarterly results of operations (unaudited):

 

 

We recognized the following amounts during 2016:

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We recognized the following amounts during 2017:

The sum of the quarterly per share amounts may not equal the annual per share amounts due to relative changes in the weighted average number of shares used in the per share computations.

 

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