Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(7)
Registration No. 333-232190

Subject to Completion, dated January 14, 2021.

 

The information contained in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities nor a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Preliminary Prospectus Supplement    

(to Prospectus dated June 18, 2019)

20,000,000 SHARES

 

LOGO

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

The Selling Stockholder (as defined herein) is offering 20,000,000 shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”). We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder.

Shares of our Common Stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “EAF.” The last reported sale price of our Common Stock on the NYSE on January 13, 2021 was $11.57 per share.

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and its affiliates control a majority of the voting power of our Common Stock with respect to the election of our directors. We anticipate that we will not be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards upon completion of this offering and, therefore, will not be able to rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements available to controlled companies, subject to applicable phase-in periods.

 

                         Per Share                                               Total                       

Public offering price

     $                $          

Underwriting discount(1)

     $                $          

Proceeds to the Selling Stockholder

     $                $          

 

(1)

See “Underwriting” beginning on page S-15 of this prospectus supplement for additional information regarding total underwriting compensation.

Investing in our Common Stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to read about factors you should consider before buying shares of our Common Stock.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Delivery of the Common Stock is expected to be made on or about                 , 2021.

Morgan Stanley

The date of this prospectus supplement is                , 2021.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

     Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

     S-ii  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     S-iii  

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

     S-vi  

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA AND FORECASTS

     S-vii  

SUMMARY

     S-1  

RISK FACTORS

     S-9  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     S-9  

SELLING STOCKHOLDER

     S-9  

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS

     S-11  

UNDERWRITING

     S-15  

LEGAL MATTERS

     S-26  

EXPERTS

     S-26  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     S-26  

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     S-26  

Prospectus

 

     Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     i  

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA AND FORECASTS

     i  

TRADEMARKS

     i  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     ii  

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

     1  

RISK FACTORS

     1  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     1  

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

     2  

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

     2  

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

     7  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     8  

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

     18  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     19  

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

     19  

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

     20  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     21  

LEGAL MATTERS

     23  

EXPERTS

     23  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     23  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering of our Common Stock and adds to and updates information contained or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, dated June 18, 2019, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering.

Neither we nor the Selling Stockholder have authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us to which we have referred you. We and the Selling Stockholder take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. The Selling Stockholder is not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of such document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

Unless the context suggests otherwise, references in this prospectus supplement to “GrafTech,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to GrafTech International Ltd., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. References to the “Selling Stockholder” refer to BCP IV GrafTech Holdings LP. References to the “Brookfield Affiliates” refer to the Selling Stockholder and certain affiliated entities, including Brookfield Asset Management Inc. References to the “SEC” refer to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the sections entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” in this prospectus supplement.

This prospectus supplement may add to, update or change the information in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference that was filed with the SEC before the date of this prospectus supplement, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date, the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

It is expected that delivery of the shares will be made against payment therefor on or about                 , 2021, which is the third business day following the date of pricing (such settlement cycle being referred to as “T+3”). Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the shares on the date of pricing will be required, by virtue of the fact that the shares initially will settle in T+3, to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent failed settlement. Purchasers of the shares who wish to trade the shares on the date of pricing should consult their own advisors.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements included in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies and similar matters, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as “will,” “may,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “target,” “goal,” “continue to,” “positioned to,” “are confident” or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words. Any forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein are based upon our historical performance and on our current plans, estimates and expectations in light of information currently available to us. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or the Selling Stockholder that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. Our expectations and targets are not predictions of actual performance and historically our performance has deviated, often significantly, from our expectations and targets. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, financial results, financial condition, business, prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to:

 

   

the finalization of our financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, which may differ from our current expectations and the preliminary estimated financial information provided in this prospectus supplement;

 

   

the ultimate impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows;

 

   

the cyclical nature of our business and the selling prices of our products may lead to periods of reduced profitability and net losses in the future;

 

   

the possibility that we may be unable to implement our business strategies, including our ability to secure and maintain longer-term customer contracts, in an effective manner;

 

   

the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, and like disputes, including the recently filed stockholder litigation and disputes related to contractual commitments;

 

   

the possibility that global graphite electrode overcapacity may adversely affect graphite electrode prices;

 

   

pricing for graphite electrodes has historically been cyclical and the price of graphite electrodes may continue to decline in the future;

 

   

the sensitivity of our business and operating results to economic conditions and the possibility others may not be able to fulfill their obligations to us in a timely fashion or at all;

 

   

our dependence on the global steel industry generally and the electric arc furnace (“EAF”) steel industry in particular;

 

   

the competitiveness of the graphite electrode industry;

 

   

our dependence on the supply of petroleum needle coke;

 

   

our dependence on supplies of raw materials (in addition to petroleum needle coke) and energy;

 

   

the possibility that our manufacturing operations are subject to hazards;

 

   

changes in, or more stringent enforcement of, health, safety and environmental regulations applicable to our manufacturing operations and facilities;

 

 

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the legal, compliance, economic, social and political risks associated with our substantial operations in multiple countries;

 

   

the possibility that fluctuation of foreign currency exchange rates could materially harm our financial results;

 

   

the possibility that our results of operations could deteriorate if our manufacturing operations were substantially disrupted for an extended period, including as a result of equipment failure, climate change, regulatory issues, natural disasters, public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, political crises or other catastrophic events;

 

   

our dependence on third parties for certain construction, maintenance, engineering, transportation, warehousing and logistics services;

 

   

the possibility that we are unable to recruit or retain key management and plant operating personnel or successfully negotiate with the representatives of our employees, including labor unions;

 

   

the possibility that we may divest or acquire businesses, which could require significant management attention or disrupt our business;

 

   

the sensitivity of goodwill on our balance sheet to changes in the market;

 

   

the possibility that we are subject to information technology systems failures, cybersecurity attacks, network disruptions and breaches of data security;

 

   

our dependence on protecting our intellectual property;

 

   

the possibility that third parties may claim that our products or processes infringe their intellectual property rights;

 

   

the possibility that significant changes in our jurisdictional earnings mix or in the tax laws of those jurisdictions could adversely affect our business;

 

   

the possibility that our indebtedness could limit our financial and operating activities or that our cash flows may not be sufficient to service our indebtedness;

 

   

the possibility that restrictive covenants in our financing agreements could restrict or limit our operations;

 

   

the fact that borrowings under certain of our existing financing agreements subject us to interest rate risk;

 

   

the possibility of a lowering or withdrawal of the ratings assigned to our debt;

 

   

the possibility that disruptions in the capital and credit markets could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, or those of our customers and suppliers;

 

   

the possibility that highly concentrated ownership of our Common Stock may prevent minority stockholders from influencing significant corporate decisions;

 

   

the possibility that we may not pay cash dividends on our Common Stock in the future;

 

   

the fact that certain of our stockholders have the right to engage or invest in the same or similar businesses as us;

 

   

the possibility that the market price of our Common Stock could be negatively affected by sales of substantial amounts of our Common Stock in the public markets, including by the Brookfield Affiliates;

 

   

the fact that certain provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated By-Laws could hinder, delay or prevent a change of control;

 

 

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the fact that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders; and

 

   

the loss of our status as a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE corporate governance standards as a result of this offering of our Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder, which will result in us no longer qualifying for exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.

These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and other cautionary statements that are incorporated herein by reference. The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement except as required by law, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution that you should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. You should specifically consider the factors identified in our SEC reports, including, but not limited to, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC, that could cause actual results to differ before making an investment decision to purchase our Common Stock. Furthermore, new risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us.

 

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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to providing results that are determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), we have provided certain financial measures that are not in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. We define EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, as net income or loss plus interest expense, minus interest income, plus income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. We define adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus any pension and other post-employment benefit (“OPEB”) plan expenses, initial and follow-on public offering and related expenses, non-cash gains or losses from foreign currency remeasurement of non-operating assets and liabilities in our foreign subsidiaries where the functional currency is the U.S. dollar, related party tax receivable agreement adjustments, stock-based compensation, and non-cash fixed asset write-offs. Adjusted EBITDA is the primary metric used by our management and our Board of Directors to establish budgets and operational goals for managing our business and evaluating our performance.

We monitor adjusted EBITDA as a supplement to our GAAP measures, and believe it is useful to present to investors, because we believe that it facilitates evaluation of our period-to-period operating performance by eliminating items that are not operational in nature, allowing comparison of our recurring core business operating results over multiple periods unaffected by differences in capital structure, capital investment cycles and fixed asset base. In addition, we believe adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are widely used by investors, securities analysts, ratings agencies, and other parties in evaluating companies in our industry as a measure of financial performance and debt-service capabilities. We also monitor the ratio of total debt to adjusted EBITDA, because we believe it is a useful and widely used way to assess our leverage.

Our use of adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

 

   

adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

 

   

adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures for capital equipment or other contractual commitments, including any capital expenditure requirements to augment or replace our capital assets;

 

   

adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our indebtedness;

 

   

adjusted EBITDA does not reflect tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us;

 

   

adjusted EBITDA does not reflect expenses relating to our pension and OPEB plans;

 

   

adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the non-cash gains or losses from foreign currency remeasurement of non-operating assets and liabilities in our foreign subsidiaries where the functional currency is the U.S. dollar;

 

   

adjusted EBITDA does not reflect initial and follow-on public offering and related expenses;

 

   

adjusted EBITDA does not reflect related party tax receivable agreement adjustments;

 

   

adjusted EBITDA does not reflect stock-based compensation or the non-cash write-off of fixed assets; and

 

   

other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA differently, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure.

In evaluating EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future, we will incur expenses similar to the adjustments in the reconciliation presented elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. Our presentations of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as suggesting that our future results will be unaffected by these expenses or any unusual or non-recurring items. When evaluating our performance, you should consider EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA alongside other financial performance measures, including our net income and other GAAP measures.

 

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MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA AND FORECASTS

Certain market and industry data and forecasts included in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein have been obtained from third-party sources that we believe to be reliable. Market estimates and forecasts are calculated by using independent industry publications, government publications and third-party forecasts in conjunction with our assumptions about our markets. We have not independently verified such third-party information. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding any market, industry or similar data, including forecasts and other forward-looking information obtained from these sources, presented herein, in the accompany prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, such data involves risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the headings “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.

 

 

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SUMMARY

This summary contains selected information about us and this offering. Because this is a summary, it may not contain all the information that may be important to you. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, including, but not limited to, the information set forth under our consolidated financial statements and the schedules and related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020, each of which is incorporated by reference herein, and the other information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Our Company

We are a leading manufacturer of high quality graphite electrode products essential to the production of EAF steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. We believe that we have the most competitive portfolio of low-cost ultra-high power (“UHP”) graphite electrode manufacturing facilities in the industry, including three of the highest capacity facilities in the world. We are the only large scale graphite electrode producer that is substantially vertically integrated into petroleum needle coke, a key raw material for graphite electrode manufacturing. This unique position provides us with competitive advantages in product quality and cost. Founded in 1886, we have over 130 years of experience in the research and development of graphite- and carbon-based solutions, and our intellectual property portfolio is extensive. We currently have graphite electrode manufacturing facilities in Calais, France, Pamplona, Spain, Monterrey, Mexico and St. Marys, Pennsylvania. Our customers include major steel producers and other ferrous and non-ferrous metal producers in Europe, Russia and other Commonwealth of Independent States countries, the Middle East and Africa, the Americas and Asia-Pacific, which sell their products into the automotive, construction, appliance, machinery, equipment and transportation industries. Our vision is to provide highly engineered graphite electrode services, solutions and products to EAF operators. Based on the high quality of our graphite electrodes, reliability of our petroleum needle coke supply and our excellent customer service, we believe that we are viewed as a preferred supplier to the global EAF steel producer market.

Graphite electrodes are an industrial consumable product used primarily in EAF steel production, one of the two primary methods of steel production and the steelmaking technology used by all “mini-mills.” Electrodes act as conductors of electricity in the furnace, generating sufficient heat to melt scrap metal, iron ore or other raw materials used to produce steel or other metals. We estimate that, on average, the cost of graphite electrodes represents only approximately 1% to 5% of the total production cost of steel in a typical EAF, but they are essential to EAF steel production. Graphite electrodes are currently the only known commercially available products that have the high levels of electrical conductivity and the capability to sustain the high levels of heat generated in EAF steel production. As a result, EAF steel manufacturers require a reliable supply of high quality graphite electrodes. Graphite electrodes are also used in steel refining in ladle furnaces and in other processes, such as the production of titanium dioxide, stainless steel, aluminum, silicon metals and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

With the growth of EAF production, electrode production has become focused on the manufacture of UHP electrodes. The production of UHP electrodes requires an extensive proprietary manufacturing process and material science knowledge, including the use of higher quality needle coke blends. We primarily compete in the UHP graphite electrode market.

Petroleum needle coke, a crystalline form of carbon derived from decant oil, is the key raw material we use in the production of graphite electrodes. We achieved substantial vertical integration with this critical raw material source through our acquisition of Seadrift Coke L.P. (“Seadrift”) in November 2010, significantly reducing our reliance on other suppliers. The petroleum needle coke industry is highly concentrated. We believe Seadrift is one of the largest petroleum needle coke producers in the world. We also believe that the quality of Seadrift’s petroleum needle coke



 

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is superior for graphite electrode production compared to most of the petroleum needle coke available to our peers on the open market, allowing us to produce high quality electrodes in a cost-efficient manner. Additionally, we believe that this vertical integration provides a significant cost advantage relative to our competitors.

As a leading producer of graphite electrodes, we believe we are well-positioned to be a key provider to the EAF steel making industry. In 2018, we completed an operational improvement and debottlenecking initiative to increase production capacity at our three primary operating facilities in Calais, France, Pamplona, Spain, and Monterrey, Mexico, by approximately 20% to a total of 202,000 metric tons (“MT”).(a) We have begun a series of projects at our Monterrey and St. Marys facilities that will shift graphitization and machining of additional volume of semi-finished product from Monterrey to St. Marys. We expect these projects will further optimize our manufacturing footprint by improving environmental performance and production flexibility at both facilities and also leverage cost efficiencies at our St. Marys facility.

Graphite electrodes are an essential consumable in the EAF steel production process and require a long lead time to manufacture, and our strategic customers are highly focused on securing certainty of supply of reliable, high quality graphite electrodes. We believe we are uniquely capable among graphite electrode producers to pursue our long-term take-or-pay contracting strategy due to our substantial vertical integration into petroleum needle coke production.

On August 15, 2015, we became an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. In April 2018, we completed our initial public offering (“IPO”) of 38,097,525 shares of our Common Stock held by the Selling Stockholder at a price of $15.00 per share. We did not receive any proceeds related to the IPO. Our Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “EAF.” The Brookfield Affiliates owned approximately 55% of our outstanding Common Stock as of January 11, 2021.

Corporate Information

Our executive offices are located at 982 Keynote Circle, Brooklyn Heights, Ohio 44131 and our telephone number is (216) 676-2000. Our website address is www.graftech.com. Information on, or accessible through, our website is not part of this prospectus supplement and the accompany prospectus. We have included our website address only as an inactive textual reference and do not intend it to be an active link to our website.

Recent Developments

Senior Secured Notes Issuance

On December 22, 2020, GrafTech Finance Inc. (the “Issuer”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of GrafTech International Ltd., issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”) in a private offering.

The Issuer used the net proceeds of the Notes offering to repay a portion of the secured term loans outstanding under its existing credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) and to pay all related fees and expenses.

The Notes are or will be, as applicable, guaranteed on a senior secured basis by GrafTech International Ltd. and all of its existing and future direct and indirect U.S. subsidiaries that guarantee, or borrow under, the credit facilities under the Credit Agreement. The Notes are secured on a pari passu basis by the collateral securing the term loans under the Credit Agreement.

 

(a) 

Production capacity reflects expected maximum production volume during the period under normal operating conditions, standard product mix and expected maintenance outage. Actual production may vary.



 

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Preliminary Financial Information for the Year Ended December 31, 2020

Although our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 are not yet complete, certain preliminary estimated financial information is available and is shown in estimated ranges in the table below.

Preliminary Consolidated Statement of Operations Data, Sales and Production Volume (Estimated)

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31, 2020

Estimated Range
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)    Low      High  

Net sales

   $ 1,210,000      $ 1,230,000  

Net income

   $ 425,000      $ 435,000  

Earnings per share

   $ 1.58      $ 1.62  

Adjusted EBITDA (a)

   $ 652,000      $ 662,000  

Sales volume (MT) (b)

     134        136  

Production volume (MT)

     133        135  

 

(a)

Adjusted EBITDA is not defined under GAAP. Please see below for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, and see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for management’s definition and the reasons for the use of adjusted EBITDA.

The following table provides a reconciliation of preliminary GAAP net income (estimated) to preliminary adjusted EBITDA (estimated):

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
(in thousands)    Low      High  

Net Income

   $ 425,000      $ 435,000  

Add:

     

Depreciation and amortization

     62,000        63,000  

Interest expense

     97,500        98,500  

Interest income

     (1,500      (2,500

Income taxes

     75,000        79,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA

   $ 658,000      $ 673,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjustments:

     

Pension and OPEB plan expenses (1)

     6,000        6,500  

Initial and follow-on public offering and related expenses (2)

     200        300  

Non-cash loss (gain) on foreign currency remeasurement (3)

     1,200        1,400  

Stock-based compensation (4)

     2,600        2,800  

Non-cash fixed asset write-off (5)

     0        0  

Related party Tax Receivable Agreement adjustment (6)

     (16,000      (22,000
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

     652,000        662,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (1)

Service and interest cost of our OPEB plans. Also includes a mark-to-market loss (gain) for plan assets as of December of each year.

  (2)

Legal, accounting, printing and registration fees associated with the initial and follow-on public offering and related expenses.



 

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  (3)

Non-cash gains and losses from foreign currency remeasurement of non-operating assets and liabilities of our non-U.S. subsidiaries where the functional currency is the U.S. dollar.

  (4)

Non-cash expense for stock-based compensation grants.

  (5)

Non-cash fixed asset write-off recorded for obsolete assets.

  (6)

Non-cash expense adjustment for future payment to our sole pre-IPO stockholder for tax assets that are expected to be utilized.

(b)

Approximately 82 to 85% of the sales volume is expected to be from sales under long-term sales agreements (“LTAs”).

During the fourth quarter of 2020, our average realized price from LTA business was approximately $9,600 per MT, and the average price for non-LTA business was approximately $4,900 per MT. The current market for graphite electrodes continues to be competitive, as our industry lags behind the improving fundamentals in the steel industry. If the strength in the steel industry continues, we would expect market improvement for our products later in 2021.

Preliminary Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (Estimated)

 

(in thousands)    As of
December 31, 2020
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 145,000  

Short-term debt

   $ 0  

Long-term debt

   $ 1,420,000  

The preliminary estimated information set forth above does not represent a comprehensive statement of our results of operations or financial condition as of or for the year ended December 31, 2020. The final comprehensive statements of our results of operations and financial condition as of and for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 may vary from our current expectations and may be different from the information described above as our quarterly financial statement preparation process is not yet complete and additional developments and adjustments may arise between now and the time the financial information for this period is finalized. In addition, these preliminary estimates are not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved in any future period. There can be no assurance that these estimates will be realized, and estimates are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are not within our control. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the preliminary estimated financial information.

The preliminary estimated financial data has been prepared by, and is the responsibility of, our management. Deloitte & Touche LLP has not audited, reviewed, compiled, or applied agreed-upon procedures with respect to the preliminary financial data. Accordingly, Deloitte & Touche LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto.



 

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The Offering

 

Selling Stockholder

BCP IV GrafTech Holdings LP.

 

Common Stock Offered by Selling Stockholder

20,000,000 shares.

 

Common Stock Outstanding after this Offering(a)

267,191,794 shares.

 

Use of Proceeds

The Selling Stockholder will receive the net proceeds from this offering. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder. See “Use of Proceeds” and “Selling Stockholder” in this prospectus supplement.

 

Controlled Company

Upon completion of this offering, we anticipate that the Brookfield Affiliates will no longer control more than 50% of the total voting power of our Common Stock with respect to the election of our directors. As a result, we will no longer be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards and, therefore, will no longer be exempt from certain NYSE corporate governance requirements, subject to applicable phase-in periods.

 

Risk Factors

See the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference for a discussion of some of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our Common Stock.

 

Trading Symbol

Our Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “EAF.”

 

 

(a) 

The number of shares of Common Stock to be issued and outstanding after the completion of this offering is based on 267,191,794 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of January 11, 2021, and excludes approximately 13,116,016 shares reserved for future issuance under our Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan.



 

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Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data

The summary financial data set forth below for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. The summary financial data set forth below as of December 31, 2017 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. The summary financial data set forth below as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 have been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. The interim unaudited financial data have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial data and include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the data for such periods and may not necessarily be indicative of full-year results.

Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future. You should read the information below in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020 and our consolidated financial statements and related notes that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 

    Year ended
December 31,
    Nine months ended
September 30,
 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

  2019     2018     2017     2020     2019  
                      (unaudited)  

Statement of operations data:

         

Net sales

  $ 1,790,793     $ 1,895,910     $ 550,771     $ 886,351     $ 1,376,181  

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    744,602       853,888       14,212       309,278       569,680  

Net income (loss)

    744,602       854,219       7,983       309,278       569,680  

Basic income (loss) per share of Common Stock:

         

Income (loss) from continuing operations per share

  $ 2.58     $ 2.87     $ 0.05     $ 1.15     $ 1.96  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of Common Stock outstanding (a)

    289,057       297,748       302,226       267,908       290,411  

Dividends paid to non-related party

    (20,613     (55,616     —         (7,553     (15,505

Dividends paid to related party

    (78,010     (1,488,649     —         (20,650     (58,507

Balance sheet data (at period end):

         

Total assets

  $ 1,526,164     $ 1,505,491     $ 1,199,103     $ 1,467,589     $ 1,825,669  

Other long-term obligations (b)

    72,562       72,519       68,907       76,403       77,759  

Total long-term debt

    1,812,682       2,050,311       322,900       1,564,431       1,965,501  

Other financial data:

         

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 805,316     $ 836,603     $ 36,573     $ 416,665     $ 584,772  

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

    (63,884     (67,295     (2,199     (30,610     (43,955

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (709,631     (731,044     (32,995     (307,587     (208,496

Other financial information:

         

EBITDA from continuing operations (c)

  $ 1,027,268     $ 1,102,625     $ 97,884     $ 483,634     $ 802,569  

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations (c)

    1,048,259       1,205,021       95,806       483,408       813,673  


 

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    Year ended
December 31,
    Nine months ended
September 30,
 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

  2019     2018     2017     2020     2019  
                      (unaudited)  

Key operating metrics:

         

Sales volume (MT) (d)

    171       176       163       98       130  

Production volume (MT) (e)

    177       179       166       98       136  

Production capacity excluding St. Marys during idle period (MT) (f)(g)

    202       180       167       150       150  

Capacity utilization excluding St. Marys during idle period (f)(h)

    88     99     85     65     91

Total production capacity (MT) (g)(i)

    230       208       195       171       171  

Total capacity utilization (h)(i)

    77     86     85     57     80

 

(a)

Gives effect to the 3,022,259.23-for-1 stock split of our Common Stock effected on April 12, 2018.

(b)

Represents pension and post-retirement benefits and related costs and miscellaneous other long-term obligations.

(c)

For definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures and a description of how management uses them and why management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding our financial condition and results of operations, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP net income (loss) to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA:

 

    Year ended
December 31,
    Nine months ended
September 30,
 

(in thousands)

  2019     2018     2017     2020     2019  

Net income

  $ 744,602     $ 854,219     $ 7,983     $ 309,278     $ 569,680  

Add:

         

Discontinued operations

    —         (331     6,229       —         —    

Depreciation and amortization

    61,819       66,413       64,025       45,074       46,387  

Interest expense

    127,331       135,061       30,823       69,026       98,472  

Interest income

    (4,709     (1,657     (395     (1,582     (2,910

Income taxes

    98,225       48,920       (10,781     61,838       90,940  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA from continuing operations

    1,027,268       1,102,625       97,884       483,634       802,569  

Adjustments:

         

Pension and OPEB plan expenses (gain) (1)

    6,727       3,893       (1,611     1,666       2,397  

Rationalization-related gains (2)

    —         —         (3,970     —         —    

Initial and follow-on public offerings and related expenses (3)

    2,056       5,173       —         4       1,409  

Acquisition and proxy contests costs (4)

    —         —         886       —         —    

Non-cash loss (gain) on foreign currency remeasurement (5)

    1,784       818       1,731       (441     842  

Stock-based compensation (6)

    2,143       1,152       —         1,891       1,568  

Non-cash fixed asset write-off (7)

    4,888       4,882       886       —         4,888  

Related party tax receivable agreement adjustment (8)

    3,393       86,478       —         (3,346     —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations

  $ 1,048,259     $ 1,205,021     $ 95,806     $ 483,408     $ 813,673  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


 

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  (1)

Service and interest cost of our OPEB plans. Also includes a mark-to-market loss (gain) for plan assets as of December of each year. For more information, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020.

  (2)

Costs associated with rationalizations in our graphite electrode manufacturing operations and in the corporate structure. They include severance charges, contract termination charges, write-off of equipment and (gain)/loss on sale of manufacturing sites.

  (3)

Legal, accounting, printing and registration fees associated with initial and follow-on public offering and related expenses.

  (4)

Costs associated with the merger transaction with the Brookfield Affiliates, resulting in change in control compensation expenses.

  (5)

Non-cash gains and losses from foreign currency remeasurement of non-operating assets and liabilities of our non-U.S. subsidiaries where the functional currency is the U.S. dollar.

  (6)

Non-cash expense for stock-based compensation grants.

  (7)

Non-cash fixed asset write-off recorded for obsolete assets.

  (8)

Non-cash expense adjustment for future payment to the Brookfield Affiliates for tax assets that are expected to be utilized.

(d)

Effective the first quarter of 2019, we have recast the sales volumes above to include only graphite electrodes manufactured by GrafTech. This better reflects management’s assessment of our profitability and excludes resales of low grade graphite electrodes manufactured by third-party suppliers. For comparability purposes, the prior periods have been recast to conform to this presentation.

(e)

Production volume reflects graphite electrodes produced during the period.

(f)

The St. Marys, Pennsylvania, facility was temporarily idled effective the second quarter of 2016 except for the machining of semi-finished products sourced from other plants. In the first quarter of 2018, our St. Marys facility began graphitizing a limited amount of electrodes sourced from our Monterrey, Mexico, facility.

(g)

Production capacity reflects expected maximum production volume during the period under normal operating conditions, standard product mix and expected maintenance outage. Actual production may vary.

(h)

Capacity utilization reflects production volume as a percentage of production capacity.

(i)

Includes graphite electrode facilities in Calais, France; Monterrey, Mexico; Pamplona, Spain; and St. Marys, Pennsylvania.



 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our Common Stock involves risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our Common Stock, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020, which are incorporated herein by reference and may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, results of operations and financial condition could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our Common Stock could decline, and you could lose part of your investment.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder. Any shares of Common Stock offered by the Selling Stockholder pursuant to this prospectus supplement will be sold by the Selling Stockholder for its own account.

SELLING STOCKHOLDER

The following table and accompanying footnote show information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock, as of January 11, 2021, held by the Selling Stockholder. The percentage below for Common Stock owned before the offering is based on 267,191,794 shares of our Common Stock outstanding as of January 11, 2021. Percentage ownership of our Common Stock after the offering assumes the sale of 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock in this offering. Beneficial ownership is determined under the SEC rules and regulations and generally includes voting or investment power over securities. Except as indicated in the footnote to this table, we believe that the Selling Stockholder identified in the table below possesses sole voting and investment power over all shares of equity securities shown as beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholder.

 

    Beneficial Ownership
Prior to Offering
          Shares Beneficially Owned
After Offering
 

Name

  Number of
Shares
    Percentage of
Outstanding
Common
Stock
    Number
of Shares
Being
Offered
    Number of
Shares
    Percentage of
Outstanding
Common
Stock
 

The Selling Stockholder (1)

    147,742,043       55.3     20,000,000       127,742,043       47.8

 

(1)

The Brookfield Affiliates hold an aggregate of 147,742,570 shares of Common Stock (the “Brookfield Shares”), consisting of (a) 147,742,043 shares of Common Stock held directly by the Selling Stockholder and (b) 527 shares of Common Stock held directly by Brookfield Private Funds Holdings Inc. Brookfield Asset Management Inc., by virtue of its relationships with these entities, may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of all of these shares. BPE IV (Non-Cdn) GP LP, Brookfield Capital Partners Ltd., BCP GP Limited, Brookfield Private Equity Group Holdings LP, Brookfield Private Equity Inc. and Brookfield Asset

 

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  Management Inc., by virtue of their relationships with the Selling Stockholder, may be deemed to share beneficial ownership in the shares held directly by the Selling Stockholder. Brookfield Asset Management Inc., by virtue of its relationship with Brookfield Private Funds Holdings Inc., may be deemed to share beneficial ownership in the shares held directly by Brookfield Private Funds Holdings Inc. Each of the Brookfield Affiliates disclaims beneficial ownership of the Brookfield Shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein, if any. The address of each of the Brookfield Affiliates referenced above is 181 Bay Street, Suite 300, Toronto, ON M5J 2T3.

 

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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS

General

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations related to the ownership and disposition of our Common Stock by a non-U.S. holder, as defined below, that acquires our Common Stock pursuant to this offering. This discussion assumes that a non-U.S. holder will hold our Common Stock issued pursuant to this offering as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (generally, for investment purposes). This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular investor in light of the investor’s individual circumstances and does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations relating thereto. In addition, this discussion does not address (i) other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, (ii) state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences, (iii) the special tax rules that may apply to certain investors, including, without limitation, banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, broker-dealers, traders in securities, grantor trusts, personal holding companies, taxpayers who have elected mark-to-market accounting, tax-exempt entities, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, persons deemed to sell our Common Stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code, persons who hold or receive our Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation, entities or arrangements classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes or other pass-through entities (or an investor in such entities or arrangements), pension plans, “qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds or U.S. expatriates and former long-term residents of the United States, (iv) the special tax rules that may apply to an investor that acquires, holds or disposes of our Common Stock as part of a straddle, hedge, constructive sale, conversion or other integrated or risk reduction transaction or (v) the impact, if any, of the alternative minimum tax or the Medicare tax imposed on net investment income.

This summary is based on current provisions of the Code, applicable Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial opinions, and published rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, all as in effect on the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly with retroactive effect. We have not sought, and will not seek, any ruling from the IRS or any opinion of counsel with respect to the tax consequences discussed herein, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a position contrary to the tax consequences discussed below or that any position taken by the IRS would not be sustained.

As used in this discussion, the term “U.S. person” means a person that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (i) a citizen or individual resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if (A) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (B) it has in effect a valid election under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. As used in this summary, the term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of our Common Stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an individual, corporation, estate or trust that is not a U.S. person.

The tax treatment of a partnership (or any other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and each partner thereof will generally depend upon the status and activities of the partnership and such partner. A holder that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes or a partner in such partnership should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to it and its partners of the ownership and disposition of our Common Stock.

 

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THIS DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS RELATED TO THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK BY NON-U.S. HOLDERS. IT IS NOT TAX ADVICE. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX LAWS, AS WELL AS U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE AND GIFT TAX LAWS AND ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

Distributions on Common Stock

If we pay cash or distribute property to holders of shares of Common Stock, such distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in our Common Stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of the Common Stock and will be treated as described under “—Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock” below.

Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder that are not effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividend or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. A non-U.S. holder that wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable tax treaty withholding rate generally will be required to (i) duly complete and execute an IRS Form W-8BEN or an IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any successor form of the foregoing) and certify under penalties of perjury that such holder is not a U.S. person and is eligible for the benefits of the applicable tax treaty or (ii) if our Common Stock is held through certain foreign intermediaries, satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable Treasury regulations. These forms may need to be periodically updated.

A non-U.S. holder eligible for a reduced rate of withholding of U.S. federal income tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may be able to obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under an applicable income tax treaty and the manner of claiming the benefits of such treaty (including, without limitation, the need to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number).

Dividends that are effectively connected with a non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States) generally are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the U.S. federal income tax rates generally applicable to a U.S. person and are not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax, provided that the non-U.S. holder establishes an exemption from such withholding by complying with certain certification and disclosure requirements (generally by providing a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or any successor form thereof)). Any such effectively connected dividends (and, if required, dividends attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or fixed base) received by a non-U.S. holder that is treated as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

 

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Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock

Subject to the summary below regarding backup withholding and FATCA (as defined herein), any gain recognized by a non-U.S. holder on a sale or other taxable disposition of our Common Stock generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless:

 

  (i)

the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business of the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or fixed base of the non-U.S. holder);

 

  (ii)

the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or

 

  (iii)

we are or have been a United States real property holding corporation, or a USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the non-U.S. holder held the Common Stock.

Any gain recognized by a non-U.S. holder that is described in clause (i) of the preceding paragraph generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the income tax rates generally applicable to a U.S. person, and such non-U.S. holder will be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return. Any gain of a non-U.S. holder that is treated as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is described in clause (i) above may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. An individual non-U.S. holder that is described in clause (ii) of such paragraph generally will be subject to a flat 30% tax (or a lower applicable tax treaty rate) on the U.S.-source capital gain derived from the disposition, which may be offset by U.S.-source capital losses validly claimed during the taxable year of the disposition. With respect to clause (iii) of the preceding paragraph, a U.S. corporation generally is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we are not currently and do not anticipate becoming a USRPHC. Even if we are or were to become a USRPHC, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition by a non-U.S. holder of our Common Stock will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if our Common Stock is regularly traded, as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market and such non-U.S. holder has held at all times during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period, actually or constructively, 5% or less of our Common Stock. If a non-U.S. holder holds or held (at any time during the relevant period) more than 5% of our Common Stock and if we were a USRPHC at any time during the relevant period, such non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the net gain derived from a taxable disposition at the income tax rates generally applicable to a U.S. person. Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential applicability of these rules, as well as any income tax treaty in their particular circumstances.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

We generally must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder of our Common Stock the amount of dividends paid to such holder on our Common Stock, the tax, if any, withheld with respect to those dividends and such holder’s name and address. Copies of the information returns reporting those dividends and withholding taxes may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder is a resident under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or agreement. Information reporting also is generally required with respect to the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of our Common Stock to or through the U.S. office (and in certain cases, the foreign office) of a broker, unless the non-U.S. holder establishes that it is not a U.S. person.

Under some circumstances, Treasury regulations require backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax, currently at a rate of 24%, on reportable payments with respect to our Common Stock. A non-U.S. holder

 

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generally may eliminate the requirement for backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or other applicable IRS Form W-8 (or any successor form of the foregoing), or by otherwise establishing an exemption.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding and information reporting may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that a holder is a U.S. person. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against a non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and may entitle such non-U.S. holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.

FATCA

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act provisions of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act and Treasury regulations thereunder, commonly referred to as “FATCA,” generally impose a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain types of payments, including payments of U.S.- source dividends and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of certain securities producing such U.S.-source dividends made to (i) “foreign financial institutions” unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. account holders, and (ii) certain non-financial foreign entities unless they certify certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners. Proposed Treasury regulations have been issued that would eliminate withholding on payments of gross proceeds (but not on payments of dividends). Pursuant to the preamble to the proposed Treasury regulations, we and any withholding agent may (but are not required to) rely on this proposed change to FATCA withholding until the final regulations are issued or the proposed regulations are withdrawn. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

We will not pay any additional amounts to non-U.S. holders in respect of any amounts withheld, including pursuant to FATCA. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of the FATCA provisions to them based on their particular circumstances.

 

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UNDERWRITING

The Selling Stockholder is offering the shares of Common Stock described in this prospectus supplement through an underwriter. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is acting as the sole underwriter of the offering. We and the Selling Stockholder intend to enter into an underwriting agreement with the underwriter. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, the Selling Stockholder intends to agree to sell to the underwriter, and the underwriter intends to agree to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, the number of shares of Common Stock listed next to its name in the following table:

 

Underwriter

   Number of
Shares
 

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

     20,000,000  
  

 

 

 

Total

     20,000,000  
  

 

 

 

The underwriter is committed to purchase all the shares of Common Stock offered by the Selling Stockholder if it purchases any shares.

The underwriter proposes to offer the shares of Common Stock directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $            per share. Any such dealers may resell shares to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to $            per share from the public offering price. After the closing of the offering of the shares to the public, if all the shares of Common Stock are not sold at the public offering price, the underwriter may change the offering price and the other selling terms. Sales of shares made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriter.

The underwriting fee is equal to the public offering price per share of Common Stock less the amount paid by the underwriter to the Selling Stockholder per share of Common Stock. The underwriting fee is $            per share. The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriter.

 

Per Share

   $               

Total

   $               

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $175,000.

A prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by the underwriter, or selling group members, if any, participating in the offering. The

 

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underwriter may agree to allocate a number of shares to selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the underwriter to selling group members, if any, that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

We, our directors, our executive officers and the Selling Stockholder have agreed with the underwriter not to (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or submit to or file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, or publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock or any such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or (iii) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, during the period from the date of this prospectus supplement continuing through the date 45 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, without the prior written consent of the underwriter, subject to certain exceptions, including, but not limited to:

 

  (A)

the shares of our Common Stock to be sold in this offering;

 

  (B)

the issuance of shares of our Common Stock or other securities (including securities convertible into shares of our Common Stock) in connection with the acquisition by us or any of our subsidiaries of the securities, businesses, properties or other assets of another person or entity or pursuant to any employee benefit plan assumed by us in connection with such acquisition; or

 

  (C)

the issuance of shares of our Common Stock or other securities (including securities convertible into shares of our Common Stock) in connection with joint ventures, commercial relationships or other strategic transactions;

provided that, in the case of clauses (B) and (C), the aggregate number of shares of our Common Stock issued in all such acquisitions and transactions will not exceed 5% of our issued and outstanding Common Stock on the closing date of this offering and any recipients of such shares of our Common Stock will deliver a lock-up agreement to the underwriter.

We and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Our Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “EAF.”

In connection with this offering, the underwriter may engage in stabilizing transactions, which involves making bids for, purchasing and selling shares of Common Stock in the open market for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Common Stock while this offering is in progress. These stabilizing transactions may include making short sales of the Common Stock, which involves the sale by the underwriter of a greater number of shares of Common Stock than it is required to purchase in this offering, and purchasing shares of Common Stock on the open market to cover positions created by short sales. A short position is more likely to be created if the underwriter is concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the Common Stock in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. To the extent that the underwriter creates a short position, it will purchase shares in the open market to cover the position.

 

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The underwriter has advised us that, pursuant to Regulation M of the Securities Act, it may also engage in other activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the Common Stock, including the imposition of penalty bids.

These activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the Common Stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Common Stock, and, as a result, the price of the Common Stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If the underwriter commences these activities, it may discontinue them at any time. The underwriter may carry out these transactions on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

It is expected that delivery of the shares will be made against payment therefor on or about                , 2021, which is the third business day following the date of pricing (such settlement cycle being referred to as “T+3”). Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the shares on the date of pricing will be required, by virtue of the fact that the shares initially will settle in T+3, to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent failed settlement. Purchasers of the shares who wish to trade the shares on the date of pricing should consult their own advisors.

Selling Restrictions

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us, the Selling Stockholder or the underwriter that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each a “Relevant State”), no shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to this offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of shares may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

 

  (a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the Prospectus Regulation;

 

  (b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriter; or

 

  (c)

in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,

provided that no such offer of shares shall require us or the underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.

 

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Each person who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with the underwriter and the Company that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation.

In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriter has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to shares in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

The underwriter has represented and agreed that:

 

  (a)

it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the “FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the shares in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and

 

  (b)

it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

In relation to the United Kingdom (the “UK”), no shares have been offered or will be offered, pursuant to this offering, to the public in the UK prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, except that offers of shares may be made to the public in the UK at any time under the following exemptions:

 

  (a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the UK Prospectus Regulation;

 

  (b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriter; or

 

  (c)

in any other circumstances falling within section 86 of the FSMA,

provided that no such offer of shares shall require us or the underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

Each person who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with the underwriter and the Company that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the UK Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in the UK to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriter has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

 

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For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to shares in the UK means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Regulation) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (e) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”) or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the public of the shares in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the FSMA.

Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on the information included in this document or use it as basis for taking any action. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity that this document relates to may be made or taken exclusively by relevant persons.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

The shares may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriter is not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland

The shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of, and has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company, the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document

 

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will not be filed with, and the offer of shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA), and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre

This prospectus supplement relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Markets Rules 2012 of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This prospectus supplement is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Markets Rules 2012 of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for this prospectus supplement. The shares to which this prospectus supplement relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus supplement you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

In relation to its use in the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”), this prospectus supplement is strictly private and confidential and is being distributed to a limited number of investors and must not be provided to any person other than the original recipient, and may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. The interests in the shares may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly to the public in the DIFC.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Arab Emirates

This prospectus supplement has not been reviewed, approved or licensed by or registered with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (the “Central Bank”), the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (the “SCA”) or any other licensing authority in the United Arab Emirates (the “UAE”, which includes each of the free zones established and operating in the UAE such as the DIFC and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (the “ADGM”)), including the Dubai Financial Services Authority (the “DFSA”), a regulatory authority of the DIFC, or the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (the “FSRA”), a regulatory authority of the ADGM.

This prospectus supplement is not intended to and does not constitute an offer, sale or delivery of shares or other securities in the UAE except to the extent that it is an Exempt Offer in the DIFC only in accordance with “—Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre” above and the shares may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly in the UAE other than as an Exempt Offer into the DIFC only. This prospectus supplement does not constitute a public offer of securities in the UAE in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law (Federal Law No. 2 of 2015) (as amended) or otherwise and further does not constitute an offer or promotion in the UAE in accordance with SCA board of directors decision No. 3 (/R.M.) of 2017 Concerning the Organization of Promotion and Introduction (whether by a foreign issuer, as defined therein, or otherwise).

No marketing of the shares has been, or will be, made from within the UAE and no marketing of the shares has been, or will be, made to the UAE or any person within it other than in compliance with the laws of the UAE (including any decisions of the Central Bank or the SCA or its board of directors or chairman) and no subscription for any securities may be consummated within the UAE other than pursuant to an Exempt Offer into the DIFC only.

This prospectus supplement may not be distributed to or within and no marketing of the shares has been or will be made to or within the ADGM or the DIFC or to any person within them other than pursuant to an Exempt Offer into the DIFC only. No offer or invitation to subscribe for shares is valid or permitted from any person in the ADGM or the DIFC other than pursuant to an Exempt Offer into the DIFC only.

 

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This prospectus supplement is not intended to constitute a financial promotion, offer, sale or delivery of shares or other securities under the ADGM’s Financial Services and Markets Regulations 2015 (as amended) (the “Markets Regulations”) or under the Markets Rules (the “ADGM Markets Rules”) of the FSRA or any other laws and regulations of the ADGM. This prospectus supplement and the issue or transfer of any securities related to it have not been approved or licensed by the FSRA, and do not constitute an offer of securities in the ADGM in accordance with the Markets Regulations or the ADGM Markets Rules or any other laws and regulations of the ADGM.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia

This prospectus supplement:

 

   

does not constitute a prospectus or other disclosure document, as defined under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia (the “Corporations Act”);

 

   

has not been, and will not be, lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”) or any other governmental agency, as a prospectus or other disclosure document for the purposes of the Corporations Act and does not purport to include the information required of a prospectus or other disclosure document for the purposes of the Corporations Act;

 

   

does not permit an offering in circumstances that would require disclosure under Part 6D.2 of the Corporations Act; and

 

   

may only be provided in Australia to select investors who are able to demonstrate that they fall within one or more of the categories of investors, available under section 708 of the Corporations Act (“Exempt Investors”).

The shares may not be directly or indirectly offered for subscription or purchased or sold, and no invitations to subscribe for or buy the shares may be issued, and no draft or definitive offering memorandum, advertisement or other offering material relating to any shares may be distributed in Australia, except where disclosure to investors is not required under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act or is otherwise in compliance with all applicable Australian laws and regulations. By submitting an application for the shares, you represent and warrant to us that you are an Exempt Investor. To the extent that you are unable to represent or warrant that you are an Exempt Investor, any offer made to you under this prospectus supplement is void and incapable of acceptance.

As any offer of shares under this document will be made without disclosure in Australia under the Corporations Act, the offer of those securities for resale in Australia within 12 months may, under other provisions of the Corporations Act, require disclosure to investors if none of the exemptions in section 708 of the Corporations Act applies to that resale. By applying for the shares you undertake to us that you will not, for a period of 12 months from the date of issue of the shares, offer, transfer, assign, or otherwise alienate those shares to investors in Australia except in circumstances where disclosure to investors is not required under the Corporations Act or where a compliant disclosure document is prepared and lodged with ASIC. Before any such offer, transfer, assignment, or alienation of those shares, you should obtain your own independent legal advice, as a non-compliant offer, transfer, assignment or alienation of those shares may attract liability.

This prospectus supplement contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus supplement is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

 

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Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

The shares have not been and will not be registered pursuant to Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Accordingly, none of the shares may be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person “resident” in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the benefit of a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan in effect at the relevant time.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (the “SFO”) of Hong Kong and any rules made thereunder; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) of Hong Kong) (the “CO”) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the CO. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares has been or will be issued or has been or will be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder.

The information herein and this document are strictly confidential to the person whom it is addressed and must not be distributed, published, reproduced or disclosed (in whole or in part) by the recipient to any other person or used for any purpose in Hong Kong.

The contents of this document have not been reviewed by any Hong Kong regulatory authority. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in doubt about any contents of this document, you should obtain independent professional advice.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

The underwriter has acknowledged that this prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, the underwriter has represented and agreed that it has not offered or sold any shares or caused the shares to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell any shares or cause the shares to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this prospectus supplement or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than:

 

  (a)

to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA;

 

  (b)

to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA; or

 

  (c)

otherwise pursuant to and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

 

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Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

  (a)

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

  (b)

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

  (i)

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

  (ii)

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

  (iii)

where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

  (iv)

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

  (v)

as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018.

Singapore SFA Product ClassificationIn connection with Section 309B of the SFA and the CMP Regulations 2018, unless otherwise specified before an offer of shares, the Company has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A(1) of the SFA), that the shares are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

Notice to Prospective Investors in Bermuda

The shares may be offered or sold in Bermuda only in compliance with the provisions of the Investment Business Act of 2003 of Bermuda which regulates the sale of securities in Bermuda. Additionally, non-Bermudian persons (including companies) may not carry on or engage in any trade or business in Bermuda unless such persons are permitted to do so under applicable Bermuda legislation.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Saudi Arabia

This document may not be distributed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia except to such persons as are permitted under the Rules on the Offer of Securities and Continuing Obligations issued by the Saudi Arabian Capital Market Authority (“CMA”). The CMA does not make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of this document and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from, or incurred in reliance upon, any part of this document. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered hereby should conduct their own due diligence on the accuracy of the information relating to the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorized financial adviser.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the British Virgin Islands

The shares are not being, and may not be offered to the public or to any person in the British Virgin Islands for purchase or subscription by or on behalf of the Company. The shares may be offered to companies incorporated under the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (British Virgin Islands) (“BVI Companies”), but only where the offer will be made to, and received by, the relevant BVI Company entirely outside of the British Virgin Islands.

 

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Notice to Prospective Investors in China

This prospectus supplement will not be circulated or distributed in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) and the shares will not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale directly or indirectly to any residents of the PRC except pursuant to any applicable laws and regulations of the PRC. Neither this prospectus supplement nor any advertisement or other offering material may be distributed or published in the PRC, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Korea

The shares have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Investments Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea and the decrees and regulations thereunder (the “FSCMA”), and the shares have been and will be offered in Korea as a private placement under the FSCMA. None of the shares may be offered, sold or delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to any resident of Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea, including the FSCMA and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law of Korea and the decrees and regulations thereunder (the “FETL”). Furthermore, the purchaser of the shares shall comply with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to requirements under the FETL) in connection with the purchase of the shares. By the purchase of the shares, the relevant holder thereof will be deemed to represent and warrant that if it is in Korea or is a resident of Korea, it purchased the shares pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Malaysia

No prospectus or other offering material or document in connection with the offer and sale of the shares has been or will be registered with the Securities Commission of Malaysia (“Commission”) for the Commission’s approval pursuant to the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Malaysia other than (i) a closed end fund approved by the Commission; (ii) a holder of a Capital Markets Services Licence; (iii) a person who acquires the shares, as principal, if the offer is on terms that the shares may only be acquired at a consideration of not less than RM250,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) for each transaction; (iv) an individual whose total net personal assets or total net joint assets with his or her spouse exceeds RM3 million (or its equivalent in foreign currencies), excluding the value of the primary residence of the individual; (v) an individual who has a gross annual income exceeding RM300,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) per annum in the preceding twelve months; (vi) an individual who, jointly with his or her spouse, has a gross annual income of RM400,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies), per annum in the preceding twelve months; (vii) a corporation with total net assets exceeding RM10 million (or its equivalent in a foreign currencies) based on the last audited accounts; (viii) a partnership with total net assets exceeding RM10 million (or its equivalent in foreign currencies); (ix) a bank licensee or insurance licensee as defined in the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010; (x) an Islamic bank licensee or takaful licensee as defined in the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010; and (xi) any other person as may be specified by the Commission; provided that, in the each of the preceding categories (i) to (xi), the distribution of the shares is made by a holder of a Capital Markets Services Licence who carries on the business of dealing in securities. The distribution in Malaysia of this prospectus supplement is subject to Malaysian laws. This prospectus supplement does not constitute and may not be used for the purpose of public offering or an issue, offer for subscription or purchase, invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities requiring the registration of a prospectus with the Commission under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007.

 

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Notice to Prospective Investors in Taiwan

The shares have not been and will not be registered with or approved by the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be sold, issued or offered within Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which constitutes an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan that requires a registration or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been or will be authorized to offer, sell, give advice regarding or otherwise intermediate the offering and sale of the shares in Taiwan.

Other Relationships

The underwriter and its respective affiliates have provided in the past to us and our affiliates and may provide from time to time in the future certain commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking and other services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of their business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. In addition, from time to time, certain of the underwriter and its affiliates may effect transactions for their own account or the account of customers, and hold on behalf of themselves or their customers, long or short positions in our debt or equity securities or loans, and may do so in the future.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Jones Day. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriter by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act with respect to the Common Stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information about us and the securities that are being offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Statements in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to those filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate those statements.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by us are available to the public free of charge at www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.graftech.com. Other than as detailed in the section of this prospectus supplement titled “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference,” the information on or accessible through our website, the websites of our affiliates and the SEC’s website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and you should not consider it part of this prospectus supplement, and any references to these websites or any other websites are inactive textual references only.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows the Company to “incorporate by reference” the information it files with the SEC. This permits us to disclose important information to you by referencing these filed documents, which are considered part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.

We incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that the Company previously filed with the SEC and any future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of the offering of the Common Stock under this prospectus supplement. We will not, however, incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus any documents or portions thereof that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of our Current Reports on Form 8-K after the date of this prospectus supplement unless, and except to the extent, specified in such Current Reports. These documents contain important information about the Company.

 

   

The information contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule  14A filed with the SEC on April 3, 2020 and incorporated by reference into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019;

 

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Our Annual Report on  Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019;

 

   

Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2020June 30, 2020 and  September 30, 2020;

 

 

   

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on  May 15, 2020August 5, 2020November  16, 2020, December  8, 2020, December  17, 2020 and December 23, 2020; and

 

   

The description of our Common Stock set forth in Exhibit 4.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which updated the description thereof set forth in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on April 18, 2018, and all subsequently filed amendments and reports updating that description.

We will provide without charge, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You may obtain these copies by writing us at GrafTech International Ltd., 982 Keynote Circle, Brooklyn Heights, Ohio 44131 or by telephoning us at (216) 676-2000.

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Purchase Contracts

Units

 

 

The following are types of securities that we may offer, issue and sell from time to time, or that may be sold by the selling securityholder from time to time, together or separately:

 

   

shares of our common stock;

 

   

shares of our preferred stock;

 

   

debt securities;

 

   

depositary shares;

 

   

warrants to purchase debt or equity securities;

 

   

purchase contracts; and

 

   

units.

We or the selling securityholder may offer any of these securities together or separately and in one or more series, if any, in amounts, at prices and on other terms to be determined at the time of the offering and described in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and each related prospectus supplement, together with the documents we incorporate by reference, before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

In the case of an offering by the selling securityholder, the applicable prospectus supplement will include specific information required with respect to the selling securityholder, including the relationship between the selling securityholder and us.

We or the selling securityholder may offer and sell our securities through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. We provide more information about how the securities may be offered and sold in the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 21. The prospectus supplement for each offering of our securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering.

Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, none of these securities other than our common stock will be listed on any securities exchange. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “EAF.” On June 17, 2019, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE was $10.81 per share.

 

 

Investing in the offered securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 1 and carefully consider the discussion of risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents we incorporate by reference.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is June 18, 2019.


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We are responsible for the information contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to give you any other information, and we take no responsibility for any other information that others may give you. Neither we nor the selling securityholder are making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document containing the information.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     i  

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA AND FORECASTS

     i  

TRADEMARKS

     i  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     ii  

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

     1  

RISK FACTORS

     1  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     1  

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

     2  

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

     2  

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

     7  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     8  

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

     18  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     19  

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

     19  

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

     20  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     21  

LEGAL MATTERS

     23  

EXPERTS

     23  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     23  


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing an automatic shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, we or the selling securityholder may periodically sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides a general description of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants, purchase contracts and units that we or the selling securityholder may offer. Each time we or the selling securityholder offers securities, we or the selling securityholder will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information, including information about us, contained in this prospectus. Therefore, before making your investment decision, you should carefully read:

 

   

this prospectus;

 

   

any applicable prospectus supplement, which (1) explains the specific terms of the securities being offered and (2) updates and changes information in this prospectus; and

 

   

the documents referred to in “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 23 for information about us, including our financial statements.

Unless the context suggests otherwise, references in this prospectus to “GrafTech,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to GrafTech International Ltd., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries. See “GrafTech International Ltd.” below for more information. References in this prospectus to the “selling securityholder” refer to BCP IV GrafTech Holdings LP, an affiliate of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and Brookfield Business Partners L.P., and the direct majority owner of GrafTech. References in this prospectus to “Brookfield” refer to Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and its affiliates. All dollar amounts in this prospectus are in U.S. dollars and are expressed in thousands unless specified otherwise. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”).

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA AND FORECASTS

Certain market and industry data included in, and incorporated by reference into, this prospectus has been obtained from third party sources that we believe to be reliable. Market estimates are calculated by using independent industry publications, government publications and third party forecasts in conjunction with our assumptions about our markets. We have not independently verified such third party information. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding any market, industry or similar data presented herein, such data involves risks and uncertainties and is subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the headings “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in, and incorporated by reference into, this prospectus.

TRADEMARKS

We own or otherwise have rights to the trademarks, service marks, copyrights and trade names, including those mentioned in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference used in conjunction with the marketing and sale of our products and services. This prospectus includes trademarks, which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are our property and/or the property of our subsidiaries. This prospectus may also contain trademarks, service marks, copyrights and trade names of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trademarks, service marks, copyrights or trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies. Solely for convenience, our trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ®, , or SM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to these trademarks, service marks and trade names.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as “will,” “may,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “target,” “goal,” “continue to,” “positioned to” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words. Any forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference are based upon our historical performance and on our current plans, estimates and expectations in light of information currently available to us. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us, the selling securityholder, the underwriters or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, financial results, financial condition, business, prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to:

 

   

the cyclical nature of our business and the selling prices of our products may lead to periods of reduced profitability and net losses in the future;

 

   

the possibility that we may be unable to implement our business strategies, including our initiative to secure and maintain longer-term customer contracts, in an effective manner;

 

   

the possibility that tax legislation could adversely affect us or our stockholders;

 

   

pricing for graphite electrodes has historically been cyclical and current prices are relatively high, however, the price of graphite electrodes may decline in the future;

 

   

the sensitivity of our business and operating results to economic conditions;

 

   

our dependence on the global steel industry generally and the electric arc furnace (“EAF”) steel industry in particular;

 

   

the possibility that global graphite electrode overcapacity may adversely affect graphite electrode prices;

 

   

the competitiveness of the graphite electrode industry;

 

   

our dependence on the supply of petroleum needle coke;

 

   

our dependence on supplies of raw materials (in addition to petroleum needle coke) and energy;

 

   

the possibility that our manufacturing operations are subject to hazards;

 

   

changes in, or more stringent enforcement of, health, safety and environmental regulations applicable to our manufacturing operations and facilities;

 

   

the legal, economic, social and political risks associated with our substantial operations in multiple countries;

 

   

the possibility that fluctuation of foreign currency exchange rates could materially harm our financial results;

 

   

the possibility that our results of operations could deteriorate if our manufacturing operations were substantially disrupted for an extended period, including as a result of equipment failure, climate change, regulatory issues, natural disasters, public health crises, political crises or other catastrophic events;

 

   

our dependence on third parties for certain construction, maintenance, engineering, transportation, warehousing and logistics services;

 

   

the possibility that we are unable to recruit or retain key management and plant operating personnel or successfully negotiate with the representatives of our employees, including labor unions;

 

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the possibility that we may divest or acquire businesses, which could require significant management attention or disrupt our business;

 

   

the sensitivity of goodwill on our balance sheet to changes in the market;

 

   

the possibility that we are subject to information technology systems failures, cybersecurity attacks, network disruptions and breaches of data security;

 

   

our dependence on protecting our intellectual property;

 

   

the possibility that third parties may claim that our products or processes infringe their intellectual property rights;

 

   

the possibility that significant changes in our jurisdictional earnings mix or in the tax laws of those jurisdictions could adversely affect our business;

 

   

the possibility that our indebtedness could limit our financial and operating activities or that our cash flows may not be sufficient to service our indebtedness;

 

   

the possibility that restrictive covenants in our financing agreements could restrict or limit our operations;

 

   

the fact that borrowings under certain of our existing financing agreements subjects us to interest rate risk;

 

   

the possibility of a lowering or withdrawal of the ratings assigned to our debt;

 

   

the possibility that disruptions in the capital and credit markets could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, or those of our customers and suppliers;

 

   

the possibility that highly concentrated ownership of our common stock may prevent minority stockholders from influencing significant corporate decisions;

 

   

the possibility that we may not pay cash dividends on our common stock in the future;

 

   

the fact that certain of our stockholders have the right to engage or invest in the same or similar businesses as us;

 

   

the fact that certain provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated By-Laws could hinder, delay or prevent a change of control;

 

   

the fact that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders; and

 

   

our status as a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE corporate governance standards, which allows us to qualify for exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.

These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference. The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement except as required by law, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution that you should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. You should specifically consider the factors identified in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement that could cause actual results to differ before making an investment decision to purchase our securities. Furthermore, new risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us.

 

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GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

We are a leading manufacturer of high quality graphite electrode products essential to the production of EAF steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. We believe that we have the most competitive portfolio of low-cost graphite electrode manufacturing facilities in the industry, including three of the five highest capacity facilities in the world (excluding China). We are the only large scale graphite electrode producer that is substantially vertically integrated into petroleum needle coke, the primary raw material for graphite electrode manufacturing, which is currently in limited supply. This unique position provides us with competitive advantages in product quality and cost. Founded in 1886, we have over 130 years of experience in the research and development of graphite- and carbon-based solutions, and our intellectual property portfolio is extensive. We currently have graphite electrode manufacturing facilities in Calais, France, Pamplona, Spain, Monterrey, Mexico and St. Marys, Pennsylvania. Our customers include major steel producers and other ferrous and non-ferrous metal producers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Americas and Asia-Pacific, which sell their products into the automotive, construction, appliance, machinery, equipment and transportation industries. Our vision is to provide highly engineered graphite electrode services, solutions and products to EAF operators. Based on the high quality of our graphite electrodes, reliability of our petroleum needle coke supply and our excellent customer service, we believe that we are viewed as a preferred supplier to the global EAF steel producer market.

GrafTech International Ltd. was incorporated in Delaware in April 2010. On August 15, 2015, we became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Brookfield through a tender offer to shareholders and subsequent merger transaction. Brookfield is an experienced operator of industrial, natural resource and other tangible asset businesses.

In April 2018, we completed our initial public offering (“IPO”) of 38,097,525 shares of our common stock held by Brookfield at a price of $15.00 per share (including the partial exercise by the underwriters in our IPO of their overallotment option). We did not receive any proceeds related to the IPO. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “EAF.”

Our executive offices are located at 982 Keynote Circle, Brooklyn Heights, Ohio 44131 and our telephone number is (216) 676-2000. Our Internet website address is www.graftech.com. Information on, or accessible through, our website is not part of this prospectus. We have included our website address only as an inactive textual reference and do not intend it to be an active link to our website.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in the offered securities involves risks. Before deciding to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the discussion of risks and uncertainties under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 23.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from any sale of the securities described in this prospectus for our general corporate purposes, which may include financing our operating activities, refinancing our indebtedness, capital expenditures, repurchasing our common stock or other strategic opportunities. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily in short-term marketable securities or applied to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purpose.

Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds in the event that the securities are sold by the selling securityholder. We will bear all costs, fees and expenses in connection with an offering in which shares of our common stock or debt securities are sold by the selling securityholder, except that the selling securityholder will pay all underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants, purchase contracts and units that we or the selling securityholder may sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in a related prospectus supplement, if necessary.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

The following descriptions are summaries of the material terms of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (“Amended Certificate of Incorporation”) and Amended and Restated By-Laws (“Amended By-Laws”). These descriptions contain all information which we consider to be material, but may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand them fully, you should read our Amended Certificate of Incorporation and Amended By-Laws, copies of which are filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The summary below is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Amended Certificate of Incorporation and Amended By-Laws. The terms of these securities may also be affected by the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”).

We may periodically issue shares of our common stock or other securities that can be exercised, converted or exchanged into shares of our common stock. The description below summarizes the general terms of our common stock. This section is a summary, and it does not describe every aspect of our common stock. This summary is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, reference to the provisions of our Amended Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended By-Laws.

Authorized Capitalization

As of May 31, 2019, our capital structure consists of three billion (3,000,000,000) authorized shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 290,537,612 shares of which are currently outstanding, and 300,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, none of which are currently outstanding.

Common Stock

The holders of our common stock are entitled to such dividends as our board of directors may declare from time to time from legally available funds subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any shares of our preferred stock that we may issue in the future. The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on any matter to be voted upon by stockholders, subject to the restrictions described below under the caption “Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation, Our By-Laws and Delaware Law.”

Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting in connection with the election of directors. Accordingly, directors will be elected by a majority of the shares voting, or in the case of a contested election, a plurality of the shares voting, once a quorum is present. No holder of our common stock has any preemptive rights, conversion rights or other subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock.

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share, on a pro rata basis, all assets remaining after payment to creditors and subject to prior distribution rights of any shares of preferred stock that we may issue in the future. All of the outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares offered by the selling securityholder in this offering will be, fully paid and non-assessable.

As of May 31, 2019, we had 290,537,612 shares of common stock outstanding and 2 stockholders of record of common stock.

 

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Preferred Stock

No shares of our preferred stock are currently outstanding. Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our board of directors, without further action by our stockholders, to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series. The board may fix or alter the rights, preferences and privileges of the preferred stock, along with any limitations or restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences of each class or series of preferred stock. The preferred stock could have voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could also have the effect, under certain circumstances, of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of our Company. See “Description of Preferred Stock” for more information about our preferred stock.

Stockholder Rights Agreement

We and Brookfield entered into the Stockholder Rights Agreement in connection with our IPO. Under the Stockholder Rights Agreement, for so long as Brookfield owns or controls at least 25% of our outstanding common stock, Brookfield will have the right to nominate the higher of 37.5% of the members of the board of directors and three members of the board of directors. Brookfield will also have the right to select the chairman of the board of directors. In the event Brookfield owns or controls less than 25% of the Company, the Brookfield directors will promptly tender their resignations. The board of directors (excluding the Brookfield directors) will have the option, but not the obligation, to accept the Brookfield directors’ resignations. If the board of directors (excluding the Brookfield directors) votes to accept these resignations, the Brookfield directors will cease to be members of the board of directors. If the board of directors (excluding the Brookfield directors) votes not to accept these resignations, the directors will continue to serve as members of the board of directors until the next annual meeting of our stockholders, regardless of the time remaining in their respective terms of office. In accordance with the Stockholder Rights Agreement, the board members designated by Brookfield are Denis A. Turcotte, Jeffrey C. Dutton and David Gregory.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, our By-Laws and Delaware law

Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation and Amended By-Laws contain a number of provisions relating to corporate governance and to the rights of stockholders. Certain of these provisions may be deemed to have a potential “anti-takeover” effect in that such provisions may delay, defer or prevent a change of control or an unsolicited acquisition proposal that a stockholder might consider favorable, including a proposal that might result in the payment of a premium over the market price for the shares held by the stockholders. These provisions include:

Classified Board of Directors

Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation provides that our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors, with the classes as nearly equal in number as possible, and with the directors serving three-year terms. As a result, approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year. The Amended Certificate of Incorporation provides that while Brookfield owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, the classification of the board of directors and the other provisions of the Amended Certificate of Incorporation may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. The Amended Certificate of Incorporation also provides that after Brookfield ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, these provisions may be amended only by the affirmative vote of the holders of 662/3% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. The classification of directors has the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our board of directors. Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation and Amended By-Laws provide that, subject to any rights of holders of preferred stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors are fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by the board of directors. Our board of directors currently has eight members.

 

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Removal of Directors; Vacancies

Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation provides that while Brookfield owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation also provides that after Brookfield ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, directors may be removed only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of the holders of 662/3% or more of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Furthermore, any vacancy on our board of directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of our board of directors, may only be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then in office even if less than a quorum. These provisions may deter a stockholder from removing incumbent directors and simultaneously gaining control of the board of directors by filling the vacancies created by such removal with its own nominees.

Business Combinations

We have opted out of Section 203 of the DGCL, which regulates corporate takeovers; however, our Amended Certificate of Incorporation contains similar provisions providing that we may not engage in certain “business combinations” with any “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

   

the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder was approved by the board of directors;

 

   

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors at the time the transaction commenced; or

 

   

on or after such time, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 6623% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors that are not owned by the interested stockholder.

Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of our outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by any of these entities or persons and who beneficially owned 15% or more of our outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder or an entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by any of these entities or persons.

Under certain circumstances, this provision will make it more difficult for a person who would be an “interested stockholder” to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period. This provision may encourage companies interested in acquiring our Company to negotiate in advance with our board of directors because the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if our board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. These provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our board of directors and may make it more difficult to accomplish transactions which stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation provides that Brookfield and its affiliates and any of their respective direct or indirect transferees and any group as to which such persons are a party do not constitute “interested stockholders” for purposes of this provision.

 

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Special Stockholder meetings

Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation provides that special meetings of our stockholders may be called at any time only by or at the direction of the board of directors or the chairman of the board of directors; provided, however, so long as Brookfield and its affiliates own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, special meetings of our stockholders may also be called by the board of directors or the chairman of the board of directors at the request of Brookfield and its affiliates. Our Amended By-Laws prohibit the conduct of any business at a special meeting other than as specified in the notice for such meeting. These provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers, or changes in control or management of our Company.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Director Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

Our Amended By-Laws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors. In order for any matter to be “properly brought” before a meeting, a stockholder will have to comply with advance notice requirements and provide us with certain information. Generally, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices not earlier than the opening of business 120 days prior, and not later than the close of business 90 days before, the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. Our Amended By-Laws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. Our Amended By-Laws provide that the board of directors may adopt by resolution the rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings. Our Amended By-Laws allow the chairman of the meeting at a meeting of the stockholders to adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings which may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the rules and regulations are not followed. These provisions will not apply to Brookfield and its affiliates so long as they hold more than 50% of our outstanding common stock. These provisions may also defer, delay or discourage a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to influence or obtain control of our Company.

Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation provides that stockholder action can be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting while Brookfield owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock. After Brookfield ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders and cannot be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting.

Supermajority Provisions

Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation and Amended By-Laws provide that the board of directors is expressly authorized to adopt, make, alter, amend or repeal our Amended By-Laws without a stockholder vote in any matter not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware. After Brookfield ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, any adoption, alteration, amendment or repeal of our Amended By-Laws by our stockholders will require the affirmative vote of holders of at least 662/3% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock.

The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares then entitled to vote is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, unless the certificate of incorporation requires a greater percentage. Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation provides that after Brookfield ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, it may be amended only by a vote of at least 662/3% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock.

 

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The combination of the classification of our board of directors, the lack of cumulative voting and the supermajority voting requirements will make it more difficult for our existing stockholders to replace our board of directors as well as for another party to obtain control of us by replacing our board of directors. Because our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management.

These provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying or preventing changes in control of our management or our Company, such as a merger, reorganization or tender offer. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and its policies and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened acquisition of us. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions are also intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our shares of common stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts.

Authorized but Unissued or Undesignated Capital Stock

Our authorized capital stock consists of three billion (3,000,000,000) shares of common stock. A large quantity of authorized but unissued shares may deter potential takeover attempts because of the ability of our board of directors to authorize the issuance of some or all of these shares to a friendly party, or to the public, which would make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to obtain control of us. This possibility may encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. The authorized but unissued stock may be issued by the board of directors in one or more transactions. In this regard, our Amended Certificate of Incorporation grants the board of directors broad power to establish the rights and preferences of authorized and unissued preferred stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock pursuant to the board of directors’ authority described above could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of common stock and adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of such holders and may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control. The board of directors does not currently intend to seek stockholder approval prior to any issuance of preferred stock, unless otherwise required by law.

Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment

Under the DGCL, with certain exceptions, our stockholders have appraisal rights in connection with a merger or consolidation of us. Pursuant to the DGCL, stockholders who properly request and perfect appraisal rights in connection with such merger or consolidation will have the right to receive payment of the fair value of their shares as determined by the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware.

Stockholders’ Derivative Actions

Under the DGCL, any of our stockholders may bring an action in our name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the stockholder bringing the action is a holder of our shares at the time of the transaction to which the action relates or such stockholder’s stock thereafter devolved by operation of law.

Choice of Forum

Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation provides that unless we consent to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the DGCL, our Amended Certificate of Incorporation or Amended By-Laws; or any

 

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action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in our shares of common stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our Amended Certificate of Incorporation.

Conflicts of Interest

Delaware law permits corporations to adopt provisions renouncing any interest or expectancy in certain opportunities that are presented to the corporation or its officers, directors or stockholders. Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation, to the maximum extent permitted from time to time by Delaware law, renounces any interest or expectancy that we have in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, specified business opportunities that are from time to time presented to certain entities and individuals associated with us. Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Brookfield or any person affiliated with Brookfield (including any non-employee director affiliated with Brookfield who serves as one of our officers in both his director and officer capacities) or his or her affiliates will not have any duty to refrain from (i) engaging in a corporate opportunity in the same or similar lines of business in which we or our affiliates now engage or propose to engage or (ii) otherwise competing with us or our affiliates. In addition, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event that Brookfield or any person affiliated with Brookfield acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for itself or himself or its or his affiliates or for us or our affiliates, such person will have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or business opportunity to us or any of our affiliates, may take any such opportunity for themselves or offer it to another person or entity and shall not be liable to us or any of our affiliates, subsidiaries or stockholders for breach of any duty as a stockholder, director or officer or otherwise for pursuing or acquiring such opportunity.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation provides that no director shall be personally liable to us or any of our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL. Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation and Amended By-Laws provide that we will indemnify, hold harmless and advance expenses to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, any person made or threatened to be made a party to any action or is involved in a proceeding by reason of the fact that the person is or was our director or officer, or our director or officer who, while a director or officer, is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or manager of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan. Our Amended By-Laws also provide that, subject to applicable law, the Company may, by action of its board of directors, grant rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to persons other than its directors and officers with such scope and effect as the board of directors may then determine. We have entered into customary indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors that provide them, in general, with customary indemnification in connection with their service to us or on our behalf.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Listing

Our common stock listed on the NYSE under the symbol “EAF.”

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

Our Amended Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our board of directors, without further action by our stockholders, to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series. The board may fix or alter the

 

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rights, preferences and privileges of the preferred stock, along with any limitations or restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences of each class or series of preferred stock. The preferred stock could have voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could also have the effect, under certain circumstances, of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of our Company. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of preferred stock we may offer will contain the specific terms of that series, including some or all of the following:

 

   

whether the shares of the series are redeemable, and if so, the prices at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the shares may be redeemed, including the date or dates upon or after which the shares will be redeemable and the amount per share payable in case of redemption;

 

   

whether shares of the series will be entitled to receive dividends or other distributions and, if so, the distribution rate on the shares, any restriction, limitation or condition upon the payment of the dividends or other distributions, whether dividends or other distributions will be cumulative, and the dates on which dividends or other distributions are payable;

 

   

any preferential amount payable upon shares of the series in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of GrafTech;

 

   

whether and the extent to which the series will be guaranteed;

 

   

whether the shares of the series are convertible, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of stock or of any other series of stock, or any other securities of GrafTech, and if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange, including price or rates of conversion at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the shares of the series may be converted or exchanged into other securities;

 

   

a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock being offered;

 

   

terms and conditions of the purchase or sinking fund provisions, if any, for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series;

 

   

the distinctive designation of each series and the number of shares that will constitute the series;

 

   

the voting power, if any, of shares of the series; and

 

   

any other relative rights, preferences or limitations.

As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to three hundred million (300,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, none of which are currently outstanding.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This section describes the general terms that will apply to any debt securities that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. The specific terms of any offered debt securities, and the extent to which the general terms described in this section apply to these debt securities, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement at the time of the offering. The prospectus supplement, which we will file with the SEC, may or may not modify the general terms found in this prospectus. For a complete description of any series of debt securities, you should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement that applies to that series of debt securities.

In this section, the terms “we,” “our,” “us” and “GrafTech” refer solely to GrafTech International Ltd. (and not to any of its affiliates, including subsidiaries). As used in this prospectus, “debt securities” means the debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement and authenticated by the relevant trustee and delivered under the applicable

 

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indenture. We may issue debt securities under an indenture (the “indenture”) to be entered into between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “trustee”), as supplemented from time to time, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. If a different trustee or a different indenture for a series of debt securities is used, those details will be provided in a prospectus supplement and the forms of any other indentures will be filed with the SEC at the time they are used.

We have summarized below the material provisions of the indenture and the debt securities, and indicated which material provisions will be described in an applicable prospectus supplement. For further information, you should read the indenture. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the indenture, including the provisions made part thereof by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).

General

The debt securities that we may offer under the indenture are not limited in aggregate principal amount. We may issue debt securities at one or more times in one or more series. Each series of debt securities may have different terms. The terms of any series of debt securities will be described in, or determined by action taken pursuant to, a resolution of our board of directors or a committee appointed by our board of directors or in a supplement to the indenture relating to that series.

We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of that series, for the issuance of additional debt securities of that series. Additional debt securities of a particular series will have the same terms and conditions as outstanding debt securities of that series, except for the date of original issuance and the offering price, and will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, those outstanding debt securities.

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will state the price or prices at which the debt securities will be offered and will contain the specific terms of that series. These terms may include the following:

 

   

the title of the series;

 

   

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the series;

 

   

the date or dates on which each of the principal of and premium, if any, on the securities of the series is payable and the method of determination thereof;

 

   

whether the debt securities are senior or subordinated debt securities and, if subordinated, the terms of such subordination;

 

   

the rate or rates at which the securities of the series will bear interest, if any, or the method of calculating such rate or rates of interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue or the method by which the date or dates will be determined, the interest payment dates on which any interest will be payable and the record date, if any;

 

   

whether debt securities are entitled to any guarantee of any subsidiary guarantors and the identity of any such subsidiary guarantors for that series and the terms of such guarantee;

 

   

the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on securities of the series will be payable;

 

   

the place or places where the securities may be exchanged or transferred;

 

   

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option, if we are to have that option with respect to the applicable series;

 

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our obligation, if any, to redeem or purchase securities of the series in whole or in part pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the other terms and conditions upon which securities of the series will be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such an obligation;

 

   

if other than denominations of $2,000 and multiples of $1,000 thereafter, the denominations in which securities of the series are issuable;

 

   

if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the securities of the series will or may be payable, or in which the securities of the series will be denominated, and the particular provisions applicable thereto;

 

   

if the payments of principal of (and premium, if any), or interest, if any, on the securities of the series are to be made, at our or a holder’s election, in a currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) other than that in which the securities are denominated or designated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which the payments are to be made, the terms and conditions of the payments and the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to the payments will be determined, and the particular provisions applicable thereto;

 

   

if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the securities of the series will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on a currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) other than that in which the securities of the series are denominated or designated to be payable), the index, formula or other method by which those amounts will be determined;

 

   

whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the securities of the series may or must be converted into our securities or exchanged for our securities or those of another enterprise;

 

   

if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of securities of the series which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to an event of default or the method by which that portion will be determined;

 

   

any modifications of or additions to the events of default or covenants with respect to securities of the series, or any modifications of or additions to subordination provisions with respect to any debt securities that are subordinated;

 

   

whether the securities of the series will be subject to legal defeasance or covenant defeasance as provided in the indenture;

 

   

if other than the trustee, the identity of the registrar and any paying agent;

 

   

if the securities of the series will be issued in whole or in part in global form, (i) the depositary for the global securities, (ii) the form of any legend that will be borne by the global securities, (iii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any securities of the series in global form may exchange those interests for certificated securities of that series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and (iv) the circumstances under which any such exchange may occur; and

 

   

any other terms of the series.

Interest

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, if any payment date with respect to debt securities falls on a day that is not a business day, we will make the payment on the next business day. The payment made on the next business day will be treated as though it had been made on the original payment date, and no interest will accrue on the payment for the additional period of time.

 

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Ranking

The debt securities, if senior debt securities, will be our direct, unconditional, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank pari passu with all of our other unsecured senior obligations. However, such senior debt securities will be effectively junior to all of our secured obligations to the extent of the value of the assets securing those obligations. Such debt securities will also be structurally subordinated to all liabilities, including trade payables and lease obligations, of our subsidiaries. The debt securities, if subordinated debt securities, will be our direct, unconditional, unsecured and subordinated obligations and will be junior in right of payment to our existing and future senior obligations. The extent of subordination of such subordinated debt securities will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement.

Covenants

Except as described below or in the prospectus supplement with respect to any series of debt securities, neither we nor any subsidiary guarantors are restricted by the indenture from paying dividends or making distributions on our or their capital stock or purchasing or redeeming our or their capital stock. The indenture does not require the maintenance of any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity. In addition, with certain exceptions, the indenture does not contain any covenants or other provisions that would limit our or any subsidiary guarantor’s right to incur additional indebtedness or limit the amount of additional indebtedness, including senior or secured indebtedness that we can create, incur, assume or guarantee.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, covenants contained in the indenture will be applicable to the series of debt securities to which the prospectus supplement relates so long as any of the debt securities of that series are outstanding.

Reporting

The indenture provides that we will file with the trustee and the SEC such information, documents and other reports as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided in the Trust Indenture Act.

Guarantees

One or more of our direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries may fully and unconditionally guarantee any series of debt securities offered by this prospectus in the future. The term “subsidiary guarantors” with respect to a series of debt securities refers to those subsidiaries, if any, that guarantee that series of debt securities. We may file one or more post-effective amendments to our registration statement to add such potential subsidiary guarantors. The applicable prospectus supplement will name the subsidiary guarantors, if any, for that series of debt securities and will describe the terms of the guarantee by the subsidiary guarantors.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

The indenture provides that neither we nor any subsidiary guarantor may consolidate or merge with or into, or sell or convey all or substantially all of our assets in any one transaction or series of related transactions to another person, unless (other than a consolidation or merger of GrafTech and one or more subsidiary guarantors or two or more subsidiary guarantors, or a sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of GrafTech to a subsidiary guarantor, a subsidiary guarantor to the Company or of a subsidiary guarantor to another subsidiary guarantor):

 

   

either we or a subsidiary guarantor, as the case may be, are the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation, or our successor is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all of our obligations under the indenture and all the debt securities; and

 

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immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing.

The term “default” for the purpose of this provision means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would become, an event of default.

Except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of our assets or a subsidiary guarantor’s assets, the successor will be substituted for us or the subsidiary guarantor, as the case may be, in the indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to such indenture. Thereafter, the successor may exercise the rights and powers of GrafTech or such subsidiary guarantor under the indenture.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

In the indenture, the term “event of default” with respect to debt securities of any series means any of the following:

 

   

failure by us to pay interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series for 30 days after the date payment is due and payable;

 

   

failure by us to pay principal of or premium, if any, on the debt securities of that series when due, at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise;

 

   

failure by us or any subsidiary guarantor to comply with other covenants in the indenture or the debt securities of that series for 90 days after notice that compliance was required;

 

   

certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency of us or any subsidiary guarantor with respect to such series that is a significant subsidiary; and

 

   

if applicable, specified events involving the guarantees.

The term “significant subsidiary” for the purpose of this provision means any of our subsidiaries that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

If an event of default (other than relating to certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency of us or breach of our reporting obligation) has occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series may declare the entire principal of all the debt securities of the affected series to be due and payable immediately.

If an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency of us or any subsidiary guarantor occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all of the outstanding debt securities and any accrued interest thereon will automatically become due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any holder.

The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series may, after satisfying conditions, rescind and annul any of the above-described declarations and consequences involving the debt securities of that series, except a continuing default or event of default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the debt securities of the affected series.

The indenture imposes limitations on suits brought by holders of debt securities of any series against us or any subsidiary guarantor. Except for actions for payment of overdue principal or interest, no holder of a debt security of any series may institute any action against us under the indenture unless:

 

   

the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of an event of default and the continuance of that event of default;

 

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the holder or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have requested that the trustee pursue the remedy;

 

   

such holder or holders have offered to the trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

   

the trustee has not instituted the action within 60 days of the receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity; and

 

   

the trustee has not received inconsistent direction by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series.

We will be required to file annually with the trustee a certificate, signed by an officer of our Company, stating whether or not the officer knows of any default by us in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any condition or covenant of the indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sole remedy for any breach of our obligation under the indenture to file or furnish reports or other financial information pursuant to section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act (or as otherwise required by the indenture) shall be the payment of liquidated damages, and the holders will not have any right under the indenture to accelerate the maturity of the debt securities of the affected series as a result of any such breach. If any such breach continues for 90 days after notice thereof is given in accordance with the indenture, we will pay liquidated damages to the holders of the debt securities of that series at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series from the 90th day following such notice to but not including the date on which the breach relating to the reporting obligations referred to in this paragraph shall have been cured or waived. The provisions of the indenture described in this paragraph will not affect the rights of the holders of the debt securities of any series in the event of the occurrence of any other event of default.

Modification and Waiver

Except as provided in the two succeeding paragraphs, the indenture provides that we, any subsidiary guarantors and the trustee thereunder may, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities of that series), voting as one class, add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify in any way the provisions of, the indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the debt securities of that series.

We, any subsidiary guarantors and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder to:

 

   

secure the debt securities of any series;

 

   

evidence the assumption by a successor corporation of our obligations under the indenture and the debt securities of any series in the case of a merger, amalgamation, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets;

 

   

add covenant(s) or events of default(s) for the protection of the holders of all or any series of debt securities;

 

   

cure any ambiguity or correct any defect or inconsistency in the indenture or make any other provisions as we may deem necessary or desirable;

 

   

evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee in accordance with the indenture;

 

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provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to, or in place of, certificated debt securities of any series in a manner that does not materially and adversely affect any holders of the debt securities of that series;

 

   

conform the text of the indenture or the debt securities of any series to any provision of this “Description of Debt Securities” or “Description of Securities” in the prospectus supplement for that series to the extent that the provision in that description was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the indenture or the debt securities of that series;

 

   

provide for the issuance of additional debt securities of any series in accordance with the limitations set forth in the indenture as of the date of the indenture;

 

   

make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of all or any series of debt securities or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any such holder or any holder of a beneficial interest in the debt securities of that series;

 

   

comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

   

establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture;

 

   

secure our obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series;

 

   

in the case of convertible or exchangeable debt securities of any series, subject to the provisions of the supplemental indenture for that series, to provide for conversion rights, exchange rights and/or repurchase rights of holders of that series in connection with any reclassification or change of our common stock or in the event of any amalgamation, consolidation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of us or our subsidiaries substantially as an entirety occurs;

 

   

in the case of convertible or exchangeable debt securities of any series, to reduce the conversion price or exchange price applicable to that series;

 

   

in the case of convertible or exchangeable debt securities of any series, to increase the conversion rate or exchange ratio in the manner described in the supplemental indenture for that series, provided that the increase will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of that series in any material respect; or

 

   

any other action to amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of any series as described in the prospectus supplement with respect to that series of debt securities.

We, any subsidiary guarantors and the trustee may not, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

 

   

change the final maturity of any debt security;

 

   

reduce the aggregate principal amount on any debt security;

 

   

reduce the rate or amend or modify the calculation, or time of payment, of interest, including defaulted interest on any debt security;

 

   

reduce or alter the method of computation of any amount payable on any debt security upon redemption, prepayment or purchase of any debt security or otherwise alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of any debt security, or waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security;

 

   

change the currency in which the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on any debt security is payable;

 

   

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security when due, or otherwise make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to waivers of past defaults or the rights of holders of any debt security to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any debt security;

 

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modify the provisions of the indenture with respect to modification and waiver (including waiver of certain covenants, waiver of a default or event of default in respect of debt securities of any series), except to increase the percentage required for modification or waiver or to provide for the consent of each affected holder;

 

   

reduce the percentage of principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver of the indenture or the debt securities of that series;

 

   

impair the rights of holders of debt securities of any series that are exchangeable or convertible to receive payment or delivery of any consideration due upon the conversion or exchange of the debt securities of that series; or

 

   

any other action to modify or amend the indenture or the debt securities of any series as may be described in the prospectus supplement with respect to that series of debt securities as requiring the consent of each holder affected thereby.

Defeasance

The indenture provides that we and any subsidiary guarantors will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and hold monies for payment in trust and to pay the principal of and interest, if any, on those debt securities), upon the deposit with the applicable trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal of the U.S. government obligations in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity date thereof in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the debt securities of that series. Also, the establishment of such a trust will be conditioned on the delivery by us or a subsidiary guarantor to the trustee of an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the trustee to the effect that, based upon applicable U.S. federal income tax law or a ruling published by the IRS, such a defeasance and discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to the holders. For the avoidance of doubt, such an opinion would require a change in current U.S. tax law.

We and any subsidiary guarantors may also omit to comply with the restrictive covenants, if any, of any particular series of debt securities, other than the covenant to pay the amounts due and owing with respect to that series. Any such omission will not be an event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series, upon the deposit with the applicable trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal of the U.S. government obligations in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity date thereof in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the debt securities of that series. Our and any subsidiary guarantors’ obligations under the indenture and the debt securities of that series other than with respect to those covenants will remain in full force and effect. Also, the establishment of such a trust will be conditioned on the delivery by us or a subsidiary guarantor to the trustee of an opinion of counsel to the effect that such a defeasance and discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to the holders.

 

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Satisfaction and Discharge

At our option, we may satisfy and discharge the indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series (except for specified obligations of the trustee and ours, including, among others, the obligations to apply money held in trust) when:

 

   

either (a) all debt securities of that series previously authenticated under the indenture have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation or (b) all debt securities of that series not yet delivered to the trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or (ii) will become due and payable within one year, and we or a subsidiary guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on debt securities of that series;

 

   

no default or event of default with respect to debt securities of that series has occurred or is continuing on the date of the deposit or will occur as a result of the deposit and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of any other instrument to which we are bound;

 

   

we or a subsidiary guarantor have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by us under the indenture and any applicable supplemental indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series;

 

   

we have delivered irrevocable instructions to the trustee to apply the deposited funds toward the payment of securities of that series at the stated maturity date or the redemption date, as applicable; and

 

   

we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that all conditions precedent relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture as to that series have been satisfied.

Unclaimed Money

If money deposited with the trustee or paying agent for the payment of principal of, premium or accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on debt securities remains unclaimed for two years, the trustee and paying agent will pay the money back to us upon our request. However, the trustee and paying agent have the right to withhold paying the money back to us until they publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of New York, or mail to each holder, a notice stating that the money will be paid back to us if unclaimed after a date no less than 30 days from the publication or mailing. After the trustee or paying agent pays the money back to us, holders of debt securities entitled to the money must look to us for payment, subject to applicable law, and all liability of the trustee and the paying agent with respect to the money will cease.

Purchase and Cancellation

The registrar and paying agent will forward to the trustee any debt securities surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment, and the trustee will promptly cancel those debt securities in accordance with its customary procedures. We will not issue new debt securities to replace debt securities that we have paid or delivered to the trustee for cancellation or that any holder has converted.

We may, to the extent permitted by law, purchase debt securities in the open market or by tender offer at any price or by private agreement. We may, at our option and to the extent permitted by law, reissue, resell or surrender to the trustee for cancellation any debt securities we purchase in this manner; provided that we not reissue or resell those debt securities if upon reissuance or resale, they would constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Debt securities surrendered to the trustee for cancellation may not be reissued or resold and will be promptly cancelled.

 

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Replacement of Debt Securities

We will replace mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen debt securities at the holder’s expense upon delivery to the trustee of the mutilated debt securities or evidence of the loss, destruction or theft of the debt securities satisfactory to the trustee and us. In the case of a lost, destroyed or stolen debt security, we or the trustee may require, at the expense of the holder, indemnity satisfactory to us and the trustee.

Book-Entry Issuance

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, our debt securities will be book-entry securities that are cleared and settled through the Depositary Trust Company (the “DTC”), a securities depositary. Upon issuance, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, all book-entry securities of the same series will be represented by one or more fully registered global securities. Each global security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC and will be registered in the name of DTC or a nominee of DTC. DTC will thus be the only registered holder of any such securities and will be considered the sole owner of the securities.

Purchasers may only hold interests in the global securities through DTC if they are participants in the DTC system. Purchasers may also hold interests through a securities intermediary – a bank, brokerage house or other institution that maintains securities accounts for customers – that has an account with DTC or its nominee. DTC will maintain accounts showing the securities holdings of its participants, and these participants will in turn maintain accounts showing the securities holdings of their customers. Some of these customers may themselves be securities intermediaries holding securities for their customers. Thus, each beneficial owner of a book-entry security will hold that security indirectly through a hierarchy of intermediaries, with DTC at the “top” and the beneficial owner’s own securities intermediary at the “bottom.”

The securities of each beneficial owner of a book-entry security will be evidenced solely by entries on the books of the beneficial owner’s securities intermediary. The actual purchaser of the securities will generally not be entitled to have the securities represented by the global securities registered in its name and will not be considered the owner. In most cases, a beneficial owner will also not be able to obtain a paper certificate evidencing the holder’s ownership of securities. The book-entry system for holding securities eliminates the need for physical movement of certificates. The laws of some jurisdictions require some purchasers of securities to take physical delivery of their securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer book-entry securities.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement with respect to a series of debt securities, the beneficial owner of book-entry securities represented by a global security may exchange the securities for definitive or paper securities only if:

 

   

DTC is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such global security and we are unable to find a qualified replacement for DTC within 90 days;

 

   

at any time DTC ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and we are unable to find a qualified replacement for DTC within 90 days;

 

   

we in our sole discretion decide to allow some or all book-entry securities to be exchangeable for definitive securities in registered form; or

 

   

an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture, and a holder of the securities has requested definitive securities.

Any global security that is exchangeable will be exchangeable in whole for definitive securities in registered form with the same terms, and in the case of debt securities, in an equal aggregate principal amount in denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 (unless otherwise specified in the prospectus

 

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supplement). Definitive securities will be registered in the name or names of the person or persons specified by DTC in a written instruction to the registrar of the securities. DTC may base its written instruction upon directions it receives from its participants.

In this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, for book-entry securities, references to actions taken by security holders will mean actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participants, and references to payments and notices of redemption to security holders will mean payments and notices of redemption to DTC as the registered holder of the securities for distribution to participants in accordance with DTC’s procedures.

DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

We will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the book-entry securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

Regarding the Trustee

U.S. Bank National Association is the trustee under the indenture. Except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the existence of an event of default, the trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain exceptions. Subject to these provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities, unless such holder has offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

Pursuant and subject to the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions with us; however, if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, it would be required to eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee or resign.

No individual liability of directors, officers, employees, incorporators, stockholders or agents

The indenture provides that none of the past, present or future directors, officers, employees, incorporators, stockholders, other owners or agents of GrafTech or any subsidiary guarantor in their capacity as such will have any liability for any of our obligations under the debt securities of any series or the indenture. Each holder of debt securities of any series by accepting a debt security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt securities. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Governing law

The indenture and debt securities of each series are governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

We may issue fractional interests in shares of common or preferred stock, rather than shares of common or preferred stock, with those rights and subject to the terms and conditions that we may specify in a related

 

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prospectus supplement. If we do so, we will provide for a depositary (either a bank or trust company depositary that has its principal office in the United States) to issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest in a share of common or preferred stock. The shares of common or preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and the depositary. The prospectus supplement will include the name and address of the depositary.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase debt or equity securities. Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash the amount of debt or equity securities at the exercise price stated or determinable in the prospectus supplement for the warrants. We may issue warrants independently or together with any offered securities. The warrants may be attached to or separate from those offered securities. We will issue the warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as described in a related prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

   

the title of the warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 

   

the designation, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants are exercisable;

 

   

the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each other security;

 

   

the aggregate number of warrants;

 

   

any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

 

   

the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable, if applicable;

 

   

a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire;

 

   

the maximum or minimum number of warrants that may be exercised at any time;

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; and

 

   

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us and us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares at a future date or dates. Alternatively, the purchase contracts may obligate us to purchase from holders, and obligate holders to sell to us, a specified or varying number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary

 

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shares. The consideration per share of common stock or preferred stock or per depositary share may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by a specific reference to a formula set forth in the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may provide for settlement by delivery by us or on our behalf of shares of the underlying security, or they may provide for settlement by reference or linkage to the value, performance or trading price of the underlying security. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of purchase units consisting of a purchase contract and debt securities, preferred stock or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, other purchase contracts or common stock, or other securities or property, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase or sell, as the case may be, the common stock, preferred stock, depository shares or other security or property under the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis and may be paid on a current or on a deferred basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner and may provide for the prepayment of all or part of the consideration payable by holders in connection with the purchase of the underlying security or other property pursuant to the purchase contracts.

The securities related to the purchase contracts may be pledged to a collateral agent for our benefit pursuant to a pledge agreement to secure the obligations of holders of purchase contracts to purchase the underlying security or property under the related purchase contracts. The rights of holders of purchase contracts to the related pledged securities will be subject to our security interest therein created by the pledge agreement. No holder of purchase contracts will be permitted to withdraw the pledged securities related to such purchase contracts from the pledge arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units consisting of one or more purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock or any combination of such of our securities (but not securities of third parties), as specified in a related prospectus supplement.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We or the selling securityholder may sell the securities covered by this prospectus from time to time, in one or more or any combination of the following transactions:

 

   

to or through underwriters or dealers;

 

   

directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser;

 

   

in “at the market offerings,” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise;

 

   

through agents, including in a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell the offered securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

   

through purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus; or

 

   

through any other method permitted by applicable law.

We or the selling securityholder may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by or borrowed from us, the selling securityholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock and may use securities received from us, the selling securityholder or others in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part).

The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of the securities covered by this prospectus, including:

 

   

the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them;

 

   

the initial public offering price of the securities, if a fixed price offering, and the proceeds to us or the selling securityholder and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed.

Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

Underwriters or the third parties described above may offer and sell the offered securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions described above. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to customary conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities if they purchase any of the offered securities.

 

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We or the selling securityholder may sell the securities at prices then prevailing or related to the then current market price or at negotiated prices. The offering price of the securities from time to time will be determined by us or the selling securityholder, as applicable, and, at the time of the determination, may be higher or lower than the market price of the securities on any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed.

We or the selling securityholder may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we or the selling securityholder pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

We or the selling securityholder may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we or the selling securityholder pay for solicitation of these contracts.

Certain persons participating in this offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. Specifically, in connection with underwritten offerings of the offered securities and in accordance with applicable law and industry practice, the underwriters may over-allot and may bid for, and purchase, the securities in the open market.

The selling securityholder and any agents, underwriters and other third parties described above that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We or the selling securityholder may have agreements with the agents, underwriters and those other third parties to indemnify them against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect of those liabilities. Agents, underwriters and those other third parties may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

To comply with applicable state securities laws, the securities offered by this prospectus will be sold, if necessary, in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, securities may not be sold in some states absent registration or pursuant to an exemption from applicable state securities laws.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters relating to the securities described in the prospectus, including the validity of such securities, will be passed upon for us by Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters in connection with any offering, including the validity of the securities described in the prospectus, will be passed upon for any underwriters or agents, as the case may be, by counsel identified in the prospectus supplement with respect to any offering.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Please note that the SEC’s website is included in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement as an inactive textual reference only. The information contained on the SEC’s website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and should not be considered to be part of this prospectus, except as described in the following paragraph.

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement certain information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Certain information that we subsequently file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus and in our other filings with the SEC. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, which we have already filed with the SEC, and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, until all the securities offered by this prospectus have been sold and all conditions to the consummation of such sales have been satisfied, except that we are not incorporating any information included in a Current Report on Form 8-K that has been or will be furnished (and not filed) with the SEC, unless such information is expressly incorporated herein by a reference in a furnished Current Report on Form 8-K or other furnished document:

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 22, 2019;

 

   

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on May 1, 2019;

 

   

portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on March  26, 2019 that are incorporated by reference into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018;

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 21, 2019, May  1, 2019 (Item 5.02) and May 1, 2019 (Items 5.02 and 5.07); and

 

   

the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on April 18, 2018 and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description.

You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following address: 982 Keynote Circle, Brooklyn Heights, Ohio 44131, Telephone: (216) 676-2000, Attention: Investor Relations.

 

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20,000,000 SHARES

 

LOGO

 

 

Common Stock

Preliminary Prospectus Supplement

Morgan Stanley

January    , 2021

 

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