Exhibit 99.1
Merrill Lynch New York City
March 16, 2005
Attending Today
Joseph D. Rupp – President and Chief Executive Officer John E. Fischer – VP Finance and Controller John L. McIntosh – President, Chlor Alkali Products Richard E. Koch – Vice President, Investor Relations and Public Affairs
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Company Overview
Olin
Year Ending Dec. 2004 Revenue: $1,997 Pretax Inc. from Cont. Ops.: 79
Metals
Specialty Copper-Based Products and Related Engineered Materials Revenue: $1,230 Income.: $51
Chlor Alkali
North American Producer of Chlorine and Caustic Soda Revenue: $448 Income.: $83
Winchester
North American Producer of Ammunition
Revenue: $319 Income.: $22
All financials are for the year ending 2004 and in millions of U.S. dollars. Shown above is income before taxes from continuing operations. Additional information is available on Olin’s website www.olin.com in the Investor Relations section.
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Olin Corporate Strategy
Olin Corporation Goal: Superior Shareholder Returns
TRS in Top Third S&P Mid Cap 400 ROCE Over Cost of Capital Over the Cycle
Focused Portfolio of Businesses Global Market Leadership Operational Excellence
Improve Profitability of the Metal Business
Increase the Value of and Generate Cash From Chlor Alkali Leverage Winchester’s Strengths
#1 or #2 in the Markets We Choose to Serve Strong Technical Innovation in Metals and Winchester Increase Metal’s Worldwide Presence
A Low Cost Producer in Our Strategic Businesses Continuous Improvement in Operating Margins
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Investment Highlights
Significant Operating Leverage
Chlor Alkali Selling Prices Have Improved Sequentially and Future Increases are Expected Particularly as a Result of Higher Caustic Prices A Better Economy Improved Metals Results in 2004 over 2003 Winchester Has Additional Earnings Potential from Defense Related Opportunities
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Olin 2004
Sales Increased 28% vs. 2003
Metal Sales Increased Because of Stronger Shipments and Higher Copper Prices
Chlor Alkali Sales Increased Due to Higher Volumes and Selling Prices
Income from Continuing Operations was $0.74 Per Diluted Share in 2004 Compared to $0.01 in 2003
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First Quarter 2005
On February 9, 2005, We Projected Our EPS to be in $0.40 Per Diluted Share Range for 1Q05
Earnings in Chlor Alkali Expected to Increase over 4Q04 Levels
Winchester and Metals Expected to Experience Seasonal Improvements over 4Q04 Levels
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Chlor Alkali Products
2004 vs. 2003
Demand Was Up 6% Over 2003 Levels Price Increase Announcements for Chlorine and Caustic Over the Last 4 Quarters Substantial Profit Improvement For Full Year 2004 and Into 2005
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Olin ECU Netbacks
1Q04 300 2Q04 300 3Q04 335 4Q04 410
Olin Operating Rates Expected to Be Near Capacity (ex. Planned Outages) in 2005
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Olin Chlor Alkali Factors
Olin’s Electricity Costs Have Increased Over the Last Five Years, But Have Remained Well Below Natural Gas Generated Electricity Prices High Gas Prices Impacting Other Chlor Alkali Producers Have Caused Pricing Pressures for Last 2-3 Years
($1 / MMBTU = $25-$35 / ECU)
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Olin Has Leading Capacity Share in Eastern U.S.
Total Industry Capacity
Bayer 2%
Mexichem Other
2% 8% Georgia Gulf
3% Dow Vulcan 32% 5% Pioneer 5%
Formosa 6%
Olin 8%
Occidental PPG 17% 12%
4th Overall in U.S. Capacity Largest Producer East of the Mississippi River Olin Has 1.22 Million ECU Capacity Per Year (1) A $10 / ECU Change Equates to an $11 Million Change in Pretax Income at Full Capacity, or $.10 per share @ 40% tax rate
Source: CMAI Chlor Alkali Report
(1) Includes Olin’s share of SunBelt joint venture
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North America 2004 Chlorine Demand
Inorganics
6% Others Chlorinated Inter.
Water 14% 9% Treatment 5% Pulp & Paper 1%
Vinyls Organics 39% 26%
United States 92%
Mexico 3%
Canada 5%
Domestic Demand = 13.3 Million Metric Tons
Houston London Singapore Dubai
Prepared exclusively for Olin
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North America Chlorine Demand
Million Metric Tons
15 12 9 6 3 0
99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09
%AAGR 2004-09
Vinyls -0.6 Organics 2.4 Chlorinated Inter. -0.4 Inorganics -0.1 Pulp & Paper -4.6 Water Treatment 1.4 Others 1.2
%AAGR Demand 0.6%
Houston London Singapore Dubai
Prepared exclusively for Olin
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North America 2004 Caustic Soda Demand
Others Water Treatment
3% 12%
Pulp & Paper Inorganics 25% 22%
Alumina 4% Organics Soaps/Detergents/ 24% Textiles 10%
United States 86%
Mexico 4% Canada 10%
Domestic Demand = 13.5 Million Dry Metric Tons
Houston London Singapore Dubai
Prepared exclusively for Olin
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North America Caustic Soda Demand
Million Dry Metric Tons
15 12 9 6 3 0
99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09
%AAGR 2004-09
Pulp & Paper 1.0 Alumina -1.3 Organics 1.8
Soaps/Deterg./Textiles 0.7 Inorganics 1.2 Water Treatment 1.7 Others 1.6
%AAGR Demand 1.2%
Houston London Singapore Dubai
Prepared exclusively for Olin
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North America Chlor Alkali Forecast
North America Chlor Alkali Capacity Reductions Since 2000
Short
Company Location Tons as
Chlorine
Dow Plaquemine, LA 385,000
Oxy Vinyls LP Deer Park, TX 382,800
Pioneer Tacoma, WA 226,600
Atofina Portland, OR 224,400
La Roche Gramercy, LA 198,000
Dow Ft. Saskatchewan 159,500
Holtra Chem Orington, ME 80,300
Cedar Chem Vicksburg, MS 49,500
Oregon Albany, OR 5,500
(Metallurgical Oremet)
OXY Delaware City, DE 80,000
Formosa Plastics Baton Rouge, LA 260,000
Total Reductions 2,051,600
North America Chlor Alkali Capacity Reductions Since 2000
Short Tons
Company Location as
Chlorine
Vulcan C-A Geismer, LA 214,500
Westlake Calvert City, KY 48,400
Oxy Muscle Shoals, AL 13,200
Oxy Delaware City, DE 4,400
Oxy Mobile, AL 4,400
SunBelt Mobile, AL 40,000
Total Additions 324,900
Reductions 2,051,600
Additions (324,900)
Total Reductions 1,726,700
Source: CMAI
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CMAI Estimates of ECU Prices*
(For Chlorine to Chemicals and Diaphragm Grade Caustic) $700 $600 $500 $400 $300 $200 $100 $0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
* ECU Prices Before Freight and Other Allowances
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2004 Industry Highlights
Chlorine And Caustic Demand Grew 6.0% Over 2003 Levels Improving Operating Rates To Near Capacity ECU Prices Have Increased To Record Levels By Fourth Quarter Of 2004 The Chlor-alkali Business Cycle Is Approaching The Next Peak 2005/2006. The Last Cycle Peak Was 1995/1996, Some 10 Years Ago The Uncertainty Of Energy Prices Has Curtailed Capacity Increase Announcements Even Though The Industry Is Running At Capacity Transportation Issues Negatively Affected Costs
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Olin Chlor Alkali Products
Products
Chlorine / Caustic Soda
Sodium Hydrosulfite
Hydrochloric Acid and Sodium Hypochlorite
Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)
End Uses
Pulp & paper processing, chemical manufacturing, water purification, manufacture of vinyl chloride, bleach, swimming pool chemicals & urethane chemicals
Paper and clay bleaching Textile dye reducing agent
Industrial & institutional cleaners, textile bleaching Food Products Fertilizer manufacturing, soaps, detergents and cleaners, battery manufacturing, food processing chemicals, deicers
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Olin’s Chlor Alkali Strategy
Be the Preferred Supplier to Non-Integrated Chlor Alkali Customers Continue to Drive Cost Improvements Through Manufacturing and Logistic Optimization Continue Our Partnership Philosophy With Our Customers Significant Opportunities to Increase the Value of the Business at Modest Capital Cost Be a Strong Cash Generator and Value Enhancer to Olin Corporation
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2004 / 2005 Price Increase Announcements in $ per ton
Feb. 2004: Chlorine $75 Apr.: Caustic $50 May: Chlorine $20; Caustic $45 July: Caustic $65 Sept.: Chlorine $20; Caustic $45 Nov.: Chlorine $20; Caustic $50 Feb. 2005: Chlorine $20; Caustic $40 Total Chlorine: $155; Caustic $295
*Caustic Price Increases Shown are for Diaphragm Grade. Membrane Grade Price Increases
Were Higher.
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Impact Of High Chlorine Prices On Chlor Alkali Profitability
Chlorine Buyers are Highly Concentrated Some Large Chlorine Buyers Have Contractual Caps and /or Discounts Which Dampen Impact of Price Increases at High End of Contract Range Chlorine Contracts are Multi-Year and Recognize Cycle Pricing Trends Olin Has Been Able to Increase Chlorine Selling Prices Above Our Historical Highs
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Caustic Price Increases Are A Key to Higher ECU Values
Historically, Olin’s Chlor Alkali Business Has Seen Peak Earnings During Times of High Caustic Prices Caustic Customers are Smaller and More Numerous Caustic Demand Improvement Normally Lags Chlorine by Six Months Olin Sells 10% More Caustic Than Chlorine Proximity to Customers Creates a Freight Advantage
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Metals
Olin is Leading Manufacturer of Copper Alloy Strip and Brass Rod in the U.S. Large Size Provides Economies of Scale and Manufacturing Efficiencies Olin Possesses Leading Technology Position Olin is the Leading Copper Based Sheet and Strip Distributor in the U.S.
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Metals
Earnings Leverage as a Result of Cost Cutting and Capacity Rationalization As the Following Slides Show, 2001, 2002 and 2003 Were Well Below Historical Consumption In 2004, Demand Increased Over 2003 for Both Sheet and Rod Products by 13% and 8%, Respectively
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U.S. Strip Consumption
In MM Pounds
1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
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U.S. Brass Rod Consumption
In MM Pounds
1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
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2004 Metals Income Increased
vs. 2003
Sales Increased 44% From $855 Million in 2003 to $1.230 Billion in 2004
Shipment Volumes Increased 11%
Higher Copper Prices and Product Mix Accounted for 33% of Increase
Income Increased From $9 Million in 2003 to $51 Million in 2004 Shipments to Automotive Segment up 3%, Coinage up 37%, Ammunition up 25%, Electronics down 3%, Building Products up 3%
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Olin First Quarter 2005 Demand Expectations
Strip Volumes are Estimated to Increase 15% from 4Q04 but be 5% Below 1Q04
1Q05 below 1Q04 Due to Weakness in Automotive and Certain Electronic Market Segments.
Rod Volumes Estimated to Increase 15% from 4Q04 and Up 5% from 1Q04
Continued Strength In Construction and Industrial Market Segment
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Winchester Products
Products
Winchester ® sporting ammunition — shot-shells, small caliber centerfire & rimfire ammunition
Small caliber military ammunition Industrial products — 8 gauge loads & powder-actuated tool loads
End Uses
Hunters & recreational shooters, law enforcement agencies
Infantry and mounted weapons
Maintenance applications in power & concrete industries, powder-actuated tools in construction industry
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Winchester
2004 vs. 2003
Sales Up 5% From $303 Million in 2003 to $319 Million in 2004 Primarily Due to Higher Commercial Demand Income Was $21.9 Million in 2004 Compared to $21.6 Million in 2003 Higher Commercial Sales Offset in Part by Increased Commodity Costs
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Rimfire
To Improve Its Competitive Position, Winchester is Relocating Its Rimfire Manufacturing Operation from East Alton to Oxford, MS.
Expect New Facility to be Operational in Spring 2005
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Winchester’s Military Business Is Growing
In May 2004, Winchester Began Deliveries Of 5.56MM M855 Ball Ammunition As Part Of A $18 Million Contract. Winchester Was Awarded A $6.5 Million Contract By The US Army To Produce 7.62MM M80 Ball Linked Ammunition With Deliveries Beginning In 2005 And Continuing Through A Portion Of 2006.
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Winchester Potential Second Source for US Army
The Contract Is Being Competitively Bid Olin’s Winchester Division Is Bidding As Part Of The General Dynamics Team Second Source Contract Could Generate $150 Million Of Revenue Per Year According to Military Estimates Contract Award Expected in June 2005
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Financial Highlights
In February, 2004 Issued $178 Million of Common Stock to Strengthen Balance Sheet and Increase Financial Flexibility
$ 125 Million Pension Contribution Made in
February 2004
Additional $ 43 Million Voluntary Contribution in
September 2004
Repaid $ 27 Million of Debt in 2004 and Expected
to Repay $ 52 Million in 2005
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Financial Highlights
(continued)
2005 Pension Expense Expected to Increase by $16 Million Over 2004 Projected 2005 Effective Tax Rate of 39% Commitment to Investment Grade Credit Rating Capital Spending Levels Expected to Be in Line With Depreciation in 2005
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Cap. Ex. and D&A
$100 $90 $80 $70 $60 $50 $40 $30 $20 $10 $0
($ MM)
95
87 88
80 81 82
76 78 78 78
73 74 73 73 65
55 55 41
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005E
Capital Expenditures D&A
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Investment Rationale
Potential for Improved Performance Based On:
Higher Expected ECU Prices
Metals Results Will Depend on Demand In Key Sectors of the Economy Such as Automotive, Electronics, Coinage, Building Products, Ammunition, and Industrial Construction Winchester Participation in Increased Military Spending
Strong Financial Discipline
Commitment to Investment Grade Rating Dividend for 313 Consecutive Quarters
Yield @ $20.00 = 4%; @$25.00 = 3.2%; @$30.00 = 2.7%
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Corporate Office Moves
Moved Norwalk, CT Headquarters to Clayton, MO at the End of 2004 Decision Driven By Organizational, Strategic, Economic Reasons One-time Costs of Approximately $12 Million; Annualized Savings of about $6 Million
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Forward-Looking Statements
This presentation contains estimates of future performance, which are forward-looking statements and results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ are described in the business and outlook sections of Olin’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and in Olin’s Fourth Quarter 2004 Earnings Release. These reports are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Proud Heritage … Promising Future
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