1997 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K X ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) - --- OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 -------------------------------------- For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 OR - --- TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 -------------------------------------- For the transition period from to Commission file number 1-8142 ENGELHARD CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 22-1586002 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) 101 WOOD AVENUE, ISELIN, NJ 08830 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (732) 205-5000 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered - ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- Common Stock, par value $1 per share New York Stock Exchange Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X|. No |_| . Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. |X| Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of March 13, 1998 - 144,605,129. Aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates as of March 13, 1998 - $1,861,900,762. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Part III incorporates certain information by reference to the Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 1 Table of Contents ------------------ Page ------------------------ 1997 Form Proxy Item 10-K Statement - ---- ---- ---------- Part I 1. Business (a) General development of business 3 - (b) Segment and geographic area data 3-8 - (c) Description of business 3-8, 42-44 - 2. Properties 9 - 3. Legal Proceedings 9-10 - 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of 10 - Security Holders Part II 5. Market for Registrant's 10 - Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters 6. Selected Financial Data 11, 52 - 7. Management's Discussion and 12-23 - Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 8. Financial Statements and 24-51 - Supplementary Data 9. Changes in and Disagreements with 52 - Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Part III 10. Directors and Executive Officers of 53-54 3-6 the Registrant 11. Executive Compensation 54 11-22 12. Security Ownership of Certain 54 2-3,7-8 Beneficial Owners and Management 13. Certain Relationships and Related 54 2-7,10 Transactions Part IV 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement 55-86 - Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K 2 PART I ------ Item 1. Business - ------ -------- Engelhard Corporation (which together with its Subsidiaries, is collectively referred to as the Company) was formed under the laws of Delaware in 1938 and became a public company in 1981. The Company's principal executive offices are located at 101 Wood Avenue, Iselin, NJ, 08830 (telephone number (732) 205-5000). The Company develops, manufactures and markets technology-based performance products and engineered materials for a wide spectrum of industrial customers, and provides services to precious and base metals customers and markets energy-related services. The Company employed approximately 6,400 people as of January 1, 1998 and operates on a worldwide basis with corporate and operating headquarters and principal manufacturing facilities and mineral reserves in the United States with other operations conducted in the Asia-Pacific region, Canada, the European Community, the Russian Federation and South America. The Company's businesses are organized into three segments - Catalysts and Chemicals, Pigments and Additives, and Engineered Materials and Industrial Commodities Management. Information concerning the Company's net sales, operating earnings and identifiable assets by industry segment and by geographic area; inter-area transfers by geographic area; and export sales is included in Note 15, "Business Segment and Geographic Area Data", of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on pages 42-44 of this Form 10-K. Catalysts and Chemicals The Catalysts and Chemicals segment comprises three business groups: the Environmental Technologies Group, consisting of Automotive Emission Systems, Heavy-Duty Power Systems and Process Emission Systems, serving the automotive, off-road vehicle, light and heavy duty truck, aircraft, power generation and process industries; the Petroleum Catalysts Group, serving the petroleum refining industries; and the Chemical Catalysts Group, serving the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and food processing industries. Environmental technology catalysts are used in applications such as the abatement of carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons from gasoline, diesel and alternate fueled vehicle exhaust gases to meet emission control standards. These catalysts are also used for the removal of odors, fumes and pollutants generated by a variety of process industries including but not limited to the painting of automobiles, appliances and other equipment; printing processes; the manufacture of nitric acid and tires; in the curing of polymers; and power generation sources. In 1997, the Company dissolved its Metreon joint venture, formed in 1995 with W. R. Grace, to develop and market metallic substrate catalytic converters for cars. Also in 1997, the Company purchased the assets of W. R. Grace's Camet Metal Monolith business, which manufactures and markets pre-coated catalyzed metal monoliths for mobile-source applications as well as stationary NOx and carbon dioxide emission-control products. The Company also participates in the manufacture and supply of automobile exhaust emission-control catalysts through affiliates serving the Asia-Pacific 3 region: N.E. Chemcat Corporation (Japan) - 38.8% owned; and Heesung-Engelhard (South Korea) - 49% owned, both of which also produce other catalysts and products. The petroleum refining catalyst products consist of a variety of catalysts and processes used in the petroleum refining industry. The principal products are zeolitic cracking catalysts which are widely used to provide economies in petroleum processing. The Company commercially offers a full line of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts many of which are based on patented technology which can be used to control selectivity and cracking activity virtually independently of one another. This characteristic permits custom catalysts formulation for a large number of users. The Company manufactures reforming, isomerization and hydrotreating catalysts for a variety of petroleum refining processes. These catalysts are marketed in North America and the Caribbean by Acreon Catalysts, a jointly owned partnership formed by the Company and Procatalyse. In 1995, the Company and Procatalyse announced plans to expand the production capacity of their joint venture. To serve market needs more effectively, in 1997 they added alumina and hydrotreating catalyst manufacturing capacity in North America. The chemical catalysts products consist of catalysts and sorbents used in the production of a variety of products or intermediates, including synthetic fibers, fragrances, antibiotics, vitamins, polymers, plastics, detergents, fuels and lube oils, solvents, oleochemicals and edible products. These catalysts are generally used in both batch and continuous operations requiring special catalysts for each application. Chemical catalysts are based on the Company's proprietary technology and many times are developed in close cooperation with specific customers. Sorbents are used to purify and decolorize naturally occurring fats and oils for manufacture into shortenings, margarines and cooking oils. In early 1998, Engelhard and Mallinckrodt Inc. reached an agreement in principle for the Company to buy Mallinckrodt's catalyst business for $210 million, pending board approvals by both companies, execution of a definitive agreement and other relevant government approvals. The acquisition would provide immediate opportunities for Engelhard's chemical catalysts business to manufacture and market new catalyst product lines. The products of the Catalysts and Chemicals segment compete in the marketplace on the basis of cost and value performance. No single competitor is dominant in the markets in which the Company operates. The manufacturing operations of the Catalysts and Chemicals segment are carried out in 12 states in the United States. Subsidiary operations are located in Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, South Africa and the United Kingdom with equity investments located in the United States, Japan and South Korea. The products are sold principally through the Company's sales organizations or its equity investments, supplemented by independent distributors and representatives. The principal raw materials used by the Catalysts and Chemicals segment include metals, procured by the Engineered Materials and Industrial Commodities Management segment; kaolin, supplied by the Pigments and Additives segment; and a variety of minerals and chemicals which are generally readily available. For more information about precious-metal supply contracts, see the "Engineered Materials and Industrial Commodities Management" section below on page 6 of this Form 10-K. 4 As of January 1, 1998 the Catalysts and Chemicals segment had approximately 2,800 employees worldwide. Most hourly employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Employee relations have generally been good. Pigments and Additives The Pigments and Additives segment is comprised of performance products based on kaolin and used as coating and extender pigments for the paper industry and mineral based performance additives products. The segment's pearlescent and color specialty pigments and additives businesses serve the plastics, coatings, paint, ink, cosmetics, packaging, and allied industries in a variety of applications. The segment also supplies iridescent films used in an assortment of creative, decorative, packaging and security applications. Products for the paper market include Miragloss (registered trademark) pigment for coating applications requiring superior gloss and brightness; Luminex (registered trademark) pigment, a high brightness material for high-quality paper coating: Ansilex (registered trademark) pigments that provide the desired opacity, brightness, gloss and printability in paper products; Nuclay (registered trademark) specialized coating pigment for lightweight publication papers; Exsilon (registered trademark) structured pigment that improves the printability of lightweight coated paper and carbonless forms; and Spectrafil (registered trademark) pigments for the newsprint and groundwood specialties markets. Minerals based performance additives products are used principally as extender pigments for a variety of purposes in the manufacture of plastic, rubber, ink, ceramic, adhesive products and in paint. Principal products include Satintone (registered trademark) products, ASP (registered trademark) pigments and Translink (registered trademark) surface modified reinforcements. The segment also produces a variety of organic and inorganic color and pearlescent and natural pearl pigments for a wide range of applications. Additionally, the segment also produces gellants and sorbents with an assortment of uses as well as Mearlcrete and Metamax (registered trademarks) for the concrete industry. The products of the Pigments and Additives segment compete with other pigments and extenders on the basis of cost and value performance. No single competitor is dominant in the markets in which the Company competes. Pigments and Additives manufacturing operations are carried out in nine states in the United States, Finland, Japan, and South Korea. Subsidiary sales and distribution centers are located in France, Hong Kong, Mexico, The Netherlands, and Turkey. An equity investment is located in the Ukraine. Products are sold through the Company's sales organization supplemented by independent distributors and representatives. The principal raw materials used by the Pigments and Additives segment include kaolin, attapulgite, and mica from mineral reserves owned or leased by the Company and a variety of other minerals and chemicals which are readily available. As of January 1, 1998 the Pigments and Additives segment had approximately 2,400 employees worldwide. Most hourly employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Employee relations have generally been good. 5 Engineered Materials and Industrial Commodities Management The Engineered Materials and Industrial Commodities Management segment includes the Engineered Materials Group, serving a broad spectrum of industries and the Industrial Commodities Management Group, which is responsible for precious and base metals sourcing and dealing, for managing the precious and base metals requirements of the Company, and for power marketing. The products of the Engineered Materials Group consist of performance products primarily employing metal-based materials, such as temperature-sensing devices, precious metals coating and electroplating materials, conductive pastes and powders and brazing alloys. These products are used in the manufacture of automotive components, industrial devices, ceramics, chemicals, instruments, control devices, medical supplies, hardware, furniture and air conditioners. The products of the Engineered Materials Group compete on the basis of cost and value performance. No single competitor is dominant in the markets in which the Company operates. Engineered Materials manufacturing operations are carried out in five states in the United States and in facilities located in Canada and the United Kingdom. The products are sold principally through the Company's sales organization, supplemented by independent distributors and representatives. The principal raw materials used by these operations are precious metals including those of the platinum group (platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium and ruthenium), silver and gold, all of which are generally available. The Industrial Commodities Management Group is responsible for procuring precious and base metals to meet the requirements of the Company's operations and its customers. Supplies of newly mined platinum group metals are obtained primarily from South Africa and the Russian Federation and to a lesser extent from the United States and Canada, which four regions are the only known significant sources. Most of these platinum group metals are obtained pursuant to a number of contractual arrangements with different durations and terms. Gold and silver are purchased from various sources. In addition, in the normal course of business, certain customers and suppliers deposit significant quantities of precious metals with the Company under a variety of arrangements. Equivalent quantities of precious metals are returnable as product or in other forms. The Industrial Commodities Management Group also engages in precious and base metals dealing operations with industrial consumers, dealers, central banks, miners and refiners. It also participates in refining of precious metals and marketing of energy-related services. For more information regarding precious metals operations, see Note 7, "Metal Positions and Obligations", on pages 35 and 36 and Note 14, "Financial Instruments", on pages 40 and 41 of this Form 10-K. Offices are located in the United States, Japan, Peru, the Russian Federation, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. As of January 1, 1998 the Engineered Materials and Industrial Commodities Management segment had approximately 475 employees worldwide. Most hourly employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Employee relations have generally been good. 6 Major Customer For the year ended December 31, 1996, Engelhard-CLAL, a related party and a customer of the Engineered Materials and Industrial Commodities Management segment, accounted for 16% of the Company's net sales. Sales to Engelhard-CLAL include both fabricated products and precious metals and were therefore significantly influenced by fluctuations in precious-metal prices as well as the quantity and type of metal purchased. In such cases, market price fluctuations, quantities and types purchased can result in material variations in sales reported, but do not usually have a direct or substantive effect on earnings. Research and Patents The Company currently employs approximately 425 scientists, technicians and auxiliary personnel engaged in research and development in the field of chemistry and metallurgy. These activities are conducted in the United States and abroad. Research and development expense was $61.4 million in 1997, $56.5 million in 1996 and $53.0 million in 1995. Research facilities include fully staffed instrument analysis laboratories, which the Company maintains in order to achieve the high level of precision necessary for its various business groups and to assist customers in understanding how Engelhard's products and services can add value to their businesses. The Company owns or is licensed under numerous patents which have been secured over a period of years. It is the policy of the Company to normally apply for patents whenever it develops new products or processes considered to be commercially viable and, in appropriate circumstances, to seek licenses when such products or processes are developed by others. While the Company deems its various patents and licenses to be important to certain aspects of its operations, it does not consider any significant portion or its business as a whole to be materially dependent on patent protection. Environmental Matters With the oversight of environmental agencies, the Company is currently preparing, has under review, or is implementing, environmental investigations and cleanup plans at several currently or formerly owned and/or operated sites, including Plainville, MA, Salt Lake City, UT and Attapulgus, GA. The Company is continuing to investigate contamination at Plainville under a 1993 agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is awaiting approval of a decommissioning plan by the State of Massachusetts under authority delegated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Investigation of the environmental status at Salt Lake City continues under a 1993 agreement with the Utah Solid and Hazardous Waste Control Board. An approved reclamation program at Attapulgus, under a 1994 consent order with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, is expected to be completed in 1998. In addition, 17 sites have been identified at which the Company believes liability as a potentially responsible party (PRP) is probable under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, or similar state laws (collectively referred to as Superfund) for the cleanup of contamination resulting from the historic disposal of hazardous 7 substances allegedly generated by the Company, among others. Superfund imposes strict, joint and several liability under certain circumstances. In many cases, the dollar amount of the claim is unspecified and claims have been asserted against a number of other entities for the same relief sought from the Company. Based on existing information, the Company believes that it is a de minimis contributor of hazardous substances at many of the sites referenced above. Subject to the reopening of existing settlement agreements for extraordinary circumstances or natural resource damages, the Company has settled a number of other cleanup proceedings. The Company has also responded to information requests from EPA and state regulatory authorities in connection with other Superfund sites. The liabilities for environmental cleanup related costs recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 1997 and 1996 were $43.6 million and $49.6 million, respectively, including $3.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively, for Superfund sites. These amounts represent those costs which the Company believes are probable and reasonably estimable. Based on currently available information and analysis, the Company's accrual represents approximately 60% of what it believes are the reasonably possible environmental cleanup related costs of a noncapital nature. The estimate of reasonably possible costs is less certain than the probable estimate upon which the accrual is based. During the past three-year period, cash payments for environmental cleanup related matters were $6.0 million, $7.0 million and $7.6 million for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The amounts accrued in connection with environmental cleanup related matters were not significant over this time period. For the past three-year period, environmental related capital projects have averaged less than 10 percent of the Company's total capital expenditure programs, and the expense of environmental compliance (environmental testing, permits, consultants and in-house staff) was not significant. There can be no assurances that environmental laws and regulations will not become more stringent in the future or that the Company will not incur significant costs in the future to comply with such laws and regulations. Based on existing information and currently enacted environmental laws and regulations, cash payments for environmental cleanup related matters are projected to be $10.0 million for 1998, all of which has already been accrued. Further, the Company anticipates that the amounts of capitalized environmental projects and the expense of environmental compliance will approximate current levels. While it is not possible to predict with certainty, management believes that environmental cleanup related reserves at December 31, 1997 are reasonable and adequate and that environmental matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on financial condition. These matters, if resolved in a manner different from the estimates, could have a material adverse effect on operating results or cash flows when resolved in a future reporting period. 8 Item 2. Properties - ------ ---------- The Company owns approximately 22 acres of land and four buildings with a combined area of approximately 420,000 square feet in Iselin, NJ. These buildings serve as the principal executive and administrative offices of the Company and its operating segments as well as the major research and development facilities for the Company's operations. The Company also owns research facilities in Gordon, GA; Union, NJ; Buchanan and Ossining, NY; Beachwood, OH; and DeMeern, The Netherlands. The Catalysts and Chemicals segment owns and operates a complex of plants in Georgia that manufactures petroleum cracking catalysts, and other plants located in Huntsville, AL; Santa Barbara, CA; East Windsor, CT; Mangonk, FL; Wilmington, MA; South Lyon, MI; Jackson, MS; Union, NJ; Elyria and Hiram, OH; Duncan and Seneca, SC; Salt Lake City, UT; Hannover and Nienburg, Germany; Rome, Italy; Terneuzen and DeMeern, The Netherlands; Port Elizabeth, South Africa; and Coleford, United Kingdom. In addition, the segment owns a mine in Mississippi and leases a mine in Arizona. The Pigments and Additives segment owns and operates five kaolin mines and five milling facilities in Middle Georgia which serve an 85 mile network of pipelines to three processing plants. It also owns land containing kaolin and leases, on a long-term basis, kaolin mineral rights to additional acreage. In addition, the Company owns sales and manufacturing facilities in Helsinki, Kotka and Rauma, Finland. The segment also owns and operates attapulgite processing plants in Quincy, FL and Attapulgus, GA near the area containing its attapulgite reserves, plus a mica mine and processing facilities in Hartwell, GA. Management believes that the Company's crude kaolin, attapulgite and mica reserves will be sufficient to meet its needs for the foreseeable future. The segment also owns and operates color, pearlescent pigments and film manufacturing facilities in Sylmar, CA; Louisville, KY; Eastport, ME; Roselle Park, NJ; Peekskill, NY; Elyria, OH; Charleston, SC; Haarlem, The Netherlands; and Inchon, South Korea. In addition, the segment owns mines in Florida. The Engineered Materials and Industrial Commodities Management segment owns and operates manufacturing facilities in East Newark, NJ; Anaheim, CA; Lincoln Park, MI; Warwick, RI; Ontario, Canada; and Cinderford, United Kingdom. Other operations are conducted at owned facilities in Iselin, NJ; Tokyo, Japan; Lima, Peru; Zug, Switzerland; and London, United Kingdom. Management believes that the Company's processing and refining facilities, plants and mills are suitable and have sufficient capacity to meet its normal operating requirements for the foreseeable future. Item 3. Legal Proceedings - ------ ----------------- The Company and certain of its officers and directors are defendants in a consolidated class action complaint pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on behalf of persons who bought Engelhard stock between April 1995 and November 1995. The complaint claims that defendants made false statements and omissions and traded on nonpublic information. The Company believes the class action to be without merit and is vigorously defending against it. 9 The Company is one of a number of defendants in numerous proceedings which allege that the plaintiffs contracted cancer and/or suffered other injuries from exposure to talc, asbestos or other "toxic" substances purportedly supplied by the Company and other defendants. The Company is also subject to a number of environmental contingencies and is a defendant in a number of lawsuits covering a wide range of other matters. In some of these matters, the remedies sought or damages claimed are substantial. While it is not possible to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of these lawsuits or the resolution of the environmental contingencies, management believes, after consultation with counsel, that resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on financial condition. These matters, if resolved in a manner different from the estimates, could have a material adverse effect on the operating results or cash flows when resolved in a future reporting period. In July 1996, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") issued a formal order of investigation concerning the sales of Engelhard stock by certain of the Company's officers and directors during 1995. Subpoenas for documents and witness testimony were issued by the SEC. In response, the Company has provided documents to the SEC and witnesses have been examined by the SEC staff. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders - ------ --------------------------------------------------- Not applicable. PART II ------- Market for Registrant's Common Equity Item 5. and Related Stockholder Matters - ------ ------------------------------------- As of March 13, 1998, there were 8,313 holders of record of the Company's common stock, which is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol "EC"), as well as on the London and Swiss stock exchanges. The range of market prices and cash dividends paid for each quarterly period were as follows: NYSE Cash market price dividends paid High Low per share --------- --------- -------------- 1997 First quarter $23 3/4 $18 3/4 $0.09 Second quarter 22 1/4 18 5/8 0.09 Third quarter 22 15/16 19 9/16 0.10 Fourth quarter 21 5/8 17 1/16 0.10 1996 First quarter $24 3/8 $19 3/8 $0.09 Second quarter 26 1/8 22 3/8 0.09 Third quarter 23 3/4 19 1/8 0.09 Fourth quarter 23 1/2 17 7/8 0.09 10 Item 6. Selected Financial Data - ------ ----------------------- Selected Financial Data ($ in millions, except per share amounts) Operating Results 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 - ----------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Net sales $3,630.6 $3,184.4 $2,840.1 $2,385.8 $2,150.9 Net earnings(1) 47.8 150.4 137.5 118.0 0.7 Basic earnings per share(2) 0.33 1.05 0.96 0.82 - Diluted earnings per share(2) 0.33 1.03 0.94 0.82 - Total assets $2,586.3 $2,490.5 $1,943.3 $1,777.8 $1,436.2 Long-term debt 373.6 375.1 211.5 111.8 112.2 Shareholders' equity 785.3 833.2 737.7 614.7 531.3 Cash dividends paid per share(2) $0.38 $0.36 $0.35 $0.30 $0.28 Return on average shareholders' equity 5.9% 19.2% 20.3% 20.6% 0.1% Unless otherwise indicated, all per-share amounts are presented as basic earnings per share, as calculated under SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share". (1) Results in 1997 include special and other charges of $117.7 million ($0.82 per share) for a variety of events, (including restructuring actions and a loss from the base-metal fraud in Japan). Results in 1994 include a special credit of $5.0 million ($0.03 per share) representing the reversal of excess restructuring reserves and a net charge of $5.3 million ($0.04 per share) for a change in the Company's estimate of compensation expense relating to stock awards. Results in 1993 include a special charge of $91.8 million ($0.63 per share) for realignment and consolidation of businesses and environmental matters; a gain of $6.3 million ($0.04 per share) from the sale of the Company's interest in M&T Harshaw, a base-metal plating business; and a charge for the cumulative effect of an accounting change of $16.0 million ($0.11 per share) as a result of adopting the provisions of SFAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits". Results in 1992 include a charge for the cumulative effect of accounting changes of $89.5 million ($0.59 per share) as a result of adopting the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions," and No. 109,"Accounting for Income Taxes." (2) Reflects the three-for-two stock splits as of June 30, 1995 and September 30, 1993. 11 Management's Discussion and Analysis Item 7. of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - ------ ------------------------------------------------ Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations/Engelhard Corporation Unless otherwise indicated, all per-share amounts are presented as basic earnings per share, as calculated under SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share." RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Note: Net earnings in 1997 include special and other charges of $117.7 million ($0.82 per share) for a variety of events (including restructuring actions and a loss from the base-metal fraud in Japan, see pages 39 and 40 for detail). CATALYSTS AND CHEMICALS The Catalysts and Chemicals segment comprises three business groups: Environmental Technologies, Petroleum Catalysts and Chemical Catalysts. These business groups provide a wide range of catalyst-based technologies and related performance products and processes to help customers comply with environmental regulations and improve their processes and productivity. 1997 compared with 1996: Sales up 6% and operating earnings up 8%, excluding the impact of special and other charges. Operating earnings were down 41%, including the impact of these charges. Segment Discussion: (Excludes the impact of 1997 special and other charges of $65.0 million -- see pages 39 and 40 for discussion.) Environmental Technologies and Chemical Catalysts posted record years for operating results, while Petroleum Catalysts declined considerably. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES The Environmental Technologies Group develops and markets sophisticated emission-control technologies and systems that enable customers to meet stringent environmental regulations at the lowest overall cost. 1997 Performance: Record sales and operating earnings (before the impact of special and other charges). Discussion: Automotive catalyst sales and earnings grew driven by continuing demand for more sophisticated technologies needed to meet stricter environmental regulations. New business from several European automakers spurred volume growth. In the United States, market-share gains were more modest, although Engelhard began catalyst shipments to General Motors. Shipments to GM are expected to grow in 1998 (for the 1999 model year), specifically for full-size pick-up trucks and sport utility vehicles. Improved efficiency at major manufacturing plants in Huntsville, Alabama, and Nienburg, Germany partially offset the cost impact of a less favorable precious-metal supply contract that took effect on January 1, 1997. Revenues and operating earnings from the heavy-duty power systems business rose on increased sales of thermal coatings that reduce emissions and improve the fuel economy of gas and jet turbine engines. Sales of Engelhard's CMX catalytic mufflers to the urban transit retrofit market also increased. During the year, Engelhard's next-generation ETX-2002 engine upgrade system became the first technology certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to 12 enable compliance with stricter emission standards that went into effect in the fourth quarter of 1997. Sales of equipment and systems to control emissions from stationary sources declined as uncertainty over the direction of U.S. regulations slowed installation of more advanced technology. Engelhard restructured its stationary-source equipment business, leading to the 1998 sale of the portion of the business related to capital equipment (see Note 12, "Special and Other Charges," on pages 39 and 40). Engelhard will continue to sell catalyst and related technology for stationary-source pollution control. Outlook: Demand for auto-emission catalysts and other environmental technologies is expected to increase steadily for the rest of the decade driven by tightening regional emission standards. To meet the growing demand, Engelhard is prepared to add manufacturing capacity at its plants in the United States, Germany and South Africa, while continuing to implement productivity initiatives. Auto catalyst sales will benefit from new applications on major automotive platforms, including engines designed to meet ultra-low emission standards. New regulations in the United States now require transit bus operators in highly populated areas to install equipment such as Engelhard's ETX-2002 engine upgrade system during scheduled engine rebuilds. However, expected benefits from this new regulation could be offset by the loss of sales of older technology to diesel-truck manufacturers. PETROLEUM CATALYSTS The Petroleum Catalysts Group's advanced cracking and hydroprocessing technologies enable petroleum refiners to more efficiently produce gasoline, transportation fuels and heating oils. 1997 Performance: Slightly lower sales and sharply lower operating earnings (before the impact of special and other charges). Discussion: Operating earnings were down considerably, reflecting continuing losses from European operations. A manufacturing plant in The Netherlands is scheduled to be mothballed in the second quarter of 1998 (see Note 12, "Special and Other Charges," on pages 39 and 40). Worldwide sales essentially were flat versus 1996. Sales of the group's major product line, fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts, were up despite maintenance down time at U.S. refineries early in the year. The sales increase was driven by favorable volume gains outside Europe and a 2% price increase implemented in August. However, a decline in sales of hydroprocessing and moving-bed catalysts offset the improved sales of FCC catalysts. Sales gains were achieved in Asia, particularly for FCC catalysts, although the stronger dollar impacted pricing to Asian customers. Outlook: Demand for FCC catalysts is expected to be relatively flat over the next few years, and competing technologies have become less differentiated. Competitors have maintained share through price concessions, although prices now are beginning to stabilize. In this market environment, Engelhard will aggressively manage costs and improve productivity to strengthen its position as a low-cost provider. Engelhard also will aggressively pursue both technology and cost opportunities inherent in its proprietary process technology. 13 Mothballing the manufacturing plant in The Netherlands will lower total operating costs and better position the business for earnings growth. Global customer needs will be met from North American facilities. CHEMICAL CATALYSTS The Chemical Catalysts Group enables customers to improve their process productivity and efficiency through advanced chemical catalysts, sorbents and separation products and related manufacturing expertise. 1997 Performance: Record sales and operating earnings (before the impact of special and other charges). Discussion: New alliances and the continuing trend toward decaptivation -- producing catalysts for customers that formerly made their own -- drove increased sales and earnings. Strong sales continued for a unique Engelhard catalyst used in M.W. Kellogg's advanced process for ammonia production. Engelhard, the exclusive supplier of this catalyst, began shipments in 1997 to what will be the world's two largest ammonia production facilities, which are being constructed in Trinidad. A new alliance with Mobil expanded the sale of specialty zeolites to the petrochemical industry. However, 1997 catalyst sales for the production of styrene and PVC plastics were affected by customers slowing down replacements of these catalysts. Sales of Engelhard's ATS line of water-purification products were bolstered by a new distribution agreement that expanded North American marketing efforts. Outlook: Forging new alliances continues to be a key growth strategy. Alliances were created in 1997 with some of the chemical industry's leading companies, including Dow and Mobil. These alliances will significantly enhance Engelhard's manufacturing and marketing capabilities for styrene monomer catalysts, specialty zeolites, fats and oils catalysts and water-purification technologies. In early 1998, a new alliance was created with Koch-Glitsch, Inc. that expands Engelhard's range of services and solutions beyond chemical catalysts to include diagnostic and field services for chemical reactors. The Chemical Catalysts Group is also pursuing growth opportunities that expand its presence in Asia. CATALYSTS AND CHEMICALS -- PRIOR YEAR COMPARISONS 1996 compared with 1995: Sales up 19% and operating earnings up 24%. Strong sales and operating earnings growth for Environmental Technologies and Chemical Catalysts. A $2.6 million pretax charge for the revaluation of certain petroleum catalyst inventories is included in the segment results. Auto catalyst sales and operating earnings grew despite flat auto production worldwide. Sales and operating earnings from heavy-duty power systems were up significantly driven by sales of diesel catalysts to truck-engine makers and catalytic converters for diesel buses. Sales and operating earnings from petroleum catalysts were up slightly despite difficult market conditions in the refining industry. Strong economic conditions in the chemical industry and success in new business programs led to growth in sales and operating earnings for the chemical catalysts business. 1995 compared with 1994: Sales up 20% and operating earnings up 10%. Strong sales and operating earnings growth for Environmental Technologies and Chemical Catalysts were offset by lower earnings from petroleum catalysts. Auto catalyst volumes were up due to the success of new products. Chemical catalyst sales and operating earnings were aided by improved economic 14 conditions in the chemical industry and success in new business programs. Unfavorable conditions in the refining industry led to flat sales and lower operating earnings for petroleum catalysts. PIGMENTS AND ADDITIVES The Pigments and Additives Group enables customers to improve the look, performance and overall cost of their products. 1997 compared with 1996: Sales up 18% and operating earnings up 16% (includes the positive impact of Mearl, acquired in 1996, and the impact of special and other charges of $0.8 million in 1997). Segment Discussion: Strong sales and earnings were driven by the successful integration of Mearl, acquired in May 1996. Capitalizing on cost, technology and market-channel synergies, Engelhard continued to build its leadership in pearlescent and color pigments, particularly in the automotive and cosmetics industries. In 1997, Engelhard introduced a unique product line called Cellini, which combines pearlescent and organic pigments. These unique products better position Engelhard to capitalize on the growing, high-fashion trend toward bright, vibrant color. Engelhard also continued to maintain its strong position in paper pigments. In 1997, a joint venture in Ukraine began producing paper pigments. Gains were made in ongoing efforts to reduce this segment's vulnerability to the cyclical nature of the markets it serves -- particularly the paper industry. In 1997, paper pigments accounted for less than 40% of pretax profit, down from about 65% five years ago. This was achieved by growing the segment's other markets not by shrinking revenues from the paper industry. In 1997, Engelhard expanded its attapulgite business with the acquisition of certain assets of the Floridin Company. Attapulgite-based products improve the performance of paints, coatings, caulks, sealants, pet litter and agricultural products. Segment Outlook: Pearlescent pigments are expected to drive growth opportunities as the segment continues to leverage distribution, product and technology synergies created by the Mearl acquisition. In early 1998, the segment strengthened its Asian presence with the acquisition of a small pearlescent pigments business in South Korea. In paper pigments, Engelhard will focus on aggressively managing costs and capital investments, maintaining price leadership and continuously enriching product mix. The segment also will build its specialty films business, leveraging growing interest in iridescent film for packaging, fashion and security applications. PIGMENTS AND ADDITIVES -- PRIOR YEAR COMPARISONS 1996 compared with 1995: Sales up 24% and operating earnings up 9%. Sales growth was due to stronger revenues from performance additives and color pigments, as well as the addition of pearlescent pigment sales resulting from the acquisition of Mearl (see Note 2, "Acquisition," on page 30). Paper pigment revenues were down slightly. Operating earnings benefited from reduced manufacturing costs, the success of new paper pigments and performance additives and the Mearl acquisition. Without the acquisition and the impact of an improved transportation-cost management system, segment operating earnings would have declined. Lower operating earnings from paper pigments were due to depressed economic conditions in the paper industry. 15 1995 compared with 1994: Sales up 7% and operating earnings up 26%. Significant productivity improvements and a higher margin product mix resulted in earnings growth despite a sales decline in the fourth quarter which reflected a turndown in the paper industry. In performance additives and colors, sales were favorable for all product lines. Higher volumes of high- performance, surface-treated mineral products were partially offset by lower volumes of sorbents and color products. ENGINEERED MATERIALS AND INDUSTRIAL COMMODITIES MANAGEMENT The Engineered Materials and Industrial Commodities Management segment delivers precious-metal-based technologies and commodities management expertise to a variety of industrial customers. 1997 compared with 1996: Sales up 17% and operating earnings up 29%, excluding the impact of special and other charges. Operating earnings were down 48%, including the impact of these charges. Included in the 1997 and 1996 operating earnings are gains of $2.8 million and $5.4 million, respectively, from the sale of certain LIFO inventories (see Note 8, "Inventories," on page 36). Segment Discussion: (Excludes the impact of 1997 special and other charges of $39.0 million -- see pages 39 and 40 for discussion.) Industrial Commodities Management (ICM) posted strong increases in both sales and operating earnings driven by volatility in the platinum-group-metals market. These increases more than offset sharp declines in Engineered Materials. Customers often supply the precious metals for manufactured products. In those cases, precious-metal values are not included in sales numbers. The mix of such arrangements and the extent of market-price fluctuation can significantly affect the level of reported sales, but do not usually have a material effect on earnings. Precious metals are considered as sales if the metal was supplied by Engelhard. Purchase of metal generally is hedged (see Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," on pages 28-30). ENGINEERED MATERIALS The Engineered Materials Group provides precious-metal- fabricated products and coatings to a wide range of industrial customers. 1997 Performance: Slightly lower sales and significantly lower operating earnings. Discussion: Sales were affected by lower demand for metal-joining products for air conditioners and household appliances and by an unfavorable mix of electro-metallic products. Although manufacturing process improvements raised overall efficiency, year-over-year earnings were lower due to a large, one- time order in 1996 and higher raw material costs stemming from a less favorable precious-metal supply contract that took effect on January 1, 1997. Outlook: Engineered Materials will continue to pursue sales growth in Asia and develop new products. INDUSTRIAL COMMODITIES MANAGEMENT ICM utilizes its expertise in commodities dealing and management to ensure that Engelhard and its customers have the raw materials they need to cost-effectively make their products. 1997 Performance: Record sales and operating earnings (before the impact of special and other charges). 16 Discussion: Sales and earnings rose significantly due to unusually high volatility in platinum-group-metals markets. Volatility generally increases the spread on transactions. Refining operations, although down slightly, also benefited from increased activity generated by the market volatility. Outlook: Year-over-year earnings are expected to decline as the volatility experienced in 1997 is not expected to continue. The group will continue to pursue product and service expansions. ENGINEERED MATERIALS AND INDUSTRIAL COMMODITIES MANAGEMENT -- PRIOR YEAR COMPARISONS 1996 compared with 1995: Sales up 6% and operating earnings up 4%. The majority of the industrial business units in this segment were transferred to a joint venture, Engelhard-CLAL, in June 1995 (see Note 9, "Investments," on pages 36 and 37). On a comparable year-to-year basis, sales and operating earnings were up. When comparing total results, 1996 operating earnings, excluding a $5.4 million pretax gain (resulting from the sale of certain LIFO inventories) were down slightly. 1995 compared with 1994: Sales up 22% and operating earnings up 32%. Strong growth in ICM more than offset reduced sales and flat earnings in Engineered Materials, the result of the formation of the Engelhard-CLAL joint venture in June 1995. Sales and operating earnings in the retained businesses were up substantially. SPECIAL AND OTHER CHARGES In response to the weak results of certain Company operations and as a result of the base-metal fraud in Japan, the Company recorded, in the fourth quarter of 1997, Special and Other Charges of $149.6 million ($117.7 million after tax). The following table sets forth the impact of the Special and Other Charges in the 1997 Consolidated Statement of Earnings: CAPTION IMPACTED Special and (in millions, except per share amounts) Other Charges ------------- Cost of sales $ 6.1 Selling, administrative and other expenses 12.7 Special charge 86.0 ------ Earnings from operations 104.8 Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates 44.8 ------ Earnings before income taxes 149.6 Income tax expense 31.9 ------ Net earnings $117.7 ====== Basic earnings per share $ 0.82 ====== Diluted earnings per share $ 0.81 ====== Generally, these charges cover asset impairments and employee severance costs related to Engelhard-CLAL, a joint venture in precious-metal-fabricated products; the mothballing of a petroleum catalysts facility in The Netherlands 17 used for the manufacture of FCC catalysts; the sale of the stationary-source, emission-control capital equipment business of the Environmental Technologies Group; the restructuring of Engelhard/ICC, a joint venture in desiccant-based, climate-control systems; a loss related to the base-metal fraud in Japan (see "Subsequent Event" on pages 21 and 22 for further detail); and other asset impairments. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail. Beginning in the second half of 1998, the activities covered by the charges are expected to yield annual pretax savings of about $20.0 million as a result of lower manufacturing costs and the elimination of operating losses, and yield annual cash savings of about $10.0 million as a result of lower employee and plant operating costs. The Engelhard-CLAL joint venture continues to face pressures of declining demand for French-manufactured jewelry and increasing competition from other international fabricators of precious-metal products. In response to these pressures and other market conditions, Engelhard and its partner, FIMALAC, in the fourth quarter of 1997, agreed to rationalize certain operations and determined that it is more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets will not be realized and reduced those assets to an estimate of realizable value. In addition, Engelhard recognized an impairment of its goodwill associated with this joint venture. In the fourth quarter of 1997, management approved a plan to improve the profitability of the Petroleum Catalysts Group, primarily by lowering its cost structure and optimizing its manufacturing resources. The most significant action calls for the mothballing of the FCC catalysts facility in The Netherlands. This decision was driven by industry overcapacity and the determination that the Company's European customers could be served more efficiently by U.S. FCC catalysts operations. As a result, the Company provided for employee severance obligations and site closure costs and reduced the carrying value of the related assets to an estimate of fair value. Also in the fourth quarter of 1997, management approved a plan to sell the stationary-source, emission-control capital equipment business. This decision was based on market growth projections combined with low technological barriers to enter this market. Management believes that this strategy will allow the Company to concentrate on its core competency -- catalyst technology. The Company will continue to sell catalysts for stationary-source pollution abatement. Engelhard provided for business exit costs and reduced the carrying value of the related assets to an estimate of fair value. In February 1998, substantially all of the assets of the capital equipment business were sold to Durr Environmental, Inc. In August 1997, the Company reached an agreement in principle with its partner ICC Technologies, Inc. to restructure Engelhard/ICC. Under the final agreement, which was approved by ICC shareholders in February 1998, Engelhard/ICC was split into two companies. One of the new companies, 80% owned by Engelhard, is focused on manufacturing and marketing desiccant-coated rotors and related products. The other new company, 10% owned by Engelhard, manufactures and markets complete climate-control equipment systems. Management believes that the new structure will allow each partner to concentrate on core competencies as well as share in anticipated growth of the market for desiccant-based, climate-control systems. 18 ACQUISTIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS Other Party Business Arrangement Transaction Date Business Opportunity - ----------- -------------------- ---------------- -------------------- Mearl Corporation Acquired business May 1996 Rationalization of costs and expansion of pigment markets FIMALAC Formed Paris-based June 1995 Development of the low-cost position in manufacturing and 50/50 joint venture marketing precious-metal containing products SELLING ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER EXPENSES Selling, administrative and other expenses of $327.8 million in 1997 were up from $255.5 million in 1996 and $244.7 million in 1995. The 1997 amount reflects a full year of Mearl (acquired in May 1996), the impact of the special and other charges (see pages 39 and 40 for detail), a 1996 insurance recovery ($5.7 million after tax or $0.04 per share) and general growth in our businesses due to new programs and strategic alliances. The 1995 amount reflects the transfer of certain sites and businesses to the Engelhard-CLAL joint venture in June. EQUITY EARNINGS/LOSSES Equity in losses of affiliates was $47.8 million in 1997 and $5.0 million in 1996, compared with equity in earnings of affiliates of $0.7 million in 1995. The 1997 loss reflects the 1997 special and other charges of $44.8 million related to Engelhard-CLAL and Engelhard/ICC (see pages 39 and 40 for detail). 1996 reflects a larger loss in Engelhard/ICC and a $2.5 million restructuring charge in Engelhard-CLAL. GAIN ON SALE OF INVESTMENT In 1996, the Company sold its share of Heraeus Engelhard Electrochemistry Corp., a marketer of electrochemical products. The Company realized a gain of $2.4 million ($1.5 million after tax or $0.01 per share) on the sale. INTEREST Net interest expense was $52.8 million in 1997, compared with $45.0 million in 1996 and $31.3 million in 1995. The 1997 and 1996 increases primarily reflect the incremental financing costs associated with acquiring Mearl in May 1996. Excluding the impact of Mearl financing, higher net interest expense in all three years was primarily due to higher average debt balances as a result of acquisitions and investments. Interest income, included as a component of net sales, was $1.1 million in 1997, $1.8 million in 1996 and $2.2 million in 1995. TAXES Income tax expense was $38.0 million in 1997, $59.5 million in 1996 and $47.8 million in 1995. Excluding the tax benefit associated with the 1997 special and other charges, the effective income tax rate was 29.7% in 1997, 28.3% in 1996 and 25.8% in 1995. The increasing effective rates are primarily due to a shift in the geographic mix of earnings. The effective tax rate associated with the 1997 special and other charges is a benefit of 21.3%. The tax benefit reflects the recording of a valuation allowance primarily against the capital loss carryforwards expected to be generated by some of these charges. The allowance recognizes management's view that it is more likely than not that these tax benefits may expire unused. 19 At year-end 1997, the net deferred tax asset was $88.1 million, primarily for accrued postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations, the special and other charges, the environmental clean-up reserve and other accruals. Management believes Engelhard will generate sufficient taxable income and employ tax planning strategies to ensure deferred tax benefits are realized. FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY Working capital was $15.0 million at December 31, 1997, compared with $115.3 million last year. The decrease was primarily due to lower receivables and the impact of special and other charges. The year-end market value of the Company's precious-metal inventories exceeded carrying cost by $49.7 million, compared with $25.9 million last year. The increase in excess value reflects higher market values which more than offset the impact of slightly reduced levels of LIFO inventory. (See Note 8, "Inventories," on page 36.) The current ratio was 1.0, compared with 1.1 in 1996. The Company's total debt was $622.9 million at December 31, 1997, compared with $680.0 million last year. The ratio of total debt to total capital was 44% at December 31, 1997, compared with 45% last year. The Company currently has one $600 million, five- year facility with a group of major U.S. and overseas banks. Additional unused, uncommitted lines of credit available exceeded $700 million at year- end 1997. Operating activities provided net cash of $196.5 million in 1997, compared with $24.8 million in 1996 and $133.8 million in 1995. The variance in cash flows from operating activities primarily occurred in the Industrial Commodities Management Group (ICM) and reflects changes in metal positions used to facilitate both supplier and customer requirements. ICM routinely enters into a variety of arrangements for the sourcing of industrial commodities. Generally, all such transactions are hedged on a daily basis (see Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," on pages 28-30 for a complete description). ICM works to ensure that the Company and its customers have an uninterrupted source of industrial commodities utilizing supply contracts and commodities markets around the world. Hedging is accomplished primarily through forward, future and option contracts. Hedged metal obligations (metal sold not yet purchased but fully hedged) are considered financing activities and reflect the fair value of the derivative instruments. These transactions generally cover the sourcing requirements of ICM. The cash provided from operations other than ICM exceeded $100 million in each of the last three years despite generally higher levels of working capital. Management believes that the Company will continue to have adequate access to credit and capital markets to meet its needs for the foreseeable future. MARKET RISK SENSITIVE TRANSACTIONS See Item 7A, Market Risk Disclosures on pages 21-23. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Capital projects are designed to maintain capacity, expand operations, improve efficiency or protect the environment. These amounted to $136.9 million in 1997, compared with $128.2 million in 1996 and $147.7 million in 1995. Capital 20 expenditures in 1995 included the Company's $57.0 million purchase of land and a building that serve as the principal executive and administrative offices of the Company and its operating businesses. See also Note 17, "Environmental Costs," and Note 19, "Litigation and Contingencies," on pages 46-47 and 48-49 for further information about commitments and contingencies. Capital expenditures in 1998 are expected to approximate 1997 spending. DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL STOCK In the third quarter of 1997, the Board of Directors approved an 11.1% increase in the common stock dividend, raising the level to $0.10 per share effective September 30, 1997. The annualized common stock dividend rate at the end of 1997 was $0.40 per share compared with $0.36 per share in 1996. In the first quarter of 1996, the Board approved the purchase of five million shares of the Company's common stock. At December 31, 1997, no shares had been purchased under this plan. OTHER MATTERS The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued Statements No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," and No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits." These standards address reporting and disclosure requirements only. Engelhard will comply with these standards in 1998. Many of Engelhard's computer systems must be modified due to certain programming limitations in recognizing dates beyond 1999. Programs that have time-sensitive software with this limitation may experience miscalculations or system failures. The Company has completed its Year 2000 evaluation process and is utilizing both internal and external resources to reprogram or replace and test its software. The Company will spend and expense approximately $7.5 million in 1998 to ensure that all of these systems are Year 2000 compliant. However, if such modifications are not made or are not completed on a timely basis, the Year 2000 issue could have a material adverse impact on the operations of the Company. In addition, the Company is in the process of understanding the extent to which it is vulnerable to the Year 2000 issues of its customers and suppliers. However, there can be no assurance that the Year 2000 issues of these customers and suppliers would not have a material adverse effect on the Company. The date on which the Company plans to complete any necessary Year 2000 modifications is based on management's best estimates, which were derived utilizing numerous assumptions of future events, including the continued availability of certain resources, third-party modification plans and other factors. However, there can be no assurance that these estimates will be achieved and actual results could differ materially from those plans. Specific factors that might cause such material differences include, but are not limited to, the availability and cost of personnel trained in this area, the ability to locate and correct all relevant computer codes and similar uncertainties. SUBSEQUENT EVENT In 1998, management learned that Engelhard and several other companies operating in Japan had been victims of a sophisticated, fraudulent scheme involving base-metal inventory held in third-party warehouses in Japan. Based on preliminary information, management estimates the inventory loss to be approximately $39.0 million in 1997 and $16.0 million in 1998. The Company has 21 not yet recorded any insurance or third-party recovery due to the ongoing nature of the investigation and the complexity of the fraud uncovered. However, the Company has placed its insurance carriers on notice and is vigorously pursuing recovery from them and responsible third parties. This event is not expected to have a material adverse impact on the business and operation of the ICM group. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This document contains forward-looking statements. Investors should be aware of factors that could cause Engelhard's actual results to vary materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, global economic trends; competitive pricing or product development activities; markets, alliances, and geographic expansions developing differently than anticipated; government legislation and/or regulation (particularly on environmental issues); and technology, manufacturing and legal issues. Item 7A.: Market Risk Disclosures - ----------- ----------------------- The Company is exposed to market risks arising from adverse changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and commodity prices. In the normal course of business, the Company uses a variety of techniques and instruments, including derivatives as part of its overall risk management strategy. Engelhard enters into derivative agreements with a diverse group of major financial and other institutions with individually determined credit limits to reduce the risk of nonperformance by counterparties. INTEREST RATE RISK Engelhard uses sensitivity analysis to assess the market risk of its debt-related financial instruments and derivatives. Market risk here is defined as the potential change in the fair value resulting from an adverse movement in interest rates. As of December 31, 1997, the fair value of the Company's total debt was $633.5 million based on average market quotations of price and yields provided by investment banks. A 100 basis point increase in interest rates could result in a $13.9 million reduction in the fair value of total debt. Also, the Company uses interest rate swaps to help achieve its fixed and floating rate debt objectives. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had forward starting swaps with a total notional value of $120 million, each with a start date of April 30, 1998 and termination date of April 30, 2008. These contracts hedge an anticipated 1998 debt issuance. FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE RISK The Company uses a variety of strategies, including foreign currency forward contracts, to minimize or eliminate foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with substantially all of its foreign currency transactions, including metal-related transactions denominated in other than U.S. dollars. In selected circumstances, the Company may enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge the U.S. dollar value of its foreign investments. Engelhard uses sensitivity analysis to assess the market risk associated with its foreign currency transactions. Market risk here is defined as the potential change in fair value resulting from an adverse movement in foreign 22 currency exchange rates. A 10% adverse movement in foreign currency rates could result in a net loss of $4.7 million on the Company's foreign currency forward contracts; however, since the Company limits the use of foreign currency derivatives to the hedging of contractual foreign currency payables and receivables, this loss in fair value for those instruments would generally be offset by a gain in the value of the underlying payable or receivable. A 10% adverse movement in foreign currency rates could result in an unrealized loss of $61.3 million on its net investment in foreign subsidiaries and affiliates; however, since Engelhard views these investments as long term, the Company would not expect such a loss to be realized in the near term. COMMODITY PRICE RISK Generally, all industrial commodity transactions are hedged on a daily basis using forward, future or option contracts to substantially eliminate the exposure to price risk. In addition, all industrial commodity transactions are marked-to-market daily. In limited and closely monitored situations, for which exposure levels have been set by senior management, the Company holds significant unhedged industrial commodity positions that are subject to future market fluctuations. Such positions may include varying levels of derivative commodity instruments. The Company has performed a "value-at-risk" analysis on all of its commodity assets and liabilities. The "value-at-risk" calculation is a statistical model that uses historical price and volatility data to predict market risk on a one-day interval with a 95% confidence level. While the "value-at-risk" models are relatively sophisticated, the quantitative information generated is limited by the historical information used in the calculation. For example, the volatility in the platinum and palladium markets in 1997 was greater than historical norms. Therefore, the Company uses this model only as a supplement to other risk management tools and not as a substitute for the experience and judgment of senior management and dealers who have extensive knowledge of the markets and adjust positions and revise strategies as the markets change. Based on the "value-at-risk" analysis, the maximum potential one-day loss in fair value was approximately $1.1 million as of December 31, 1997. 23 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - ------- ------------------------------------------- ENGELHARD CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS Year ended December 31 (in thousands, except per share amounts) 1997 1996 1995 ----------------------------------------- Net sales $3,630,653 $3,184,431 $2,840,077 Cost of sales 3,030,717 2,671,377 2,379,474 ----------------------------------------- Gross profit 599,936 513,054 460,603 Selling, administrative and other expenses 327,820 255,460 244,660 Special charge 86,000 -- -- ----------------------------------------- Earnings from operations 186,116 257,594 215,943 Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates (47,833) (5,008) 695 Gain on sale of investment 305 2,378 -- Interest expense, net of capitalized amounts (54,862) (45,860) (35,066) Less contango on futures and forward contracts 2,086 851 3,740 ----------------------------------------- Net interest expense (52,776) (45,009) (31,326) ----------------------------------------- Earnings before income taxes 85,812 209,955 185,312 Income tax expense 38,034 59,508 47,791 ----------------------------------------- Net earnings $ 47,778 $ 150,447 $ 137,521 ========================================= Basic earnings per share $ 0.33 $ 1.05 $ 0.96 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.33 $ 1.03 $ 0.94 ========================================= Average number of shares outstanding -- basic 144,270 143,810 143,619 ========================================= Average number of shares outstanding -- diluted 145,937 145,724 146,275 ========================================= See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 24 ENGELHARD CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 31 (in thousands) 1997 1996 ------------------------- ASSETS Cash $ 28,765 $ 39,683 Receivables 323,330 385,904 Committed metal positions 502,494 357,087 Inventories 356,403 337,098 Other current assets 44,180 68,557 ------------------------- Total current assets 1,255,172 1,188,329 Investments 160,082 221,364 Property, plant and equipment, net 788,178 744,655 Intangible assets, net 214,929 195,353 Other noncurrent assets 167,962 140,803 ------------------------- Total assets $2,586,323 $2,490,504 ========================= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Short-term bank borrowings $ 164,159 $ 108,652 Commercial paper 85,000 196,000 Current maturities of long-term debt 209 243 Accounts payable 180,499 166,202 Hedged metal obligations 572,266 414,097 Other current liabilities 238,003 187,803 ------------------------- Total current liabilities 1,240,136 1,072,997 Long-term debt 373,574 375,075 Other noncurrent liabilities 187,353 209,276 ------------------------- Total liabilities 1,801,063 1,657,348 Commitments and contingent liabilities Preferred stock, no par value, 5,000 shares authorized and unissued -- -- Common stock, $1 par value, 200,000 shares authorized and 147,295 shares issued 147,295 147,295 Retained earnings 726,082 730,313 Treasury stock, at cost, 2,803 and 3,440 shares, respectively (45,992) (56,479) Cumulative translation adjustment (42,125) 12,027 ------------------------- Total shareholders' equity 785,260 833,156 ------------------------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $2,586,323 $2,490,504 ========================= See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 25 ENGELHARD CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Year ended December 31 (in thousands) 1997 1996 1995 ---------------------------------------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net earnings $ 47,778 $ 150,447 $ 137,521 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities Depreciation, depletion and amortization 88,066 74,871 65,450 Gain on sale of investment (305) (2,378) -- Special charge 86,000 -- -- Equity results, net of dividends 51,636 7,523 2,716 Net change in assets and liabilities Metal related (29,763) (121,270) (32,256) All other (46,864) (84,434) (39,620) ---------------------------------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 196,548 24,759 133,811 ---------------------------------------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures, net of disposals (136,945) (128,195) (147,704) Proceeds from sale of investment 2,458 1,391 -- Acquisition of businesses and investments (37,409) (287,675) (42,502) Other 8,691 4,931 2,035 ---------------------------------------- Net cash used in investing activities (163,205) (409,548) (188,171) ---------------------------------------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings (55,493) 121,419 (10,237) Increase in hedged metal obligations 55,403 159,286 4,708 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 555 250,164 100,125 Repayment of long-term debt (2,051) (100,786) (994) Purchase of treasury stock -- (7,357) (7,235) Stock bonus and option plan transactions 13,329 13,903 29,273 Dividends paid (54,851) (51,773) (50,313) ---------------------------------------- Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (43,108) 384,856 65,327 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (1,153) (407) 2,652 ---------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) in cash (10,918) (340) 13,619 Cash at beginning of year 39,683 40,023 26,404 ---------------------------------------- Cash at end of year $ 28,765 $ 39,683 $ 40,023 ======================================== See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 26 ENGELHARD CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Cumulative Total Common Retained Treasury translation shareholders' (in thousands, except per share amounts) stock earnings stock adjustment equity -------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at December 31, 1994 $ 98,197 $582,520 $(74,054) $ 8,072 $614,735 Net earnings -- 137,521 -- -- 137,521 Dividends ($0.35 per share) -- (50,313) -- -- (50,313) Three-for-two stock split 49,098 (49,098) -- -- -- Foreign currency translation adjustment -- -- -- 13,761 13,761 Treasury stock acquired -- -- (7,235) -- (7,235) Stock bonus and option plan transactions -- 5,157 24,116 -- 29,273 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at December 31, 1995 147,295 625,787 (57,173) 21,833 737,742 Net earnings -- 150,447 -- -- 150,447 Dividends ($0.36 per share) -- (51,773) -- -- (51,773) Foreign currency translation adjustment -- -- -- (9,806) (9,806) Treasury stock acquired -- -- (7,357) -- (7,357) Stock bonus and option plan transactions -- 5,852 8,051 -- 13,903 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at December 31, 1996 147,295 730,313 (56,479) 12,027 833,156 Net earnings -- 47,778 -- -- 47,778 Dividends ($0.38 per share) -- (54,851) -- -- (54,851) Foreign currency translation adjustment -- -- -- (54,152) (54,152) Stock bonus and option plan transactions -- 2,842 10,487 -- 13,329 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at December 31, 1997 $147,295 $726,082 $(45,992) $ (42,125) $785,260 ==================================================================== See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 27 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Engelhard Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively referred to as Engelhard or the Company). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. USE OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. INVENTORIES Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The elements of cost include direct labor and materials, variable overhead and the full absorption of fixed manufacturing overhead. The cost of precious-metals inventories is determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of inventory valuation. The cost of other inventories is principally determined using either the average cost or the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization of plant and equipment are provided primarily on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depletion of mineral deposits and mine development are provided under the unit of production method. When assets are sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in earnings. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill and other intangible assets are stated at cost and amortization is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, but not in excess of 40 years. COMMITTED METAL POSITIONS AND HEDGED METAL OBLIGATIONS The Company routinely enters into a variety of arrangements for the sourcing of industrial commodities. These arrangements are spread among a number of counterparties, which are generally major industrial companies or highly rated financial or other institutions. The conduct of this business is closely monitored. Generally, all industrial commodity transactions are hedged on a daily basis, using forward, future, option or swap contracts, to substantially eliminate the exposure to price risk. In limited and closely monitored situations, for which exposure levels have been set by senior management, the Company holds significant unhedged (open) industrial commodity positions. 28 Committed metal positions (non-inventory metal purchases) and hedged metal obligations (metal sold not yet purchased but fully hedged) are carried at fair value. Fair value is generally based on listed market prices. If listed market prices are not available or if liquidating the Company's positions would reasonably be expected to impact market prices, fair value is determined based on other relevant factors, including dealer price quotations and price quotations in different markets, including markets located in different geographic areas. Any change in value, realized or unrealized, is recognized in gross profit in the period of the change. ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS In the ordinary course of business, like most other industrial companies, the Company is subject to extensive and changing federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations, and has made provisions for the estimated financial impact of environmental cleanup related costs. The Company's policy is to accrue environmental cleanup related costs of a noncapital nature when those costs are believed to be probable and can be reasonably estimated. The quantification of environmental exposures requires an assessment of many factors, including changing laws and regulations, advancements in environmental technologies, the quality of information available related to specific sites, the assessment stage of each site investigation, preliminary findings and the length of time involved in remediation or settlement. For certain matters, the Company expects to share costs with other parties. The Company does not include anticipated recoveries from insurance carriers or other third parties in its accruals for environmental liabilities. SALES AND COST OF SALES Some of the Company's businesses use precious metals in their manufacturing processes. Precious metals are included in sales and cost of sales if the metal has been supplied by the Company. Often, customers supply the precious metals for the manufactured product. In those cases, precious-metals values are not included in sales or cost of sales. The mix of such arrangements and the extent of market price fluctuations can significantly affect the level of reported sales but do not usually have a material effect on earnings. In addition, sales and purchases of precious metals to/from industrial and refining customers are transacted through the Company's dealing operations and are recorded in sales and cost of sales. Secondarily, and usually as a consequence of the above transactions, the Company also engages in precious- metals dealing with other counterparties. In these cases, the precious-metals values are generally included in sales and cost of sales only to the extent that the Company has added value by changing the physical form of the metal. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND CONTANGO Derivative financial instruments are used by the Company primarily for hedging purposes to mitigate a variety of working capital, investment and borrowing risks. The use and mix of hedging instruments can vary depending on business and economic conditions and management's risk assessments. The Company uses a variety of strategies, including foreign currency forward contracts and internal transaction hedging, to minimize or eliminate foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with substantially all of its foreign currency transactions. Gains and losses on these hedging transactions are generally recorded in earnings in the same period as they are realized, which is usually the same 29 period as the settlement of the underlying transactions. The Company uses interest rate instruments only as hedges or as integral parts of borrowings. As such, the differential to be paid or received in connection with these instruments is accrued and recognized in income as an adjustment to interest expense. Derivative commodity instruments are used by the Company primarily for hedging purposes to mitigate commodity price risk and include futures, forwards, options and swaps. Gains and losses on these hedging instruments are recorded in earnings daily, which matches the recording of gains and losses on the underlying transactions. Usually the contract price of forward and futures instruments exceeds the current (spot) price of the metal by a premium referred to as "contango." This premium constitutes an offset to the financing costs associated with carrying the precious metal that underlies the transaction. As such, contango is reflected in the consolidated statements of earnings as an adjustment to interest expense because it is an integral component of the Company's financing costs. Risk is reduced on any mismatches on maturities through the use of Eurodollar futures. STOCK OPTION PLANS The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for stock option plans. In general, no compensation cost related to these plans is recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings. 2. ACQUISITION On May 31, 1996, the Company acquired the Mearl Corporation (Mearl). Mearl manufactured and supplied the automotive, cosmetics and industrial markets with pearlescent pigments, and also manufactured and supplied iridescent film and other products to a variety of markets. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase. The purchase price was $272.7 million in cash, financed primarily with long-term debt. The purchase price exceeded the fair value of net assets acquired by $153.5 million, which is being amortized on a straight- line basis over 35 years. The results of operations of Mearl, integrated into the Pigments and Additives segment, are included in the accompanying financial statements from the date of acquisition. 3. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred and were $61.4 million in 1997, $56.5 million in 1996 and $53.0 million in 1995. 4. BENEFITS The Company has domestic and foreign pension plans covering substantially all employees. Plans covering most salaried employees generally provide benefits based on years of service and the employee's final average compensation. Plans covering most hourly bargaining unit members generally provide benefits of stated amounts for each year of service. The Company makes contributions to the plans as required and to such extent contributions are currently deductible for tax purposes. Plan assets primarily consist of listed stocks and fixed income securities. 30 The components of the net pension credit for all plans are shown in the following table: NET PERIODIC PENSION CREDIT (in millions) 1997 1996 1995 --------------------------------------- Service cost $10.1 $8.9 $8.3 Interest cost 22.7 20.3 20.4 Actual return on plan assets (62.6) (40.7) (40.9) Net amortization and deferral 29.4 9.7 8.6 --------------------------------------- Net periodic pension credit $(0.4) $(1.8) $(3.6) ======================================= The weighted-average discount rate and rate of increase in future compensation levels used in determining the actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligations for the pension plans are 6.5% to 7.5% and 3.0% to 6.0%, respectively. The expected long-term rate of return on assets is 7.5% to 10.5%. The following table sets forth the plans' funded status: FUNDED STATUS (in millions) 1997 1996 ---------------------- Actuarial present value of benefit obligations Vested benefit obligation $254.9 $243.2 ------------------- Accumulated benefit obligation $277.8 $251.9 ------------------- Projected benefit obligation $328.7 $297.3 ------------------- Plan assets at fair value $374.7 $329.4 ------------------- Plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligation $46.0 $32.1 Unrecognized net loss 27.2 34.5 Unrecognized prior service cost 5.9 6.4 Unrecognized transition asset, net of amortization (2.7) (5.8) Fourth quarter contribution 0.2 0.4 ------------------- Prepaid pension expense $76.6 $67.6 =================== In May 1996, in connection with the acquisition of Mearl (see Note 2, "Acquisition," on page 30), the Company assumed certain assets and liabilities of the Mearl pension plans that reduced the pension asset by $2.8 million. The Company also sponsors two savings plans covering certain salaried and hourly paid employees. The Company's contributions, which may equal up to 50% of certain employee contributions, were $2.9 million in 1997, $2.4 million in 1996 and $2.2 million in 1995. The Company also currently provides postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain retirees (and their spouses), certain disabled employees (and their families) and spouses of certain deceased employees. Substantially all U.S. salaried employees and certain hourly paid employees are eligible for these benefits, which are paid through the Company's general health care and 31 life insurance programs, except for certain medicare-eligible salaried and hourly retirees who are provided a defined contribution towards the cost of a partially insured health plan. In addition, the Company provides postemployment benefits to former or inactive employees after employment but before retirement. These benefits are substantially similar to the postretirement benefits but cover a much smaller group of employees. The components of the net expense for these postretirement and postemployment benefits are shown in the following table: POSTRETIREMENT AND POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT EXPENSE (in millions) 1997 1996 1995 -------------------------------------- Service cost $2.3 $2.4 $2.3 Interest cost 8.5 8.1 9.0 Net amortization (6.0) (5.5) (4.9) -------------------------------------- Net benefit expense $4.8 $5.0 $6.4 ====================================== The weighted-average discount rate used in determining the actuarial present value of the accumulated postretirement and postemployment benefit obligation is 7.5%. The average assumed health care cost trend rate used for 1997 is 8%, gradually decreasing to 5% by 2004. A 1% increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have increased aggregate service and interest cost in 1997 by $0.6 million and the accumulated postretirement and postemployment benefit obligation as of December 31, 1997 by $5.8 million. The following table sets forth the components of the accrued postretirement and postemployment benefit obligation, all of which are unfunded: POSTRETIREMENT AND POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATION (in millions) 1997 1996 ---------------------- Accumulated benefit obligation Retirees $78.2 $79.7 Fully eligible active participants 14.2 14.6 Other active participants 19.1 19.5 ---------------------- 111.5 113.8 Unrecognized prior service cost 39.0 44.8 Unrecognized net gain 5.9 3.9 Fourth quarter contribution (3.1) (2.3) ---------------------- Accrued benefit obligation $153.3 $160.2 ====================== In May 1996, in connection with the acquisition of Mearl (see Note 2, "Acquisition," on page 30), the Company assumed certain postretirement liabilities that increased the Company's accrued benefit obligation by $6.5 million. 32 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS In the ordinary course of business, the Company has raw material supply arrangements with entities in which Anglo American Corporation of South Africa Limited (Anglo) has material interests and with Engelhard-CLAL and its subsidiaries. Anglo indirectly holds a significant minority interest in the common stock of the Company. Engelhard-CLAL is a 50% owned joint venture. The Company's transactions with such entities amounted to purchases-from of $101.2 million in 1997, $203.2 million in 1996 and $367.3 million in 1995; sales-to of $42.2 million in 1997, $513.5 million in 1996 and $442.4 million in 1995; and metal leasing-to of $16.3 million in 1997, $37.7 million in 1996 and $31.7 million in 1995. Management believes these transactions were under terms no less favorable to the Company than those arranged with other parties. At December 31, 1997 and 1996 amounts due to such entities totaled $5.3 million and $4.3 million, respectively. 6. INCOME TAXES The components of income tax expense are shown in the following table: INCOME TAX EXPENSE (in millions) 1997 1996 1995 --------------------------- Current income tax expense Federal $27.9 $21.7 $15.9 State 4.5 2.1 2.0 Foreign 22.7 11.0 12.0 --------------------------- 55.1 34.8 29.9 --------------------------- Deferred income tax expense Federal 2.9 16.6 19.2 Changes in tax rates (1.1) -- -- State 0.1 3.0 2.7 Foreign (17.4) 4.7 (2.6) Loss carryforwards/tax credits (1.6) 0.4 (1.4) --------------------------- (17.1) 24.7 17.9 --------------------------- Income tax expense $38.0 $59.5 $47.8 =========================== The foreign portion of earnings before income tax expense was $13.8 million in 1997, $50.6 million in 1996 and $40.8 million in 1995. Taxes on income of foreign consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates are provided at the tax rates applicable to their respective foreign tax jurisdictions. Tax credits of $1.0 million in 1997, $1.7 million in 1996 and $8.0 million in 1995, are in connection with equity transactions, and are included in adjustments for those years. These amounts are not reflected in the previous table. 33 The following table sets forth the components of the net deferred tax asset which results from temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting and tax purposes: NET DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSET (in millions) 1997 1996 --------------------- Deferred tax assets Accrued liabilities $51.3 $33.0 Noncurrent liabilities 82.4 80.4 Tax credits/carryforwards 29.6 39.8 --------------------- Total deferred tax assets 163.3 153.2 --------------------- Deferred tax liabilities Prepaid pension expense (38.0) (36.4) Property, plant and equipment (4.1) (11.0) Other assets (16.1) (38.4) --------------------- Total deferred tax liabilities (58.2) (85.8) --------------------- Valuation allowance (17.0) -- --------------------- Net deferred tax asset $88.1 $67.4 ===================== In 1997, the Company recorded special and other charges in the amount of $149.6 million for a variety of events (including restructuring actions and a loss from the base-metal fraud in Japan). A net deferred tax asset, after valuation allowance, of $31.9 million was provided with respect to this charge. The tax benefit reflects the recording of a valuation allowance primarily against the capital loss carryforwards expected to be generated by some of these charges. The allowance recognizes management's view that it is more likely than not that these tax benefits may expire unused. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had approximately $11.6 million of nonexpiring alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards available to offset future U.S. federal income taxes. Also, as of December 31, 1997, the Company had approximately $9.8 million of foreign nonexpiring net operating loss carryforwards and approximately $6.0 million of foreign investment tax credits expiring in 2000 available to offset certain future foreign income taxes. Management believes that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income and employ tax planning strategies to ensure realization of these tax benefits. 34 A reconciliation of the difference between the Company's consolidated income tax expense and the expense computed at the federal statutory rate is shown in the following table: CONSOLIDATED INCOME TAX EXPENSE RECONCILIATION (in millions) 1997 1996 1995 ------------------------------ Income tax expense at federal statutory rate $30.0 $73.5 $64.9 State income taxes, net of federal effect 2.3 3.3 3.0 Percentage depletion (14.0) (13.4) (14.0) Equity earnings 10.0 (1.0) (0.9) Effect of different tax rates on foreign earnings, net 1.4 0.2 (3.6) Tax credits/carryforwards (4.8) (0.8) (0.7) Foreign sales corporation (6.8) (5.0) (4.1) Valuation allowance 17.0 -- -- Other items, net 2.9 2.7 3.2 ------------------------------ Income tax expense $38.0 $59.5 $47.8 ============================== At December 31, 1997, the Company's share of the cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries was approximately $248.2 million. No provision has been made for U.S. or additional foreign taxes on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries because such earnings are expected to be reinvested indefinitely in the subsidiaries' operations. It is not practical to estimate the amount of additional tax that might be payable on these foreign earnings in the event of distribution or sale; however, under existing law, foreign tax credits would be available to substantially reduce, or in some cases eliminate, U.S. taxes payable. 7. METAL POSITIONS AND OBLIGATIONS The following table sets forth the Company's open metal positions included in Committed Metal Positions on the consolidated balance sheets: METAL POSITIONS INFORMATION (in millions) 1997 1996 ------------------------------------------- Gross Gross position Value position Value Platinum group metals Long $16.0 Long $49.2 Gold Short (0.6) Short (4.0) Silver Short (1.7) Short (0.5) Base metals Short (0.2) -- ------------------------------------------- Total open metal positions $13.5 $44.7 =========================================== The net mark-to-market adjustments related to the above open positions were not material in 1997, in 1996 or in 1995. As a result of its metals transactions, the Company earned net contango income of $2.1 million in 1997, $0.9 million in 1996 and $3.7 million in 1995. 35 Derivative commodity and foreign currency instruments used to hedge metal positions and obligations consist of the following: METAL HEDGING INSTRUMENTS (in millions) 1997 1996 ----------------------------------------- Buy Sell Buy Sell Forward/futures contracts $927.9 $742.5 $733.1 $520.3 Eurodollar futures 385.0 639.0 270.0 1,016.0 Swaps 246.9 298.4 6.9 99.0 Options 42.9 14.6 143.7 150.4 Yen forwards/futures -- 31.1 -- 171.5 8. INVENTORIES Inventories consist of the following: INVENTORIES (in millions) 1997 1996 ---------------- Raw materials $99.2 $72.5 Work in process 31.9 50.0 Finished goods 191.8 180.0 Precious metals 33.5 34.6 ---------------- Total inventories $356.4 $337.1 ================ All precious-metals inventories are stated at LIFO cost. The market value of the precious-metals inventories exceeded cost by $49.7 million and $25.9 million at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Net earnings in 1997 and 1996 include after-tax gains of $2.0 million and $3.3 million, respectively, from the sale of certain LIFO inventories. In the normal course of business, certain customers and suppliers deposit significant quantities of precious metals with the Company under a variety of arrangements. Equivalent quantities of precious metals are returnable as product or in other forms. 9. INVESTMENTS The Company has investments in affiliates that are accounted for on the equity method. The more significant of these investments are Engelhard-CLAL and N.E. Chemcat Corporation (N.E. Chemcat). Engelhard-CLAL, a 50/50 joint venture, manufactures and markets certain precious-metal containing products. N.E. Chemcat is a 38.8% owned, publicly-traded Japanese corporation and a leading producer of automotive and chemical catalysts, electronic chemicals and other precious-metals based products. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the quoted market value of the Company's investment in N.E. Chemcat was in excess of $55 million and $104 million, respectively. The valuation represents a mathematical calculation based on the closing quotation published by the Tokyo over-the-counter market and is not necessarily indicative of the amount that could be realized upon sale. Due to 36 the recent weakness of the Japanese equity markets, the Company's investment in N.E. Chemcat exceeded the quoted market value as of December 31, 1997. Management believes this situation to be temporary. In the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company sold its investment in Heraeus Engelhard Electrochemistry Corp. to its partner for cash, with the buyer assuming all assets and liabilities. The Company realized an after-tax gain of $1.5 million on the sale. The summarized unaudited financial information below represents an aggregation of the Company's nonsubsidiary affiliates: FINANCIAL INFORMATION (unaudited) (in millions) 1997 1996 1995 ---------------------------------- Earnings data Revenue $1,788.6 $1,739.7 $1,207.9 Gross profit 165.0 327.9 130.8 Net earnings/(losses) (69.6) (5.3) 6.2 Company's equity in net earnings/(losses) (47.8) (5.0) 0.7 Balance sheet data Current assets $ 420.1 $ 555.1 Noncurrent assets 216.5 199.6 Current liabilities 117.4 212.7 Noncurrent liabilities 185.8 104.1 Net assets 333.4 437.9 Company's equity in net assets 156.1 217.4 The decrease in the Company's equity in net assets was primarily a result of the 1997 special and other charges (see pages 39 and 40 for detail). The Company's share of undistributed earnings/losses of affiliated companies included in consolidated retained earnings was a loss of $14.2 million at December 31, 1997 and gains of $36.0 million and $39.2 million at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Dividends from affiliated companies were $3.8 million in 1997, $2.5 million in 1996 and $3.4 million in 1995. 10. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment consist of the following: PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (in millions) 1997 1996 ------------------ Land $38.3 $38.5 Buildings and building improvements 232.9 224.5 Machinery and equipment 1,196.9 1,140.3 Construction in progress 111.5 82.1 Mineral deposits and mine development 76.9 74.4 ------------------ 1,656.5 1,559.8 Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization 868.3 815.1 ------------------ Property, plant and equipment, net $788.2 $744.7 ================== 37 11. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT At December 31, 1997, the Company had an unsecured committed revolving credit agreement for $600 million with a group of North American money center banks and major foreign banks which expires in the year 2002. Facility fees are paid to the bank group for this line. In connection with its credit facility, the Company has agreed to certain covenants, none of which is considered restrictive to the operations of the Company. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, short-term bank borrowings were $164.2 million and $108.7 million, respectively. Weighted-average interest rates were 5.9%, 5.7% and 6.0% during 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, commercial paper borrowings were $85.0 million and $196.0 million, respectively. Weighted-average interest rates were 5.8%, 5.5% and 5.8% during 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Additional unused, uncommitted lines of credit available exceeded $700 million at December 31, 1997. The Company's lines of credit with its banks are available in accordance with normal terms for prime commercial borrowers and are not subject to commitment fees or other restrictions. The following table sets forth the components of long-term debt: DEBT INFORMATION (in millions) 1997 1996 ----------------- Notes,with a weighted-average interest rate of 6.53%, due 2000 $ 99.7 $100.0 7% Notes, due 2001, net of discount 149.2 149.8 7.375% Notes, due 2006, net of discount 99.4 99.9 Notes acquired, with a weighted-average interest rate of 12.0%, due 2003-2006 14.1 14.1 Industrial revenue bonds, 5.375%, due 2006 6.5 6.5 Industrial revenue bonds, 64.5% of prime rate, due 1999 4.5 4.5 Foreign bank loans with a weighted-average interest rate of 7.0%, due 1998-2000 0.1 0.5 Other, with weighted-average rate of 5.8%, due 1998 0.3 -- ----------------- 373.8 375.3 Amounts due within one year 0.2 0.2 ----------------- Total long-term debt $373.6 $375.1 ================= As of December 31, 1997, the aggregate maturities of long-term debt for the succeeding five years are as follows: $0.3 million in 1998, $4.5 million in 1999, $99.7 million in 2000, $149.2 million in 2001 and zero in 2002. See Note 14, "Financial Instruments," on pages 40 and 41 for a discussion about interest rate swap agreements. 38 12. SPECIAL AND OTHER CHARGES In the fourth quarter of 1997, the Company recorded Special and Other Charges of $149.6 million ($117.7 million after tax). The following table sets forth the impact of the special and other charges in the 1997 Consolidated Statement of Earnings: CAPTION IMPACTED Special and (in millions, except per share amounts) Other Charges ------------ Cost of sales $ 6.1 Selling, administrative and other expenses 12.7 Special charge 86.0 ------------ Earnings from operations 104.8 Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates 44.8 ------------ Earnings before income taxes 149.6 Income tax expense 31.9 ------------ Net earnings $117.7 ============ Basic earnings per share $ 0.82 ============ Diluted earnings per share $ 0.81 ============ Generally, these charges cover asset impairments and employee severance costs related to Engelhard-CLAL; a loss related to the base-metal fraud in Japan (see Note 21, "Subsequent Event," on page 50); the mothballing of a petroleum catalysts facility in The Netherlands used for the manufacture of FCC catalysts; the sale of the stationary-source, emission-control capital equipment business; the restructuring of Engelhard/ICC; and other asset impairments. Excluding the $44.8 million in charges related to equity investments, the balance of the pretax charge comprises $6.4 million for employee separation liabilities; $7.9 million for restructuring and exit costs; $89.1 million of asset impairments/write-offs; and $1.4 million of other charges for warranty and environmental costs. The $6.4 million charge for employee separation liabilities, included in special charge on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings, covers approximately 90 employees, most of whom work at the FCC catalysts manufacturing facility in The Netherlands. The $44.8 million charge related to equity investments comprises $7.8 million for employee separation liabilities and $37.0 million of asset impairments (predominately fixed assets, deferred tax assets and goodwill). 39 The following table sets forth the components of the Company's reserves for restructuring and exit costs: RESTRUCTURING RESERVES Employee (in millions) Separations Other Total ------------------------------------ Balance at December 31, 1994 $27.1 $18.4 $45.5 Cash spending (9.5) (8.6) (18.1) Engelhard-CLAL formation (3.9) 9.0 5.1 ------------------------------------ Balance at December 31, 1995 13.7 18.8 32.5 Cash spending (7.4) (10.6) (18.0) Other -- (1.0) (1.0) ------------------------------------ Balance at December 31, 1996 6.3 7.2 13.5 Provision 6.4 7.9 14.3 Cash spending (1.5) (4.3) (5.8) ------------------------------------ Balance at December 31, 1997 $11.2 $10.8 $22.0 ==================================== In 1995, the Company completed the formation of Engelhard-CLAL which increased the reserve as a result of previously anticipated precious metal and other asset gains, partially offset by a decrease in the reserve for restructuring activities planned to be performed in the joint venture. The balance remaining from prior years primarily relates to the Floridin acquisition which had been significantly delayed due to lengthy court proceedings. The acquisition was completed in June 1997 and the related exit activities from a Paper Pigments and Additives facility have begun and are expected to be completed in 1998. Substantially all actions covered by the 1997 Special and Other Charges are expected to be completed in 1998. 13. LEASE COMMITMENTS The Company rents real property and equipment under long-term operating leases. Future minimum rental payments required under noncancellable operating leases, having initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year, are $3.6 million in 1998, $2.7 million in 1999, $2.1 million in 2000, $1.7 million in 2001, $1.5 million in 2002 and $4.3 million thereafter. Rental/lease expense, including all leases, amounted to $14.0 million in 1997, $11.8 million in 1996 and $14.2 million in 1995. 14. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Company's nonderivative financial instruments consist primarily of cash in banks, temporary investments, accounts receivable and debt. The fair value of financial instruments in working capital approximates book value. The fair value of long-term debt was $384.1 million in 1997 and $380.1 million in 1996 based on current interest rates, compared with a book value of $373.8 million in 1997 and $375.3 million in 1996. The Company's financial instruments do not represent a concentration of credit risk because the Company deals with a variety of major banks worldwide, and its accounts receivable are spread among a number of major industries, 40 customers and geographic areas. In addition, a centralized credit committee reviews significant credit transactions and risk management issues before the granting of credit and an appropriate level of reserves is maintained. For the past three-year period, provisions to these reserves were not significant. Management believes that should a counterparty fail to perform according to the terms of an agreement, it is unlikely that any of the Company's off- balance sheet financial instruments would result in a significant loss to the Company. FOREIGN CURRENCY INSTRUMENTS There were no speculative positions in foreign currencies as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and there were no material gains or losses from such positions for any year presented. The following table sets forth, in U.S. dollars, the Company's open foreign currency forward contracts used for hedging other than metal-related transactions (see Note 7, "Metal Positions and Obligations," on pages 35 and 36 for foreign currency instruments used to hedge metal-related transactions): FOREIGN CURRENCY FORWARD CONTRACTS INFORMATION 1997 1996 (in millions) Buy Sell Buy Sell ----------------------------------- Deutsche Mark $ -- $ -- $-- $5.0 Korean Won 14.3 -- -- -- Japanese Yen -- 1.2 -- -- French Franc 2.4 -- -- -- Finnish Markka -- 1.4 -- -- Italian Lira -- 1.4 -- -- ----------------------------------- Total open foreign currency forward contracts $16.7 $4.0 $-- $5.0 =================================== The Company also had a cross-currency forward contract to buy Dutch Guilders and sell British Pounds to hedge an intercompany loan transaction. The U.S. dollar value of this contract was $10.6 million at December 31, 1997. None of these contracts exceeds a year in duration and the net amount of deferred income and expense on foreign currency forward contracts had no impact in 1997, 1996 and 1995. Interest Rate Instruments The Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement in 1993 to change certain fixed rate debt into floating rate debt. The impact of this swap contract, which terminated in 1996, was to increase interest expense by $0.6 million in 1996 and $1.9 million in 1995. In 1996, in connection with the $150 million 7% Notes due 2001 and the $100 million 7.375% Notes due 2006, the Company entered into ten forward starting swaps. These swap agreements were based on amounts and maturities which coincided with the debt agreements. These agreements were closed concurrent with the debt issuance. The resulting impact on the weighted-average interest rate for 1997 and 1996 was not material. Also, in 1997 the Company entered into five forward starting swaps commencing in 1998 in connection with an anticipated debt issuance. 41 15. BUSINESS SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA DATA The Company operates in three business segments: Catalysts and Chemicals, Pigments and Additives, and Engineered Materials and Industrial Commodities Management. The Catalysts and Chemicals segment, located principally in the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and South Africa, provides a wide range of catalyst-based technologies and related performance products and processes to help customers comply with environmental regulations and improve their processes and productivity across many different industries. The Company's technologies are used by customers in the automotive, manufacturing and petroleum refining industries, to solve problems related to quality and/or cost efficiency, manufacturing yields and emissions. The Pigments and Additives segment, located principally in the United States, Finland and Japan, helps customers improve the look and performance of their products through pigment technologies and performance additives designed to enhance or add new properties to our customers' products in a wide variety of industries, including paper, paint, plastics and rubber. The Engineered Materials and Industrial Commodities Management segment, located principally in the United States, Europe and Japan, delivers precious- metal based technologies, products, services and management expertise to a variety of industrial customers. This segment also buys and sells precious metals, base metals, energy and related products. 42 The following table presents certain data by business segment: Engineered Materials & Industrial BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION Catalysts & Pigments & Commodities Corporate (in millions) Chemicals Additives Management and Other Consolidated ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1997 Net sales $ 920.9 $ 592.2 $ 2,117.5 $ -- $3,630.6 Operating earnings, before special and other charges 143.5 115.2 65.2(1) -- 323.9 Special and other charges (65.0) (0.8) (39.0) -- (104.8) Depreciation, depletion and amortization 34.2 43.6 2.5 7.8 88.1 Identifiable assets(2) 666.0 873.3 650.8 396.2 2,586.3 Capital expenditures, net 61.5 59.3 5.1 11.0 136.9 1996 Net sales $866.2 $500.8 $1,817.4 $ -- $3,184.4 Operating earnings 132.5 98.9 50.4(1) -- 281.8 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 32.3 34.3 2.4 5.9 74.9 Identifiable assets 652.6 793.7 572.2 472.0 2,490.5 Capital expenditures, net 71.9 42.9 6.0 7.4 128.2 1995 Net sales $725.0 $403.8 $1,711.3 $ -- $2,840.1 Operating earnings 106.5 90.6 48.3 -- 245.4 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 28.1 29.4 4.3 3.7 65.5 Identifiable assets 534.4 468.8 420.9 519.2 1,943.3 Capital expenditures, net 32.8 49.0 5.3 60.6 147.7 (1) Includes a gain on the sale of certain LIFO inventories of $2.8 million in 1997 and $5.4 million in 1996. (2) The special and other charges reduced identifiable assets by $49.0 million in Catalysts and Chemicals, $0.8 million in Pigments and Additives, $39.0 million in Engineered Materials and Industrial Commodities Management and $44.8 million in Corporate and Other (see Note 12, "Special and Other Charges," on pages 39 and 40). In 1996, the Pigments and Additives identifiable assets reflect the acquisition of Mearl. (See Note 2, "Acquisition," on page 30.) The following table presents certain data by geographic area: Special GEOGRAPHIC AREA DATA Inter-area Operating and other Identifiable (in millions) Net sales sales earnings* charges assets ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1997 United States $2,455.0 $96.5 $245.8 $(37.4) $1,714.4 International 1,175.6 39.8 78.1 (67.4) 475.7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 United States $1,910.9 $32.5 $232.9 $ -- $1,567.6 International 1,273.5 55.8 48.9 -- 450.9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1995 United States $1,680.9 $31.6 $203.4 $ -- $1,031.0 International 1,159.2 52.3 42.0 -- 393.1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Before special and other charges 43 The special and other charges reduced identifiable assets by $32.6 million in the United States and $101.0 million in Europe. Inter-area sales are generally based on market prices. The Company's foreign operations are predominately based in Europe. Export sales from the United States to customers throughout the world were $366.3 million in 1997, $285.9 million in 1996 and $265.8 million in 1995 and are included in U.S. sales. The following table reconciles segment operating earnings with earnings before income taxes as shown in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings: RECONCILIATION TO CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (in millions) 1997 1996 1995 -------------------------------- Operating earnings $219.1 $281.8 $245.4 Gain on sale of investment 0.3 2.4 -- Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates (47.8) (5.0) 0.7 Interest and other expenses, net (85.8) (69.2) (60.8) -------------------------------- Earnings before income taxes $85.8 $210.0 $185.3 ================================ For the year ended December 31, 1996, Engelhard-CLAL, a related party and a customer of the Engineered Materials and Industrial Commodities Management segment, accounted for 16% of the Company's net sales. For the year ended December 31, 1995, an unaffiliated customer of both the Catalysts and Chemicals and the Engineered Materials and Industrial Commodities Management segments accounted for 11% of the Company's net sales. 16. STOCK OPTION AND BONUS PLANS The Company's Stock Option Plans of 1991 and 1981, as amended (the Key Option Plans) generally provide for the granting to key employees of options to purchase an aggregate of 16,875,000 and 6,834,375 common shares, respectively, at fair market value on the date of grant. No options under the Key Option Plans may be granted after June 30, 2001. In 1993, the Company established the Employee Stock Option Plan of 1993, as amended, which generally provided for the granting to all employees (excluding U.S. bargaining unit employees and key employees eligible under the Key Option Plans) of options to purchase an aggregate of 2,812,500 common shares at fair market value on the date of grant. No additional options may be granted under this plan. In 1995, the Company established the Directors Stock Options Plan, which generally provides for the granting to each nonemployee director the option to purchase up to 3,000 common shares at the fair market value on the date of grant. Options under all plans become exercisable in four installments beginning after one year, and no options may be exercised after 10 years from the date of grant. Outstanding options may be canceled and reissued under terms specified in the plan documents. 44 Had compensation cost for the Company's two stock option plans been determined based on the fair value at grant date for awards in 1997, 1996 and 1995 consistent with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation," the Company's net earnings and earnings per share would have been as follows: PRO FORMA INFORMATION (in millions, except per share data) 1997 1996 1995 ------------------------------ Net earnings -- as reported $47.8 $150.4 $137.5 Net earnings -- pro forma 41.4 145.0 135.3 Basic earnings per share -- as reported 0.33 1.05 0.96 Basic earnings per share -- pro forma 0.29 1.01 0.94 Diluted earnings per share -- as reported 0.33 1.03 0.94 Diluted earnings per share -- pro forma 0.28 1.00 0.92 The pro forma amounts shown above are not representative of the effects on net income or earnings per share in future years because only options granted after January 1, 1995 have been included in the above numbers, and the full net income effect is recognized over the vesting period, typically four years. The weighted-average fair value at date of grant for options granted during 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $5.74, $7.37 and $6.17, respectively. Fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following assumptions were used for option grants in 1997, 1996 and 1995: dividend yield of 1.3% to 2.1%, expected volatility of 31% to 32%; risk free interest rate of 5.0% to 6.5%; and expected life of 4 to 5 years. Stock option transactions under all plans are as follows: 1997 1996 1995 Number Option price Number Option price Number Option price of shares per share of shares per share of shares per share --------------------------- ------------------------- ----------- ------------ Outstanding at beginning of year 9,187,945 $5.26-23.88 7,901,801 $5.26-19.05 7,289,925 $4.54-19.05 Granted 2,935,789 18.56-20.91 2,006,572 19.00-23.88 2,143,845 16.83-22.38 Forfeited (62,643) 14.20-23.88 (351,168) 8.17-23.88 (121,165) 5.54-19.14 Exercised (330,846) 5.43-19.05 (369,260) 5.54-17.92 (1,410,804) 4.54-19.14 --------------------------- ------------------------- ----------- ------------ Outstanding at end of year 11,730,245 $5.26-23.88 9,187,945 $5.26-23.88 7,901,801 $5.26-22.38 Exercisable at end of year 5,850,724 $5.26-23.88 4,652,411 $5.26-22.38 2,860,532 $5.26-19.05 Available for future grants 6,447,093 9,320,239 10,975,643 45 The following table summarizes information about fixed-price options outstanding at December 31, 1997: Options Outstanding Options Exercisable - ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------- Weighted- average Weighted- Weighted- Number remaining average Number average Range of outstanding contractual exercise exercisable exercise exercise prices at 12/31/97 life (years) price at 12/31/97 price - ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------- $ 5.26 to 9.46 582,811 2 $ 7.72 582,811 $ 7.72 11.45 to 19.06 2,178,315 4 16.92 2,178,315 16.92 14.21 to 19.06 2,165,594 7 16.20 1,615,842 16.19 16.83 to 22.38 1,943,313 8 18.93 971,441 18.93 19.00 to 23.88 1,953,502 9 21.55 501,715 21.61 18.56 to 20.91 2,906,710 10 18.95 600 20.25 ---------- ------ --------- ------ 11,730,245 $17.94 5,850,724 $16.53 The Company's Key Employee Stock Bonus Plan, as amended (the Bonus Plan) provides for the award of up to 15,187,500 common shares to key employees as compensation for future services, not exceeding 1,518,750 shares in any year (plus any canceled awards or shares available for award, but not previously awarded). The Bonus Plan terminates on June 30, 2006. Shares awarded vest in five annual installments, provided the recipient is still employed by the Company on the vesting date. Compensation value is measured on the date the award is granted. In 1997 and 1996, the Company granted 193,000 and 174,000 shares to key employees at a fair value of $20.25 and $23.88, respectively, per share. Compensation expense relating to stock awards was $5.2 million in 1997, $7.0 million in 1996 and $7.7 million in 1995. Shares awarded, net of cancellations, are included in average shares outstanding. 17. ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS With the oversight of environmental agencies, the Company is currently preparing, has under review, or is implementing, environmental investigations and cleanup plans at several currently or formerly owned and/or operated sites, including Plainville, MA, Salt Lake City, UT and Attapulgus, GA. The Company is continuing to investigate contamination at Plainville under a 1993 agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is awaiting approval of a decommissioning plan by the State of Massachusetts under authority delegated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Investigation of the environmental status at Salt Lake City continues under a 1993 agreement with the Utah Solid and Hazardous Waste Control Board. An approved reclamation program at Attapulgus, under a 1994 consent order with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, is expected to be completed in 1998. 46 In addition, 17 sites have been identified at which the Company believes liability as a potentially responsible party (PRP) is probable under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, or similar state laws (collectively referred to as Superfund) for the cleanup of contamination resulting from the historic disposal of hazardous substances allegedly generated by the Company, among others. Superfund imposes strict, joint and several liability under certain circumstances. In many cases, the dollar amount of the claim is unspecified and claims have been asserted against a number of other entities for the same relief sought from the Company. Based on existing information, the Company believes that it is a de minimis contributor of hazardous substances at many of the sites referenced above. Subject to the reopening of existing settlement agreements for extraordinary circumstances or natural resource damages, the Company has settled a number of other cleanup proceedings. The Company has also responded to information requests from EPA and state regulatory authorities in connection with other Superfund sites. The liabilities for environmental cleanup related costs recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 1997 and 1996 were $43.6 million and $49.6 million, respectively, including $3.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively, for Superfund sites. These amounts represent those costs which the Company believes are probable and reasonably estimable. Based on currently available information and analysis, the Company's accrual represents approximately 60% of what it believes are the reasonably possible environmental cleanup related costs of a noncapital nature. The estimate of reasonably possible costs is less certain than the probable estimate upon which the accrual is based. During the past three-year period, cash payments for environmental cleanup related matters were $6.0 million, $7.0 million and $7.6 million for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The amounts accrued in connection with environmental cleanup related matters were not significant over this time period. For the past three-year period, environmental related capital projects have averaged less than 10 percent of the Company's total capital expenditure programs, and the expense of environmental compliance (environmental testing, permits, consultants and in-house staff) was not significant. There can be no assurances that environmental laws and regulations will not become more stringent in the future or that the Company will not incur significant costs in the future to comply with such laws and regulations. Based on existing information and currently enacted environmental laws and regulations, cash payments for environmental cleanup related matters are projected to be $10.0 million for 1998, all of which has already been accrued. Further, the Company anticipates that the amounts of capitalized environmental projects and the expense of environmental compliance will approximate current levels. While it is not possible to predict with certainty, management believes that environmental cleanup related reserves at December 31, 1997 are reasonable and adequate and that environmental matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on financial condition. These matters, if resolved in a manner different from the estimates, could have a material adverse effect on operating results or cash flows when resolved in a future reporting period. 47 18. EARNINGS PER SHARE The Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" (SFAS 128), during the fourth quarter of 1997 as required. The new standard specifies the computation, presentation, and disclosure requirements for basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS). The following table represents the computation of basic and diluted EPS as required by SFAS 128. EARNINGS PER SHARE COMPUTATIONS Year ended December 31 (in thousands, except per share data) 1997 1996 1995 ---------------------------------- Basic EPS Computation Net income applicable to common shares $47,778 $150,447 $137,521 ---------------------------------- Average number of shares outstanding 144,270 143,810 143,619 ---------------------------------- Basic earnings per share $0.33 $1.05 $0.96 ================================== Diluted EPS Computation Net income applicable to common shares $47,778 $150,447 $137,521 ---------------------------------- Average number of shares outstanding 144,270 143,810 143,619 Effect of dilutive stock options 1,667 1,914 2,656 ---------------------------------- Total number of shares outstanding 145,937 145,724 146,275 ---------------------------------- Diluted earnings per share $0.33 $1.03 $0.94 ================================== Options to purchase additional shares of common stock were outstanding at the end of 1997 and 1996 (1997-1,775,827 and 1996-1,757,223), but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the options' exercise prices were greater than the average annual market price of the common shares. 19. LITIGATION AND CONTINGENCIES The Company and certain of its officers and directors are defendants in a consolidated class action complaint pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on behalf of persons who bought Engelhard stock between April 1995 and November 1995. The complaint claims that defendants made false statements and omissions and traded on nonpublic information. The Company believes the class action to be without merit and is vigorously defending against it. The Company is one of a number of defendants in numerous proceedings which allege that the plaintiffs contracted cancer and/or suffered other injuries from exposure to talc, asbestos or other "toxic" substances purportedly supplied by the Company and other defendants. The Company is also subject to a number of environmental contingencies (see Note 17, "Environmental Costs," on pages 46 and 47) and is a defendant in a number of lawsuits covering a wide range of other matters. In some of these matters, the remedies sought or damages 48 claimed are substantial. During 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company provided $2.8 million, $4.3 million and $7.0 million, respectively, for existing legal proceedings. While it is not possible to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of these lawsuits or the resolution of the environmental contingencies, management believes, after consultation with counsel, that resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on financial condition. These matters, if resolved in a manner different from the estimates, could have a material adverse effect on the operating results or cash flows when resolved in a future reporting period. In July 1996, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a formal order of investigation concerning the sales of Engelhard stock by certain of the Company's officers and directors during 1995. Subpoenas for documents and witness testimony were issued by the SEC. In response, the Company has provided documents to the SEC and witnesses have been examined by the SEC staff. 20. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION The following table presents certain supplementary information to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION (in millions) 1997 1996 1995 -------------------------- Cash paid during the year for Interest, net of capitalized amounts and contango $43.9 $34.2 $29.1 Income taxes 29.5 41.3 21.9 Change in assets and liabilities -- source (use) Receivables $43.2 $(82.1) $22.5 Committed metal positions (81.6) (64.8) (33.1) Inventories (36.0) (33.2) (29.9) Other current assets 24.4 (7.5) 8.2 Other noncurrent assets (68.8) 0.2 (17.2) Accounts payable 17.1 2.7 (3.4) Accrued liabilities 48.2 (23.5) (6.7) Noncurrent liabilities (23.1) 2.5 (12.3) -------------------------- Net change in assets and liabilities $(76.6) $(205.7) $(71.9) ========================== The following table presents certain supplementary information to the Consolidated Balance Sheets: SUPPLEMENTARY BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION (in millions) 1997 1996 --------------- Taxes payable $50.4 $30.2 Payroll-related accruals 45.3 37.7 Restructuring reserves 22.0 13.5 Interest payable 12.4 14.5 Environmental reserve 10.6 11.1 Deferred income 7.1 11.2 Other 90.2 69.6 ---------------- Other current liabilities $238.0 $187.8 ================ 49 21. SUBSEQUENT EVENT In 1998, management learned that Engelhard and several other companies operating in Japan had been victims of a sophisticated, fraudulent scheme involving base-metal inventory held in third-party warehouses in Japan. Based on preliminary information, management estimates the inventory loss to be approximately $39.0 million in 1997 and $16.0 million in 1998. The Company has not yet recorded any insurance or third-party recovery due to the ongoing nature of the investigation and the complexity of the fraud uncovered. However, the Company has placed its insurance carriers on notice and is vigorously pursuing recovery from them and responsible third parties. This event is not expected to have a material adverse impact on the business and operation of the ICM group. 50 Report of Independent Accountants _________________________________ To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Engelhard Corporation: We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Engelhard Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Engelhard Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P. New York, New York February 5, 1998 51 First Second Third Fourth SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) quarter quarter quarter quarter -------------------------------------------------------- 1997 Net sales $884.2 $896.7 $836.1 $1,013.6 Gross profit 141.7 154.5 140.1 163.6 Earnings/(loss) before income taxes 53.8 63.1 54.7 (85.7) Net earnings/(loss) 37.6 44.2 38.8 (72.8) Basic earnings/(loss) per share 0.26 0.31 0.27 (0.50) Diluted earnings/(loss) per share 0.26 0.30 0.27 (0.50) 1996 Net sales $ 774.7 $ 783.9 $ 800.9 $ 824.9 Gross profit 109.8 128.1 124.1 151.1 Earnings before income taxes 45.5 56.0 49.0 59.5 Net earnings 32.6 40.0 35.0 42.8 Basic earnings per share 0.23 0.28 0.24 0.30 Diluted earnings per share 0.22 0.27 0.24 0.30 <FN> Unless otherwise indicated, all per-share amounts are presented as basic earnings per share, as calculated under SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share." Results in the fourth quarter of 1997 include special and other charges of $149.6 million ($117.7 million after tax or $0.82 per share) for a variety of events (including restructuring actions and a loss from the base-metal fraud in Japan). Results in the second quarter of 1996 include a gain of $9.2 million ($5.7 million after tax or $0.04 per share) from an insurance recovery partially offset by a provision of $7.0 million ($4.3 million after tax or $0.03 per share) for costs related to certain existing legal proceedings. Results in the fourth quarter of 1996 include a gain of $5.4 million ($3.3 million after tax or $0.02 per share) on the sale of certain LIFO inventories and a gain of $2.4 million ($1.5 million after tax or $0.01 per share) on the sale of an investment. These fourth quarter gains were partially offset by a restructuring reserve of $2.5 million after tax ($0.02 per share) related to the Company's investment in Engelhard-CLAL, and a charge of $2.6 million ($1.6 million after tax or $0.01 per share) for a revaluation of petroleum catalyst inventories. Basic and diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated independently for each of the quarters presented. The sum of the quarters may not equal the full year earnings per share amounts. </FN> Changes in and Disagreements with Item 9. Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure - ------ -------------------------------------------------- Not applicable. 52 PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant - ------- -------------------------------------------------- (a) Directors - Information concerning directors of the Company is included under the caption "Election of Directors" and "Information with Respect to Nominees and Directors Whose Terms Continue" on pages 3 through 6 of the Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference. (b) Executive Officers - ARTHUR A. DORNBUSCH, II Age 54. Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company from prior to 1993. THOMAS P. FITZPATRICK Age 59. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective May 1, 1997. Partner with Coopers & Lyband L.L.P. prior thereto. JOSEPH E. GONNELLA Age 51. Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development effective February 1, 1997. Group Vice President and General Manager of the Environmental Technologies Group from August 1994 to January 1997. Business Director of the Mobile Source business prior thereto. JOHN C. HESS Age 45. Vice President, Human Resources effective August 1, 1997. Director of Human Resources for the Chemical Catalyst Group from November 1995 to July 1997. Director of Human Resources for Policies, Plans and Services prior thereto. PETER B. MARTIN Age 58. Vice President, Investor Relations effective June 18, 1997. Vice President, Investor Relations, W.R. Grace & Company prior thereto. BARRY W. PERRY * Age 51. President and Chief Operating Officer effective February 1, 1997. Group Vice President and General Manager of the Pigments and Additives Group from August 1993 to January 1997. Group Vice President and General Manager of the Latex & Specialty Polymers Division of Rhone-Poulenc prior thereto. ROBERT J. SCHAFFHAUSER Age 59. Vice President and Chief Technical Officer effective February 1, 1997. Vice President, Technology and Corporate Development from January 1995 to January 1997. Vice President, Corporate Development prior thereto. * Also a director of the Company 53 ORIN R. SMITH * Age 62. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since January 1995. President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company prior thereto. Mr. Smith is also a director of Ingersoll-Rand Company, Minorco, Perkin-Elmer Corporation, Summit Bancorp and Vulcan Materials Company. MICHAEL A. SPERDUTO Age 40. Treasurer of the Company since January 1993. Vice President of Finance of the Industrial Commodities Management Group prior thereto. DAVID C. WAJSGRAS Age 37. Controller of the Company effective September 1, 1997. Chief Financial Officer and Director of Financial Services with AlliedSignal Inc. from July 1994 to August 1997. Business Unit Controller for AlliedSignal Inc. prior thereto. * Also a director of the Company Officers of the Company are elected at the meeting of the Board of Directors held in May of each year after the annual meeting of shareholders and serve until their successors shall be elected and qualified and shall serve as such at the pleasure of the Board. Item 11. Executive Compensation - ------- ---------------------- Information concerning executive compensation is included under the caption "Executive Compensation and Other Information" on pages 11 through 22 of the Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference. Security Ownership of Certain Item 12. Beneficial Owners and Management - ------- -------------------------------- Information concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is included under the captions "Information as to Certain Shareholders" and "Share Ownership of Directors and Officers" on pages 2 and 3 and pages 7 and 8, respectively, of the Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference. Certain Relationships Item 13. and Related Transactions - ------- ------------------------ Information concerning certain business relationships of nominees for director and directors and related transactions is included under the captions "Information as to Certain Shareholders", "Information with Respect to Nominees and Directors Whose Terms Continue", "Share Ownership of Directors and Officers" and "Compensation Committee Interlocks, Insider Participation and Certain Transactions" on pages 2 through 8 and page 10, respectively, of the Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference. 54 PART IV Exhibits, Financial Statement Item 14. Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K - ------- --------------------------------- Pages ----- (a) (1) Financial Statements and Schedules Report of Independent Accountants 51 Consolidated Statements of Earnings for each of the 24 three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1997 and 1996 25 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the 26 three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for each 27 of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 28-50 (2) Financial Statement Schedules Consolidated financial statement schedules not filed * herein have been omitted either because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement in this Form 10-K. (b) There were no reports on Form 8-K filed during the year ended December 31, 1997. Exhibits Page - -------- ---- (3) (a) Certificate of Incorporation of the Company * (incorporated by reference to Form 10, as amended on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 19, 1981). (3) (b) By-laws of the Company as amended September 17, 1981 * (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1981). (3) (c) Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate * of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1987). * Incorporated by reference as indicated. 55 Exhibits Page - -------- ---- (3) (d) Article XVII of the Registrant's By-laws as amended * on May 2, 1988 (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 21, 1988). (3) (e) Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of * Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1993). (3) (f) Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation * of the Company, filed with the State of Delaware, Office of the Secretary of State on May 2, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 1996). (3) (g) By-laws of the Company as amended June 12, 1997 * (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 1997). (10)(a) Form of Agreement of Transfer entered into between * Engelhard Minerals & Chemicals Corporation and the Company, dated May 18, 1981 (incorporated by reference to Form 10, as amended on Form 8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 19, 1981). (10)(b) Engelhard Corporation Stock Option Plan of 1981 * Restated as of December 13, 1989 - conformed copy includes amendments through February 1995 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1996). (10)(c) Retirement Plan for Directors of Engelhard * Corporation Effective January 1, 1985 - conformed copy includes amendments through June 1991 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1996). (10)(d) Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Employees of * Engelhard Corporation Effective August 1, 1985 - conformed copy includes amendments through December 1993 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1996) (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1996). * Incorporated by reference as indicated. 56 Exhibits Page - -------- ---- (10)(e) Engelhard Corporation Directors and Executives * Deferred Compensation Plan (1986-1989) - conformed copy includes amendments through December 1993 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1996). (10)(f) Key Employees Stock Bonus Plan of Engelhard * Corporation Effective July 1, 1986 - conformed copy includes amendments through June 1992 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1996). (10)(g) Stock Bonus Plan for Non-Employee Directors of * Engelhard Corporation Effective July 1, 1986 - conformed copy includes amendments through June 1992 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1996). (10)(h) Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of * Engelhard Corporation Restated as of May 7, 1987 - conformed copy includes amendments through December 1993 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1996). (10)(i) Supplemental Retirement Program of Engelhard * Corporation as Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 1989 - conformed copy includes amendments through November 1994 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1996). (10)(j) Engelhard Corporation Directors and Executives * Deferred Compensation Plan (1990-1993) - conformed copy includes amendments through November 1993 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1996). (10)(k) Engelhard Corporation Stock Option Plan of 1991 - * conformed copy includes amendments through February 1995 (incorporated by reference to the 1995 definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995). * Incorporated by reference as indicated. 57 Exhibits Pages - -------- ----- (10)(l) Engelhard Corporation Directors Stock Option * Plan Effective May 4, 1995 (incorporated by reference to the 1995 definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995). (10)(m) Form of Agreement With Key Employees in the * Event of an Acquisition of a Control Interest in the Company, dated November 2, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 1996). (10)(n) Amendments to the Key Employee Stock Bonus Plan of * Engelhard Corporation adopted March 7, 1996 (incorporated by reference to the 1996 definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 1996). (10)(o) Amendments to the Stock Bonus Plan for Non-Employee * Directors of Engelhard Corporation adopted March 7, 1996 (incorporated by reference to the 1996 definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 1996). (10)(p) Amendment to the Supplemental Retirement Program of * Engelhard Corporation adopted December 19, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 1997). (10)(q) Form of Separation Agreement with L. Donald LaTorre, * formerly a Director, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, dated April 1, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 1997). (10)(r) Amendment to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Key * Employees of Engelhard Corporation, adopted April 3, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 1997). (10)(s) Form of Employee Agreement with Orin R. Smith, Chairman 62-68 and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, dated October 3, 1996 and amended on March 5, 1998. * Incorporated by reference as indicated. 58 Exhibits Pages - -------- ----- (12) Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 69-70 (21) Subsidiaries of the Registrant 71-73 (23) Consent of Independent Accountants 74-75 (24) Powers of Attorney 76-86 59 Signatures ---------- Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Iselin, New Jersey on the 31st day of March 1998. Engelhard Corporation --------------------- Registrant /s/Orin R. Smith --------------------- Orin R. Smith (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer) Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date --------- ----- ---- /s/ Orin R. Smith Chairman and Chief Executive March 31, 1998 - ------------------------- Officer & Director Orin R. Smith (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ Thomas P. Fitzpatrick Vice President and March 31, 1998 - ------------------------- Chief Financial Officer Thomas P. Fitzpatrick (Principal Financial Officer) /s/ David C. Wajsgras Controller March 31, 1998 - ------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer) David C. Wajsgras 60 * Director March 31, 1998 - --------------------------- Linda G. Alvarado * Director March 31, 1998 - --------------------------- Marion H. Antonini * Director March 31, 1998 - --------------------------- Anthony W. Lea * Director March 31, 1998 - -------------------------- William R. Loomis, Jr. * Director March 31, 1998 - -------------------------- James V. Napier * Director March 31, 1998 - -------------------------- Norma T. Pace * Director March 31, 1998 - ------------------------- Barry W. Perry * Director March 31, 1998 - ------------------------- Reuben F. Richards * Director March 31, 1998 - ------------------------- Henry R. Slack * Director March 31, 1998 - ------------------------- Douglas G. Watson * By this signature below, Arthur A. Dornbusch, II has signed this Form 10-K as attorney-in-fact for each person indicated by an asterisk pursuant to duly executed powers of attorney filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission included herein as Exhibit 25. /s/ Arthur A. Dornbusch, II March 31, 1998 - --------------------------- Arthur A. Dornbusch, II 61 EXHIBIT 10(s) AMENDED EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR ORIN R. SMITH --------------------------------------------- 62 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT It is mutually agreed between Engelhard Corporation, a Delaware corporation with its principal offices at 101 Wood Avenue, Iselin, New Jersey 08830-0770 (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"), and Orin R. Smith, an individual residing at Middlebrook P.O. Box 631 Oldwick, N.J. 08858 (hereinafter referred to as the "Employee"), as follows: 1. Upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company shall employ the Employee and the Employee shall continue in the employ of the Company for the three-year period commencing May 21, 1996 and ending May 20, 1999 (hereinafter referred to as the "Employment Period"). Commencing on May 20, 1997, and on each May 20th thereafter, the Employment Period shall automatically be extended for another calendar year unless notice of the Company's intention not to so extend the Employment Period shall have been given to the Employee in writing no later than December 31st of the preceding year; provided, however, that the Employment Period shall not extend beyond December 31, 2000. 2. The employment shall be as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and for such other and further assignments and responsibilities of comparable status as the Board of Directors of the Company may direct. The Employee shall diligently and faithfully devote his full working time exclusively and his best efforts to the performance of the work and services under this Agreement and to the furtherance of the best interests of the Company, subject to the authority and direction of the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that the Employee may, without prior approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, (i) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (ii) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions, and (iii) manage his personal investments, so long as such activities do not interfere materially with his responsibilities under this Agreement. 3. (a) In addition to the Employee's obligations under Paragraph 2 above, the Employee, during the Employment Period, and for a period of two years succeeding, will not (on his own behalf, either as an officer, shareholder, partner, employee or otherwise, or on behalf of any significant competitor of the Company), in any manner, directly or indirectly without the express prior written consent of the Company, or except on behalf of the Company, engage in any activity, accept employment with, render any service in any capacity to or have any interest in (including investments in the equity securities of) any business or enterprise or other activity (x) which will conflict with the significant interests of the Company or its business or (y) which is a significant competitor of or in significant competition with the Company; provided, however, that the Employee may acquire or hold (beneficially and of record) up to, but not more than, 1% of the equity securities of any such significant competitor or entity without the consent of the Company if such equity securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or are quoted on NASDAQ. (b) The Employee will not in bad faith in any manner, at any time during the Employment Period, directly or indirectly, affect to the Company's detriment any relationship of the Company or any affiliate with any customer, supplier or employee of the Company or any affiliate, or cause any customer or supplier to refrain from entrusting additional business to the Company or any affiliate. 63 (c) The Employee will not in any manner, at any time during the Employment Period, directly or indirectly, without the express prior written consent of the Company, disclose or use (x) any material confidential information, it being understood that the term "confidential" shall mean all information concerning the Company or any affiliate or customer or supplier or other business associate of the Company or any affiliate (including but not limited to any trade secrets or other private matters), which has been or is received by the Employee from the Company or any affiliate or customer or supplier or other business associate of the Company or any affiliate and which is not known or generally available to the general public or of a type which the Company has customarily made available to the general public and has not kept confidential, and (y) any idea which the Employee may conceive during the Employment Period, whether such idea is conceived individually or jointly, on or off Company premises or during or after working time, and which relates to the Company's services to its customers or suppliers or other business associates, the Employee hereby acknowledging that any such idea shall be the exclusive property of the Company. (d) The Employee agrees that the remedy at law for any breach of any of the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph 3 will be inadequate and that the Company, in addition to any remedy at law, shall be entitled to injunctive relief in the case of any such breach. (e) Provided that the Company shall be in compliance in all material respects with its obligations hereunder, the foregoing obligations of the Employee under this Paragraph 3 shall survive a termination, for any reason, of the Employee's employment prior to the end of the Employment Period, and shall remain in full force and effect until the end of the Employment Period (and two years following the end of the Employment Period in the case of the obligations set forth in Paragraph 3(a)). 4. As consideration for the obligations incurred by the Employee under this Agreement and for the services to be rendered by the Employee under this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the Employee during the Employment Period (except as otherwise provided in this Agreement) compensation as follows: (a) The Company shall pay to the Employee a salary at an annual rate of not less than $775,000 payable in periodic installments on the Company's regular payroll dates. (b) Additionally, in each year during the Employment Period the Employee shall be entitled to participate in and receive cash bonus, equity pool and stock option awards pursuant to the Company's Incentive Compensation Plan, stock option plan and other equity-based compensation plans as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee"); provided, however, that for each calendar year included in the Employment Period (beginning with calendar year 1996) the Employee shall receive awards no less than the following: (i) if the Company's performance for the year is less than a predictable level of performance, as determined by the Compensation Committee, cash bonus of at least $216,645 and an award of at least 22,500 shares of Common Stock of the Company; and (ii) if the Company's performance for the year is greater than or equal to a predictable level of performance, as determined by the Compensation Committee, (x) cash bonus of at least $581,250, (y) equity pool share awards with a value of at least $484,375 and (z) stock option awards with a value of at least $1,162,500. 64 For this purpose, equity pool and stock option awards for a year will be valued in the manner established by the Compensation Committee for valuing such awards for other executives for such year. The minimum cash bonus and other awards set forth in this Paragraph 4(b) shall be prorated on a daily basis for any calendar year during which the Employee is not employed by the Company for the entire year and the Company's performance for such partial year shall be deemed to be the greater of: (i) the performance of the Company during the immediately preceding calendar year; or (ii) the projected level of performance at the time of termination, as set forth in the most recent Monthly Report to Directors. Cash bonuses for a calendar year shall be disbursed (subject to any election by the Employee to defer payment pursuant to an applicable deferred compensation plan maintained by the Company) at the customary time for payment (generally during the first quarter of the calendar year immediately subsequent to the year in which earned). Equity pool, stock option and share awards for a calendar year shall be made at the customary time for such awards (generally before the end of the first quarter of the calendar year immediately subsequent to the year for which earned), except that such awards may be made earlier if deemed necessary or desirable by the Compensation Committee. (c) The Employee shall be provided with the perquisites and privileges commensurate with his position as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. (d) The Employee shall be entitled to participate in the benefit plans of the Company, including the pension plan, supplemental pension plan, savings plan, deferred compensation plan and insurance and medical plans as the Company may from time to time provide generally for its executive officers. (e) The foregoing enumeration of certain types and amounts of compensation shall not be construed to affect the Company's right to pay additional compensation as the Company in its discretion may determine. To the extent that the Company's performance exceeds a predictable level, as determined by the Compensation Committee, compensation paid to the Employee hereunder for a year shall be no less than the compensation otherwise determined under the applicable Company compensation plans as administered by the Compensation Committee. (f) If the Employee desires to defer payment of any portion of his minimum cash bonus provided for in Paragraph 4(b) above, the Employee shall be required to make such a deferral election in respect of such amount of the cash bonus on or prior to the December 31 immediately preceding the year for which the bonus is earned. 5. The employment of the Employee shall terminate prior to the expiration of the Employment Period in the event that the Employee (i) dies, (ii) becomes permanently and totally disabled, (iii) retires at any normal retirement age or early retirement age pursuant to the Retirement Income Plan for Salaried Employees of the Company, or (iv) breaches this Agreement and the Company terminates his employment for such breach. In the event of any such termination other than a termination described in (i) or (ii) above, the Company's obligation to pay further salary as provided in Paragraph 4(a), or to pay additional bonuses or make equity pool, stock option or share awards as provided in Paragraph 4(b), shall cease. In the event of termination due to death or permanent and total disability, the Employee (or in the case of his 65 death, his estate or beneficiary) shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to 70% of the total annual compensation that would otherwise be payable under Paragraph 4 hereof during the remaining term of this Agreement at the time such amounts would have been paid had the employment of the Employee continued for the full term of the Agreement; provided, however, that in lieu of stock option, restricted stock or other equity-based awards the Employee shall receive the cash value of such awards at the time the awards would have been granted, which stock option values shall be determined based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model and restricted stock values shall be based on the undiscounted closing trading price of Company shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. Notwithstanding any such termination of employment prior to the expiration of the Employment Period, the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Employee's obligations set forth in Paragraphs 3 and 6 of this Agreement, shall continue in force and effect except as otherwise provided herein. 6. In the event of termination of employment other than for reason of the Employee's death or permanent and total disability, the Employee shall when requested, and against payment of expenses, by the Company make himself available as a consultant to consult with and supply information to and generally cooperate with the Company during the remainder of the Employment Period, all for reasonable periods of time and on reasonable notice not inconsistent with the Employee's engaging in other full time employment not itself inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement. 7. (a) This Agreement shall be deemed to be made under and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey. (b) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and shall be binding upon the Employee, his heirs, executors and administrators. (c) As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliate" means any entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company. Ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting securities of any corporation shall, in any event, constitute control for the purposes of this Agreement. (d) Except as provided in the following sentence, this Agreement constitutes and expresses the whole agreement of the parties in reference to any employment of the Employee by the Company and supersedes all prior understandings, written or oral, between the Employee and the Company relating to the subject matter hereof, including the employment agreement between the Company and the Employee dated May 21, 1986. This Agreement does not supersede the Change in Control Agreement between the Company and the Employee dated as of October 3, 1996 (the "Change in Control Agreement"); provided, however, that amounts receivable under Paragraph 4 hereof upon breach of this Agreement by the Company will be reduced (but not below zero) by amounts received by the Employee under Section 3 of the Change in Control Agreement. Upon the occurrence of a "change in control" as defined in the Company's Articles of Incorporation and/or the Change in Control Agreement, the Employee shall have the right solely at his option to call for early termination of this Agreement. Upon such demand, the Employee shall immediately be paid in cash the undiscounted cash value of base salary, bonus and equity-based compensation that 66 would have been paid if the Employee had performed hereunder through December 31, 2000 computed as if the Company had achieved results in each year remaining in the term equal to its highest performance in any of the three immediately preceding years; provided, however, that the cash value of stock options, restricted stock awards and other equity-based awards shall be the undiscounted value of such awards at the time the awards would have been granted determined, in the case of stock options, based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model and in the case of restricted stock on the undiscounted closing trading price of Company shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant; provided further, however, that amounts receivable under Paragraph 4 hereof upon breach of this Agreement by the Company will be reduced (but not below zero) by amounts received by the Employee under Section 3 of the Change in Control Agreement. (e) This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented except by a writing signed by both of the parties hereto which expressly states it is being made pursuant to this Paragraph 7(e). (f) In case any one or more of the covenants, agreements, provisions or terms contained in this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity of the remaining covenants, agreements, provisions or terms contained herein shall be in no way affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Agreement as of the 3rd day of October, 1996. ENGELHARD CORPORATION By /s/ Marion H. Antonini ---------------------- Marion H. Antonini /s/ Orin R. Smith ----------------- Orin R. Smith 67 AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT It is mutually agreed between Engelhard Corporation, a Delaware corporation with its principal offices at 101 Wood Avenue, Iselin, New Jersey 08830-0770 (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"), and Orin R. Smith, an individual residing at Middlebrook, P.O. Box 631, Oldwick, New Jersey 08858 (hereinafter referred to as the "Employee"), as follows: 1. The Company and the Employee desire to amend the Agreement between them dated October 3, 1996 as provided in Paragraph 7(e) of said Agreement. 2. Paragraph 1 of the Agreement is amended to delete the date "August 31, 2000" and replace it with the date "December 31, 2000". 3. Paragraph 7(d) of the Agreement is amended to delete the date "August 31, 2000" and replace it with the date "December 31, 2000". 4. The Agreement as amended is attached hereto as Exhibit A. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Agreement as of the 5th day of March 1998. ENGELHARD CORPORATION By /s/ Marion H. Antonini ---------------------- Marion H. Antonini /s/ Orin R. Smith ----------------- Orin R. Smith 68 EXHIBIT 12 COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES ------------------------------------------------- 69 EXHIBIT 12 ENGELHARD CORPORATION COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Dollars in Thousands) Years Ended December 31, ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes $ 85,812 $209,955 $185,312 $157,306 ($4,709) Add/(deduct) Portion of rents representative of the interest factor 4,600 3,900 4,700 4,800 4,500 Interest on indebtedness 52,776 45,009 31,326 21,954 13,696 Equity dividends 3,803 2,515 3,411 3,800 2,600 Equity in (earnings) losses of affiliates 47,833 5,008 (695) (632) (3,443) -------- -------- --------- --------- -------- Earnings, as adjusted $194,824 $266,387 $224,054 $187,228 $12,644 ======== ======== ========= ========= ======== Fixed Charges Portion of rents representative of the interest factor $4,600 $3,900 $4,700 $4,800 $4,500 Interest on indebtedness 52,776 45,009 31,326 21,954 13,696 Capitalized interest 651 875 784 528 - ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- Fixed charges $58,027 $49,784 $36,810 $27,282 $18,196 ======= ======= ======= ======== ======== Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 3.36 (A) 5.35 6.09 6.86 - (B) ======= ======= ======= ======== ======== (A) Earnings in 1997 were negatively impacted by special and other charges of $149.6 million for a variety of events. Without such charges the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 5.94. (B) Earnings in 1993 were negatively impacted by a special charge of $148.0 million for the realignment and consolidation of businesses and environmental matters. Without such charge the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 8.83. 70 EXHIBIT 21: SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT ------------------------------ 71 Subsidiaries of the Registrant ------------------------------ Jurisdiction Under Which Name of Subsidiary Incorporated or Organized - ------------------ ------------------------- Engelhard West, Inc. California Engelhard Canada, Ltd. Canada Engelhard Industries International, Ltd. Canada Engelhard Technologies, Ltd. Canada EC Delaware, Inc. Delaware EI Corporation Delaware Engelhard Asia Pacific, Inc. Delaware Engelhard C Cubed Corporation Delaware Engelhard DT, Inc. Delaware Engelhard EM Holding Company Delaware Engelhard Energy Corporation Delaware Engelhard MC, Inc. Delaware Engelhard Metal Plating, Inc. Delaware Engelhard Pollution Control, Inc. Delaware Engelhard Power Marketing, Inc. Delaware Engelhard Sensor Technologies, Inc. Delaware Engelhard Strategic Investments, Inc. Delaware Engelhard Supply Corporation Delaware International Dioxide, Inc. Delaware Mustang Property Corporation Delaware Engelhard Pigments OY Finland Engelhard Pyrocontrole S.A. France Engelhard S.A. France Engelhard Holdings GmbH Germany Engelhard Process Chemicals GmbH Germany Engelhard Technologies GmbH Germany Engelhard Technologies Verwaltsung GmbH Germany Engelhard Italiana S.P.A. Italy Engelhard Metals Japan, Ltd. Japan Engelhard Pigments Japan Japan Engelhard DeMeern, B.V. The Netherlands Engelhard Netherlands, B.V. The Netherlands Engelhard Terneuzen, B.V. The Netherlands Harshaw Chemical Company New Jersey Mearl Corporation New Jersey Engelhard Peru S.A. Peru Engelhard South Africa, Ltd. South Africa Engelhard Metals A.G. Switzerland Engelhard International, Ltd. United Kingdom Engelhard Limited United Kingdom Engelhard Metals, Ltd. United Kingdom Engelhard Sales, Ltd. United Kingdom Engelhard Technologies, Ltd. United Kingdom Sheffield Smelting Co., Ltd. United Kingdom Engelhard Export Corporation U.S. Virgin Islands 72 Subsidiaries of the Registrant ------------------------------ Jurisdiction Under Which Name of Subsidiary/Affiliate Incorporated or Organized - ---------------------------- ------------------------- Engelhard-CLAL, Ltd. Partnership Delaware Engelhard-CLAL SAS France Engelhard HexCore L.P. Delaware NE Chemcat Corporation Japan Tickford Engelhard Michigan Engelhard/Colortronics New Jersey Fresh Air Solutions L.P. Pennsylvania Heesung-Engelhard Corporation South Korea Acreon Catalysts Texas Dnipro Kaolin Ukraine The names of other subsidiaries have been omitted since such subsidiaries, if considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, would not constitute a significant subsidiary as that term is defined in Rule 12b-2 (17 CFR 240.12b-2) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 73 EXHIBIT 23: CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ---------------------------------- 74 Consent of Independent Accountants ---------------------------------- We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements of Engelhard Corporation on Form S-8 (File Nos. 2-72830, 2-81559, 2-84477, 2- 89747, 33-28540, 33-37724, 33-40365, 33-40338 and 33-43934) of our report dated February 5, 1998 on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Engelhard Corporation and Subsidiaries, as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P. New York, New York March 31, 1998 75 EXHIBIT 24: POWERS OF ATTORNEY ------------------ 76 ENGELHARD CORPORATION Form 10-K Power of Attorney WHEREAS, ENGELHARD CORPORATION intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1934 an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997. NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION hereby appoints Arthur A. Dornbusch, II and Orin R. Smith, or either of them individually, his/her true and lawful attorney to execute in his/her name, place and stead, in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION, said Form 10-K and any and all amendments to said Form 10-K and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Said attorney shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person. The undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of said attorney. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument on February 5, 1998. /s/ Linda G. Alvarado _____________________________ Linda G. Alvarado 77 ENGELHARD CORPORATION Form 10-K Power of Attorney WHEREAS, ENGELHARD CORPORATION intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1934 an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997. NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION hereby appoints Arthur A. Dornbusch, II and Orin R. Smith, or either of them individually, his/her true and lawful attorney to execute in his/her name, place and stead, in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION, said Form 10-K and any and all amendments to said Form 10-K and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Said attorney shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person. The undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of said attorney. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument on February 5, 1998. /s/ Marion H. Antonini ________________________________ Marion H. Antonini 78 ENGELHARD CORPORATION Form 10-K Power of Attorney WHEREAS, ENGELHARD CORPORATION intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1934 an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997. NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION hereby appoints Arthur A. Dornbusch, II and Orin R. Smith, or either of them individually, his/her true and lawful attorney to execute in his/her name, place and stead, in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION, said Form 10-K and any and all amendments to said Form 10-K and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Said attorney shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person. The undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of said attorney. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument on February 11, 1998. /s/ Anthony W. Lea ________________________________ Anthony W. Lea 79 ENGELHARD CORPORATION Form 10-K Power of Attorney WHEREAS, ENGELHARD CORPORATION intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1934 an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997. NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION hereby appoints Arthur A. Dornbusch, II and Orin R. Smith, or either of them individually, his/her true and lawful attorney to execute in his/her name, place and stead, in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION, said Form 10-K and any and all amendments to said Form 10-K and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Said attorney shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person. The undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of said attorney. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument on February 5, 1998. /s/ William R. Loomis, Jr. ______________________________ William R. Loomis, Jr. 80 ENGELHARD CORPORATION Form 10-K Power of Attorney WHEREAS, ENGELHARD CORPORATION intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1934 an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997. NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION hereby appoints Arthur A. Dornbusch, II and Orin R. Smith, or either of them individually, his/her true and lawful attorney to execute in his/her name, place and stead, in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION, said Form 10-K and any and all amendments to said Form 10-K and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Said attorney shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person. The undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of said attorney. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument on February 5, 1998. /s/ James V. Napier ______________________________ James V. Napier 81 ENGELHARD CORPORATION Form 10-K Power of Attorney WHEREAS, ENGELHARD CORPORATION intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1934 an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997. NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION hereby appoints Arthur A. Dornbusch, II and Orin R. Smith, or either of them individually, his/her true and lawful attorney to execute in his/her name, place and stead, in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION, said Form 10-K and any and all amendments to said Form 10-K and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Said attorney shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person. The undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of said attorney. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument on February 5, 1998. /s/ Norma T. Pace ________________________________ Norma T. Pace 82 ENGELHARD CORPORATION Form 10-K Power of Attorney WHEREAS, ENGELHARD CORPORATION intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1934 an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997. NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION hereby appoints Arthur A. Dornbusch, II and Orin R. Smith, or either of them individually, his/her true and lawful attorney to execute in his/her name, place and stead, in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION, said Form 10-K and any and all amendments to said Form 10-K and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Said attorney shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person. The undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of said attorney. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument on February 5, 1998. /s/ Barry W. Perry _________________________________ Barry W. Perry 83 ENGELHARD CORPORATION Form 10-K Power of Attorney WHEREAS, ENGELHARD CORPORATION intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1934 an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997. NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION hereby appoints Arthur A. Dornbusch, II and Orin R. Smith, or either of them individually, his/her true and lawful attorney to execute in his/her name, place and stead, in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION, said Form 10-K and any and all amendments to said Form 10-K and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Said attorney shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person. The undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of said attorney. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument on February 5, 1998. /s/ Reuben F. Richards ________________________________ Reuben F. Richards 84 ENGELHARD CORPORATION Form 10-K Power of Attorney WHEREAS, ENGELHARD CORPORATION intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1934 an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997. NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION hereby appoints Arthur A. Dornbusch, II and Orin R. Smith, or either of them individually, his/her true and lawful attorney to execute in his/her name, place and stead, in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION, said Form 10-K and any and all amendments to said Form 10-K and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Said attorney shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person. The undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of said attorney. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument on February 12, 1998. /s/ Henry R. Slack _______________________________ Henry R. Slack 85 ENGELHARD CORPORATION Form 10-K Power of Attorney WHEREAS, ENGELHARD CORPORATION intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1934 an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997. NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION hereby appoints Arthur A. Dornbusch, II and Orin R. Smith, or either of them individually, his/her true and lawful attorney to execute in his/her name, place and stead, in his/her capacity as a director of ENGELHARD CORPORATION, said Form 10-K and any and all amendments to said Form 10-K and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Said attorney shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person. The undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the acts of said attorney. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument on February 5, 1998. /s/ Douglas G. Watson _________________________________ Douglas G. Watson 86