SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
or
TENARIS S.A.
N/A(Translation of registrants name into English)
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
13, rue BeaumontL-1219 Luxembourg(Address of registrants principal executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
* Ordinary shares of Tenaris S.A. are not listed for trading but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares which are evidenced by American Depositary Receipts.
Please send copies of notices and communications from the Securities and Exchange Commission to:
Carlos J. Spinelli-Noseda, Esq.Sullivan & Cromwell LLP125 Broad StreetNew York, New York 10004(212) 558-4000
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
Unless otherwise specified or if the context so requires:
PRESENTATION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION
Accounting Principles
Tenaris prepares its consolidated financial statements in conformity with International Accounting Standards, or IAS. IAS differ in certain significant respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, commonly referred to as U.S. GAAP. See notes U and 31 to Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements included in this annual report, which provide a description of the principal differences between IAS and
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U.S. GAAP as they relate to Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements and a reconciliation of net income and shareholders equity for the years and at the dates indicated.
The consolidated combined financial statements of Tenaris at December 31, 2002 and for the year ended December 31, 2002 included in this annual report consolidate at December 31, 2002, and for the period that began on October 18, 2002 and ended December 31, 2002, the consolidated financial statements of each of Siderca, Tamsa, Dalmine, Invertub S.A. and Tenaris Global Services, as well as the consolidated financial statements of five smaller companies (Metalcentro S.A., Tenaris Connections A.G., Lomond Holdings B.V., Information Systems and Technologies B.V. and Siderestiba S.A.) and combine, for the period that began on January 1, 2002 and ended October 17, 2002, the consolidated financial statements of all these companies on the basis that such companies were under the common control of San Faustín for such period. October 18, 2002 is the date on which these companies, which include the Tenaris companies and Tenaris Global Services, were reorganized as subsidiaries of the Company. The effect of this presentation is to show the combined historical results, financial condition and other data of the various steel pipe manufacturing and distributing companies under the common control of San Faustín as though these companies had been our subsidiaries at the dates and during the periods presented. For comparative purposes, the audited consolidated combined financial statements of Tenaris for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, combine, at each of the dates and for each of the periods presented therein, the consolidated financial statements of all these companies on the basis that such companies were under the common control of San Faustín at each such date and for each such period. See notes A and B to Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements included in this annual report.
Currencies
In this annual report, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires:
On June 24, 2003, the exchange rate between the Argentine peso and the U.S. dollar (as published by Banco Central de la República Argentina, or the Argentine Central Bank) was ARP2.77 = USD1.00, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon buying rate for the Mexican peso was MXP10.53 = USD1.00 and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon buying rate for the euro was0.8697 = USD1.00. We do not represent that Argentine pesos, Mexican pesos or euros could be converted into U.S. dollars at these respective rates or any other rate. See Item 3.E. Key InformationExchange RatesArgentine peso, Mexican peso and Euro for additional information regarding the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Argentine peso, the Mexican peso and the euro, respectively.
Rounding; Comparability of Data
Certain monetary amounts, percentages and other figures included in this annual report have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be the arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them, and figures expressed as percentages in the text may not total 100% or, as applicable, when aggregated may not be the arithmetic aggregation of the percentages that precede them.
No Internet Site is Part of This Annual Report
Tenaris maintains an Internet site at www.tenaris.com. Information contained in or otherwise accessible through these websites is not a part of this annual report. All references in this annual report to these Internet sites are
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inactive textual references to these URLs, or uniform resource locators and are for your informational reference only.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report contains certain statements that we consider to be forward-looking statements as defined in and subject to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements appear throughout this annual report and are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements include information regarding:
Sections of this annual report that by their nature contain forward-looking statements include Item 3. Key Information, Item 4. Information on the Company, Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.
Forward-looking statements also may be identified by the use of words such as believes, expects, anticipates, projects, intends, should, seeks, estimates, probability, risk, target, goal, objective, future or similar expressions or variations of such expressions.
The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report speak only as of the date of this document, and we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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PART I
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
Not applicable.
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
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Item 3. Key Information
A. Selected Financial Data
The summary selected consolidated combined financial data of Tenaris have been derived from its consolidated combined financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with IAS (unless otherwise indicated) for each of the periods and at the dates indicated. The consolidated combined financial statements as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, included in this annual report, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers S.à.r.l., independent accountants in Luxembourg and member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers. IAS differ in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. See notes U and 31 to Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements included in this annual report, which provide a description of the principal differences between IAS and U.S. GAAP as they relate to Tenariss consolidated combined financial statements and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of net income (loss) and shareholders equity for the periods and at the dates indicated therein. The consolidated combined financial statements of Tenaris at December 31, 2002 and for the year ended December 31, 2002 included in this annual report consolidate at December 31, 2002, and for the period that began on October 18, 2002 and ended December 31, 2002, the consolidated financial statements of each of Siderca, Tamsa, Dalmine, Invertub S.A. and Tenaris Global Services, as well as the consolidated financial statements of five smaller companies (Metalcentro S.A., Tenaris Connections A.G., Lomond Holdings B.V., Information Systems and Technologies B.V. and Siderestiba S.A.) and combine, for the period that began on January 1, 2002 and ended October 17, 2002, the consolidated financial statements of all these companies on the basis that such companies were under the common control of San Faustín for such period. October 18, 2002 is the date on which these companies, which include the Tenaris companies and Tenaris Global Services, were reorganized as subsidiaries of the Company. The effect of this presentation is to show the combined historical results, financial condition and other data of the various steel pipe manufacturing and distributing companies under the common control of San Faustín as though these companies had been our subsidiaries at the dates and during the periods presented. For comparative purposes, the audited consolidated combined financial statements of Tenaris for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, combine, at each of the dates and for each of the periods presented therein, the consolidated financial statements of all these companies on the basis that such companies were under the common control of San Faustín at each such date and for each such period. See notes A and B to Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements included in this annual report. For a discussion of the currencies used in this annual report, exchange rates and accounting principles affecting the financial information contained in this annual report, see Currencies, Item 3.E. Key Information Exchange Rates and Accounting Principles.
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B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
D. Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the following risks, together with the other information contained in this annual report, before making any investment decision. Any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, which could in turn affect the price of our ordinary shares and American Depositary Shares, or ADSs.
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Risks Relating to the Seamless Steel Pipe Industry
Sales and revenues may fall as a result of downturns in the international price of oil and other circumstances affecting the oil and gas industry.
The oil and gas industry is the largest consumer of seamless steel pipe products worldwide. This industry has historically been volatile, and downturns in the oil and gas markets adversely affect the demand for seamless steel pipe products.
Demand for these products depends primarily upon the number of oil and natural gas wells being drilled, completed and reworked, and the depth and drilling conditions of these wells. The level of these activities depends primarily on current and expected future prices of oil and natural gas. Several factors, such as the supply and demand for oil and natural gas and general economic conditions, affect these prices. When the price of oil and gas falls, oil and gas companies generally reduce spending on production and exploration activities and, accordingly, make fewer purchases of seamless steel pipe products.
Other circumstances may also affect drilling activity and, as a result, cause pipe consumption to decline. For example, in 2002, although oil prices remained at levels which, under typical circumstances, would have been expected to result in sustained levels of investment in oil and gas drilling, oil and gas exploration and production activity were affected by increased uncertainty over the future level of oil prices as a result of the prospects of military action against Iraq and production cutbacks established by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC. As a result, Tenariss sales volume of seamless steel pipes for 2002 decreased 15% compared for the previous year.
In the future, sales and revenues may again fall as a result of downturns in the international price of oil and other circumstances affecting the oil and gas industry.
Sales and revenues may fall as a result of fluctuations in industry inventory levels.
Inventory levels of seamless steel pipe in the oil and gas industry can vary significantly from period to period. These fluctuations can affect the demand for our products, as customers draw from existing inventory during periods of low investment in drilling and other activities and accumulate inventory during periods of high investment. Even if the prices of oil and gas rise or remain stable, oil and gas companies may not purchase additional seamless steel pipe products or maintain their current purchasing volume.
Competition in the global market for seamless steel pipe products may cause Tenaris to lose market share in particular markets and hurt its sales and revenues.
The global market for the seamless steel pipe products is highly competitive, with the primary competitive factors being price, quality and service. Tenaris competes against four major exporters of premium-quality steel pipe products worldwide. In addition, a large number of producers manufacture and export generally lower quality steel pipes. Competition from these lower-end producers, particularly those from Russia, China and the Ukraine, have, at times, adversely affected Tenaris because they have offered products at significantly lower prices. In addition, these producers are improving the range and quality of pipes, thereby increasing their ability to compete with Tenaris. Tenaris may not continue to compete effectively against existing or potential producers and preserve its current shares of geographic or product markets. In addition, if import restrictions are imposed upon Tenariss competitors, they may increase their marketing efforts in other countries where Tenaris sells its products and thus increase the competitive pressure on Tenaris in such markets. Furthermore, because two of Tenariss four major competitors are Japanese companies, any decline in the value of the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar could make those Japanese companies more competitive.
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Our main domestic markets are removing barriers to imported products which will lead to increased competition in these countries and may hurt Tenariss sales and revenues.
As part of the increasing globalization of major economic markets, some countries are lifting quotas and other restrictions on imports, including imports of seamless steel pipe products, and are forming trade blocs. Argentina is a member of the Mercado Común del Sur, or Mercosur, Mexico is party to the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, and Italy is a member of the EU. In addition, Argentina, Mexico and Italy are each party to bilateral and multilateral trade agreements (for example, Mexicos trade agreement with the EU) that remove barriers to the import of foreign products. As import barriers have fallen, the domestic markets in Argentina, Mexico and Italy for seamless steel pipe products have become more competitive. Tenaris may not be able to maintain its share of its domestic markets as foreign producers take advantage of recent trade liberalization and the expected elimination of remaining barriers to foreign trade in their respective domestic markets. Furthermore, while trade liberalization may also provide Tenaris with greater access to foreign markets, increases in sales to those foreign markets may not adequately offset any loss in domestic sales arising from increased foreign competition.
As a result of antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings and other import restrictions, Tenaris may not be allowed to sell its products in important geographic markets such as the United States.
Local producers have filed antidumping, countervailing duty actions and safeguard actions against Tenaris and other producers in their home countries in several instances in the past. Some of these actions led to significant penalties, including the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties, in the United States. Certain seamless steel products manufactured by Tenaris have been and continue to be subject to such duties in the United States. Antidumping or countervailing duty proceedings or any resulting penalties or any other form of import restriction may impede Tenariss access to one or more important export markets for its products and in the future additional markets could be closed to Tenaris as a result of similar proceedings. The U.S. market is effectively closed to some of Tenariss principal products, limiting Tenariss current business and potential growth in that market.
Further consolidation among oil and gas companies may force Tenaris to reduce its prices and hurt its profits.
A large percentage of Tenariss sales are directed to international oil and gas companies. Recently, oil and gas companies throughout the world have experienced a high level of consolidation which has reduced the number of companies dedicated to providing these services. To the extent this consolidation trend continues, the surviving companies may enjoy significant bargaining power that could affect the prices of Tenariss products and services.
Fluctuations in the cost of raw materials and energy may hurt Tenariss profits.
The manufacturing of seamless steel pipe products requires substantial amounts of raw materials and energy from domestic and foreign suppliers. The availability and price of a significant portion of the raw materials and energy required by Tenaris are subject to market conditions and government regulation affecting supply and demand that can affect their continuity and cost of production. Increased costs of production may not be recoverable through increased product prices, and could adversely affect Tenariss profitability.
Tenariss inability to reduce some of its costs in response to lower sales volume may hurt its profits.
Like other manufacturers of steel-related products, Tenaris has fixed and semi-fixed costs that cannot adjust rapidly to fluctuations in the demand for its products. We estimate that Tenariss fixed and semi-fixed costs of sale (excluding depreciation and amortization) have averaged approximately 15% over the last three years. If demand for Tenariss products falls significantly, these costs may adversely affect Tenariss profitability.
Potential environmental, product liability and other claims may create significant liabilities for Tenaris that would hurt its net worth.
Tenariss oil and gas casing, tubing and line pipe products are sold primarily for use in oil and gas drilling and transportation activities, which are subject to inherent risks, including well failures, line pipe leaks and fires, that could result in death, personal injury, property damage, environmental pollution or loss of production. Any of these
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hazards and risks can result in the loss of hydrocarbons, environmental liabilities, personal injury claims and property damage. Correspondingly, defects in specialty tubing products could result in death, personal injury, property damage, environmental pollution or damage to equipment and facilities. Tenaris warrants the oilfield products and specialty tubing products it sells or distributes in accordance with customer specifications. Actual or claimed defects in its products may give rise to claims against Tenaris for losses and expose it to claims for damages. The insurance maintained by Tenaris may not be adequate or available to protect it in the event of a claim or its coverage may be canceled or otherwise terminated.
Risks Relating to Tenariss Business
Adverse economic or political conditions in the countries where Tenaris operates or sells its products may decrease its sales and revenues.
Tenaris is exposed to adverse economic and political conditions in the countries where it operates or sells its products. The economies of these countries are in different stages of socioeconomic development. Like other companies with significant international operations, Tenaris is exposed to risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, inflation, governmental spending, social instability and other political, economic or social developments in the countries in which it operates. Risks associated with foreign political, economic or social developments also may adversely affect Tenariss sales volume or revenues from exports and, as a result, its financial condition and results of operations. For example, in Argentina, due to the current social and political crisis, Tenaris confronts high fiscal pressure, changes in laws and policies affecting foreign trade and investment, exchange controls, expropriation and forced modification of existing contracts and loss of competitiveness due to mismatch between inflation and exchange rate movements. For additional information on risks relating to Tenariss operations in Argentina, see Risks Relating to Argentina and MexicoNegative economic, political and regulatory developments in Argentina may hurt Sidercas financial condition, revenues and sales volume and disrupt its manufacturing operations, thereby adversely affecting Tenariss results of operations and financial condition. Similarly, continuing adverse political and economic developments in Venezuela have already had an adverse impact on Tenariss sales in that country.
If we do not successfully implement our business strategy, Tenariss ability to grow and competitive position may suffer.
We plan to continue implementing Tenariss business strategy of completing the integration of its subsidiaries, developing value-added services and pursuing strategic acquisition opportunities. As part of this business strategy, Tenaris established business units to coordinate its commercial activities and made acquisitions in various jurisdictions, including Japan and Canada. Any of these components of Tenariss overall business strategy may not be successfully implemented. Even if we successfully implement Tenariss business strategy, it may not yield the desired goals. We may fail to find suitable acquisition targets or to consummate those acquisitions under favorable conditions, or we may be unable to successfully integrate any acquired businesses into our operations.
Recent and future acquisitions and strategic partnerships may disrupt Tenariss operations and hurt its profits.
In the past five years, Tenaris has acquired interests in various companies and engaged in strategic partnerships. Tenaris has invested in NKKTUBES K.K., or NKKTubes, Algoma Tubes Inc., or AlgomaTubes, Confab Industrial, S.A., or Confab, and Tubos de Acero de Venezuela S.A., or Tavsa. Tenaris may not be successful in its plans regarding the operation of these companies and strategic partnerships or they could be affected by developments affecting Tenariss partners. For example, on September 27, 2002, Tenariss partner in NKKTubes consummated a business combination with one of Tenariss principal competitors through which they became subsidiaries of a newly-formed holding company, and the new company continues to operate that competitors seamless steel pipe business in competition with NKKTubes. See Item 4. Information on the CompanyCompetitionGlobal MarketJapan. We will continue to actively consider other strategic acquisitions and partnerships from time to time. We must necessarily base any assessment of potential acquisitions and partnerships on assumptions with respect to operations, profitability and other matters that may subsequently prove to be incorrect. Our acquisition and partnership activities may not perform in accordance with our expectations and could adversely affect Tenariss operations and profitability.
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Our ability to pay cash dividends depends on the results of operations and financial condition of our subsidiaries and may be restricted by legal, contractual or other limitations.
We conduct all of our operations through subsidiaries. Dividends or other intercompany transfers of funds from our subsidiaries are our primary source of funds to pay our expenses and dividends. While we do not anticipate conducting operations at the holding company level, any expenses that we incur, in excess of minimal levels, that cannot be otherwise financed will reduce amounts available to be distributed to our shareholders. This may result in our being unable to pay dividends on our shares or ADSs. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends and make other payments to us will depend on their results of operations and financial condition and may be restricted by, among other things, applicable corporate and other laws and regulations (including those imposing exchange controls or transfer restrictions) and agreements and commitments of such subsidiaries. In addition, our ability to pay dividends is subject to legal and other requirements and restrictions at the holding company level. For example, we may only pay dividends out of retained earnings as defined under Luxembourg law and regulations. See Item 8.C. Dividend Policy and Item 7.B. Related Party Transactions.
Tenariss results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by movements in exchange rates.
Tenaris has primarily U.S. dollar-denominated revenues and a significant portion of its costs are denominated in local currency. As a result, movements in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the respective local currencies can have a significant impact on Tenariss revenue, results and financial condition. A rise in the value of the local currencies relative to the U.S. dollar will increase Tenariss relative production costs, thereby reducing Tenariss operating margins.
Tenariss related party transactions with members of the Techint group may not always be on terms as favorable as those that could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
Some of Tenariss sales and purchases are made to and from other Techint group companies. These sales and purchases are primarily made in the ordinary course of business and we believe that they are made on terms no less favorable than those Tenaris could obtain from unaffiliated third parties. Tenaris will continue to engage in related party transactions in the future and intends that these transactions be on terms as favorable as those that could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties, but no assurance can be given in this respect.
Tenariss sales of welded steel pipe products are volatile and dependent on specific projects.
Tenariss sales of welded products depend substantially on securing contracts to supply major pipeline projects and fluctuate significantly from year to year based on the number of active pipeline projects under contract and their rate of progress. For example, in 2000, demand for Tenariss welded products was substantially below levels of previous years due to the postponement of several regional gas pipeline projects. In 2001 and 2002, sales of welded steel pipes were strong, reflecting a period of high demand for such products in connection with the construction of large pipeline projects in South America, such as those in Ecuador and Peru, as well as ongoing pipeline network integration projects in the region. Deliveries of welded steel pipes to those projects in Ecuador and Peru have now been substantially completed. Tenariss welded pipe revenues may fluctuate significantly in future years depending on its success at winning large supply contracts or if specific projects are postponed or delayed due to adverse economic, political or other factors.
The cost of complying with environmental regulations and paying unforeseen environmental liabilities may increase Tenariss operating costs or hurt its net worth.
Tenaris is subject to a wide range of local, provincial and national laws, regulations, permits and decrees in their respective jurisdictions relating to the protection of human health and the environment. In Argentina, Italy, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Canada and Japan, Tenaris will continue to incur expenditures to comply with those regulations. The expenditures necessary for Tenaris to remain in compliance with environmental laws and regulations, including site or other remediation costs, or unforeseen environmental liabilities, could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.
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Any decline in purchases by Petróleos Mexicanos may hurt Tenariss sales and revenues in the future.
Tenaris enjoys a strong relationship with Petróleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, one of the worlds largest crude oil and condensates producers. Pemex has been Tamsas single largest customer and one of Tenariss largest customers. Sales to Pemex, including drilling companies contracted by Pemex, as a percentage of Tenariss total seamless steel pipe sales volume, amounted to 4.4% in 2002. The volume of sales to Pemex has fluctuated historically and may continue to fluctuate in the future in response to diverse factors, such as changes in the amounts budgeted by Pemex for exploration and production and changes in drilling activity by Pemex or the drilling companies contracted by Pemex, as they may not maintain their current volume of purchases of Tenariss products. The loss of Pemex as a customer or a reduction in the volume of sales to Pemex (or drilling companies contracted by Pemex) would have a material adverse effect on Tenariss results of operations.
Tamsa may continue to lose the value of its investment in Siderúrgica del Orinoco, C.A., or Sidor, which would have a negative impact on Tenariss net worth.
In January 1998, an international consortium of companies, the Consorcio Siderurgia Amazonia Ltd, or Amazonia, purchased a 70.0% equity interest in Sidor from the Venezuelan government, which retained the remaining 30.0%. Tamsider, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tamsa, held an initial 12.5% equity interest in Amazonia, which increased to 14.1% in March 2000 as a result of additional investments described below. As of December 31, 2002, Tamsiders equity interest in Amazonia remained at 14.1%.
In connection with the 2003 restructuring of Sidor and Amazonias debt discussed below, Tamsider is in the process of purchasing a 24.4% equity interest in Ylopa Serviços de Consultadoria Lda., or Ylopa, a newly created company. After the consummation of the restructuring on June 20, 2003, Tamsider capitalized in Amazonia a convertible subordinated loan made to Amazonia in connection with the 2000 restructuring described below and, as a result, increased its participation in Amazonia to a 14.5% equity interest, and Ylopa held new debt instruments of Amazonia convertible, at Ylopas option at any time after June 20, 2005, into a 67.4% equity interest of Amazonia. In addition, the Venezuelan governments ownership in Sidor increased to 40.3%, while Amazonias beneficial ownership in Sidor decreased to 59.7%. As part of the June 2003 restructuring, all the Amazonia shares, as well as all the shares of Sidor held by Amazonia, were placed in trust with Banesco Banco Universal, C.A., as trustee.
Sidor has experienced significant financial losses and other problems since the acquisition by Amazonia in January 1998, despite a significant reduction in Sidors workforce and managements efforts to improve the production process and reduce operating costs. In 1999, due to negative conditions in the international steel market, a sustained and intensifying domestic recession in Venezuela, deteriorating conditions in the credit markets, an increase in the value of the Venezuelan currency relative to the U.S. dollar and other adverse factors, Sidor and Amazonia incurred substantial losses and were unable to make payments due under loan agreements with their respective creditors. In 2000, these loan agreements were restructured. Despite continued efforts by Sidors management to improve technology and optimize production levels, in late 2001 Sidor and Amazonia were again unable to make payments due under the restructured loan agreements, following a continuation and aggravation of the same negative factors described above accompanied by increased competition from steel imports in Venezuela. As of December 31, 2002, Sidor had approximately USD1.58 billion of indebtedness (secured in part by fixed assets valued at USD827 million as determined at the time Sidors loans were restructured in March 2000) and Amazonia had approximately USD313 million of indebtedness.
2000 Restructuring. As a result of the adverse trends discussed above, in connection with the restructuring concluded in 2000 Tamsider made additional capital contributions to Amazonia, while recording significant losses in the value of its investment. In addition to its initial capital contribution of USD87.8 million, Tamsider was required to make capital contributions to Amazonia in the amount of USD36.1 million (of which USD18.1 million was an additional capital contribution and USD18.0 million took the form of a convertible subordinated loan to Amazonia). The value of Tamsiders investments (as recorded in our audited consolidated financial statements) has decreased significantly since 1998, from USD94.2 million as of December 31, 1998, to USD13.2 million as of December 31, 2002. Due to Sidors financial situation, as described above, at December 31, 2001, Tamsider recorded a valuation allowance in the amount of MXP154,688 thousand in order to reduce the value of its investment in Amazonia and the subordinated convertible debentures.
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Expiration of Performance Bond. The Sidor purchase agreement between Amazonia and the Venezuelan government required the shareholders of Amazonia, including Tamsider, to indemnify the government for breaches by Amazonia of the Sidor purchase agreement up to a maximum amount of USD150 million, for five years from the acquisition. In connection with this indemnity, the shareholders of Amazonia were required to maintain a performance bond (which Tamsa guaranteed directly in proportion to its interest in Amazonia) for five years, beginning in 1998, in the amount of USD150 million during the first three years, USD125 million in the fourth year and USD75 million in the fifth year. The guarantee expired in January 2003.
2003 Restructuring. On June 20, 2003, Sidor, Amazonia and their creditors (including the Venezuelan government) consummated a restructuring of the Sidor and Amazonia debt. Under the terms of the restructuring:
Tenaris, through Tamsider, participated in the 2003 restructuring by making an aggregate cash contribution (mainly in the form of subordinated convertible debt) of USD32.9 million to Ylopa and by capitalizing in Amazonia convertible debt previously held by Tamsa in the amount of USD18.0 million plus accrued interest. Tenariss
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indirect participation in Amazonia increased from 14.1% to 14.5% and may further increase up to 21.2% if and when all of its subordinated convertible debt is converted into equity.
Following completion of the restructuring between Sidor, Amazonia and their creditors (including the Venezuelan government), Sidor had approximately USD791.0 million of indebtedness outstanding and Amazonia had no financial indebtedness outstanding. Sidors financial indebtedness was made up of three tranches, one of USD350.5 million to be repaid over 8 years with one year of grace, one of USD26.3 million to be repaid over 12 years with one year of grace and the remaining tranche of USD368.6 million, to be repaid over 15 years with one year of grace. In addition, Sidors commercial indebtedness with certain Venezuelan government-owned suppliers amounted to USD45.4 million, to be repaid over the next five years.
After consummation of the 2003 restructuring, Tamsider continues to bear the risk of further losses in the equity value of its investment in Amazonia as well as losses in the equity value of its investment in Ylopa, but none of Tamsa, Tamsider or Ylopa guarantees the restructured indebtedness of Sidor. The restructuring agreements contemplate, however, certain continuing obligations and restrictions, including:
Significant indebtedness of Dalmine, Tenariss main operating subsidiary in Italy, could limit such subsidiarys ability to compete effectively in the future or to operate successfully under adverse economic conditions.
As of December 31, 2002, Dalmine had total indebtedness of301.8 million, including short-term financial indebtedness and current maturities of long-term financial debt of 124.6 million. Dalmines percent of net financial debt to capitalization was approximately 56.8% as of December 31, 2002. Dalmines amount of total financial debt presents the risk that Dalmine might not have sufficient cash to service its indebtedness or might not have access to the capital or bank markets to refinance its indebtedness or incur additional indebtedness and that Dalmines leveraged capital structure could limit its ability to finance acquisitions, capital expenditures or additional projects to compete effectively in the future or to operate successfully under adverse economic conditions. Dalmine is not currently in violation of any financial covenant under any of its loan facilities.
Tenariss results of operations, financial condition and net worth may suffer as a result of a lawsuit in Great Britain against Dalmine.
A consortium led by BHP Petroleum Limited, or BHP, has sued Dalmine before the Commercial Court of the High Court of Justice Queens Bench Division of London in connection with alleged defects in a pipe manufactured by Dalmine for use in constructing a submarine gas pipeline. BHP has alleged inconsistencies between the results of internal chemical tests performed by Dalmine on the pipe and the results shown in the quality certificates issued to BHP by Dalmine. In May 2002, the trial court issued a judgment in favor of BHP, holding that the products supplied by Dalmine were the cause for the failure of the gas pipeline and that Dalmine was liable for damages to BHP. The courts judgment was limited to the issue of liability, and the amount of damages to be awarded to BHP is being determined in a separate proceeding. Dalmines petition to the trial court for leave to appeal its judgment was denied, but subsequently granted by the Court of Appeals. However, on February 5, 2003, the Court of Appeals dismissed Dalmines appeal, closing the dispute on the issue of liability.
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BHP has indicated in court proceedings that it will seek damages of approximately 35 million British pounds to cover the cost of replacing the pipeline, 70 million British pounds to compensate for consequential damages, 73 million British pounds to cover loss or deferred revenues, 31 million British pounds to compensate for increased income tax resulting from a change in law and interest and costs for unspecified amounts. Subsequent to the courts recent judgment in favor of BHP on the issue of liability, BHP petitioned the court for an interim judgment of damages in the amount of approximately 37 million British pounds to cover the cost of replacing the pipeline. On July 31, 2002, Dalmine agreed to pay BHP 15 million British pounds in interim damages. The court is expected to hear arguments regarding, and issue its final judgment on total damages during the first half of 2004.
Dalmine created a provision in the amount of 45 million in its results for 2001 to account for probable losses as a result of BHPs lawsuit, which had a substantial adverse effect on its earnings for that year. Subsequently, Dalmine increased in its results for 2002 the amount of the provision by20 million, inclusive of interest accrued and legal expenses incurred in connection with such proceedings.
The pipe that is the subject of this lawsuit was manufactured and sold, and the tort alleged by BHP took place, prior to the privatization of Dalmine, and Techint Investments Netherlands B.V. (the Siderca subsidiary party to the contract pursuant to which Dalmine was privatized) believes that, under the Dalmine privatization contract, Techint Investments should be entitled to recover from Fintecna S.p.A., an Italian state-owned corporation whose indirect predecessor formerly owned Dalmine, on behalf of Dalmine (as a third party beneficiary under the Dalmine privatization contract), 84.08% of any damages it may be required to pay BHP. Techint Investments has commenced arbitration proceedings against Fintecna to compel it to indemnify Dalmine for any amounts Dalmine may be required to pay BHP. Fintecna has denied that it has any contractual obligation to indemnify Dalmine, asserting that the indemnification claim is time-barred under the terms of the privatization contract and, in any event, subject to a cap of13 million. Techint Investments disputes this assertion. The arbitration proceedings were suspended at a preliminary stage pending a decision by the British trial court in BHPs lawsuit against Dalmine. Upon request by Techint Investments and Dalmine, the arbitration panel decided to resume the proceedings in light of the court of appeals recent decision to dismiss Dalmines appeal against the judgment of liability in favor of BHP.
If Dalmine were required to pay damages to BHP substantially in excess of its provision of 65 million (including consequential damages or deferred revenues), and those damages were not reimbursed to Dalmine by Fintecna, Dalmines (and, consequently, Tenariss) results of operations, financial condition and net worth would be further materially and adversely affected.
Risks Relating to Argentina and Mexico
Holders of Tenaris shares and ADSs will be primarily exposed to country-specific risks relating to developments in, among others, Argentina and Mexico.
Negative economic, political and regulatory developments in Argentina may hurt Sidercas financial condition, revenues and sales volume and disrupt its manufacturing operations, thereby adversely affecting Tenariss results of operations and financial condition.
Many of the manufacturing operations and assets of Siderca, Tenariss main subsidiary in Argentina, are located in Argentina, and approximately one third of Sidercas sales have historically been made in Argentina. Sidercas business may be materially and adversely affected by economic, political and regulatory developments in Argentina, thereby affecting Tenariss results of operations and financial condition. The discussion of recent developments in Argentina that follows was mainly derived from statements of Argentine public officials.
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Negative economic, political and regulatory developments in Mexico may hurt Tamsas domestic sales volume and disrupt its manufacturing process, thereby adversely affecting Tenariss results of operations and financial condition.
Most of Tamsas manufacturing operations and assets are located in Mexico and a substantial portion of Tamsas sales are made in Mexico. Tamsas business may be affected by economic, political and regulatory developments in Mexico. The discussion of recent developments in Mexico that follows was mainly derived from information recently filed by the Mexican government and Pemex with the SEC.
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Risks Relating to Our Shares and ADSs
Our controlling shareholder may be able to take actions that do not reflect the will or best interests of other shareholders.
As of May 30, 2003, San Faustín beneficially owned 61.2% of our outstanding voting stock. Until June 10, 2003, San Faustín was ultimately controlled by Roberto Rocca, either directly or through Rocca & Partners S.A., a British Virgin Islands corporation. Following Mr. Roccas death on June 10, 2003, San Faustín is controlled by Rocca & Partners. As a result, Rocca & Partners is indirectly able to elect a substantial majority of the members of our board of directors and has the power to determine the outcome of most actions requiring shareholder approval, including, subject to the requirements of Luxembourg law, the payment of dividends by us. The decisions of our controlling shareholder may not reflect the will or best interests of other shareholders.
The trading price of our shares and ADSs may suffer as a result of lower liquidity in the Argentine and Mexican equity markets.
Our shares are listed on several exchanges, including the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange and the Mexican Stock Exchange, and the liquidity of our ADSs on the NYSE will be determined in part by the liquidity of our shares on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange and the Mexican Stock Exchange. The Argentine and Mexican equity markets are less liquid than that of the United States and other major world markets. Reduced liquidity in these markets may increase the volatility of the trading price of our shares and ADSs and may impair your ability to readily buy or sell our shares and ADSs in desired amounts and at satisfactory prices.
Prices in publicly-traded Argentine equity securities have been more volatile than in many other markets. Total capitalization increased from USD44.7 billion as of December 31, 1996 to USD192.50 billion as of December 31, 2001 and decreased to USD103.3 billion as of December 31, 2002. The average volume of shares traded daily on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange decreased from USD125.3 million in 1996 to USD37.0 million in 1999, USD24.1 million in 2000, and USD17.4 million in 2001, due to the decrease in capital inflows in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and increased slightly to USD17.8 million in 2002.
Prices in publicly-traded Mexico equity securities have been more volatile than in many other markets, despite an increase in total capitalization from USD106.8 billion as of December 31, 1996 to USD126.6 billion as of December 31, 2001 and decreased to USD104.7 billion as of December 31, 2002. The average daily trading volume of shares included in the principal equity index on the Mexican Stock Exchange decreased from USD144.6 million in 1996 to USD137.8 million in 1999, increased to USD165.1 million in 2000 and decreased to USD150.9 million in 2001 and USD105.9 million in 2002, due to the fluctuation in capital inflows in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.
The trading price of our shares and ADSs may suffer as a result of developments in emerging markets.
Although we are organized as a Luxembourg corporation, a substantial portion of our assets and operations is located in Latin America. Financial and securities markets for companies with a substantial portion of their assets and operations in Latin America are, to varying degrees, influenced by economic and market conditions in emerging market countries. Although economic conditions are different in each country, investor reaction to developments in one country can have significant effects on the securities of issuers with assets or operations in other emerging markets, including Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela. In late October 1997, prices of Latin American debt and equity securities dropped substantially, precipitated by a sharp drop in value of Asian markets. Similarly, in the second half of 1998, prices of Latin American securities were adversely affected by the economic crises in Russia and in Brazil. Various markets in Latin America, notably Argentina and Venezuela, are currently experiencing severe political and economic crises, which adversely affect the prices of securities of Latin American issuers or issuers with significant Latin American operations.
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In deciding whether to purchase, hold or sell Tenaris shares or ADSs, you may not be able to access as much information about us as you would in the case of a U.S. company.
A principal objective of the securities laws of the other markets in which our securities are quoted, like those of the United States, is to promote the full and fair disclosure of all material information. There may, however, be less publicly available information about us than is regularly published by or about U.S. issuers. Also, the accounting standards in accordance with which our consolidated combined financial statements are prepared differ in certain material respects from the accounting standards used in the United States. See notes U and 31 to Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements included in this annual report, which provide a description of the principal differences between IAS and U.S. GAAP as they related to Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of net income and shareholders equity for the periods and at the dates indicated therein. Further, regulations governing our securities may not be as extensive as those in effect in the United States, and Luxembourg law and regulations in respect of corporate governance matters might not be as protective of minority shareholders as state corporations laws in the United States.
Holders of our ADSs may encounter difficulties in the exercise of dividend and voting rights.
You may encounter difficulties in the exercise of some of your rights as a shareholder if you hold ADSs rather than ordinary shares. If we make a distribution in the form of securities and you have the right to acquire a portion of them, the depositary is allowed, in its discretion, to sell on your behalf that right to acquire those securities and instead distribute the net proceeds to you. Also, under some circumstances, such as our failure to provide the depositary with voting materials on a timely basis, you may not be able to vote by giving instructions to the depositary on how to vote for you.
Holders of our ADSs in the United States may not be able to exercise preemptive rights in certain cases.
Under our articles of association, we are generally required, in the event of a capital increase, to offer rights to our existing shareholders to subscribe for a number of shares sufficient to maintain the holders existing proportionate holdings of shares of that class. We may, however, issue shares without preemptive rights if the newly-issued shares are issued for consideration other than money, are issued as compensation to directors, officers, agents or employees of the Company or its affiliates, or are issued to satisfy conversion or option rights created to provide compensation to directors, officers, agents or employees of the Company, its subsidiaries or its affiliates. Furthermore, holders of our ADSs in the United States may, in any event, not be able to exercise any preemptive rights, if granted, for ordinary shares underlying their ADSs unless additional ordinary shares and ADSs are registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, with respect to those rights or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. We intend to evaluate at the time of any rights offering the costs and potential liabilities associated with the exercise by holders of ADSs of the preemptive rights for ordinary shares underlying their ADSs and any other factors we consider appropriate at the time and then to make a decision as to whether to register additional ordinary shares and ADSs. We may decide not to register any additional ordinary shares or ADSs, in which case the depositary would be required to sell the holders rights and distribute the proceeds thereof. Should the depositary not be permitted or otherwise be unable to sell preemptive rights, the rights may be allowed to lapse with no consideration to be received by the holders of the ADSs.
It may be difficult to enforce judgments against us in U.S. courts.
We are a corporation organized under the laws of Luxembourg, and most of Tenariss assets are located in Argentina, Mexico and Italy. Furthermore, most of our directors and officers and some experts named in this annual report reside outside the United States. As a result, investors may not be able to effect service of process within the United States upon us or our directors or officers or some experts or to enforce against us or them in U.S. courts judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities law. There is doubt as to the enforceability in original actions in Luxembourg, Argentine, Mexican and Italian courts of civil liabilities predicated solely upon U.S. federal securities laws, and the enforceability in Luxembourg, Argentine, Mexican and Italian courts of judgments entered by U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities law will be subject to compliance with procedural requirements under applicable local law, including the condition that the judgment does not violate the public policy of the applicable jurisdiction.
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E. Exchange Rates
The following tables show, for the periods indicated, information concerning the exchange rate between (1) the U.S. dollar and the Argentine peso, (2) the U.S. dollar and the Mexican peso and (3) the U.S. dollar and the euro. The average rates presented in these tables were calculated by using the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the relevant period. We do not represent that Argentine pesos, Mexican pesos or euros could be converted into U.S. dollars at these rates or at any other rate.
Argentine peso
The data provided in the following table is expressed in nominal pesos per dollar and is based on information reported by the Argentine Central Bank. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not publish a noon buying rate for the Argentine peso. On June 24, 2003, the exchange rate between the Argentine peso and the U.S. dollar expressed in nominal Argentine pesos per dollar was ARP2.77 = USD1.00.
Beginning on April 1, 1991, under the Convertibility Law, the Argentine Central Bank was required to buy or sell dollars to any person at a rate of one Argentine peso per U.S. dollar. The Convertibility Law was repealed on January 6, 2002. On January 11, 2002, after the Argentine Central Bank ended a banking holiday that it had imposed on December 21, 2001, the exchange rate began to float for the first time since April 1991. Heightened demand for scarce U.S. dollars caused the Argentine peso to trade well above the one-to-one parity under the Convertibility Law. As a result, the Argentine Central Bank intervened on several occasions by selling U.S. dollars in order to lower the exchange rate. The Argentine Central Banks ability to support the Argentine peso by selling U.S. dollars depends, however, on its limited U.S. dollar reserves and the value of the Argentine peso has continued to fluctuate significantly. In response to high demand for U.S. dollars in Argentina and the scarcity of U.S. dollars to meet that demand, the Argentine government has imposed several temporary freezes, or holidays, on exchange transactions since the abrogation of the Convertibility Law. For additional information regarding factors affecting the value of the Argentine peso, see Item 3.D. Risk Factors Risks Relating to Argentina and Mexico.
Mexican peso
The data provided in the following table is expressed in nominal Mexican pesos per dollar and is based on noon buying rates published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the Mexican peso. On June 24, 2003, the exchange rate between the Mexican peso and the U.S. dollar expressed in nominal Mexican pesos per dollar was MXP10.53 = USD1.00.
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Between November 1991 and December 1994, the Mexican Central Bank maintained the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Mexican peso within a prescribed range through intervention in the foreign exchange market. The Mexican Central Bank intervened in the foreign exchange market as the exchange rate reached either the minimum or the maximum of the prescribed range in order to reduce day-to-day fluctuations in the exchange rate. On December 20, 1994, the Mexican government modified the prescribed range within which the Mexican peso was permitted to float by increasing the maximum Mexican peso price of the U.S. dollar by MXP0.53, equivalent to an effective devaluation of 15.3%. On December 22, 1994, the Mexican government suspended intervention by the Mexican Central Bank and allowed the Mexican peso to float freely against the U.S. dollar. Factors that contributed to this decision included the size of Mexicos current account deficit, a decline in the Mexican Central Banks foreign exchange reserves, rising interest rates for other currencies (especially the U.S. dollar) and reduced confidence in the Mexican economy on the part of investors due to political uncertainty associated with events in the state of Chiapas and presidential and congressional elections that year. The value of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar rapidly declined by 42.9% from December 19, 1994, to December 31, 1994. The Mexican government has since allowed the Mexican peso to float freely against the U.S. dollar.
Historically, the Mexican economy has suffered balance of payment deficits and shortages in foreign exchange reserves. While the Mexican government does not currently restrict the ability of Mexican or foreign persons or entities to convert Mexican pesos to U.S. dollars and the terms of NAFTA, to which Mexico is a signatory, generally prohibit exchange controls, the Mexican government could attempt to institute a restrictive exchange control policy in the future.
Euro
The data provided in the following table is expressed in nominal euros per dollar and is based on noon buying rates published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the euro. On June 24, 2003, the exchange rate between the euro and the U.S. dollar expressed in euros per dollar was0.8697 = USD1.00. The data provided in the following table for the period prior to January 1999 is based on noon buying rates for the lira converted into the euro at the fixed rate established by the European Council of Ministers of ITL1,936.27 =1.00.
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Item 4. Information on the Company
Overview
Tenaris is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of seamless steel pipe products and associated services to the oil and gas, energy and other industries, with production, distribution and service capabilities in key markets worldwide. Tenariss principal products include casing, tubing, line pipe, and mechanical and structural pipes.
In the last decade, Tenaris has successfully expanded its business through a series of strategic investments. Tenaris now operates a worldwide network of seamless steel pipe operations with manufacturing facilities in South America, North America, Europe and Asia and an annual production capacity of over three million tons of seamless steel pipe products, compared to 800,000 tons in the early 1990s. In addition, Tenaris has developed competitive and far reaching global distribution capabilities, with a direct presence in most major oil and gas markets. In 2002, Tenaris had net sales of USD3,219.4 million, operating income of USD471.9 million and net income of USD94.3 million (Net income before the minority interest attributable to shares in Siderca, Tamsa and Dalmine that were acquired pursuant to the exchange offer completed on December 17, 2002, was USD193.8 million).
Tenaris believes that it is a leading player in the international trade market of seamless pipes based on estimated market share, with particular strength in the international trade market of seamless casing and tubing for the oil and gas industry, which are collectively known as oil country tubular goods, or OCTGs.
Tenaris provides tubular products and associated services to its customers around the world through global business units serving specific market segments and local business units serving the local markets where it has production facilities. The global business units include:
In addition to its investments in seamless steel pipe operations worldwide, Tenaris controls a 100% interest in Siat S.A.I.C., or Siat, and holds 99.2% of the voting stock of Confab. We believe that Siat and Confab are the leading producers of welded steel pipes in Argentina and Brazil, respectively, with a combined annual production capacity of 850,000 tons.
Tenaris also beneficially owns 100% of the capital stock of Dalmine Energie, S.p.A., or Dalmine Energie, a supplier of electricity and natural gas to many industrial companies in central and northern Italy.
History and Corporate Organization
Tenaris began with the formation of Siderca by San Faustíns predecessor in Argentina in 1948. Siat, an Argentine welded steel pipe manufacturer, was acquired in 1986. Tenaris grew organically in Argentina and then, in the early 1990s, began to evolve beyond its initial base in Argentina into a global business through a series of strategic investments. These investments included the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of controlling or substantial interests in:
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In addition, Tenaris, through Tenaris Global Services, has developed a global network of pipe distribution and service facilities with a direct presence in most major oil and gas markets.
In December 2002, Tenaris became a publicly listed company after completing an exchange offer for the outstanding shares and ADSs of its three main operating subsidiaries.
Below is a simplified diagram of Tenariss corporate structure, as of May 30, 2003:
Our Competitive Strengths
Tenaris believes its main competitive strengths include:
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Tenariss Business Strategy
Tenariss business strategy is to continue expanding its operations internationally and further consolidate its position as a leading supplier of high-quality tubular products and services worldwide to the oil and gas, energy and mechanical industries by:
Completing the integration of the operations of its subsidiaries
Tenaris believes that it will reinforce its strong position in the international seamless steel pipe market and its leading presence in the domestic markets of its operating subsidiaries by completing the integration of the operations of those subsidiaries following the consummation of the exchange offer concluded in December 2002. Tenaris has taken and continues to take several steps to integrate these operations, including:
By aligning the interests of all shareholders through the exchange offer concluded in December 2002, Tenaris seeks to pursue further integration of its operations and thereby expects to continue to increase flexibility and synergies across six seamless and two welded pipe mills and their common commercial network organized under Tenaris Global Services.
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Developing value-added services
Tenaris continues to develop its capabilities to supply value-added services to its customers worldwide. These services seek to enable its customers to reduce costs and concentrate on their core businesses. They are also intended to enable Tenaris to differentiate itself from its competition, further strengthen Tenariss relationship with its customers worldwide through long-term agreements and to capture more of the value in the supply chain. These value-added services include:
Pursuing strategic acquisition opportunities
Tenaris has a solid record of growth through strategic acquisitions. Tenaris is actively pursuing selective strategic acquisitions as a means to expand its operations, enhance its global competitive position and capitalize on potential operational synergies.
Tenariss Products
Tenariss principal finished products are seamless steel pipes casing and tubing, seamless steel line pipe and various other mechanical and structural seamless pipes for different uses. Tenaris also produces welded steel pipes for oil and gas pipelines and industrial uses, as well as pipe accessories. Tenaris manufactures most of its seamless steel products in a wide range of specifications, which vary in width, length, thickness, finishings and grades.
Seamless steel casing. Seamless steel casing is used to sustain the walls of oil and gas wells during and after drilling.
Seamless steel tubing. Seamless steel tubing is used to extract crude oil and natural gas after drilling has been completed.
Seamless steel line pipe. Seamless steel line pipe is used to transport crude oil and natural gas from wells to refineries, storage tanks and loading and distribution centers.
Seamless steel mechanical and structural pipes. Seamless steel mechanical and structural pipes are used by the general industry for various applications, including the transportation of other forms of gas and liquids under high pressure.
Cold-drawn pipe. The cold-drawing process permits the production of pipe with the diameter and wall thickness required for use in boilers, superheaters, condensers, heat exchangers, automobile production and several other industrial applications.
Premium joints and couplings. Premium joints and couplings are specially designed connections used to join lengths of seamless steel casing and tubing for use in high temperature or high pressure environments. A significant portion of our seamless steel casing and tubing products are supplied with premium joints and couplings. Tenaris owns the intellectual property rights to the Antares and NKK range of premium connections and holds licensing rights to manufacture and sell the Atlas Bradford range of premium connections outside of the United States.
Welded steel pipes. Welded steel pipes are processed from steel sheets and plates and are used for the conveying of fluids at low, medium and high pressure, and for mechanical and structural purposes.
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Production Process and Facilities
Tenaris believes its primarily low-cost production facilities are a result of:
Tenariss seamless steel pipe production facilities are located in South America, North America, Europe and Asia. In addition, Tenaris manufactures welded pipe products in facilities in Argentina and Brazil, and tubular accessories such as sucker rods (used in oil and gas drilling) and couplings in Argentina and pipe fittings in Mexico.
The following table shows Tenariss aggregate installed production capacity of seamless and welded steel pipes and steel bars at the dates indicated as well as the aggregate actual production volumes for the periods indicated. The figures for effective annual capacity are based on Tenariss estimates of effective annual production capacity under present conditions.
South America
Tenariss principal manufacturing facility in South America, operated by Siderca, is a fully integrated, strategically located plant on the banks of the Paraná river near the town of Campana, approximately 80 kilometers from Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Campana plant was inaugurated in 1954. Situated on over 300 hectares, the plant includes a state-of-the-art seamless pipe mill and has an effective annual production capacity of 820,000 tons of seamless steel pipe (with an outside diameter range of 1-1/4 to 11 inches) and 1,100,000 tons of steel bars.
The Campana facility comprises:
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The major operational units at the Campana facility and corresponding effective annual production capacity (in thousands of tons per year) as of December 31, 2002, the year operations commenced and the year of the latest major overhaul, are as follows:
In addition to the Campana facility, Tenaris has manufacturing facilities, operated by Metalmecánica S.A. and Metalcentro, at Villa Mercedes in the province of San Luis, Argentina, for the production of tubular accessories such as sucker rods and pipe protectors.
In South America, Tenaris also has a seamless steel pipe plant in Venezuela, operated by Tavsa and located within the Sidor manufacturing complex on the banks of the Orinoco river in the eastern part of the country. Situated on an area of 38 hectares, the plant includes a pilger mill and finishing line (including threading facilities) and produces seamless pipe products with an outside diameter range of 6 to 16 inches. The plant was operated as part of Sidor until shortly before it was privatized and sold to Tamsa in 1998. After conclusion of a modernization program in 2000, Tavsa reached an annual production capacity of 65,000 tons. Steel bars used to produce seamless steel pipe in Venezuela are supplied by Sidor.
North America
Tenariss principal manufacturing facility in North America, operated by Tamsa, is an integrated plant located near Pemexs major exploration and drilling operations, about thirteen kilometers from the port of Veracruz. Veracruz is located on the east coast of Mexico, approximately 400 kilometers from Mexico City. The Veracruz plant was inaugurated in 1954. Situated on an area of 200 hectares, the plant includes a state-of-the-art seamless pipe mill and has an installed annual production capacity of 780,000 tons of seamless steel pipes (with an outside diameter range of 2 to 20 inches) and 850,000 tons of steel bars. The plant is served by two highways and a railroad and is close to the port of Veracruz.
The Veracruz facility comprises:
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The major operational units at the Veracruz facility and corresponding annual installed production capacity (in thousands of tons per year, except for auto components facility, which is in millions of parts) as of December 31, 2002, and the year operations commenced, are as follows:
In addition to the Veracruz facility, Tamsa operates a recently-acquired manufacturing facility near Monterrey in the state of Nuevo León, Mexico, for the production of pipe fittings. This facility has an annual production capacity of 15,000 tons.
Tenaris also has a seamless steel pipe manufacturing facility in Canada, operated by AlgomaTubes and located adjacent to the Algoma Steel manufacturing complex in Sault Ste. Marie near the mouth of Lake Superior in the province of Ontario. The facility includes a retained mandrel mill, a stretch reducing mill and heat treatment and finishing facilities producing seamless pipe products with an outside diameter range of 2 to 7 inches. The effective annual capacity of the facility is 250,000 tons. The plant was originally inaugurated in 1986 and was operated as part of Algoma Steel until shortly before it was leased to Tenaris in 2000. Steel bars are sourced from excess steelmaking capacity at the Campana and Veracruz plants and from third party suppliers. On May 23, 2003, Tenaris announced that it had signed a letter of intent to purchase for a price of 12.5 million Canadian dollars land and manufacturing facilities in Canada currently leased by AlgomaTubes. The purchase is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year but remains subject to an agreement with the United Steelworkers of America and various approvals by the Canadian government.
Europe
Tenariss principal manufacturing facility in Europe, operated by Dalmine, is an integrated plant located in the town of Dalmine close to the industrial region of Bergamo, about 40 kilometers from Milan in northern Italy. Situated on an area of 150 hectares, the plant includes a state-of-the-art seamless pipe mill and has an annual production capacity of 800,000 tons of seamless steel pipes and 900,000 tons of steel bars.
The main Dalmine facility comprises:
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The major operational units at the main Dalmine facility and corresponding annual effective production capacity (in thousands of tons per year) as of December 31, 2002, the year operations commenced and the year of the latest major overhaul, are as follows:
The main Dalmine facility manufactures seamless steel pipes with an outside diameter range of 17 to 711 mm (0.67 to 27.99 inches), mainly from carbon, low alloy and high alloy steels for diverse applications. The Dalmine facility also manufactures steel bars for processing at our other facilities in Italy.
Together, the Dalmine facility and Tenariss other production facilities in Europe, all of which are located in Italy, have an effective annual production capacity of 950,000 tons of seamless steel pipes. These other facilities include:
Far East
Tenariss manufacturing facility in Asia, operated by NKKTubes, is a seamless steel pipe plant located in Kawasaki, Japan, in the Keihin steel complex owned by JFE Holdings Inc., or JFE, the successor company of NKK Corporation, or NKK, resulting from the business combination of NKK with Kawasaki Steel Corporation, or Kawasaki Steel. The facility includes a retained mandrel mill, a plug mill and heat treatment, upsetting, threading and cold drawing facilities producing seamless pipe products with an outside diameter range of 1 to 17 inches. The effective annual capacity of the facility is 260,000 tons. The plant was operated by NKK until its acquisition by Tenaris in 2000. Steel bars and other essential inputs and services are supplied by JFE, which retains a 49% interest
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in NKKTubes. The NKKTubes facility produces a wide range of carbon, alloy and stainless steel pipes for the local market and high value-added products for export markets. For a discussion of NKKs business combination with Kawasaki Steel, see Competition Global Market.
Welded Pipes
Tenaris has two major welded pipe facilities, one in Brazil and one in Argentina. The Brazilian facility, operated by Confab, is located at Pindamonhangaba, 160 kilometers from the city of São Paulo. The facility includes an ERW (electric resistant welding) rolling mill and a SAW (submerged arc welding) rolling mill with two spiral lines. The facility, which was originally inaugurated in 1959, processes steel plates and coils to produce welded steel pipes with an outside diameter range of 4-1/2 to 100 inches for various applications, including oil, petrochemical and gas applications. The facility also supplies anticorrosion pipe coating made of extruded polyethylene or polypropylene, external and internal fusion bonded epoxy and paint for internal pipe coating. The facility has an annual production capacity of 500,000 tons.
The Argentine facility, operated by Siat, is located at Valentín Alsina just south of the city of Buenos Aires. The facility includes ERW and SAW rolling mills with one spiral line. The facility was originally inaugurated in 1948 and processes steel plates and coils to produce welded steel pipes with an outside diameter range of 4-1/2 to 100 inches, which are used for the conveying of fluids at low, medium and high pressure and for mechanical and structural purposes. The facility has an annual production capacity of 350,000 tons.
Sales and Marketing
The following table shows Tenariss steel pipe sales by product and geographic region in terms of volume for the periods indicated.
The following table shows Tenariss total net sales by geographical region in terms of U.S. dollars for the periods indicated.
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Seamless Steel Pipes
The following table indicates the percentage market distribution of Tenariss seamless steel pipe sales volume by region for the periods shown.
Sales to Tenariss customers in South America accounted for 14% of Tenariss total consolidated sales volume of seamless steel pipe products in 2002, 18% in 2001 and 20% in 2000.
Tenariss largest markets in South America are Argentina and Venezuela, countries in which Tenaris has manufacturing subsidiaries. Tenariss sales in the Argentine and Venezuelan markets are sensitive to the international price of oil and gas and its impact on the drilling activity of participants in the domestic oil and gas sectors, as well as to general economic conditions in these countries. In addition, sales in Argentina, as well as export sales from Tenariss manufacturing facilities in Argentina, are affected by government actions and policies, including measures adopted in 2002 in response to the crisis in Argentina, such as the taxation of oil exports, restrictions on certain transfers of currency abroad, mandatory repatriation of certain export revenues and other matters affecting the investment climate. See Item 3.D. Risk FactorsRisks Relating to Argentina and Mexico. Sales in Venezuela are also affected by government actions and policies and their consequences, including recent politically motivated strike action at the state-owned oil company, agreements to vary domestic production pursuant to quotas established by OPEC, measures relating to the taxation of oil and gas production activities and other matters affecting the investment climate.
A principal component of Tenariss marketing strategy in the Argentine and Venezuelan markets is the establishment of long-term supply agreements with significant local and international oil and gas companies operating in those markets. In recent years, Tenaris has sought to retain and expand its sales to those customers by offering value-added services.
In Argentina, Tenaris has enjoyed a sustained, close business relationship with Repsol YPF S.A., an integrated oil and gas company engaged in all aspects of the oil and gas business. Repsol YPF, one of the worlds ten largest oil and gas companies, was created as a result of the acquisition in 1999 of YPF S.A., the leading oil and gas producer in Argentina, by Repsol S.A., a Spanish oil and gas producer. Tenaris has strengthened its relationships with Repsol YPF and other participants in the Argentine oil sector through JIT agreements, which allow Tenaris to provide these customers with comprehensive pipe management services on a continuous basis. These agreements provide for delivery of pipe to our customers on short notice, usually within 72 hours. Under JIT and stocking supply arrangements, Tenaris is kept informed of its customers drilling program and pipe requirements. In addition, Tenaris is permitted to bring its engineers to the customers drilling locations in order to maintain adequately supplied warehouse inventories. In June 2001, Tenaris renewed and extended the scope of its JIT agreement with Repsol YPF for a period of five years.
Tenaris also serves the demand for seamless steel pipes for other applications in the Argentine market.
In 2002, demand from oil and gas customers in Argentina was adversely affected by the political and economic crisis and government actions, including the application of export taxes on oil exports and the non-adjustment of gas tariffs following the devaluation of the local currency. This led to a significant decline in sales particularly during
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the first half of the year compared to the levels in 2001. In the second half of the year, there was a pick-up in demand from the oil, but not the gas, sector and, albeit from very low levels, from the non-oil sector.
In Venezuela, Tenaris has a significant share of the market for OCTG products. Tenaris enjoys ongoing business relationships with Petróleos de Venezuela S.A., or PDVSA, the state-owned oil company, and many private-sector operators in the oil and gas sector. In 2001 and 2002, OPEC production quota cutbacks and adverse political and economic developments led to a substantial decline in exploration and production activity in the oil and gas sector. Additionally, PDVSA decided to implement a significant reduction in its inventories of seamless pipes. These factors led to a substantial decline in Tenariss sales of seamless pipes in 2002 compared to the previous year and in January 2003 Tenariss sales of seamless pipes to PDVSA effectively came to a halt following politically motivated strike action involving the state-owned company. Sales have, however, subsequently resumed and are slowly increasing.
Sales to customers in North America accounted for 18% of Tenariss total consolidated sales volume of seamless steel pipe products in 2002, 16% in 2001 and 16% in 2000.
Tenariss largest markets in North America are Mexico and Canada, countries in which Tenaris has manufacturing subsidiaries.
Tenaris, through its operating subsidiary in Mexico, has enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Pemex, one of the worlds largest crude oil and condensates producers. In 1994, Tenaris began supplying Pemex under JIT arrangements, similar to its JIT arrangements with Repsol YPF. In March 2001, Tenaris renewed its relationship with Pemex under a new three year JIT agreement. Combined sales to Pemex (including drilling companies contracted by Pemex) represented 4.4% of Tenariss total seamless steel pipe sales volume in 2002, compared to 3.1% in 2001 and 3.5% in 2000.
Sales to non-oil related customers in Mexico are made directly to those customers or through authorized distributors. The principal Mexican end users other than Pemex (including drilling companies contracted by Pemex) rely on Tenariss products primarily for automotive, thermal, mechanical, conduction and hydraulic uses. In 2001 and continuing in 2002, Tenariss sales to domestic non-oil related customers declined reflecting the direct relationship this market maintains with the Mexican and U.S. economies, which experienced a slowdown during 2001 and 2002.
Tenariss sales in Canada are mainly directed to the oil and gas drilling and transportation sectors and are primarily made through distributors. During 2001, Tenariss sales in Canada increased following a recovery in oil and gas drilling activity and the start-up of our Canadian subsidiary. In 2002, demand from the oil and gas sector declined due to low levels of oil and particularly gas prices immediately prior to and during the winter drilling season that led to a sharp slowdown in the annual level of drilling activity. Sales to Canadian oil and gas drilling customers are also affected by seasonal factors relating to the difficulty of conducting oil and gas drilling activities during the spring thaw.
Tenariss sales to the United States are mainly directed to the industrial sector and are affected by trends in industrial activity since anti-dumping duties apply in respect of the import of OCTGs produced by Tenariss main manufacturing subsidiaries.
Sales to Tenariss customers in Europe accounted for 28% of Tenariss total consolidated sales volume of seamless steel pipe products in 2002, 27% in 2001 and 31% in 2000.
Tenariss largest single country market in Europe is Italy. The market for seamless pipes in Italy (as in most of the EU) is affected by general industrial production trends, including investment in power generation, petrochemical and oil refining facilities. The European market also includes the North Sea area, which is affected by oil and gas prices in the international markets and their consequent impact on oil and gas drilling activities in that area.
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In response to competitive pressures, particularly the increase in low-priced imports from producers in Russia, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries, and consequent decline in market share in the period 1999-2001, Tenaris has recently completed a restructuring of its sales activities in the Italian market. This restructuring involved the substitution of sales to large distributors with direct sales to end users and sales to small regional distributors and implementing an electronic sales platform on its website. These efforts to restructure its sales were supported by increased provision of services, such as JIT delivery and cutting-to-length, and the implementation of customer relationship management systems to help Tenaris manage the increased number of direct customers. These efforts initially resulted in a loss of market share which in 2002 was more than recouped. Tenaris plans to extend this restructuring of its sales activities to the rest of the European industrial market.
After showing small increases in the previous two years, we estimate that apparent consumption of seamless pipes in the EU market fell by approximately 10% during 2002 compared to the levels of 2001 in response to declining levels of investment in industrial activity.
Middle East and Africa
Sales to customers in the Middle East and Africa accounted for 23% of Tenariss total consolidated sales volume of seamless steel pipe products in 2002, 22% in 2001 and 21% in 2000.
Tenariss sales in the Middle East and Africa are sensitive to the international price of oil and its impact on drilling activities as well as to the production policies pursued by OPEC, many of whose members are located in this region. After a downturn in 1998 and 1999 as a result of the decline in oil prices, drilling activity in the Middle East and Africa began to recover in 2000 and sales of seamless steel pipes have increased. In 2001, an increase in oil and gas exploration and production activity in 2001 (particularly in West Africa) resulted in higher sales of seamless pipes, a trend which was reversed at the end of 2002.
In addition, Tenariss sales in the Middle East and Africa could be adversely affected by political events, military action and other events in the region, such as the war in Iraq and social unrest in Nigeria, that materially impact the operations of companies active in the regions oil and gas industry.
Far East and Oceania
Sales to customers in the Far East and Oceania accounted for 17% of Tenariss total consolidated sales volume of seamless steel pipe products in 2002, 17% in 2001 and 12% in 2000.
Tenariss largest markets in the Far East and Oceania are China and Japan. Tenariss seamless steel pipe sales in China are predominantly OCTGs for use in the Chinese oil and gas drilling industry. Sales have grown in this market in the past years as China increased investment in oil and gas exploration and production activities. In 2002, there was a slight decline in sales due to temporary import restrictions, now removed, associated with the consideration of whether to apply safeguards similar to the Section 201 safeguards imposed by the United States on certain steel products.
In Japan, NKKTubes competes against other domestic producers. The market for seamless steel pipe products in Japan is mostly industrial and depends on general factors affecting domestic investment, including production activity. In recent years, demand has weakened in line with the general downturn in the Japanese economy.
Sales to other markets in the Far East and Oceania are affected by the level of oil and gas drilling activity in countries such as Indonesia and engineering activity particularly related to investment in petrochemical plants and oil refineries.
Welded Steel Pipes
We believe that Tenaris is the leading supplier of welded pipes in Brazil and Argentina for gas pipeline construction and industrial applications and the leading supplier of welded steel pipe products for gas pipeline construction in South America. Tenaris also supplies welded steel pipes to selected gas pipeline construction projects worldwide.
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Demand for Tenariss welded steel pipes is principally affected by investment in gas pipeline projects, especially in South America. In 2002 and in 2001, sales of welded steel pipes were strong, reflecting a period of high demand for such products in connection with the construction of large pipeline projects in South America, such as those in Ecuador and Peru, as well as ongoing pipeline network integration projects in the region. Deliveries of welded steel pipes to those projects in Ecuador and Peru have now been substantially completed but demand from oil and gas pipeline projects in Tenariss local market of Brazil has increased beginning in 2003. In 2000, demand for welded steel pipe products was substantially below levels of previous years due to the postponement of several regional gas pipeline projects.
Trends in Oil and Gas Prices
As discussed above, sales to oil and gas companies worldwide represent a high percentage of Tenariss total sales and demand for seamless steel pipes from the global oil and gas industry is a significant factor affecting the general level of prices for our products. Downward pressures on oil and gas prices in the international markets usually result in lower demand for our seamless steel pipe products from Tenariss oil and gas customers and, in some circumstances, upward pressures can result in higher demand from these customers.
Major oil and gas producing nations and companies frequently collaborate to control the supply (and thus the price) of oil in the international markets. A major vehicle for this collaboration is OPEC. Many of Tenariss larger customers are state-owned companies in member countries of OPEC, or otherwise cooperate with OPEC in controlling the supply and price of oil.
In response to depressed oil prices in 1998, major oil producing countries began to cooperate closely and intensely to raise prices. In March 1998, Mexico, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, encouraged by proposals of other oil producers to strengthen world oil markets, announced that they would reduce the oil supply. A second reduction was agreed upon in June 1998. In March 1999, OPEC and several non-OPEC oil producers ratified an agreement to cut crude oil production by 2,104,000 barrels per day in the aggregate. Oil prices increased significantly as a result of these production cuts. Subsequently, oil consuming nations began to pressure OPEC to raise production to ease the upward pressure on oil prices. In April 2000, OPEC announced an increase in production by 1,452,000 barrels per day. This was followed by additional increases of 708,000 barrels per day in June 2000, 800,000 barrels per day in September 2000 and 500,000 barrels per day in October 2000. In 2001, in response to weakening price pressures, OPEC (excluding Iran) announced a reduction in production of 1,500,000 barrels per day, effective February 1, 2001; of 1,000,000 barrels per day, effective April 1, 2001; of 1,000,000 barrels a day, effective September 1, 2001; and of 1,500,000 barrels a day, effective January 1, 2002. More recently, in response to supply tightness resulting from the threat of military action against Iraq and strike action in Venezuela, OPEC announced an increase of 1,300,000 barrels per day, effective January 1, 2003, an increase of 1,500,000 barrels per day, effective February 1, 2003 and a further increase of 900,000 barrels per day, effective June 1, 2003. We are unable to forecast the direction of international oil and gas prices in the future, and the consequent impact on investment programs and purchases, including pipe purchases, by Tenariss oil and gas customers.
Energy
Tenaris, through an indirect subsidiary formed in 1999, Dalmine Energie, has developed a small energy business in Italy, following the partial deregulation of the energy sector by the Italian government. Initially formed to supply electricity to Dalmine and to other users in the Bergamo area, Dalmine Energie has rapidly expanded and currently supplies electricity to many industrial companies in northern and central Italy. Dalmine Energie purchases electricity principally from GRTN Gestore della Rete di Trasmissione Nazionale S.p.A., or GRTN, formerly known as Enel Distribuzione S.p.A., at wholesale market prices under volume and delivery conditions that closely match those at which it sells to its customers. Dalmine Energie enjoyed a high operating margin in its first year of business due to its position as a first mover, but in 2001 its operating margins declined as the business matured and competition increased. In December 2001, Dalmine Energie began operating in the natural gas business. Dalmine Energie purchases its natural gas requirements from Snam S.p.A. under a long-term contract that expires on October 1, 2011, which contains annual, quarterly and daily take-or-pay provisions and had an outstanding value, as of December 31, 2002, of approximately 680 million. At December 31, 2002, Dalmine Energie had approximately 450 customers and traded 2.7 Twh (billions of kilowatt/hour) of electricity and 579 million standard cubic meters, or scm, of natural gas.
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Dalmine Energie recognizes revenue only upon delivery of electricity and gas and other services to its customers. Revenues are calculated based on actual consumption, which is measured by meter readings carried out at set intervals. Of its 275 million in revenues in 2002 (compared to 165 million in 2001), 19% were derived from sales to Dalmine (24.7% in 2001) and the remainder represented sales to third parties (of which 64% represented sales of electricity and the remainder represented sales of natural gas).
Other products
Prior to the reorganization of Tenaris Global Services as a subsidiary of Tenaris in October 2002, some of the subsidiary companies representative offices and other assets of Tenaris Global Services were involved in the sale and marketing of other steel products (principally sales in North America and Europe of steel products produced by Sidor and Siderar, a Techint group company producing flat steel in Argentina). Sales of these products are recorded in Tenariss consolidated combined financial statements. Since October 2002, Tenaris has been in the process of discontinuing such sales.
Competition
Global Market
The global market for seamless steel pipe products is highly competitive, with the primary competitive factors being price, quality and service. Seamless steel pipe products are produced in specialized mills using round steel billets and ingots, which are produced almost exclusively for seamless steel pipe applications. Steel companies that manufacture steel sheet and wire rods and bars and other steel products but do not operate specialized seamless steel mills are generally not competitors in the market for seamless steel pipe products, although they often produce welded steel pipes or sell steel sheets and plates used to produce welded steel pipe.
The production of seamless steel pipe products that meet the stringent requirements of major oil and gas companies requires the development of specialized skills and significant investments in manufacturing facilities. By contrast, the seamless pipe products for standard applications can be produced in most seamless pipe mills worldwide and sometimes compete with welded pipe products for such applications. Welded pipe, however, is not generally considered a satisfactory substitute for seamless steel pipe in high-pressure or high-stress applications, which constitute a significant source of our business.
Tenariss principal competitors in the international seamless steel pipe markets can be grouped by origin as described below.
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Domestic Markets
Tenaris competes against importers of seamless steel pipe products and, to a lesser extent, against welded steel pipe products in the domestic markets of its manufacturing subsidiaries in Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico and Canada (countries in which it is the sole domestic producer) and against domestic, regional and other competitors in Italy and Japan.
Producers of seamless steel pipe products can maintain a strong competitive position in their domestic markets due to logistical and other advantages which permit them to offer value-added services and maintain strong relationships with domestic customers, particularly in the oil and gas sector. Tenariss subsidiaries have established strong ties with major consumers of steel pipe products in their home markets, reinforced by JIT arrangements as discussed above.
Argentina
Siderca is the sole producer of seamless steel pipe in Argentina. Accordingly, Tenariss competition in the Argentine seamless steel pipe products market is limited to imported products manufactured by foreign companies.
In recent years, Tenaris has faced increased competitive challenges from outside Argentina as a result of the Argentine governments trade liberalization policies. In early 1991, the Argentine government reduced import tariffs and eliminated most non-tariff restrictions on trade as part of an effort to open the Argentine economy to foreign competition. Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay entered into the Treaty of Asunción in March 1991, formally establishing Mercosur, a common market organization composed of the four signatory nations. The Mercosur treaty and other subsequent related agreements provide for the gradual economic integration of the member countries, the creation of a free trade zone, the elimination or significant reduction, in some cases over a period of years, of import duties, tariffs and other barriers to trade among the four nations and the creation of a common external tariff. Tariffs on seamless steel pipe products were eliminated progressively by January 1, 1999, between Brazil and Argentina and by January 1, 2000, among all four member nations. The tariff applicable to seamless steel pipe products imported from outside Mercosur was 16% as of January 1, 2002. In addition, a supplemental tariff of 1.5% currently applies to these imports.
Venezuela
Tenaris competes in the Venezuelan market as a domestic producer and as a foreign supplier with imported products manufactured by non-Venezuelan companies.
Venezuela applies tariffs ranging from 5% to 15% on steel imports, including seamless steel pipe products, from countries with which it does not have free trade agreements. In April 2002, the Venezuelan government increased its standard tariff from 20% to 30% for a temporary period of four months. This tariff was subsequently extended on two occasions and is now scheduled to expire in October 2003. No tariff applies to steel imports from member countries of the Andean pact or from Chile, and imports from Mexico are subject to a reduced tariff. As a result of an antidumping investigation, Venezuela imposed antidumping duties of 87.0% on steel pipe imports from Japan in 1996. The preliminary determination was confirmed in June 2000 and continues to apply.
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Mexico
Tamsa is the only producer of seamless steel pipe in Mexico. Accordingly, Tenariss competition in the Mexican market is limited to imported products manufactured by foreign companies.
Competition in the Mexican market has been increasing in recent years, as the Mexican government has entered into free trade agreements that reduce trade barriers and gradually eliminate tariffs on steel imports from these countries, including seamless steel pipes. In December 1992, Mexico became party to NAFTA, which became effective in January 1994. Under NAFTA, duties on OCTG products have been reduced from 15% in 1993 to their current level of 0%, since the beginning of 2003. In 2000, Mexico signed a trade agreement with the EU, as a result of which EU seamless steel pipe imports have been subject to a 7% duty since 2002. This duty will be gradually eliminated by 2007.
In addition to the NAFTA and EU agreements, the Mexican government has signed trade agreements with various countries such as Chile, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Uruguay. Mexico also participates with Colombia and Venezuela in the Group of Three, or the G-3. Under the G-3 agreements, duties on seamless steel pipes are being eliminated by means of a reduction of 1.08% and 0.72% (depending on the product) per year over a ten-year period beginning in 1995. Furthermore, under the agreement, there is an acceleration clause allowing acceleration of the tariff reduction as deemed convenient upon acceptance by two of the parties. Beginning July 1, 2002, the import tariff for the G-3 was set at 2.1% and 1.4% depending on the product. Presently, Mexican products exported to Chile are not subject to any import tariff.
On January 1, 1999, a new tariff of 18% became applicable to seamless steel pipe from other countries with which Mexico does not have trade agreements; this represents an increase of 3 percentage points from the previous tariff of 15%, which had been effective since 1989. The tariff was temporarily increased for some steel products (including seamless pipes) to 25% in September 2001 and again to 35% in March 2002, and remained at 35% until September 2002, at which point it was reduced to 25%. The tariff is scheduled to be reduced to 18% in September 2003.
On October 5, 1993, Tamsa formally requested that the Mexican Secretaría de Economía, or SECON (formerly SECOFI), initiate an antidumping investigation into the importation of seamless steel commercial pipes from the United States. On October 11, 1995, SECON published a final determination, which continues to apply, imposing a tariff of 82.4% on specified seamless steel cold-drawn pipes from the United States. On May 22, 2001, SECON published in the Official Gazette a resolution revoking the antidumping duties against cold-drawn carbon steel pipes produced in the United States.
On March 11, 1999, Tamsa formally requested that SECON initiate an antidumping investigation into the import of seamless steel line pipes from Japan. This investigation led to the imposition of preliminary dumping duties of 99.9% in November 1999, and to definitive duties in the same amount in November 2000, that continue to apply to these products.
Canada
Tenaris makes domestic sales in Canada through AlgomaTubes, the sole producer of seamless steel pipe in Canada, as well as export sales to Canada by Tenariss other manufacturing companies. In both cases, Tenaris competes in the Canadian market against other Canadian welded pipe producers and against other importers of seamless and welded pipe. Canada does not impose significant tariffs on seamless steel pipe imports, creating a competitive market that resembles the international markets for those products.
Italy
In Italy and elsewhere in the EU, Tenaris competes against European and non-European producers of seamless steel pipe products, most notably V&M Tubes. In Italy, Dalmine faces additional competition in the commercial, gas and standard pipe sector from Pietra S.p.A, a privately-owned Italian tube producer.
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As import barriers have fallen, the Italian and other EU markets for seamless steel pipe products have become increasingly competitive. During 2002, imports of seamless pipes into the EU from countries outside of the EU, which maintained their share of the market in products of medium-to-low quality, were again strong. Tenariss sales in Italy were adversely affected by these imports because they were often offered at prices significantly lower than Tenariss prices. In February 2000, the European Commission granted the requests of the European seamless pipe industry and acknowledged that competing exports from Ukraine and Croatia were being dumped into the EU and were causing serious injury to EU manufacturers. As a result, substantial antidumping duties and restrictions were imposed on both these countries. This action followed a successful similar proceeding brought by the European seamless steel pipe industry against producers in Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary, which resulted in antidumping penalties and other equitable remedies in November 1997. These measures, which are still being enforced in spite of having expired in 2002, are currently under review by the European Commission.
Japan
NKKTubes is a leading producer of seamless steel pipes in Japan. In the domestic market, it competes against Sumitomo Metal, Kawasaki Steel and Nippon Steel. On September 27, 2002, Kawasaki Steel and NKK, Sidercas partner in NKKTubes, consummated a business combination through which they became subsidiaries of JFE. JFE continues to operate the former Kawasaki Steels seamless steel pipe business in competition with NKKTubes.
Capital Expenditure Program
In recent years, Tenaris has undertaken a major round of capital investment projects at its three integrated facilities in Argentina, Mexico and Italy. The focus of these major capital investment projects has been to upgrade these facilities to state-of-the-art status in terms of automation and quality control, and to expand Tenariss capacity to produce premium quality and other high-grade products.
At Tenariss Campana facility in Argentina, as a result of a three year program completed in 2000 at a cost of approximately USD160 million, Tenaris added new heat treatment facilities, completed the modernization of the steel shop, expanded rolling mill capacity that allowed production of products with restricted tolerances, expanded the finishing line for premium joints and added processes in the mid-range cold rolling mill to simplify production flows and optimize manufacturing times. Subsequently, Tenaris added a new threading line for premium joints, installed a phosphorus coating plant, expanded coupling producing facilities and installed electromagnetic stirring capabilities.
At Tenariss Veracruz facility in Mexico, approximately USD144 million was invested in the capital expenditure program over the last three years with a focus on automation, production, benchmarking, mill compliance and increased capacity for value-added products. Tenaris completed improvements in the melt shop and in the continuous casting process, which involved the installation of a new vacuum degassing system, a new vibramold oscillator and touch-panel control systems that monitor each phase of the production process throughout the entire Veracruz facility. In addition, in the finishing areas, Tenaris completed improvements for wall thickness assurance and threading and finishing lines, and added a new hydraulic testing system and a new straightening machine. Tenaris also expanded and modernized the heat treatment facilities, raising capacity for heat-treated pipes by 20% from 375,000 tons per year to 450,000 tons per year, by expanding the existing furnaces and adding a quenching head, a straightening machine, a finishing line and additional floor space to the heat treatment area. In addition, Tenaris completed the construction of a 12,000 square meter office complex and made investments in its auto components facility, which has an annual production capacity of five million parts. Tenaris continued to make investments in its environmental compliance program, including investments in a waste-monitoring system, as well as in an Enterprise Resource Program and the SAP/R3 in the administration, financing and purchasing departments.
At Tenariss Dalmine facility in Italy, approximately 158 million was invested over the past four years as part of a major overhaul capital expenditure program. Tenaris gave particular attention to automation, mill compliance, production cost reduction, quality enhancement and new product development. In the melt shop and in the continuous casting machines, Tenaris nearly finished implementation of a new automation system and enhanced process control. In addition, to satisfy higher quality demand, Tenaris invested in vacuum degassing and new electromagnetic stirring and refurbished various equipment. Tenaris completely redesigned the small diameter pipe
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mill to attain higher productivity and achieve better quality. Tenaris also substituted all the control and finishing lines with a new automated production line up to the pipe packing stage. This enhanced line can process pipes up to 24 meters long. In the medium size pipe mill, Tenaris invested in new automation and process control, redesigning the control pulpits with touch-panel control systems. Tenaris also heavily renovated the mill to enable it to produce heavier and longer pipes with higher productivity and better yield. In addition, Tenaris refurbished all the finishing lines and the heat treatment to reduce production costs, achieve better quality and comply with new products requirements. Tenaris made similar investments in its other facilities located in Italy.
As part of Tenariss capital expenditure program, Tenaris makes regular expenditures at all of its facilities to respond to changes in market environment, maintain flexible operations and improve environmental and safety conditions. The total amount spent by Tenaris for capital expenditure programs in 2002 was USD124.6 million.
Capital expenditure projects planned for 2003 include further enhancements to the premium joint finishing lines at the Campana facility, enhancement of the cold-rolling mill and coupling production facilities at the Veracruz facility, improving the medium sized rolling mills productivity and finishing line dimensional tolerances at Dalmine, updating automation and process control at NKKTubes, increasing finishing line capacity at AlgomaTubes, and new heat treatment facilities at Confab.
Information Technology
In addition to Tenariss capital expenditures at its plants, Tenaris has invested in the integration of its production, commercial and managerial activities. These investments are intended to promote the further integration of Tenariss operating facilities and enhance Tenariss ability to provide value-added services to its customers worldwide. These investments include:
During 2002 these investments totaled USD14.6 million. The specialized procurement company, known as Exiros, is owned by Lomond Holdings, in which Tenaris holds 75% of the shares, and Siderar, which holds 25%. Through this company and the Exiros portal, Tenaris has centralized its procurement activities and provides procurement agency services to Siderar and other industrial companies principally in Latin America. Tenaris is currently in the process of acquiring from Siderar the remaining 25% in Lomond Holdings for a total of USD304 thousand.
Subsidiaries
Tenaris operates primarily through subsidiary companies. For a complete list of Tenariss subsidiaries and a description of Tenariss investments in other companies, see notes B and 10 to Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements included in this annual report.
Seamless Steel Pipe Manufacturers
Siderca
Tenaris or its predecessors have held a large majority position in Siderca since that companys inception in 1948. Pursuant to the exchange offer concluded in December 2002, we acquired an additional 27.94% of Sidercas outstanding capital stock, reaching a 99.11% direct and indirect holding in Siderca. On April 24, 2003, we
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completed a unilateral acquisition under Argentine law of the remaining minority shareholders stock and, as a result, Siderca became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Siderca is the sole producer of seamless steel pipe products in Argentina.
Tamsa
In June 1993, through a subsidiary of Siderca that held a 5.65% interest in Tamsa, Tenaris invested USD67.1 million to acquire an additional 17.51% interest in Tamsa. Since this investment, Tenaris, directly or indirectly, has made additional purchases of Tamsas ordinary stock. Pursuant to the exchange offer concluded in December 2002, we acquired 43.73% of Tamsas ordinary stock. On April 30, 2003, Tamsa cancelled 3,650,000 shares of Tamsa held by its subsidiary Tamsider and, as a result, our ownership of Tamsas total outstanding capital stock was reduced to 94.44%. As of May 30, 2003, Tenaris beneficially owned directly or indirectly 94.44% of Tamsas ordinary stock. Tamsa is the sole producer of seamless steel pipe products in Mexico.
Dalmine
In February 1996, through a subsidiary of Siderca, Tenariss predecessor acquired a 37.15% interest in Dalmine. Since this initial investment, Tenaris or its predecessors, directly or indirectly, have made additional purchases of Dalmines ordinary stock. Pursuant to the exchange offer concluded in December 2002, we acquired 41.19% of Dalmines ordinary stock. We have, since that date, engaged in various open-market transactions in accordance with applicable law through which we acquired an additional 1.6% of Dalmines ordinary stock, reaching a 90.0% direct and indirect holding in Dalmine. On March 11, 2003, we announced that since we held in excess of 90.0% of Dalmines outstanding stock, we plan to launch, in accordance with Italian regulations, a public tender offer for the remaining shares of Dalmine. On May 27, 2003, the Italian securities regulator determined the price that we are required to offer in the tender offer for the remaining Dalmine shares. On June 23, 2003, we launched the tender offer in Italy, which is scheduled to expire on July 11, 2003. Dalmine is the leading producer of seamless steel products in Italy and a leading producer of seamless steel products in the EU.
Tavsa
On October 9, 1998, Tamsa and the Venezuelan government entered into a joint venture agreement, pursuant to which Tamsa acquired 70% of Tavsa, a company formed to run the seamless pipe business formerly part of Sidor, for an initial equity contribution of USD11.7 million. The Venezuelan government holds the remaining 30% of Tavsa. In June 2000, Tamsa made an additional cash contribution of USD4.4 million.
AlgomaTubes
On June 14, 2000, Siderca and Algoma Steel entered into an agreement pursuant to which Siderca, through its newly incorporated Canadian subsidiary, AlgomaTubes, leases and operates Algoma Steels seamless steel pipe manufacturing facilities in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. The lease agreement, which came into effect on October 1, 2000, has a term of 20 years, and contemplates a purchase option by Siderca. Siderca also has the right to terminate the lease at any time upon 24 months notice or, in specified circumstances, upon shorter notice. AlgomaTubes is the sole seamless steel pipe producer in Canada. On May 23, 2003, Tenaris announced that it had signed a letter of intent to purchase for a price of 12.5 million Canadian dollars land and manufacturing facilities in Canada currently leased by AlgomaTubes. The purchase is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year but remains subject to an agreement with the United Steelworkers of America and various approvals by the Canadian government.
NKKTubes
On May 24, 2000, Siderca and NKK agreed to form a new company, NKKTubes, to take over NKKs seamless steel pipe business. Siderca and NKK own 51% and 49% respectively of NKKTubes, which began operations on August 1, 2000. In connection with the NKKTubes joint venture, NKK agreed to license to Tenaris its manufacturing technology, patents and trademarks for manufacturing steel (for use in the manufacturing of seamless steel pipe) and seamless steel pipe. NKK also agreed to license its manufacturing technology, patents and trademarks for making
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premium connections to Tenaris. Amounts accrued under these agreements were Japanese yen 174.6 million in 2002, Japanese yen 112.2 million and USD0.8 million in 2001 and Japanese yen 548.6 million and USD0.1 million in 2000. In February 2002, Tenaris acquired NKKs manufacturing, technology, patents and trademarks for making premium connections for USD1.9 million. In connection with NKK and Kawasaki Steels business combination, effective on September 27, 2002, NKKs 49% interest in NKKTubes was transferred to a subsidiary of JFE. In addition, Siderca and NKK signed on September 25, 2002 an agreement that amends certain provisions of the various agreements relating to the creation and governance of NKKTubes. On April 1, 2003, the licensing agreements relating to NKKs technology were terminated. Under the terms of the termination agreement, Tenaris will not have access to NKKs technology and know-how in the future but will continue to use the technology and know-how already licensed to it. In addition, the termination of the licensing agreements would not affect Tenariss rights to the NKK range of premium connections, which Tenaris acquired in 2002. For a discussion of NKK and Kawasaki Steels business combination, see Item 4.A. Information on the CompanyCompetitionGlobal MarketJapan.
Welded Steel Pipe Manufacturers
Siat
In 1986, Tenaris acquired through Siderca 100% of Siat. Since this initial investment, Siderca has exercised control of Siat. In December 1992, Siderca transferred a 30% interest in Siat to Confab in exchange for a 30% interest in Confabs then subsidiary, Confab Tubos S.A.
Confab
In August 1999, Tenaris acquired through Siderca a 38.99% interest (99.22% of voting capital) in Confab for USD43.5 million. Since this initial investment, Siderca has exercised control of Confab. In addition to its main welded tubes business, Confab also manufactures and sells industrial equipment of various specifications and for diverse applications, including liquid and gas storage equipment, standard and high-pressure vessels, pulping equipment and direct fire heaters.
Tenaris Global Services
Over a number of years, San Faustín or its predecessor established various companies, representative offices and other assets around the world that provide sales and marketing services primarily to the Tenaris companies. On October 18, 2002, these companies, representative offices and other assets were separated from the Techint commercial network, an extensive commercial network with operations worldwide providing sales and marketing services to the Techint group, and reorganized as subsidiaries, representative offices and other assets of Tenaris Global Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tenaris. Furthermore, effective as of December 17, 2002, all the export agency agreements that the Tenaris companies were parties to with companies in the Techint commercial network not subject to the reorganization described above were assigned to Tenaris Global Services or its subsidiaries.
Dalmine Energie
Dalmine Energie was established in 1999 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dalmine. Initially formed to supply electricity to Dalmine and to other industrial users, it has rapidly expanded and currently supplies electricity to many industrial companies in northern and central Italy.
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Metalmecánica
Tenaris also has a 100% interest in Metalmecánica, an Argentine manufacturer of oil well sucker rods, couplings and accessories. Metalmecánica has production facilities in the Argentine province of San Luis and is the leading producer of sucker rods for the oil and gas industry in Latin America. Metalmecánica has an annual production capacity of 800,000 sucker rods and also produces couplings, accessories, weighted and polished bars all to the high specifications demanded by the oil and gas industry.
Other Investments
Amazonia
In January 1998, Amazonia purchased a 70.0% equity interest in Sidor from the Venezuelan government, which retained the remaining 30%. Tamsider held an initial 12.5% equity interest in Amazonia, which increased to 14.1% in March 2000 as a result of additional investments described below. As of December 31, 2002, Tamsiders equity interest in Amazonia remained at 14.1%.
In connection with the 2003 restructuring of Sidor and Amazonias debt discussed below, Tamsider is in the process of purchasing a 24.4% equity interest in Ylopa. After the consummation of the restructuring on June 20, 2003, Tamsider capitalized in Amazonia a convertible subordinated loan made to Amazonia in connection with the 2000 restructuring described below and, as a result, increased its participation in Amazonia to a 14.5% equity interest, and Ylopa held new debt instruments of Amazonia convertible, at Ylopas option at any time after June 20, 2005, into a 67.4% equity interest of Amazonia. In addition, the Venezuelan governments ownership in Sidor increased to 40.3%, while Amazonias beneficial ownership in Sidor decreased to 59.7%. As part of the June 2003 restructuring, all the Amazonia shares, as well as all the shares of Sidor held by Amazonia, were placed in trust with Banesco Banco Universal, as trustee.
Sidor, located in the city of Guayana in southeast Venezuela, is the largest integrated steel producer in Venezuela and the sixth largest integrated steel producer in Latin America, with an installed capacity of more than 3.5 million tons of liquid steel per year. Sidor shipped 2.9 million tons of steel in 2001, and 3.2 million tons in 2002.
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Siderar
Tenaris no longer owns any interest in Siderar. On December 4, 2001, Siderca disposed of its interest in Siderar through a dividend to Siderca shareholders. Immediately prior to the dividend, Siderca owned 10.71% of Siderar. As of December 4, 2001, when Siderca disposed of its interest in Siderar, other companies within the Techint group owned directly or indirectly additional interests in Siderar. With a total annual production capacity of two million tons of hot- and cold-rolled coils and sheets, Siderar is the principal integrated manufacturer of flat steel products in Argentina.
Raw Materials and Energy
At Tenariss integrated seamless steel pipe facilities in Argentina, Mexico and Italy, Tenariss principal raw materials are iron ore, ferrous scrap, pig iron, pre-reduced iron, DRI, including DRI in hot briquetted form, or HBI, and ferroalloys. These are processed in electric furnace steel shops into steel bars and ingots which are then further processed in our rolling mills and finishing lines into seamless steel products. In Argentina, Tenaris produces its own DRI using iron ore imported from neighboring Brazil and sources its ferrous scrap domestically through Scrapservice S.A., its Argentine scrap collecting and processing subsidiary. In Mexico, Tenaris imports most of its pig iron and DRI requirements and purchases ferrous scrap from domestic and international markets. In Italy, Tenaris purchases pig iron and ferrous scrap from European and international markets as well as special metals for certain products. Tenaris coordinates its purchases of ferroalloys worldwide. Below we have provided a more complete description of the raw material and energy situation at Tenariss integrated facilities in these three countries.
At Tenariss other seamless steel facilities, Tenaris uses round steel bars and ingots as its principal raw materials. In Japan, NKKTubes purchases these materials from JFE, and in Venezuela, Tavsa purchases these materials from
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Sidor. In each case, those purchases are made under supply arrangements pursuant to which the purchase price varies in relation to changes in the costs of production. As a result of their location within a larger production complex operated by the supplier, both NKKTubes and Tavsa are substantially dependent on these contracts for the supply of raw materials and energy. JFE uses imported iron ore, coal and ferroalloys as principal raw materials for producing steel bars at Keihin and Sidor uses domestic iron ore and domestic and imported ferroalloys as its principal raw materials. In Canada, AlgomaTubes uses steel billets currently supplied by Tenariss integrated facilities in Argentina and Mexico.
In its welded facilities, Tenaris purchases steel sheets and steel plates principally from domestic producers for processing into welded steel pipes.
Integrated Production Facility in Argentina
At its Campana facility in Argentina, operated by Siderca, Tenaris varies within limits the proportion of ferrous scrap iron to DRI that it uses to manufacture its products based on the relative price of these inputs. Tenaris consumed 583,000 tons of DRI and 438,000 tons of scrap in 2002 (compared to 529,000 tons of DRI and 624,000 tons of scrap in 2001).
Tenaris operates a Midrex DRI production plant in Argentina to generate DRI. Tenaris purchases its raw material requirements for manufacturing DRI in the form of pellets and lump ore under long-term contracts from suppliers in neighboring Brazil. Prices under these contracts are fixed on an annual basis in accordance with market conditions and follow the prices agreed between the major iron ore exporters and their main steel industry clients. Tenariss annual consumption of iron ore in Argentina ranges between 900,000 and 1,200,000 tons and is supplied primarily by Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, Minerações Brasileiras Reunidas and Samarco Mineração S.A. Tenaris transports the iron ore itself, taking advantage of dry bulk cargo vessels on their return from Europe and utilizing its own port facilities. Tenaris has the capacity to store approximately 350,000 tons of iron ore, or enough to supply its manufacturing activity in Argentina for four months. Tenariss average cost of iron ore decreased by 6% in 2002 compared to 2001.
Tenaris obtains a small portion of its ferrous scrap requirements from its internal operations. To meet the remainder of its requirements for ferrous scrap at competitive prices, Tenaris created Scrapservice, which is engaged in the processing of ferrous scrap from automobiles. Scrapservice processes approximately 300,000 tons of ferrous scrap per year. Tenariss average cost of ferrous scrap at Campana decreased by 47% in 2002 compared to 2001, due to the Argentine peso devaluation that has led to a substantial drop in terms of the U.S. dollar price of these inputs.
Tenaris consumes large quantities of electricity (approximately 1,000,000 megawatts per year) for its manufacturing activities at the Campana facility, particularly in the operation of the electric furnaces used to melt DRI and ferrous scrap. Argentina has a number of large hydroelectric, nuclear and other electricity-generating facilities that Tenaris believes will continue to ensure a reliable source of electric power. Moreover, the electricity-generation market was deregulated in 1989, which has stimulated investments in expanding capacity, greater competition and competitive prices. Tenaris obtains its requirements of electric power in Argentina through self-generation at its thermoelectric plant (28% of total in 2002) and supply contracts with local generators (72% of total in 2002). Tenariss average cost of electricity in Argentina decreased by 64% in 2002 compared to 2001, due to the Argentine peso devaluation that has led to a substantial drop in terms of the U.S. dollar price of these inputs.
On February 19, 2003, Siderca acquired from CenterPoint Energy Light, Inc., a subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc., a 100% interest in Reliant Energy Cayman Holdings, Ltd, a company whose principal asset is an electric power generating facility located in San Nicolás, 300 kilometers to the west of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The price paid was USD23.1 million. The power plant is a fully modern gas turbine facility which came on stream in 1998 and has a power generation capacity of 160 megawatts and steam production capacity of 250 tons per hour. As a result of the purchase, Tenariss operations at Siderca, which consume around 160 megawatts at peak production and an average of 90 megawatts, have become self-sufficient in electric power requirements. Power generated at the plant that is in excess of Sidercas requirements will be sold on the open market and steam will continue to be sold to Tenariss affiliate, Siderar, which operates a steel production facility in San Nicolás.
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Tenaris also consumes substantial volumes of natural gas in Argentina, particularly in the generation of DRI and to operate the thermoelectric plant. The natural gas market in Argentina was deregulated in 1992 and divided into three sectors: production, transportation and distribution. Tenaris entered into long-term supply arrangements with Repsol YPF and Tecpetrol S.A., a Techint group company, for the purchase of natural gas produced by these companies. These contracts expired in 2002 with the option for renewal. The Repsol YPF contract has been renegotiated and will expire in 2006. Tecpetrol supplies Siderca with such of Sidercas natural gas requirements that are not supplied by Repsol YPF on terms and conditions that are equivalent to those governing the supply of natural gas by Repsol YPF to Siderca. On April 4, 2003, Tecpetrol and Siderca entered into an agreement under which Siderca paid USD15.3 million for the advance purchase of 760 million cubic meters of natural gas to be delivered to Sidercas seamless steel pipe facilities and its newly acquired power generation facility over a period of five years on pricing terms that will enable Siderca to share through discounts the impact of any increase in natural gas prices over that period with Tecpetrol. Under the terms of this agreement, Siderca will have a minimum guaranteed return on this advance payment equal to LIBOR plus 3.5%. Tecpetrols sales to Siderca in 2002 amounted to USD3.4 million, USD4.5 million in 2001, and USD6.8 million in 2000. Tenaris has also entered into transportation and distribution agreements with Transportadora de Gas del Norte S.A., or TGN, and Gas Natural Ban S.A., or Gasban; these contracts will expire in 2004 and may be renewed at that time. The Techint group has a significant investment in TGN. Finally, for the distribution phase, Tenaris has entered into a supply contract with Gasban that expires in 2004. At times when the cost of natural gas is high, Tenaris can reduce its production of DRI by using more ferrous scrap and replace natural gas with fuel oil to operate the thermoelectric plant. Tenariss average cost of natural gas (including transportation and distribution) decreased by 62% in 2002 compared to 2001, due to the Argentine peso devaluation which has led to a substantial drop in terms of the U.S. dollar price of these inputs.
Integrated Production Facility in Mexico
At Tenariss Veracruz facility in Mexico, operated by Tamsa, Tenaris obtains its supply of DRI and pig iron mainly from foreign suppliers. During 2000, 2001 and 2002, the percentage of DRI, including HBI, and pig iron used in the steel shop represented approximately 37%, 38% and 40%, respectively, by weight, of the total metal requirements. Tenaris obtained the rest of its metal requirements for 2000, 2001 and 2002 from the domestic market, the United States and other scrap-exporting countries. Tenaris has its own scrap collection yard in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, which started operations in June 1998.
Reflecting the effects of worldwide steel crisis in 2001, the average cost of Tamsas metallic raw materials experienced a 14% decrease in 2001 followed by a gradual recovery that generated a 9% increase in raw material costs for 2002.
Tenariss purchases of raw materials through Tamsa are made pursuant to primarily short-term supply arrangements. However, to secure a long-term supply of HBI, Tenaris entered into an off-take contract with Complejo Siderúrgico de Guayana C.A., or Comsigua, to purchase on a take-and-pay basis 75,000 tons of HBI annually for twenty years beginning in April 1998 with an option to terminate the contract at any time after the tenth year upon one years notice. Pursuant to this off-take contract, Tenaris would be required to purchase the HBI at a formula price reflecting Comsiguas production costs during the first eight contract years; thereafter, it would purchase the HBI at a slight discount to market price. The agreements among the joint venture parties provide that, if during the eight-year period the average market price is lower than the formula price paid during such period, Tamsa would be entitled to a reimbursement of the difference plus interest, payable after the project financing and other specific credits are repaid. In addition, under the arrangements entered into with Comsiguas other shareholders, Tenaris has the option to purchase on an annual basis up to a further 80,000 tons of HBI produced by Comsigua at market prices. Under its off-take contract with Comsigua, as a result of weak market prices for HBI, Tenaris has paid higher-than-market prices for its HBI and has accumulated a credit that, at December 31, 2002, amounted to approximately USD12.6 million. This credit, however, is offset by a provision for an equal amount recorded as a result of Comsiguas weak financial condition.
In connection with Tenariss original 6.9% equity interest in the joint venture company, Tenaris paid USD8.0 million and agreed to cover its proportional share (7.5%) of Comsiguas cash operating and debt service shortfalls. In addition, Tenaris pledged its shares in Comsigua and provided a proportional guarantee in support of the USD156 million (USD88.5 million outstanding as of December 31, 2002) project financing loan made by the International Finance Corporation, or IFC, to Comsigua. In February and May 2002 and in January 2003, Tenaris was required to
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pay and accordingly paid an aggregate of USD1.5 million, representing its share of a shortfall of USD14.7 million payable by Comsigua under the IFC loan and additional operating shortfalls of USD5.3 million. Comsiguas financial condition has been adversely affected by the consistently weak international market conditions for HBI since its start-up in 1998 and, unless market conditions improve substantially, Tenaris may be required to make additional proportional payments in respect of its participation in the Comsigua joint venture and continue to pay higher-than-market prices for its HBI pursuant to its off-take contract.
Tenariss Veracruz facility consumes large quantities of electric power, particularly in operating the electric furnaces used to produce steel. This electric power is furnished by the Mexican government-owned Comisión Federal de Electricidad, or the Federal Electric Power Commission. Tenariss cost of electric power in Mexico increased by approximately 4% in 2001 and 1.4% in 2002. This increase is primarily due to higher electric power rates resulting from higher fuel prices and the appreciation of the Mexican peso.
Tenaris purchases from Pemex, at prevailing international prices, natural gas used for the furnaces that reheat steel ingots in the pipemaking process. Natural gas costs in Mexico increased approximately 21% in 2001, and due to the hedging strategy described below, natural gas costs decreased 19% in 2002. On February 22, 2001, Tenaris entered into a three-year agreement with Pemex to receive approximately 296,600 million British Thermal Units, or BTUs, of natural gas on a monthly basis from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2003, at a fixed price of USD4.00 per million of BTUs. In order to cover a decrease in natural gas prices, on March 2, 2001, Tenaris entered into a forward contract with Enron North America Corp., or Enron, with the option to sell up to 200,000 million BTUs per month of natural gas at a minimum base price of USD4.05 per million BTUs from March 2002, through December 2003. As a result of Enrons bankruptcy in late 2001, no reasonable prospect exists of exercising Tenariss option under this contract and, consequently, the premium paid to Enron of USD2.3 million for this put option was fully written off during the fourth quarter of 2001. In order to reduce its exposure to above-market prices under the natural gas supply agreement with Pemex, Tenaris entered into agreements with Citibank, N.A., New York, or Citibank, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, or JPMorgan Chase, in March 2002 and April 2002. The economic effect of the agreements with Citibank and JPMorgan Chase is to permit Tenaris to purchase 320,000 million BTUs per month at market prices instead of at the USD4.00 per million BTU rate charged by Pemex, resulting in a more favorable price to Tenaris for natural gas so long as the market price remains below USD4.00. Under the agreements with Citibank and JPMorgan Chase, Tenaris must continue to make its purchases of natural gas at market prices even if the market price rises above USD4.00 per million BTUs, thereby exposing Tenaris to the risk in the future of rising market prices. Also, under the agreements, Tenaris must continue to make purchases at the USD4.00 per million BTU rate if the market price of natural gas falls to USD2.00 per million BTUs or lower (as it did during the period from May 1, 2002, to February 28, 2003) or to USD2.25 per million BTUs or lower (as it must do during the period from March 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003). In addition, under each of the agreements with Citibank and JPMorgan Chase, Tenaris is required to purchase 160,000 million BTUs of natural gas per month from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005 at a price of USD2.765 per million BTUs.
Integrated Production Facility in Italy
At its facilities in Italy, operated by Dalmine, Tenaris purchases approximately 65% of its ferrous scrap requirements from the Italian market, 30% from the EU (excluding Italy) and the remainder from other parts of the world. Tenaris purchases its pig iron requirements primarily from Russia, Algeria, Turkey and the Ukraine; unlike ferrous scrap purchases, which are primarily denominated in euros, Tenariss pig iron purchases are usually denominated in U.S. dollars. High-alloy and other special quality steels are supplied under annual contracts, with prices closely linked to prevailing ferrous scrap prices. Ferrous scrap, pig iron, ferroalloys and special quality steel represented approximately 37% of our total production costs in 2002 and 39% in 2001 and 2000.
Tenariss main facility in Italy consumes large quantities of electric power, particularly in operating the electric furnace to produce steel. Until recently, Tenaris purchased its electric power requirements from GRTN at prices established for industrial users. In the first half of 1999, the Italian government instituted deregulation measures; in July 1999, Dalmine created a wholly-owned subsidiary, Dalmine Energie, to acquire electrical and other forms of energy at lower rates for Dalmine and for other companies in the Bergamo area belonging to the Consorzio Orobie Energia. Dalmine Energie began to operate in January 2000, after having identified sources for the purchase of electrical energy and entered into supply contracts with companies in the consortium. Today, all of Tenariss electric and gas power requirements are supplied by Dalmine Energie. Until recently, Tenaris purchased natural gas used to
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power the furnaces that reheat steel billets in the pipe manufacturing process from Snam. In October 2001, Tenaris began to purchase natural gas from Dalmine Energie, which has begun to provide natural gas in addition to the other forms of energy it supplies.
In 2002, Tenariss energy costs in Italy were approximately 16% of total production costs, compared to 15% in 2001 and 12% in 2000.
Employees
The following table shows the number of persons employed by Tenaris and its consolidated subsidiaries worldwide at the dates indicated.
At December 31, 2002, Siderca had 3,585 employees of whom about 70% are represented by the Unión Obrera Metalúrgica de la República Argentina, or UOMRA, the most important labor union in the steel manufacturing industry in Argentina, and 6% are represented by the Asociación de Supervisores de la Industria Metalmecánica de la República Argentina, or ASIMRA. Employees represented by UOMRA are included in a collective labor contract first entered into in 1975 that encompasses all workers in the steel and metallurgical industry. These employees are also included in supplemental agreements entered into between Siderca and them. These agreements regulate company-specific labor organization issues and compensation structures linked to performance, productivity, attendance, production levels, quality and company results. These supplemental agreements are subject to amendment if changing circumstances make it necessary, and have been continuously updated to address competitiveness, quality, security and efficiency goals. Employees represented by ASIMRA are subject only to Sidercas collective labor agreement entered into with ASIMRA. This collective labor agreement specifically establishes regulations relating to compensation, work organization, authorized absences, holidays, benefits and labor relations. Basic salary levels in the steel industry remained stable during the period in which the Convertibility Law was effective. The recent Argentine peso devaluation has led to a substantial drop in terms of the U.S. dollar values of these agreements.
The regulatory framework for employee termination allows an employer to discharge employees without cause if severance is paid based on the length of employment and determined pursuant to a specified formula. Additionally, Argentine Law No. 24,557, referred to as the Work Risk Law, establishes a compulsory insurance scheme to cover work-related injuries and illnesses. The Work Risk Law, which became effective on July 1, 1996, excludes employers from civil liability for work-related injuries and illnesses except in cases of employer fraud or, depending on judicial interpretation, gross negligence. The constitutionality of the Work Risk Law is currently being challenged.
In response to lower production levels brought about by the sharp and severe decline in oil prices late in 1998, Siderca instituted a voluntary retirement plan for its employees to address the elimination of its fourth production shift and productivity enhancement measures. This program offered some employees the option to leave Siderca on more favorable terms than those offered to employees terminated without cause under Argentine law and was carried out without union resistance or labor conflicts. Subsequently, Siderca reinstated its fourth production shift without a significant increase in the total number of employees.
Tenaris believes that it enjoys good relations with its employees and their unions in Argentina. The last strike by our Argentine employees took place from July to September 1992 and was organized by shop-floor workers. ASIMRA, which represents most of Sidercas job supervisors, has not called a strike in the last 15 years.
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At December 31, 2002, Tamsa and its consolidated subsidiaries had 2,664 employees, including temporary workers, of whom 1,650 were production, quality assurance and maintenance personnel. Approximately 1,280 employees are represented by a local affiliate of the Mexican Confederation of Workers, or MCW, the principal labor union in Mexico, with which Tamsa has had collective bargaining agreements since 1953.
Wages and benefits for unionized employees are fixed by contracts covering a one-year period beginning May 1 of each year. Negotiations with the MCW in 2001, 2002 and 2003 resulted in wage increases of 10%, 6% and 4.8%, respectively. On December 31, 2002, Tamsa determined a statutory profit sharing liability of MXP138,583 thousand for fiscal year 2002 that was paid in May 2003.
Tenaris believes that it enjoys satisfactory relations with its employees and the MCW in Mexico. Our ability to adapt to changing market conditions in 1998 and 1999 was made possible by the implementation of temporary shutdowns, which allowed for the adjustment of production levels to market demand while maintaining efficiency and operating margins. The technical suspensions, which are contemplated by Mexican labor law, were endorsed by the MCW.
At December 31, 2002, Dalmine had 3,171 employees, including temporary employees. Most of Dalmines employees belong to labor unions, the three largest of which are:
Dalmine has specific agreements with these labor unions for all employee categories governed by the Contratto Collettivo Nazionale di Lavoro, or the master national labor contract; these specific agreements address matters including salary levels, working hours and benefits. Dalmine also has supplementary agreements with these unions dealing with specific issues, such as incentive programs and workshift restructurings.
In April 1999, Dalmine and the trade unions signed an agreement to implement a two-year reorganization plan to manage lay-offs and personnel reduction plans. The agreement involves the payment of extraordinary unemployment benefits until April 2001, for lay-offs over the two-year period and the use of various tools (mobility, retirement, incentives, outplacements, professional re-training, new work arrangements) to reduce excess personnel by approximately 580 employees. The reorganization plan resulted in an accrual of 15 million, recorded under extraordinary expenses in 1999.
This reorganization plan was completed during the first half of 2001, achieving 80% success in reducing the workforce. However, in March 2001, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security issued guidelines on the application of Laws 257/92 and 271/93 concerning the payment of social security benefits to workers exposed to asbestos while working in its factories. Because of these early retirements, Dalmine decided not to request an extension of the agreement in order to fully implement its personnel reduction agreement.
In January 2003, Dalmine and the trade unions entered into a new agreement for the four-year period 2002-2005. This agreement sets forth a framework for industrial relations and provides for an incentive system that enhances the utilization of resources, gives additional operational flexibility in the facility and increases the proportion of performance-based components in total compensation.
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Tenaris believes that it enjoys satisfactory relations with its employees and their labor unions in Italy. Other than work stoppages for an aggregate period of 32 hours, 26 of which were organized by labor unions nationally at the industry level (and not specifically targeted at Dalmine), Dalmine has not experienced any work stoppages or other organized disruptions involving its employees in Italy in the last three years.
Product Quality Standards
Tenariss seamless steel pipes are manufactured in accordance with the specifications of the American Petroleum Institute, or API, and the American Society for Testing and Materials, or ASTM. The products must also satisfy Tenariss proprietary standards as well as its customers requirements. Tenaris maintains an extensive quality control program to ensure that its products continue to satisfy proprietary and industry standards and are competitive from a product quality standpoint with products offered by its competitors. Currently Tenaris maintains ISO 9001 certification from Det Norske Veritas, a requirement for selling to the major oil and gas companies which have rigorous quality standards. The ISO 9001 quality management system assures that the product complies with customer requirements from the acquisition of raw material to the delivery of the final product. ISO 9001 is designed to ensure the reliability of both the product and the processes associated with the manufacturing operation.
In October 2001, Tenaris obtained a global ISO 9001 certification issued by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance and applicable to all of Tenariss business. This ISO 9001 certification expires on December 14, 2003, at which time Tenaris intends to renew the certification.
Research and Development
Research and development, or R&D, of new products and processes to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of its customers is an important aspect of Tenariss business.
R&D activities are carried out primarily at specialized research facilities located at the Campana plant, operated by the Fundación para el Desarrollo Tecnológico, or Fudetec, and at the research facilities of the Centro Sviluppo Materiali S.p.A., or CSM, in Rome. Fudetec was founded in 1989 by members of the Techint group to promote industrial and technological development in Argentina. In May 1997, Dalmine invested Italian lire 1.4 billion (0.7 million) for an 8.3% interest in CSM.
Product development and research currently being undertaken include:
In addition to R&D aimed at new or improved products, Tenaris continuously studies opportunities to optimize its manufacturing processes. Recent projects in this area include ongoing studies for the addition of electromagnetic stirring to continuous casting with the goal of improving product quality and range.
Tenaris spent USD14.0 million for R&D in 2002, compared to USD9.7 million in 2001 and USD9.3 million in 2000.
Environmental Regulation
Tenaris is subject to a wide range of local, provincial and national laws, regulations, permits and decrees in the countries where it has manufacturing operations concerning, among other things, human health, discharges to the air and water and the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes. Compliance with these environmental laws and regulations is a significant factor in Tenariss business.
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Tenaris has not been fined for any material environmental violation in the last five years, and is not aware of any current material legal or administrative proceedings pending against it with respect to environmental matters which could have an adverse material impact on its financial condition or results of operations. Tenaris has not been required or requested, nor is it aware of any obligation, to conduct remedial activities at any of its sites or facilities.
In 1991, Tamsa initiated a series of studies regarding the effects of its industrial operations on the environment. In early 1992, Tamsa began projects to implement the recommendations of these studies and to maintain compliance with the latest laws and regulations of the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, the Mexican environmental regulatory agency more commonly known as the SEMARNAT (formerly Secretaría del Medio Ambiente, Recursos Naturales y Pesca, or SEMARNAP), regarding air, water and soil pollution control. In 1994, Tamsa requested a voluntary review of its facilities by the SEMARNAT. In 1995, Tamsa entered into an agreement with the SEMARNAT pursuant to which it agreed to conduct periodic internal audits and undertake a number of environmental improvements. The review concluded that Tamsa was in compliance with all but two defined environmental targets. Tamsa, in cooperation with the SEMARNAT, is working towards meeting the two outstanding targets, which relate to levels of dust generated by Tamsas manufacturing activities in Veracruz and soil conditions at Tamsas waste management site in Villa Rica. In an effort to meet environmental targets regarding dust levels, under a proposal approved by the SEMARNAT, Tamsa completed construction of a dust storage facility in December 2001. The facility is currently operational. Tamsa is currently working with the SEMARNAT in order to define the activities permissible at the site in Villa Rica.
Insurance
Tenaris carries property, accident, fire, third party liability and other insurance (such as vehicle insurance) in amounts which are customary in the steel products industry. In some cases, insurers have the option to replace damaged or destroyed plant and equipment rather than to pay Tenaris the insured amount. Tenaris does not carry loss-of-profit or business interruption insurance.
Litigation
BHP Proceedings
In June 1998, British Steel and Dalmine were sued by a consortium led by BHP before the Commercial Court of the High Court of Justice Queens Bench Division of London. The action concerns the failure of an underwater pipeline built in 1994 in the Bay of Liverpool. Dalmine, at that time a subsidiary of Ilva S.p.A., supplied pipe products to British Steel, which, in turn, resold them to BHP for use in constructing the Bay of Liverpool pipeline. BHP claimed that British Steel breached the contract of sale relating to the pipe and that the pipe was defectively manufactured by Dalmine.
The products sold were valued at 1.9 million British pounds and consisted of pipe for use in maritime applications. Dalmine received court notice of the action more than two years after the contractual warranty covering the pipe had expired and four years after the pipe was delivered and placed into operation. British Steel and Dalmine denied the claim on the basis that the warranty period had expired and, in the alternative, that the amount claimed exceeded the contractual limitation of liability (equal to 300,000 British pounds, or approximately 15% of the value of the products supplied).
The Commercial Court dismissed the contract claim against British Steel. The decision was subsequently confirmed by the Court of Appeals in a ruling issued on April 7, 2000, as a result of which the claim against British Steel was definitively dismissed. BHPs product liability claim against Dalmine remained outstanding.
On November 24, 2000, the Commercial Court granted BHP permission to amend its pleading against Dalmine to include a deceit tort claim under English law based on inconsistencies between the results of internal chemical tests performed by Dalmine on the pipe and the results shown in the quality certificates issued to BHP by Dalmine. In May 2002, the trial court issued a judgment in favor of BHP, holding that the products supplied by Dalmine were the cause for the failure of the gas pipeline and that Dalmine was liable for damages to BHP. The courts judgment was limited to the issue of liability, and the amount of damages to be awarded to BHP is being determined in a
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separate proceeding. Dalmines petition to the trial court for leave to appeal its judgment was denied, but subsequently granted by the Court of Appeals. However, on February 5, 2003, the Court of Appeals dismissed Dalmines appeal, closing the dispute on the issue of liability.
Based on the information provided so far by BHP, Dalmine considers that the compensation requested to cover the cost of replacing the pipeline exceeds the cost actually incurred for such purpose. Taking into consideration such information and the preliminary views of independent experts, Dalmine believes that certain of the other claims fail to show an appropriate connection with the events for which Dalmine was found responsible, while others appear to exceed the damage actually incurred.
Dalmine created a provision in the amount of 45 million in its results for 2001 to account for probable losses as a result of BHPs lawsuit, which had a substantial adverse effect on its earnings for that year. During 2002, in light of the complexity and diversity of the elements introduced into the proceedings by BHP and the consequent inability to estimate with precision Dalmines liability, Dalmine increased the amount of the provision by 20 million, inclusive of interest accrued and legal expenses incurred in connection with such proceedings. Dalmine has stated that the provision was created and increased as a prudent way of complying with applicable accounting principles, and should therefore not be regarded as an admission of indemnification payable to the plaintiffs.
The pipe that is the subject of this lawsuit was manufactured and sold, and the tort alleged by BHP took place, prior to the privatization of Dalmine, and Techint Investments (the Siderca subsidiary party to the contract pursuant to which Dalmine was privatized) believes that, under the Dalmine privatization contract, Techint Investments should be entitled to recover from Fintecna on behalf of Dalmine (as a third party beneficiary under the Dalmine privatization contract), 84.08% of any damages it may be required to pay BHP. Techint Investments has commenced arbitration proceedings against Fintecna to compel it to indemnify Dalmine for any amounts Dalmine may be required to pay BHP. Fintecna has denied that it has any contractual obligation to indemnify Dalmine, asserting that the indemnification claim is time-barred under the terms of the privatization contract and, in any event, subject to a cap of 13 million. Techint Investments disputes this assertion. The arbitration proceedings were suspended at a preliminary stage pending a decision by the British trial court in BHPs lawsuit against Dalmine. Upon request by Techint Investments and Dalmine, the arbitration panel decided to resume the proceedings in light of the court of appeals recent decision to dismiss Dalmines appeal against the judgment of liability in favor of BHP.
U.S. Seamless Steel Pipe Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings
OCTG and some of Tenariss other products have been the subject of administrative proceedings in the United States based on allegations that Tenaris sold those products in the United States at less than fair value (antidumping proceedings) or that Tenaris received unfair government subsidies (countervailing duty proceedings). As a result, OCTG and some of Tenariss other products are subject to substantial additional duties in the United States, essentially closing the U.S. market to many of Tenariss principal products and limiting Tenariss growth opportunities in an important market for seamless steel pipe products. Tenaris has repeatedly challenged the imposition of those tariffs and intends to continue to challenge them, but we cannot assure you that they will be reduced or eliminated in the future. We have provided an overview of these proceedings and their current status below.
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Tenaris has several pending appeals challenging the U.S. governments decision to continue the antidumping measures on Tenariss OCTG. Nonetheless, the effect of the proceeding described above is essentially to close the U.S. market for Tenaris in these products.
In June 2001, the United States initiated a proceeding known as a 201 Investigation to impose measures that would safeguard the U.S. steel industry from increasing imports of several different steel products. Seamless tubular products of the type produced by Tenaris were determined not to be causing or threatening serious injury to the U.S. industry, and therefore were excluded from the relief ultimately granted to the U.S. industry. All steel products from Canada and Mexico were excluded for the additional reason that the special requirements of the NAFTA Agreement had not been satisfied in the case.
In April 2002, the Canadian Government initiated a similar safeguard investigation against certain steel products, including certain seamless pipe. The Canadian Government decided in May 2003 to conclude the investigation for all products.
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On May 20, 2002, the Government of the Peoples Republic of China initiated a similar safeguard investigation against certain steel products imports including OCTG and line pipe used for oil and gas pipelines. Provisional measures were imposed for six months. On November 20, 2002, this investigation was concluded and seamless pipes were excluded from the safeguard measures.
Argentine Tax Dispute
On December 18, 2000, Siderca was notified by the Argentine tax authorities that, in its view, Sidercas taxable income in each of fiscal year 1995 and fiscal year 1997 was understated by ARP78.9 million. As of December 31, 2002, Sidercas exposure in connection with this tax dispute was ARP41.7 million, including ARP27.7 million in principal and ARP14.1 million in interest accrued on the amount in controversy through such date. The allegedly unpaid principal will continue to accrue interest at the rate of 4% per month. Siderca believes that the amount of the alleged understatement, which related to the conversion of tax write-offs into debt consolidation bonds, was not taxable and, accordingly, has not recorded any provision in its financial statements. Siderca has appealed the Argentina tax authoritys decision to the federal tax court.
Other Proceedings
Three of Dalmines former managers have been named as defendants in a criminal proceeding, arising from the death of, or, in some cases, injuries to certain employees, before the Court of Bergamo, Italy, based on alleged negligence in having omitted to inform the employees working in a specific area of the mill of the risks connected with the use of asbestos and for having omitted to take any measures to prevent the risks connected with the use of asbestos in certain areas of Dalmines manufacturing facilities from 1960 to the early 1980s. If its former managers are held responsible, Dalmine will be liable for damages to the 21 affected employees or their respective estates, as applicable. Dalmine is also a defendant in two civil proceedings for work-related injuries arising from its use of asbestos. The first of these proceedings was instituted on February 14, 2001, before the Court of Bergamo, Italy, by the estate of Luigi Pedruzzi, for damages in an aggregate amount of approximately 640,000. The other proceeding was instituted on June 5, 2001, before the Commissione Provinciale di Conciliazione of Bergamo, Italy, the mediation commission for the province of Bergamo, by the estate of Elio Biffi for an aggregate amount of approximately 770,000. In addition, some other asbestos-related out-of-court claims have been forwarded to Dalmine. The aggregate relief currently sought in out-of-court claims is approximately 3.8 million, although damages have not yet been specified in some cases. Of the 46 claims (inclusive of the 21 claims of the affected employees relating to the criminal proceeding and the out-of-court claims), 19 incidents have already been settled, either by Dalmine or by Dalmines insurer. Dalmine estimates that its potential liability in connection with the remaining cases not yet settled or covered by insurance is approximately 7.0 million. This amount was recognized as a provision for liabilities and expenses as of December 31, 2002. While Dalmine may be subject to additional asbestos-related claims in the future, Tenaris, based on recent trends at Dalmine, does not believe that asbestos-related liabilities arising from claims already filed against Dalmine or from future asbestos-related claims are reasonably likely to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to its results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
Tenaris and its subsidiaries are also involved in legal proceedings incidental to the normal conduct of their business, for which we have made provisions in accordance with our corporate policy and any applicable rules. Tenaris believes its provisions are adequate. Tenaris does not believe that liabilities relating to these proceedings are likely to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to its consolidated financial position.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
General
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In the last decade, Tenaris has successfully expanded its business through a series of strategic investments. Tenaris now operates a worldwide network of seamless steel pipe operations with manufacturing facilities in South America, North America, Europe and Asia and an annual production capacity of over three million tons of seamless steel pipe products, compared to 800,000 tons in the early 1990s. In addition to its investments in seamless steel pipe operations worldwide, Tenaris also owns controlling interests in the leading producers of welded steel pipes in Argentina and Brazil, with a combined annual production capacity of 850,000 tons. Furthermore, Tenaris has developed competitive and far reaching global distribution capabilities, with a direct presence in most major oil and gas markets.
The global market for seamless steel pipe products is highly competitive, with the primary competitive prices being price, quality and service. Tenaris competes worldwide against primarily four foreign producers of seamless steel pipe products. Tenariss largest markets for seamless steel products are in the countries in which it has manufacturing subsidiaries (Argentina and Venezuela in South America, Mexico and Canada in North America, Italy in Europe and Japan in the Far East). Tenariss sales in these and other markets are sensitive to the international price of oil and gas and its impact on the drilling activity of participants in the oil and gas sectors, as well as to general economic conditions in these markets. Tenariss European market is also affected by general industrial production trends, including investment in power generation, petrochemical and oil refining facilities. Tenariss sales to the United States are mainly directed to the industrial sector and are affected by trends in industrial activity since anti-dumping duties apply in respect of the import of OCTGs produced by Tenariss main subsidiaries.
The market for Tenariss welded steel pipes is principally affected by investment in gas pipeline projects, especially in South America. In 2002, sales of welded steel pipes were strong, reflecting a period of high demand for such products in connection with the construction of large pipeline projects in South America, such as those in Ecuador and Peru, as well as ongoing pipeline network integration projects in the region. Deliveries of welded steel pipes to those projects in Ecuador and Peru have now been substantially completed but demand from oil and gas pipeline projects in Tenariss local market of Brazil has increased beginning in 2003.
For a more complete description of Tenariss business and market position, and the competitive and other factors that could affect Tenariss financial condition and results of operations, see Item 4.A. Information on the Company.
Operating Results
The following discussion and analysis of Tenariss financial condition and results of operations are based on the audited consolidated combined financial statements of Tenaris included elsewhere in this annual report. Accordingly, this discussion and analysis present Tenariss financial condition and results of operations on a consolidated and combined basis. See Presentation of Certain Financial and Other InformationAccounting PrinciplesTenaris and notes A and B to the consolidated combined financial statements of Tenaris included in this annual report.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements and the related notes included in this annual report. Tenaris prepares its consolidated combined financial statements in conformity with IAS, which differ in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. See notes U and 31 to Tenariss consolidated combined financial statements included in this annual report, which include a description of the principal differences between IAS and U.S. GAAP as they relate to Tenariss consolidated combined financial statements and a reconciliation of net income and shareholders equity for the periods and at the dates indicated.
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The following table sets forth Tenariss operating and other costs and expenses as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated.
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2002, Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2001
Sales volume
The following table shows Tenariss sales volume of seamless and welded steel pipe products by geographical region for the periods indicated.
Tenariss sales volume of seamless steel pipe products decreased by 15% to 2,283,000 tons in 2002 from 2,673,000 tons in 2001. This significant decrease in sales volume primarily reflected the effects of lower levels of oil and gas drilling activity worldwide, as well as persistently lower levels of industrial production in the principal industrial regions of North America, Europe and Japan. Although oil prices remained at levels which, under typical circumstances, would have been expected to result in sustained levels of investment in oil and gas drilling, oil and gas exploration and production activity was affected by increased uncertainty over the future level of oil prices as a result of the prospects of military action against Iraq and production cutbacks established by OPEC.
Sales volume of seamless steel pipe products decreased in all of Tenariss markets as a result of the contraction affecting the oil and gas and industrial sectors worldwide. Sales of seamless steel pipe products were further affected
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in South America than in the other markets as a result of the political and economic developments that affected Argentina and Venezuela, Tenariss main South American markets.
Sales volumes of welded steel pipe products increased by 35% to 585,000 tons in 2002 from 432,000 tons in 2001, reflecting a period of high demand for welded steel pipes in connection with South American gas pipeline projects in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, which more than offset reduced sales in the Argentine market.
Sales of electric energy (all in Italy to unaffiliated parties) increased by 12% to 2,066 GWh in 2002 from 1,846 GWh in 2001. This 12% increase reflected an increase in volumes of electricity sold mainly as a result of the expansion of the customer base. Sales of natural gas (all in Italy) increased to 463 million scm in 2002 from 21 million scm in 2001. This 2,105% increase was attributable to the inclusion of sales of natural gas for an entire year following the commencement of these sales in December 2001.
Sales of other products and services (mainly sales of Sidors flat products by Tenaris Global Services in Europe and North America) increased by 133% to 401,000 tons in 2002 from 172,000 tons in 2001. Sales of other products and services have been discontinued following the reorganization of Tenaris Global Services as a subsidiary of Tenaris.
Net sales
Net sales in 2002 totaled USD3,219.4 million, compared to USD3,174.3 million in 2001. This 1.4% increase resulted from increased sales volumes for welded pipes, increased sales of electricity and natural gas, increased sales of other steel products and increased average net sales prices for seamless steel pipes, which offset the effect of an overall reduction in seamless steel pipes sales volumes.
Net sales (by business segment)
The following table shows Tenariss net sales by business segment in terms of U.S. dollars for the periods indicated.
The following table indicates the distribution of Tenariss net sales by business segment for the periods indicated.
Net sales of seamless steel pipe products in 2002 amounted to USD2,241.4 million, compared to USD2,496.5 million in 2001. This 10% decrease was due to a 15% overall reduction is sales volumes, partially offset by increased average net sales prices. Despite declining global market prices for seamless steel pipe products and lower prices in the Argentine market, average net sales prices for Tenariss seamless pipe products increased as a result of higher U.S. dollar market prices in Europe; in addition, Tenaris sold a higher proportion of seamless steel pipes with significant value added in terms of heat treatment, finishing and services.
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Net sales of welded steel pipe products in 2002 amounted to USD580.0 million, compared to USD432.6 million in 2001. This 34% increase was primarily attributable to higher sales volumes. Sales of welded pipes included sales of metal structures made by Tenariss Brazilian welded pipe subsidiary in the amount of USD83.5 million in 2002, compared to USD70.5 million in 2001.
Net sales of energy (sales of electricity and natural gas in Italy to unaffiliated parties) totaled USD210.4 million in 2002, compared to USD113.1 million in 2001. This 86% increase reflected an increase in volumes of electricity sold, a contemporaneous increase in energy prices and the inclusion of revenues generated by sales of natural gas for an entire year following the commencement of these sales in December 2001.
Net sales of other products and services amounted to USD187.6 million in 2002, compared to USD132.0 million in 2001. This 42% increase was mainly due to increased sales of other steel products by Tenaris Global Services, which amounted to USD129.3 million in 2002, compared to USD56.9 million in 2001. Sales of these other steel products have been discontinued following the reorganization of Tenaris Global Services as a subsidiary of Tenaris.
Net sales (by geographical segment)
The following table shows Tenariss net sales by region in terms of U.S. dollars for the periods indicated.
The following table indicates the percentage market distribution of Tenariss net sales by region for the periods indicated.
Net sales in South America amounted to USD956.4 million in 2002, compared to USD971.1 million in 2001. This 2% decrease primarily resulted from a significant reduction in sales volumes of seamless steel pipe products largely offset by a significant increase in sales volumes of welded pipe products.
Net sales in North America amounted to USD577.3 million in 2002, compared to USD611.7 million in 2001. This 6% decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in sales volumes of seamless steel pipes, partially offset by an increase in sales of other steel products.
Net sales in Europe totaled USD829.7 million in 2002, compared to USD680.5 million in 2001. This 22% increase was primarily attributable to increased sales of electricity and natural gas by Dalmine Energie, increased sales of other steel products and higher U.S. dollar sales prices for Tenariss seamless pipe products in Europe, which more than offset a reduced sales volumes of seamless steel pipe products.
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Net sales in the Middle East and Africa totaled USD511.1 million in 2002, compared to USD520.9 million in 2001. This 2% decrease was primarily the result of reduced sales volumes of seamless steel pipes, partially offset by higher average selling prices.
Net sales in the Far East and Oceania totaled USD344.9 million in 2002, compared to USD390.1 million in 2001. This 12% decrease was primarily due to a reduction in sales volume.
Cost of sales
Cost of sales, expressed as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 67.4% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, from 68.2% for the previous fiscal year. This decrease resulted from lower cost of sales for seamless and welded steel pipe products, partially offset by higher sales of energy products and other low-margin steel products.
Cost of sales for seamless steel pipe products, expressed as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 63.4% in 2002 from 66.6% in 2001. This improvement was caused principally by sharply-reduced cost of sales at Tenariss operations in Argentina, partially offset by higher cost of sales at Tenariss operations in Mexico and Italy. The reduced costs in Argentina reflected the effects of the substantial devaluation of the Argentine peso on those costs denominated in Argentine pesos, the effects of which were offset only in part by concurrent inflation over the period. The increased costs in Mexico were the result of higher energy and raw material costs, while the increased costs in Italy were attributable to the appreciation of the Euro against the U.S. dollar.
Cost of sales for welded steel pipe products, expressed as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 65.4% in 2002 from 67.9% in 2001. This improvement was caused principally by higher volumes leading to lower fixed and semi-fixed costs on a per ton basis.
Cost of sales for energy products, expressed as a percentage of net sales, decreased marginally to 94.4% in 2002 from 95.1% in 2001.
Cost of sales for other products and services, expressed as a percentage of net sales, increased to 90.5% in 2002 from 76.3% in 2001. This increase was due to sharply increased sales volumes of low-margin and other steel products.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, increased significantly to USD568.1 million, or 17.6% of net sales, compared to USD502.7 million, or 15.8% of net sales, during 2001. This increase resulted primarily from increased selling expenses at Tenariss welded pipe operations in Brazil, newly-introduced export, financial transaction and other non-income related taxes in Argentina and higher selling expenses associated with an increased supply of value-added services to customers, which more than offset a reduction in general and administration expenses at Tenariss operations in Argentina following the substantial devaluation of the Argentine peso. Tenariss increased selling expenses in Brazil were attributable to higher export sales, changes in selling conditions and costs incurred in settling a contractual claim.
Other operating income (expenses), net
Other operating expenses were USD10.8 million in 2002, compared to USD64.4 million in 2001. The improvement was mainly attributable to higher other operating income and the effect of provisions recorded in respect of the BHP litigation.
Other operating income of USD15.6 million in 2002, compared to USD0.6 million in 2001, resulted from insurance reimbursements, gains on government securities and proceeds from the sale of warehouses.
Other operating expenses amounted to USD26.4 million in 2002, compared to USD64.9 million in 2002. Other operating expenses in 2001 included USD41.1 million corresponding to a provision established at Dalmine in
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respect of the BHP proceedings, while other operating expenses in 2002 primarily reflected a USD18.9 million increase in such provision.
Financial income (expenses), net
Financial results showed a net loss of USD20.6 million in 2002, compared to a net loss of USD25.6 million in 2001. This improvement was mainly attributable to reduced net interest expenses of USD20.3 million in 2002, compared to USD41.1 million in 2001, as a result of lower net debt, partially offset by a loss of USD8.8 million due to an increase in financial discounts on U.S. dollar-denominated sales credits to customers in Argentina following the devaluation of the Argentine peso and a loss of USD5.3 million due to lower exchange related gains.
Equity in earnings (losses) of associated companies
Tenariss share in the results of associated companies generated a loss of USD6.8 million in 2002, compared to a loss of USD41.3 million in 2001. This decreased loss was primarily attributable to lower losses associated with Tenariss investment in Amazonia (USD7.7 million in 2002, compared to USD31.3 million in 2001). In addition, in 2001 Tenaris disposed of its interests in Siderar and DMV Stainless, which had generated losses of USD9.8 million in 2001.
Income tax
Tenaris recorded an income tax provision of USD219.3 million in 2002, compared to an income tax provision of USD109.0 million in 2001. In 2002, Tenaris also recovered USD36.8 million in income taxes following a favorable tax judgment in a claim brought by Tenariss main subsidiary in Mexico. The 101% increase in Tenariss income tax provision mainly reflected the higher operating income of Tenariss subsidiaries in Argentina as a result of the sharp reduction in their costs of sales following the devaluation of the Argentine peso and the other income arising as a result of the effect of the devaluation of the Argentine peso on the monetary position in foreign currency (including assets held in trust funds) of Tenariss subsidiaries in Argentina.
Effect of currency translation on tax bases
In 2001, Tenariss net income was negatively affected by a deferred tax charge of USD109.9 million due to the effect of the devaluation of the Argentine peso on the tax bases of the non-monetary assets of its subsidiaries in Argentina. In 2002, Tenariss net income was negatively affected by a further deferred tax charge of USD25.3 million for the same concept. See note 7(iii) to Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements at, and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.
Minority interest
Minority interest showed a loss of USD142.4 million in 2002, compared to a loss of USD74.6 million in 2001. This increased loss is primarily due to the improvement in the results of most of the Tenaris companies and the consequent increases in the amounts attributable to minority interests in those companies, especially in:
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Minority interest attributable to participations in Siderca, Tamsa and Dalmine acquired in the exchange offer consummated in December 2002 showed a loss of USD99.5 million in 2002, compared to a loss of USD54.5 million in 2001.
Net income (loss)
Tenaris recorded net income of USD94.3 million in 2002, compared to USD81.3 million in 2001. Net income before deduction of minority interest attributable to participations in consolidated subsidiaries acquired in the exchange offer completed in December 2002 increased to USD193.8 million in 2002, compared to USD135.8 million in 2001. This improvement was attributable to a variety of factors, including improved operating and financial results, reduced losses in associated companies and an income tax recovery at Tenariss principal subsidiary in Mexico, partially offset by an increase in income tax provision.
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2001, Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2000
Tenariss sales volume of seamless steel pipe products in 2001 increased by 23.6% to 2,673,000 tons from 2,162,000 tons in 2000. This significant increase in sales volume reflects the inclusion of sales from Tenariss operations in Japan and Canada for an entire period following the commencement of such operations in 2002, as well as the strong demand for Tenariss seamless steel products in the export markets as a result of increased drilling activity in the international oil and gas sector motivated by favorable oil prices. Demand for Tenariss seamless steel pipe products began to decline in the last quarter of 2001 as a result of lower and more volatile oil prices and the slowdown in global industrial production exacerbated by the events of September 11, 2001.
Sales volume of seamless steel pipe products increased in all of Tenariss markets as a result of sustained demand from export oil and gas customers reflecting strong investment in exploration and production activities. The increase was much higher in the Far East and Oceania as a result of the inclusion of sales from Tenariss operations in Japan for an entire year.
Welded steel pipe sales volume in 2001 rose 70.8% to 432,000 tons from 253,000 tons in 2000, reflecting high demand for Tenariss products from pipeline projects in the Americas and the Middle East.
Sales of electric energy (all in Italy to unaffiliated parties) increased to 1,846 GWh in 2001 from 1,506 GWh in 2000. This 23.0% increase reflected an increase in volumes of electricity sold mainly as a result of the expansion of the customer base. Sales of natural gas (all in Italy), which commenced in December 2001, amounted to 21 million scm.
Sales of other steel products (mainly sales of Sidors flat products by Tenaris Global Services in Europe and North America) increased by 142.3% to 172,000 tons in 2001 from 71,000 tons in 2000.
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Net sales in 2001 totaled USD3,174.3 million, an increase of 34.4% compared to USD2,361.3 million in 2000, primarily due to higher sales volumes and higher average selling prices for both seamless and welded steel pipe products. In addition, there were increased sales of electricity and natural gas and of other steel products.
Net sales of seamless steel pipe products in 2001 amounted to USD2,496.5 million, compared to USD1,991.9 million in 2000. This 25% increase was primarily due to higher sales volumes and higher average selling prices.
Net sales of welded steel pipe products in 2001 amounted to USD432.6 million, compared to USD209.0 million in 2000. This 107% increase was primarily attributable to higher sales volumes and higher average selling prices.
Net sales of energy (sales of electricity and natural gas in Italy to unaffiliated parties) totaled USD113.1 million in 2001, compared to USD58.7 million in 2000. This 93% increase reflected an increase in volumes of electricity sold.
Net sales of other products and services amounted to USD132.0 million in 2001, compared to USD101.7 million in 2000. This 30% increase was mainly due to increased sales of other steel products by Tenaris Global Services.
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Net sales in South America amounted to USD971.1 million in 2001, compared to USD668.1 million in 2000. This 45% increase was primarily due to sharply increased sales of welded pipe products and higher sales of seamless steel pipe products in Argentina and Venezuela.
Net sales in North America amounted to USD611.7 million in 2001, compared to USD421.6 million in 2000. This 45% increase was primarily attributable to higher sales of seamless steel pipe products as a result of the inclusion of sales from Tenariss operations in Canada for an entire year, higher average selling price and higher sales of other steel products. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in sales to non-oil related customers in Mexico.
Net sales in Europe totaled USD680.5 million in 2001, compared to USD590.9 million in 2000. This 15% increase was primarily attributable to increased sales of electricity by Dalmine Energie and higher sales volumes of seamless steel pipe products.
Net sales in the Middle East and Africa totaled USD520.9 million in 2001, compared to USD429.0 million in 2000. This 21% increase was primarily the result of sustained demand from export oil and gas customers, reflecting strong investment in exploration and production activities.
Net sales in the Far East and Oceania totaled USD390.1 million in 2001, compared to USD251.7 million in 2000. This 55% increase was primarily due to the inclusion of sales from Tenariss operations in Japan for an entire year and sustained demand from export oil and gas customers, reflecting strong investment in exploration and production activities.
Cost of sales, expressed as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 68.2% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, from 71.7% for the previous fiscal year. This decrease primarily resulted from lower cost of sales for seamless and welded pipe products, partially offset by higher sales of low-margin energy products.
Cost of sales for seamless steel pipe products, expressed as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 66.6% in 2001 from 70.0% in 2000. This decrease in cost was primarily the result of higher average selling prices and higher absorption of fixed and semi-fixed costs due to increased sales volume.
Cost of sales for welded steel pipe products, expressed as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 67.9% in 2001 from 81.2% in 2000. This decrease in costs was due primarily to higher average selling prices and higher absorption of fixed and semi-fixed costs as a result of higher sales volume.
Cost of sales for energy products, expressed as a percentage of net sales, increased to 95.1% in 2001 from 85.4% in 2000. This increase in costs was primarily due to a decrease in operating margins in 2001 as the energy trade business in Italy matured and competition increased.
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Cost of sales for other products and services, expressed as a percentage of net sales, slightly decreased to 76.3% in 2001 from 77.2% in 2000.
SG&A during 2001 were USD502.7 million, or 15.8% of net sales, compared to USD433.6 million, or 18.4% of net sales, for 2000. This improvement reflects a reduction in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales resulting from higher absorption of these expenses. Selling expenses, which relate primarily to export sales and are inherently variable, increased in U.S. dollar terms due mainly to higher export volumes resulting in higher selling costs (including sales commissions), but remained stable as a percentage of net sales.
Other net operating expenses were USD64.4 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, compared to a net gain of USD5.9 million in the previous fiscal year. This significant deterioration was mainly attributable to the creation of a provision at Dalmine in respect of the BHP litigation (USD41.1 million), an additional provision by Siderca related to the impairment of certain credits with the Argentine government (USD9.0 million) and a non-recurring provision by Confab (USD7.7 million) representing the entirety of an amount in controversy in connection with a tax dispute.
Financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, showed a net financial loss of USD25.6 million, compared to USD47.9 million in the previous fiscal year. This variation was mainly attributable to the effect of the Argentine peso devaluation on Argentine peso-denominated net liabilities, which, in spite of having occurred in January 2002, was required to be recorded in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001. This effect was partially offset by higher net interest payments principally due to higher net financial debt.
Tenariss share in the results of associated companies generated a loss of USD41.3 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, compared to a loss of USD3.8 million for the previous fiscal year. This increased loss was primarily due to the performance of Tenariss investments in:
Tenaris no longer owns any interest in either Siderar or DMV Stainless.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, Tenaris recorded an income tax provision of USD109.0 million, compared to an income tax provision of USD63.3 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000. This 72.2% increase was mainly due to improved operating results.
This charge of USD109.9 million reflects an increased deferred income tax charge in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, due to the effect of the devaluation of the Argentine peso on the tax bases of the non-monetary
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assets of its subsidiaries in Argentina. See note 7(ii) to Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements at, and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001.
Minority interest for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, showed a loss of USD74.6 million compared to a loss of USD47.4 million in the previous fiscal year. This increased loss is primarily due to the improvement in the results of most of the Tenaris companies and the consequent increases in the amounts attributable to minority interests in those companies, especially in:
Tenaris recorded net income of USD81.3 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, compared to net income of USD76.7 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000. This 6.0% increase was due to improved operating results, partially offset by the effect of the devaluation of the Argentine peso on the tax bases of the non-monetary assets of its subsidiaries in Argentina, an increase in income tax provision and losses from Tenariss investment in Amazonia.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Tenariss cash and cash equivalents increased by USD90.7 million to USD304.5 million from USD213.8 million at December 31, 2001. In addition, Tenaris had investments of USD135.8 million in trust funds established to support the operations of its subsidiaries in Argentina and Brazil.
Net cash provided by operations was USD461.4 million in 2002.
Net cash used in investing activities was USD180.6 million during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. The principal uses of funds in investing activities during the period included USD124.6 million in investments in property, plant and equipment, USD23.0 million in investments in intangible assets, USD32.3 million in
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investments in trust funds established to support Tenariss operations in Argentina and Brazil and USD14.8 million in costs relating to the exchange offer completed in December 2002, partially offset by USD14.4 million provided by sales of sales of property, plant and equipment. Net capital expenditure (inclusive of investment in intangible assets) was USD133.2 million, compared to a net capital expenditure of USD183.0 million in 2001.
Net cash used in financing activities was USD184.4 million, consisting of net repayment of bank and financial loans of USD103.6 million and dividend payments of USD80.8 million.
Net working capital, calculated as the excess of current assets over current liabilities, increased by USD73.1 million reflecting an increase in trade and other receivables (USD156.2 million) and decreases in inventories (USD46.1 million), advances from customers (USD32.3 million) and trade payables (USD28.9 million). We believe that the net working capital is sufficient to meet Tenariss liquidity needs for the present and the foreseeable future.
Tenariss debt to total assets ratio remained stable at 0.53 to 1 at December 31, 2002, compared to 0.53 to 1 at December 31, 2001.
Tenariss cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2001, increased to USD213.8 million from USD96.9 million at December 31, 2000.
Net cash provided by operations was USD544.2 million during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001.
Net cash used in investment activities was USD284.3 million during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001. The principal uses of funds in investment activities during this period included USD200.0 million in investments in property, plant and equipment, USD103.4 million in the creation of a trust fund outside Argentina and USD22.8 million in intangible asset acquisitions. Investment activities provided USD39.9 million from sales of property, plant and equipment.
Net cash used in financing activities was USD138.0 million, consisting principally of payments of cash dividends primarily by Siderca and Tamsa (USD66.1 million), a net decrease in minority interest (USD46.6 million), a net change in ownership in Siderca, Tamsa and Dalmine (USD10.6 million) and net repayments of bank and financial loans (USD14.8 million).
Net working capital was USD534.2 million at December 31, 2001, compared to USD468.3 million at December 31, 2000. The principal reasons for this variation were an increase in cash and cash equivalents, inventories and trade receivables and a decrease in borrowings, partially offset by an increase in other liabilities, trade payables and provisions.
Tenariss debt to total assets ratio was 0.53 to 1 at December 31, 2001, compared to 0.49 to 1 at December 31, 2000.
Financings
Tenariss consolidated financial debt at December 31, 2002, net of cost of issuance of debt, was USD715.9 million, compared to USD765.5 million at December 31, 2001. Of this amount, USD288.9 million was denominated in U.S. dollars and USD427.0 million was non-USD denominated.
Of Tenariss debt at December 31, 2002, USD393.7 million was short-term and USD322.2 million long-term.
Of Tenariss total consolidated financial debt, USD641.0 million were bank borrowings with an average interest rate of 3.61%, USD9.6 million were bank overdrafts with an average interest rate of 4.30%, USD54.2 million were debentures and other loans with an average interest rate of 3.99% and USD11.6 million were finance lease liabilities with an average interest rate of 3.56%. The cost of issuance of debt amounted to 0.5 million.
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Neither Tenaris nor any of its subsidiaries has any limitation on investments in property, plant and equipment or in other companies. Dividend payments and repurchase of shares are not prohibited by any event of default or covenants under any present loan agreement. At December 31, 2002, Tenaris and all of its subsidiaries were in compliance with all applicable financial and other covenants.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The following table summarizes Tenariss contractual obligations at December 31, 2002, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on its liquidity and cash flow in future periods:
Off-balance sheet commitments are discussed in note 24(vii) to Tenariss consolidated combined financial statements of Tenaris included in this annual report.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Tenariss operating and financial review and prospects are based on Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IAS. The use of IAS as opposed to U.S. GAAP has an impact on Tenariss critical accounting policies and estimates. The application of U.S. GAAP would have affected the determination of consolidated combined net income (loss) for the periods ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, and the determination of consolidated combined shareholders equity and consolidated combined financial position as of December 31, 2002 and 2001. See notes U and 31 to Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements included in this annual report, which provide a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of Tenariss results of operations and shareholders equity.
The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to doubtful accounts, impairment of long-term investments and contingencies. Management bases its estimates on historical experience of the Tenaris companies and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believe the following critical accounting policies and estimates affect Tenariss more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated combined financial statements.
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Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Customer Claims
Tenaris makes estimates of the uncollectibility of its accounts receivable, including receivables from government entities. Tenaris calculates its estimate as a percentage of sales based on historical statistics and on the probability, based on current information and events, that Tenaris will be unable to collect all amounts due. Tenaris recorded a provision for doubtful accounts receivable of USD9.8 million during 2002. At December 31, 2002, the allowance for doubtful accounts represented 3.2% of outstanding accounts receivable, compared to 4.3% at December 31, 2001.
In addition, Tenaris makes a provision for customer claims when a customer makes a claim in connection with an order and management estimates that, despite its efforts, Tenaris is unlikely to collect in full the amount of the invoice in question or that Tenaris will be required to reimburse the customer for damages. Tenariss provisions for customer claims can be either netted from the related assets or included in its liabilities, depending on the nature of the claim. At December 31, 2002, Tenariss provision for customer claims amounted to USD11.4 million, of which USD6.9 million were attributable to transactions with related parties.
While, based on Tenariss experience, losses due to credit failures or customer claims have been within expectations and the provisions established, if circumstances change (i.e., higher than expected defaults or an unexpected material adverse change in a major customers ability to meet its financial obligation to Tenaris), managements estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to it could be reduced by a material amount. In this case, Tenariss results of operations, financial condition and net worth would be materially and adversely affected.
Allowance for Obsolescence or Slow-Moving Inventory
Tenaris makes estimates of the recoverability of its inventories of supplies and spare parts. Tenaris evaluation is made based on the following criteria:
Based on these evaluations, at December 31, 2002, Tenaris recorded an allowance of USD51.6 million, compared to USD52.2 million at December 31, 2001. At December 31, 2002, the allowance for obsolescence and slow-moving inventory represented 40.1% of the stocks held of supplies and spare parts, compared to 50.7% at December 31, 2001.
While, based on Tenariss experience, losses due to obsolescence and scrap of inventory have been within expectations and the provisions established, if circumstances change (i.e., significant changes in the technology used in the mills), managements estimates of the recoverability of these inventories could be reduced by a material amount. In this case, Tenariss results of operations, financial condition and net worth would be further materially and adversely affected.
Loss Contingencies
The ultimate liability of Tenaris with respect to the various claims, lawsuits and other legal proceedings to which it is a party cannot be estimated with certainty. Tenariss accounting policy is to determine whether a liability should be recorded, and to estimate the amount of such liability based on the information available and assumptions and method it has concluded are appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of IAS.
At December 31, 2002, Tenaris had recorded liabilities totaling USD102.6 million, compared to USD105.8 million at December 31, 2001, for potential loss contingencies, including related legal fees expected to be incurred. Generally, loss contingencies are accrued when it is reasonably certain that the loss will be incurred, but uncertainty exists relating to the amount or the date on which they will arise. Accruals for such contingencies reflect a reasonable estimate of the losses to be incurred based on information available and the combination of litigation and
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settlement strategy, as of the date of preparation of the financial statement. As additional information becomes available, Tenaris will reassess its evaluation of the pending claims, lawsuits and other proceedings.
Tenaris recorded a provision amounting to 65 million as of December 31, 2002 in relation to the BHP claim against Dalmine. For further discussion of the BHP proceedings, see See Item 4. Information on the Company Litigation BHP Proceedings.
Tenaris has concluded that in respect of the BHP contingency as well as any of the other loss contingencies described in its financial statements, it is not reasonably possible that it would incur a loss exceeding the amount currently accrued for at December 31, 2002, with respect to loss contingencies that would be material relative to the consolidated financial position, results of operation or liquidity of Tenaris as of December 31, 2002. However, with respect to certain of the proceedings, if reserves prove to be inadequate and Tenaris incurs a charge to earnings, such charges could have a material adverse effect on Tenariss earnings and liquidity for the applicable period.
Impairments of goodwill
The determination as to whether goodwill is impaired requires a great deal of judgment. Prior to January 1, 2002, Tenaris evaluated goodwill for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicated that the carrying value might not be recoverable.
On January 1, 2002, Tenaris adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill not be amortized. In accordance with such adoption, the Company identified all reporting units in conjunction with the provisions of SFAS No. 142 and allocated all goodwill accordingly. Beginning in 2002, goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. Tenaris tested goodwill for impairment using the two-step process prescribed in SFAS No. 142. The first step is a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If this step reflects impairment, then the loss would be measured as the excess of recorded goodwill over its implied fair value. Implied fair value is the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the fair value of all recognized and unrecognized assets and liabilities. Tenaris performed the first step of the impairment test, and determined that there was potential impairment of seamless tubes segment in Mexico. Tenaris performed the second step as of January 1, 2002 and determined that its goodwill balance of USD24.5 million was impaired. The impairment loss was recorded as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in the accompanying consolidated combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2002.
Net Income (Loss) and Shareholders Equity Information on a U.S. GAAP Basis
Tenariss consolidated combined financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS, which, as applied to Tenaris, differ in significant respects from U.S. GAAP.
Under U.S. GAAP, Tenaris recorded net income of USD92.6 million for 2002 (compared to net income of USD94.3 million under IAS), USD162.9 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 (compared to net income of USD81.3 million under IAS), and net income of USD77.3 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 (compared to net income of USD76.7 million under IAS). The principal differences between IAS and U.S. GAAP that affected Tenariss results of operations were:
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In addition, IAS and U.S. GAAP differ in the criteria used to define subsidiary companies to be consolidated that does not impact the operating result but rather its different components.
Shareholders equity determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP was USD1,745.9 million as of December 31, 2002, compared to USD1,694.1 million under IAS and USD941.9 million as of December 31, 2001, compared to USD875.4 million under IAS. The principal differences affecting the determination of shareholders equity are those described above, as well as the accounting of direct costs relating to the exchange offer consummated in December 2002.
For a discussion of the principal differences between IAS and U.S. GAAP as they relate to Tenariss consolidated combined net income and shareholders equity, see note U to Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements included in this annual report. For a quantitative reconciliation of these differences, see note 31 to Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements included in this annual report.
Recent Developments
Acquisition of remaining minority interest in Siderca
Upon consummation of the exchange offer concluded in December 2002, we held, directly or indirectly, 99.11% of Sidercas outstanding capital stock. On April 24, 2003, we completed a unilateral acquisition under Argentine law of the remaining 0.89% of Sidercas outstanding capital stock, reaching a 100% direct and indirect holding in Siderca.
Acquisition of remaining minority interest in Tamsa
On March 31, 2003, we announced that we intend to cause the delisting of Tamsa from the Mexican Stock Exchange and the American Stock Exchange, the termination of Tamsas ADR facility and, if and when appropriate, the termination of Tamsas registration with the SEC. We also announced that, subject to the approvals of the U.S. and Mexican securities regulators, we intend to propose an exchange of our shares and ADSs for any Tamsa shares and ADSs not held by us or our affiliates in accordance with Mexican and U.S. laws. On April 30, 2003, Tamsas shareholders meeting gave the requisite approvals to effect such exchange.
Acquisition of remaining minority interest in Dalmine
Upon consummation of the exchange offer concluded in December 2002, we held 88.41% of Dalmines outstanding capital stock. Thereafter, we engaged in various open-market transactions in accordance with applicable Italian law through which we acquired an additional 1.6% of Dalmines ordinary stock, reaching a 90% direct and indirect holding in Dalmine. On March 11, 2003, we announced that since we held in excess of 90.0% of Dalmines outstanding stock, we plan to launch, in accordance with Italian regulations, a public tender offer in Italy for the remaining shares of Dalmine. On May 27, 2003, the Italian securities regulator determined the price that we are required to offer in the tender offer for the remaining Dalmine shares. On June 23, 2003, we launched the tender offer in Italy, which is scheduled to expire on July 11, 2003.
Acquisition of Electric Power Generating Facility
On February 19, 2003, Siderca acquired Reliant Energy Cayman Holdings, Ltd., a company whose principal asset is an electric power generating facility located in Argentina, with a power generation capacity of 160 megawatts, for a total amount of USD23.1 million. As a result of the purchase, Tenariss operations at Siderca, which consume around 160 megawatts at peak production and an average of 90 megawatts, have become self-sufficient in electric power requirements.
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Agreement with Tecpetrol
On April 4, 2003, Tecpetrol and Siderca entered into an agreement under which Siderca paid USD15.3 million for the advance purchase of 760 million cubic meters of natural gas to be delivered to Sidercas seamless steel pipe facilities and its newly acquired power generation facility over a period of five years on pricing terms that will enable Siderca to share through discounts the impact of any increase in natural gas prices over that period with Tecpetrol. Under the terms of this agreement, Siderca will have a minimum guaranteed return on this advance payment equal to LIBOR plus 3.5%. Tecpetrols sales to Siderca in 2002 amounted to USD3.4 million, USD4.5 million in 2001, and USD6.8 million in 2000.
Prospective Purchase of Land and Manufacturing Facilities in Canada
On May 23, 2003, we announced that we had signed a letter of intent to purchase for 12.5 million Canadian dollars land and manufacturing facilities in Canada currently leased by AlgomaTubes. The purchase is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year but remains subject to an agreement with the United Steelworkers of America and various approvals by the Canadian government.
Annual General Shareholders Meeting
On May 28, 2003, our general shareholders meeting ratified an interim cash dividend paid on August 27, 2002, and approved a cash dividend in the amount of USD115.0 million (USD0.10 per share and USD0.99 per ADS), which was paid on June 23, 2003, from the Companys other distributable reserve account of USD206.7 million. In addition, the shareholders reelected our board of directors (which had taken office on January 31, 2003) to serve until the next general shareholders meeting to be held in May 2004. PricewaterhouseCoopers S.à.r.l. were reappointed as auditors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. The meeting also approved aggregate compensation of approximately USD1.25 million for our President, Chief Executive Officer and the members of our board of directors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2003.
Loss of our Chairman
On June 10, 2003, we announced the death of Roberto Rocca, chairman of our board of directors. A new chairman of our board of directors will be appointed shortly.
Sidor Debt Restructuring
On June 23, 2003, Tenaris announced that Amazonia and Sidor reached an agreement with their financial creditors and the Venezuelan government relating to the restructuring of Sidors and Amazonias financial debt. Under the terms of the agreements, Sidors and Amazonias aggregate financial debt was reduced from USD1,883 million to USD791 million, certain shareholders of Amazonia contributed USD133.5 million in cash to Ylopa, for the acquisition and capitalization of Sidors and Amazonias financial debt, the government of Venezuela increased its participation in Sidor from 30% to 40.3% and all the guarantees provided by the shareholders of Amazonia with respect to loans made to Sidor were released and replaced with a security on the fixed assets of Sidor which, together with the pledges on the shares of Amazonia and the shares that Amazonia holds in Sidor, were placed in trust for the benefit of Sidors financial creditors and the Venezuelan government. In addition, a portion of Sidors excess cash (determined in accordance with an agreed-upon formula) will be applied to repay Sidors financial debt and the remainder will be distributed to the Venezuelan government and Ylopa.
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Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
A. Directors and Senior Management
Board of Directors
Management of the Company is vested in a board of directors. Our articles of association provide for a board of directors consisting of at least three and at most fifteen directors; however if Tenariss shares are listed on a stock exchange, the minimum number of directors must be five. The board of directors is required to meet as often as required by the interests of Tenaris and at least four times per year. A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum, and resolutions may be adopted by the vote of a majority of the directors present. In the case of a tie, the chairman is entitled to cast the deciding vote.
Directors are elected at the annual ordinary shareholders meeting to serve one-year renewable terms, as decided by the shareholders. Our articles of association provide that in case the shares of Tenaris are listed on at least one stock exchange, the Company must have an audit committee composed of three members, two of whom, at least, must qualify as independent directors.
Under our articles of association, an independent director is a director who:
As our securities have been listed on at least one stock exchange since consummation of our exchange offer for Siderca, Tamsa and Dalmine, our shareholders meeting on December 14, 2002, appointed new directors, including independent directors, to comply with the requirements that the Company must have, under these circumstances, a minimum of five directors and an audit committee with at least two independent members.
Our current board of directors, that took office on January 31, 2003 and was reelected in its entirety by our general shareholders meeting held on May 28, 2003, is currently comprised of nine directors.
Until June 10, 2003, Roberto Rocca served as Chairman and a member of our board of directors. Our board of directors will determine, in due course, Mr. Roccas successor as chairman of the board. The following table sets forth our current directors, their respective positions on the board, their principal occupation, their years of service as board members and their year of birth.
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At its first meeting on January 31, 2003, our new board of directors appointed, from among its members, Jaime Serra Puche, Amadeo Vázquez y Vázquez and Guillermo Vogel to be the members of Tenariss audit committee. On May 28, 2003, our board of directors reappointed these directors as members of our audit committee.
Under our articles of association, the audit committee will report to the board of directors on its activities and the adequacy of the internal control systems at least every six months, when the annual and six-month financial statements are approved. In addition, the charter of the audit committee, which became effective on March 6, 2003, states that our audit committee shall meet four times annually, or more frequently if circumstances dictate. Our audit committee will assist the board of directors in its oversight responsibilities with respect to our financial statements, our system of internal controls and the independence and performance of our internal and independent auditors. The audit committee will also perform other duties entrusted to it by our board of directors, particularly with respect to our relations with our independent auditors. Furthermore, the audit committee will review material transactions between related parties and us and our subsidiaries to determine whether their terms are consistent with market conditions or are otherwise fair to us and our subsidiaries, as the case may be.
Under the charter of the audit committee, our audit committee will review the material transactions, as defined by the charter, to be entered into by us or our subsidiaries with related parties. In the case of material transactions entered into by our subsidiaries with related parties, our audit committee will only review those transactions entered into by those subsidiaries whose board of directors do not have independent members. Our audit committee has the power (to the maximum extent permitted by applicable laws) to request that we, and our subsidiaries, provide all of the information that is necessary to review any material transaction in question. The proposed transaction shall not be entered into unless (1) the circumstances underlying the proposed transaction justify that it be entered into before it can be reviewed by our audit committee or approved by our board of directors and (2) the related party agrees to unwind the transaction if our board of directors does not approve the transaction.
Under Luxembourg law, a director may be liable to us for any damage caused by management errors, such as wrongful acts committed during the execution of his or her mandate, and to us, our shareholders and third parties in
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the event that we, our shareholders, or third parties suffer a loss due to an infringement of either the Luxembourg Company Law or our articles of association. Under Luxembourg law, related party transactions involving directors may be subject to approval procedures established by Luxembourg law and are to be reported at the next following shareholders meeting. Any director may be removed from or reappointed to office at any time by a shareholders resolution passed by majority vote, irrespective of the number of shares present or represented at the meeting.
A director will not be liable if, notwithstanding his presence at the meeting at which a resolution was adopted or his opposition to that resolution, he advised the board of directors of his knowledge thereto and caused a record of his statement to be included in the minutes of the meeting. The directors must report his opposition at the next shareholders meeting before any other resolution is voted on.
Causes of action against directors for damages may be initiated by us upon a resolution of the shareholders meeting with a 50% vote and without the presence of a quorum. Causes of action against directors who misappropriate corporate assets or commit a breach of trust may be brought by any shareholder.
Auditors
Our articles of association require the appointment of at least one independent auditor chosen from among the members of the Luxembourg Institute of Independent Auditors. The primary responsibility of the independent auditor is to audit our annual accounts and to submit a report on the accounts to the annual shareholders meeting. Auditors are appointed by the shareholders through a resolution to be passed by a majority vote, irrespective of the number of shares present or represented. Shareholders can determine the number and the term of office of the auditors at the general meeting. Luxembourg law does not allow directors to serve concurrently as independent auditors. An auditors term shall not exceed one year and they may be reappointed and dismissed at any time.
PricewaterhouseCoopers S.à.r.l. was appointed as our independent auditor at our shareholders meeting held on September 11, 2002 and reappointed at our shareholders meeting held on May 28, 2003. As a result of the appointment of an independent auditor, we are not required under Luxembourg law or our articles of association to have a statutory auditor.
Senior Management
Our current senior management consists of:
Paolo Rocca. Mr. Rocca currently serves as our Chief Executive Officer, a position that he assumed on October 22, 2002. He is also a member of our board of directors, chief executive officer of Siderca, chairman of the board of directors of Tamsa, executive vice president of the board of directors of Dalmine, vice president of the board of directors of Confab. He is also chief executive officer of the Techint group, president of Siderar and a member of the board of directors of Amazonia. He was first employed with the Techint group in 1985 as assistant to the chairman of the board of directors of Techint Financing Corporation. In 1986, he became a member of the board of directors of Siderca and, in 1990, he became executive vice president of Siderca. Mr. Rocca was born in 1952.
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Carlos Condorelli. Mr. Condorelli currently serves as our Chief Financial Officer, a position that he assumed on October 22, 2002. He began his career within the Techint group in 1975 as an analyst in the accounting and administration department of Siderar. He has held several positions within Tenaris and other Techint group companies, including Finance and Administration Director of Tamsa and president of the board of directors of Empresa Distribuidora La Plata S.A., or Edelap, an Argentine utilities company formerly controlled by the Techint group. Mr. Condorelli was born in 1951.
Germán Curá. Mr. Curá currently serves as our Commercial Director. He is naval engineer and was first employed with Siderca in 1988. Previously, he has served as Sidercas Exports Director and Director of the Tenaris Oilfield Services business unit. Mr. Curá was born in 1962.
Alejandro Lammertyn. Mr. Lammertyn currently serves as our Supply Chain Director with responsibility for the execution of all contractual deliveries to customers. He began his career with Tenaris in 1990 as special projects analyst in Siderca. Mr. Lammertyn was born in 1965.
Marco Radnic. Mr. Radnic currently serves as Human Resources Director of Tenaris. He began his career in the Industrial Engineering Department of Siderar in 1975. Later he held several positions in the technical department of Siderca and Techint. After holding several positions in the marketing and procurement areas in Europe, in 1996 he became Commercial Director of Dalmine. In 1998, he took over the Process and Power Services business unit of Tenaris. In 2001, he was appointed chief of staff for Paolo Rocca in Buenos Aires. Mr. Radnic was born in 1949.
Carlos San Martín. Mr. San Martín currently serves as our Technology Director with responsibility for quality assurance and R&D activities, as well as acting as Honorary Chairman of NKKTubes. He joined the Techint group in 1968 and has held various positions within the Techint group and Tenaris, including Marketing Director of Siderca and Managing Director of NKKTubes. Mr. San Martín was born in 1943.
Alberto Valsecchi. Mr. Valsecchi currently serves as our European area manager. He joined the Techint group in 1968 and has held various positions within Tenaris and the Techint group, including Managing Director of Siderca. He assumed his current position with Dalmine in 1996. Mr. Valsecchi was born in 1944.
Guillermo Noriega. Mr. Noriega currently serves as our Argentine area manager. He began his career at Siderca as an industrial engineer in 1981. Previously, he served as Sidercas commercial director for the Argentine market. He assumed his current position with Siderca in 2000. Mr. Noriega was born in 1950.
Vincenzo Crapanzano. Mr. Crapanzano currently serves as our Mexican area manager and also serves as a director and Executive Vice-President of Tamsa. Prior to joining Tenaris, he held various positions at Grupo Falck from 1979 to 1989. When Dalmine acquired the tubular assets of Grupo Falck in 1990, he was appointed managing director of the cold drawn tubes division. He assumed his current position with Tamsa in 2000. Mr. Crapanzano was born in 1952.
Marcelo Ramos. Mr. Ramos currently serves as Managing Director of our Japanese operations. He joined the Techint group in 1987 and has held various positions within Tenaris including Quality Control Director at Siderca. He assumed his current position with NKKTubes in 2002. Mr. Ramos was born in 1963.
Ricardo Soler. Mr. Soler currently serves as Managing Director of our welded pipe operations and Executive Vice-President of Confab and Siat. He started his career in the Techint group in 1974 as a planning analyst at Siderar. He assumed his current position in 1999 with Confab. Mr. Soler was born in 1951.
The compensation of the directors is determined at the annual ordinary shareholders meeting. A total of USD739,000 was paid to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and members of our board of directors who were in office in 2002.
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See Item 6.A. Directors, Senior Management and Employees Directors and Senior Management.
There are no service contracts between any director and Tenaris or any of its subsidiaries that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.
See Item 4.A. Information on the Company Employees.
The total number of shares owned by our directors and executive officers as of May 30, 2003 was 2,191,516, which represents 0.2% of our outstanding shares. The following table provides information regarding share ownership by any of these persons.
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.
The following table shows the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares, as of May 30, 2003, by (1) our principal shareholders (persons or entities that own beneficially 5% or more of Tenariss shares), (2) our directors and executive officers as a group, and (3) non-affiliated public shareholders.
As of June 17, 2003, 19,964,284 ADSs were registered in the name of 251 holders resident in the United States.
The Company was incorporated in December 2001 with a share capital of 31,000 represented by 310 shares, par value 100.00 per share. On June 26, 2002, the Companys shareholders meeting converted the Companys share capital from euro to U.S. dollars. As a result, the previously issued shares were cancelled and the Company issued 30,107 shares, par value of USD1.00 per share, with San Faustín holding a 100.0% interest (either directly or through Sidertubes).
On October 18, 2002, Sidertubes contributed all of its assets (including 30,010 shares of Tenaris) and liabilities to the Company in exchange for 710,747,090 shares of Tenaris. The 30,010 shares contributed by Sidertubes to the
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Company were cancelled and, accordingly, upon consummation of this contribution the Company had a total of 710,747,187 shares issued and outstanding. San Faustín, through Sidertubes, continued to hold a 100.0% in Tenaris.
Upon consummation of its exchange offer on December 17, 2002, and as of December 31, 2002, the Company had a total of 1,160,700,794 shares issued and outstanding, with 61.2% held by Sidertubes, 0.2% held by directors and executive officers of Tenaris as a group and 38.6% held by the public.
For more information regarding these transactions, see Item 7.B. Major Shareholders and Related Party TransactionsRelated Party TransactionsCorporate Reorganization Transactions.
Corporate Reorganization Transactions
The Company and certain of its affiliates entered into the transactions summarized below as part of the implementation of Tenariss corporate reorganization and in preparation for its exchange offer for shares and ADSs of Siderca and Tamsa and shares of Dalmine, which was completed on December 17, 2002.
On November 22, 2001, Sidertubes acquired from a wholly-owned subsidiary of San Faustín a 57.00% interest in Santa María S.A.I.F. (an Argentine corporation that held, among other assets, 19.21% of Siderca, 27.00% of Metalmecánica and 52.00% of Metalcentro) for USD152.3 million, which was the historical book value of those assets as determined under Luxembourg law and regulations.
On December 17, 2001, the Company was organized as a Luxembourg corporation, with Sidertubes holding a 99.68% interest and San Faustín holding a 0.32% interest.
On December 21, 2001, Sidertubes transferred its entire interest in Santa María to the Company. Pursuant to an agreement between Sidertubes and the Company, dated May 23, 2002, the transfer was treated as a credit on account of future capital contributions in the amount of USD152.3 million. The parties also agreed that the amount of the credit would be adjusted as necessary in the future based on the value of Santa Marías assets related to the steel pipe business.
On December 31, 2001, Santa María approved a spin-off of its assets related to the steel pipe business (including its interests in Siderca, Metalmecánica and Metalcentro) to Invertub, a newly-formed Argentine corporation. The spin-off was completed on July 10, 2002. In connection with the spin-off, the Company received a 99.9% interest in Invertub concurrently with the cancellation of the Tenaris shares in Santa María, while the other shareholders of Santa María retained a 100% interest in Santa María.
As of December 31, 2001, Sidertubes held directly or indirectly all of the companies, representative offices and other assets comprising the Techint commercial network. On April 24, 2002, Sidertubes acquired from Santa María for USD32,774 a 100% interest in Tenaris Global Services S.A. On June 18, 2002, Sidertubes approved the separation of Tenaris Global Services from the rest of the assets comprising the Techint commercial network. Accordingly, Sidertubes caused its direct or indirect subsidiaries in the Techint commercial network to:
On June 18, 2002, after the consummation of the transactions described above, Sidertubes sold all of its assets not relating to the steel pipe business, as well as all of its liabilities, to an affiliate of Sidertubes for USD320.8 million.
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On September 13, 2002, the Company entered into a corporate reorganization agreement with Sidertubes pursuant to which Sidertubes agreed:
The transactions contemplated under the corporate reorganization agreement were consummated as described below.
On October 18, 2002, Sidertubes made the first contribution as described above. Under the corporate reorganization agreement, the per-share value of the assets and liabilities contributed to the Company as described above was to be allocated USD1.00 to share capital and USD0.10 to legal reserve, with the balance being allocated to issuance premium. Accordingly, the value of this contribution (USD1,275 million) determined under Luxembourg law and regulations was allocated as follows:
On December 17, 2002, upon settlement of the exchange offer for shares and ADSs of Siderca and Tamsa and shares of Dalmine, Sidertubes delivered to the tendering shareholders of Siderca, Tamsa and Dalmine 449,953,607 Tenaris shares (in the form of shares or ADSs) in exchange for 279,397,133 Siderca shares (in the form of shares or ADSs), 146,300,208 Tamsa shares (in the form of shares or ADSs) and 476,466,244 Dalmine shares. Following delivery of these Tenaris shares to the tendering shareholders, Sidertubes held a credit against the Company of USD796.4 million and 260,793,483 Tenaris shares.
On December 19, 2002, Sidertubes contributed to the Company its credit against the Company and its remaining Tenaris shares. The Company issued 710,747,090 Tenaris shares to Sidertubes and cancelled the 260,793,483 Tenaris shares it had received from Sidertubes. The net value of this second contribution (USD796.4 million) determined under Luxembourg law and regulations was allocated as follows:
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Export Agency Agreements
The Tenaris companies and the Techint commercial network entered into certain export agreements that were assigned by the Techint commercial network to Tenaris Global Services on December 17, 2002, and are described below.
Payments made by the Tenaris companies under these export agency agreements were treated as selling expenses associated with the sales of Tenariss products. Effective as of December 17, 2002, all these contracts were assigned to Tenaris Global Services or its subsidiaries.
Siderca, Tamsa and Dalmine have entered into numerous agreements with member companies of the Techint commercial network in various countries around the world pursuant to which one or more of them agrees to sell, and one or more of the Techint commercial network companies agrees to buy, seamless steel pipe products for resale under stocking programs (and other similar programs) to oil and gas companies or other buyers or end users which operate in their territories (as defined in each agreement). The selling party under these agreements generally agrees to assume any and all risks of the operation. To this end, under specified circumstances (e.g., failure to consummate resale, product rejection, customer delay), the selling party would be required to repurchase the pipes sold to the
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reseller. Effective as of December 17, 2002, all these contracts were assigned to Tenaris Global Services or its subsidiaries.
Purchases and Trading of Steel Products
In the ordinary course of business, Tenaris purchases flat steel products from Siderar and Sidor to use as a raw material for welded pipe production. These purchases are made on similar terms and conditions to sales made by Siderar and Sidor to unrelated third parties. Tenaris also purchases steel bars from Sidor to use as raw material for its seamless steel pipe operations in Venezuela. Purchases of flat steel products and steel bars amounted to USD32.0 million in 2002, USD20.3 million in 2001 and USD14.9 million in 2000.
Included within the consolidated net sales of Tenaris are also the purchase for subsequent resale of other steel products from Sidor and Siderar made by companies formerly belonging to the Techint commercial network that were transferred to Tenaris Global Services in October 2002. Since October 2002, this activity has been in the process of being discontinued through transfer to companies remaining within the Techint commercial network. These purchases amounted to USD127.7 million in 2002, USD61.8 million in 2001 and USD30.7 million in 2000.
Supply of Natural Gas
Tenaris, through Siderca, is party to contracts with Tecpetrol and TGN relating to the supply of natural gas to Sidercas operations.
Tecpetrol is a Techint group company engaged in oil and gas exploration and production and has rights to various oil and gas fields in Argentina and elsewhere in Latin America. Tecpetrol supplies Siderca with such of Sidercas natural gas requirements that are not supplied by its principal gas supplier, Repsol YPF, on terms and conditions that are equivalent to those governing the supply of natural gas by Repsol YPF to Siderca. On April 4, 2003, Tecpetrol and Siderca entered into an agreement under which Siderca paid USD15.3 million for the advance purchase of 760 million cubic meters of natural gas to be delivered to Sidercas seamless steel pipe facilities and its newly acquired power generation facility over a period of five years on pricing terms that will enable Siderca to share through discounts the impact of any increase in natural gas prices over that period with Tecpetrol. Under the terms of this agreement, Siderca will have a minimum guaranteed return on this advance payment equal to LIBOR plus 3.5%. Tecpetrols sales to Siderca in 2002 amounted to USD3.4 million, USD4.5 million in 2001, and USD6.8 million in 2000.
TGN holds a gas transportation license in Argentina and operates two major pipelines which connect two major gas basins, Neuquén and Noroeste-Bolivia, to the largest consumption centers in Argentina. TGN charges Siderca a price that is equivalent on a comparable basis to prices paid by other industrial users, and the Argentine government regulates the general framework under which TGN operates. The Techint group holds a significant but non-controlling interest in TGN. TGNs sales to Siderca amounted to USD1.7 million in 2002, USD4.7 million in 2001 and USD5.7 million in 2000.
Sales of Seamless Steel Pipes
In the ordinary course of business, Tenaris sells seamless steel pipes and related services to other Techint group companies. These sales, which are made principally to Techint group companies involved in the construction of gas pipelines and to Tecpetrol and its subsidiaries for its oil and gas drilling operations, are made on similar terms and conditions to sales made to unrelated third parties. Tenariss sales of seamless steel pipes and related services to other companies in the Techint group amounted to USD38.5 million in 2002, USD38.2 million in 2001 and USD42.1 million in 2000. In addition, until the end of 2001, Tenaris made sales to a Techint commercial network company that has not been reorganized as a subsidiary of Tenaris. These sales amounted to USD5.4 million in 2002, USD18.7 million in 2001 and USD21.8 million in 2000.
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Sales of Welded Steel Pipes
From time to time, Tenaris sells welded steel pipes in the ordinary course of business to other Techint group companies. These sales are made principally for specific gas pipeline projects to Techint International Construction Corp. (TENCO), a Techint group company specialized in the design and construction of pipelines worldwide, and TGN. These sales are made on similar terms and conditions to sales made to unrelated third parties. Tenariss sales of welded steel pipes to other Techint group companies amounted in the aggregate to USD217.1 million in 2002 (principally destined to large gas pipeline projects in Ecuador and Peru), USD35.9 million in 2001 and USD24.7 million in 2000.
Provision of Engineering and Labor Services
Tenaris contracts Techint group companies to provide engineering and non-specialist manual labor services, such as cleaning, general maintenance, handling of by-products and light construction services. These services can usually be provided by other Techint group companies at more competitive prices than if they were performed by Tenaris itself, and are contracted out at market rates. Fees accrued for these services amounted to an aggregate amount of USD21.8 million in 2002, USD21.5 million in 2001, and USD21.0 million in 2000.
Financial and Administrative Services
Santa María, a financial services company and member of the Techint group, provides various financial and treasury services to Tenaris, mainly in Argentina, including share registration services provided for Siderca prior to its delisting. Fees accrued under this agreement amounted to approximately USD0.7 million in 2002, USD2.3 million in 2001 and USD3.4 million in 2000. In addition, Tenaris maintains funds in accounts with Santa María. At December 31, 2002, time deposits held with Santa María and other related companies amounted to USD24.7 million.
In addition, Tenaris established trust funds outside Argentina to support its operations in Argentina. The trustee for these trust funds is a Techint group company. The funds held by the trustee amounted to USD115.8 million at December 31, 2002 and USD103.4 million at December 31, 2001. Interest earned on these funds amounted to USD2.4 million in 2002 and USD0.1 million in 2001.
Finma S.A., a company owned by various Techint group executives, provides administrative and legal support services to Techint group companies in Argentina, including Tenaris. Fees accrued under this agreement amounted to approximately USD2.0 million in 2002, USD6.6 million in 2001 and USD7.8 million in 2000.
In the ordinary course of business, Tenaris has also obtained loans from Techint group companies. Interest paid on these loans amounted to USD2.4 million in 2002 and USD2.4 million in 2001.
Procurement Services
Tenaris, through Siderca, was party to a contract with a Techint commercial network company relating to the procurement of goods and materials, excluding iron oxides, from outside of Argentina. Siderca paid a 3.0% commission on the value of its purchases made through the Techint commercial network. Payments made by Siderca under this agreement amounted to USD1.2 million in 2002, USD1.5 million in 2001 and USD1.1 million during 2000. Effective December 17, 2002, this contract was assigned to Tenaris Global Services or its subsidiaries.
Purchase Agent Services
Tenaris (through its subsidiary Exiros) entered into an agreement with Siderar to act as its purchase agent. For this service, Tenaris received a fee amounting to USD2.1 million in 2002 and USD2.0 million in 2001.
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Other Transactions
In the ordinary course of business, from time to time, Tenaris carries out other transactions and enters into other arrangements with Techint group companies, including cooperation regarding design, procurement of permits and authorizations and construction of power plants and other projects, purchases of other products, sharing of communications and data processing services, provision of personal and other services and sales of energy and scrap, none of which are believed to be material.
Item 8. Financial Information
See Item 17 for Tenariss audited consolidated combined financial statements.
See Item 4. Information on the Company Litigation.
We do not have, and have no current plans to establish, a formal dividend policy governing the amount and payment of dividends. The amount and payment of dividends will be determined by a majority vote of Tenariss shareholders, generally, but not necessarily, based on the recommendation of our board of directors. Our controlling shareholder has the discretion to determine the amount and payment of future dividends. All shares of our capital stock rankpari passu with respect to the payment of dividends.
On August 27, 2002, we distributed to Tenariss shareholders an interim cash dividend of USD9.3 million, which equals the amount of the dividend we received on August 5, 2002, from Siderca. Under Luxembourg law, interim dividend distributions must be ratified by the Companys annual shareholders meeting. On May 28, 2003, our general shareholders meeting ratified an interim cash dividend paid on August 27, 2002, and approved a cash dividend in the amount of USD115.0 million (USD0.10 per share and USD0.99 per ADS), which was paid on June 23, 2003, from the Companys other distributable reserve account of USD206.7 million.
We conduct and will continue to conduct all of our operations through subsidiaries and, accordingly, our main source of cash to pay dividends will be the dividends received from our subsidiaries. See Item 3.D. Risk Factors Risks Relating to Tenariss Business. Our ability to pay cash dividends depends on the results of operations and financial condition of our subsidiaries and may be restricted by legal, contractual or other limitations. These dividend payments will likely depend on the subsidiaries results of operations, financial condition, cash and capital requirements, future growth prospects and other factors deemed relevant by their respective boards of directors, as well as on any applicable legal restrictions.
Dividends may be lawfully declared and paid if our profits and distributable reserves are sufficient under Luxembourg law. The board of directors has power to initiate dividend installments pursuant to Luxembourg law, but payment of the dividends must be approved by our shareholders at the annual shareholders meeting, subject to the approval of our annual accounts.
Under Luxembourg law, at least 5% of our net profits per year must be allocated to the creation of a legal reserve until such reserve has reached an amount equal to 10% of our share capital. If the legal reserve later falls below the 10% threshold, at least 5% of net profits again must be allocated toward the reserve. The legal reserve is not available for distribution. At December 31, 2002, our legal reserve represented 10% of our share capital.
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Item 9. The Offer and Listing
Our shares are listed on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, the Mexican Stock Exchange and our ADSs are listed on the NYSE under the symbol TS. Our shares are listed on the Milan Stock Exchange under the symbol TEN. Trading on the NYSE, the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange and the Mexican Stock Exchange began on December 16, 2002, while trading on the Milan Stock Exchange began on December 17, 2002.
As of May 30, 2003, a total of 1,160,700,794 shares were registered in the Tenaris shareholders register. As of May 30, 2003, a total of 196,284,240 shares were registered in the name of the depositary for our ADR program. On June 24, 2003, the closing sales price for Tenaris shares on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange was ARP7.19, on the Mexico Stock Exchange was MXP26.35 and on the Milan Stock Exchange was 2.21.
New York Stock Exchange
As of May 30, 2003, a total of 19,628,424 Tenaris ADSs were registered of record. Each Tenaris ADS represents 10 Tenaris shares. JPMorgan Chase, as successor to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, or Morgan Guaranty, acts as Tenariss depositary for issuing ADRs evidencing the Tenaris ADSs. Fluctuations between the Argentine peso and the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar equivalent of the price of the shares on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange and the price of the ADSs on the NYSE. Fluctuations between the Mexican peso and the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar equivalent of the price of the shares on the Mexico Stock Exchange and the price of the ADSs on the NYSE. Fluctuations between the Euro and the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar equivalent of the price of the shares on the Milan Stock Exchange and the price of the ADSs on the NYSE. On June 24, 2003, the closing price of the Tenaris ADSs on the NYSE was USD25.40.
Buenos Aires Stock Exchange
Set forth in the following table are reported high and low trade prices (in nominal Argentine pesos per share) of Tenariss shares on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange for the stated periods.
The Buenos Aires Stock Market, which is affiliated with the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, is the largest stock market in Argentina. The Buenos Aires Stock Market is a corporation whose approximately 176 shareholder members are the only individuals and entities authorized to trade in securities listed on the Buenos Aires Stock
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Exchange. Trading on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange is conducted by continuous open outcry from 12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. each business day. The Buenos Aires Stock Exchange also operates a continuous market system from 9:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. each business day, on which privately arranged trades are registered and made public.
Although the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange is one of Latin Americas largest securities exchanges in terms of market capitalization, it remains relatively small and illiquid compared to major world markets and, therefore, subject to greater volatility. To control price volatility in the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, the Buenos Aires Stock Market operates a system which suspends dealing in shares of a particular issuer for one half-hour when the price of the issuers shares increases or decreases by 10% relative to that days opening price and for the remainder of the day when the price increases or decreases by 15% relative to that days opening price. Investors in the Argentine securities market are mostly individuals, mutual and pension funds and companies. However, institutional investors, consisting of a limited number of mutual funds, represent a growing percentage of trading activity. The Argentine Congress passed amendments to the social security laws, effective July 1, 1994, which partially privatized the government social security system and have increased substantially the assets of Argentine institutional pension funds and the volume of trading on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange. In addition, pursuant to amendments to the social security laws, Argentine institutional pension funds may now invest in securities issued in connection with initial public offerings.
The information regarding the Argentine equities market set forth in the following table was obtained from the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange.
Mexican Stock Exchange
Set forth in the following table are reported high and low trade prices (in nominal Mexican pesos per share) of Tenariss shares on the Mexican Stock Exchange for the stated periods.
The Mexican Stock Exchange is the only stock exchange in Mexico. It is organized as a corporation whose shareholders are the only entities authorized to trade in securities listed on the Exchange. Trading on the Mexican Stock Exchange is conducted electronically from 8:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. each business day.
Although the Mexican Stock Exchange is one of Latin Americas largest securities exchanges in terms of market capitalization, it remains relatively small and illiquid compared to major world markets, and, therefore, subject to
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greater volatility. Investors in the Mexican Securities Market are mostly individuals, mutual and pension funds and companies.
The information regarding the Mexican equities market set forth in the following table was obtained from the Mexican Stock Exchange.
Milan Stock Exchange
Set forth in the following table are reported high and low trade prices (in Euros per share) of Tenariss shares on the Milan Stock Exchange for the stated periods.
The information regarding the Italian equities market set forth in the following table was obtained from the Milan Stock Exchange.
Item 10. Additional Information
The following is a summary of the rights of the holders of Tenaris shares. These rights are set out in our articles of association or are provided by the applicable Luxembourg law, and may differ from those typically provided to shareholders of U.S. companies under the corporation laws of some states of the United States. This summary does not contain all information that may be important to you. For more complete information, you should read our articles of association, which are attached as an exhibit to this annual report.
A. Share Capital
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B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
We have an authorized share capital of a single class of 2,500,000,000 shares having a par value of USD1.00 per share upon issue. There were 1,160,700,794 shares issued as of May 30, 2003. All shares are fully paid.
Our articles of association authorize our board of directors for a period of five years following publication of the authorization in the Luxembourg official gazette to increase from time to time our issued share capital in whole or in part within the limits of the authorized capital. Accordingly, until July 22, 2007, our board of directors may issue, on its own, up to 1,339,299,206 additional shares. Under our articles of association, any issuance of new shares of Tenaris pursuant to the authorization granted to our board of directors must grant our existing shareholders a preferential right to subscribe for such newly-issued shares, except:
Any shares to be issued as compensation or to satisfy conversion or option rights may not exceed 1.5% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Tenaris.
Our authorized share capital is fixed by the articles of association as amended from time to time with the approval of shareholders at the extraordinary shareholders meeting. Only the extraordinary shareholders meeting has the right to alter the rights of shares.
There are no limitations currently imposed by Luxembourg law on the rights of our non-resident shareholders to hold or vote Tenaris shares.
Dividends
Subject to applicable law, all shares (including shares underlying ADSs) are entitled to participate equally in dividends when, as and if declared by the annual ordinary shareholders meeting out of funds legally available for such purposes. Under Luxembourg law, claims for dividends will lapse five years after the date such dividends are declared. The annual ordinary shareholders meeting, which every shareholder has the right to attend in person or by proxy, may declare a dividend under Article 14 of the articles of association. Article 21 provides that the surplus after deduction of charges and amortizations shall constitute the net profit of the Company.
Under Article 21 of the articles of association, our board of directors has the power to initiate dividend installments in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 72-2 of the amended Luxembourg Law of 10th August, 1915 on commercial companies.
Voting Rights; Shareholders Meetings; Election of Directors
Each share (including shares underlying ADSs) entitles the holder to one vote at the Companys shareholders meetings. Shareholder action by written consent is not permitted, but proxy voting is permitted. Notices of shareholders meetings are governed by the provisions of Luxembourg law and our articles of association. Notices of meetings must be published twice, at least at ten-day intervals and ten days before the meeting, in the Luxembourg Mémorial and in a leading newspaper having general circulation in Luxembourg. The second publication must be ten days prior to the meeting. If a meeting is adjourned for lack of quorum, notices must be published twice, in the Luxembourg Mémorialand two other Luxembourg newspapers, at 20-day intervals, the second notice appearing 20 days prior to the meeting. In case the shares of Tenaris are listed on a stock exchange
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outside of Luxembourg, the notice shall in addition be published once in a leading newspaper having general circulation in the country of such listing at the same time as the first publication in Luxembourg. At an ordinary meeting, the purpose of which is not to amend the articles of association, there is no quorum requirement, and resolutions are adopted by a simple majority, irrespective of the class of shares represented. An extraordinary meeting convened for the purpose of amending the articles of association must have a quorum of at least 50% of all the shares which are issued and outstanding. If a quorum is not reached, the meeting may be reconvened at a later date with no quorum according to the appropriate notification procedures. In both cases, the amendment requires that the resolution be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the attending shareholders. If the proposed amendments consist of changing the Companys nationality or of increasing the obligations of the shareholders, the unanimous consent of all shareholders is required. Directors may be elected at an ordinary meeting, where each share entitles the holder to one vote per director to be elected. Cumulative voting is not permitted. As our articles of association do not provide for staggered terms, directors are elected for a maximum of one year and may be removed with or without cause by majority shareholder vote.
Our annual ordinary shareholders meeting is held at 11:00 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of May of each year at our registered office in the city of Luxembourg. If that day is a legal or banking holiday, the meeting shall be held on the following business day.
Access to Corporate Records
Luxembourg law gives shareholders limited rights to inspect certain corporate records 15 days prior to the date of the annual general shareholders meeting, including our balance sheet and profit and loss statement, a list of shareholders whose shares are not fully paid and our statutory auditors report.
Appraisal Rights
In the event a shareholders meeting approves:
dissenting or absent shareholders have the right to have their shares repurchased by the Company at (i) the average market value of the shares over the 90 calendar days preceding the shareholders meeting or (ii) in the event that Tenariss shares are not traded on any stock exchange, the amount that results from applying the proportion of the Companys equity that the shares being sold represent over the Companys net worth as of the date of the applicable shareholders meeting.
Dissenting or absent shareholders must present their claim within one month following the date of the shareholders meeting and supply the Company with evidence of their shareholding at the time of the meeting. The Company must repurchase its shares within six months following the date of the shareholders meeting. If delisting from one or more, but not all, of the stock exchanges where Tenariss shares are listed is approved, only dissenting or absent shareholders with shares held through participants in the local clearing system for that market or markets can exercise this appraisal right if:
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Distribution of Assets on Winding-up
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the assets remaining after allowing for the payment of all debts and expenses will be paid out to the holders of the shares in proportion to their respective holdings.
Transferability and Form
There are no restrictions on the transfer of shares in the articles of association. The shares are issued in registered form.
Under Luxembourg law, the ownership of registered shares is evidenced by the inscription of the name of the shareholder, the number of shares held by him and the amount paid on each share in the shareholders register of the Company. In addition, our articles of association provide that Tenariss shares may be held through fungible securities accounts with financial institutions or other professional depositaries. Shares held through fungible securities accounts have the same rights and obligations as shares recorded in the Companys shareholders register.
Shares held through fungible securities accounts may be transferred in accordance with customary procedures for the transfer of securities in book-entry form. Shares that are not held through fungible securities accounts may be transferred by a written statement of transfer signed by both the transferor and the transferee or their respective duly appointed attorney-in-fact and recorded in the Tenaris shareholders register. The transfer of shares may also be made in accordance with the provisions of Article 1690 of the Luxembourg Code Civil. As evidence of the transfer of registered shares, we may also accept any correspondence or other documents evidencing the agreement between transferor and transferee as to the transfer of registered shares.
Banque Generale du Luxembourg is in charge of maintaining the Tenaris shareholders register.
Change in Control
Our articles of association do not contain any provision that would have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company and could thereby prevent a takeover attempt.
C. Material Contracts
For a summary of any material contract entered into by Tenaris or any of its consolidated subsidiaries outside of the ordinary course of business during the last two years, see Item 4. Information on the Company.
D. Exchange Controls
See Item 3.E. Key InformationExchange Rates.
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E. Taxation
U.S. Tax Consequences
Ownership and Disposition of Tenaris Shares or ADSs
The following discussion describes the material United States federal income tax consequences of the ownership of shares or ADSs. It applies to you only if you are a U.S. holder, as defined below, and you hold your shares or ADSs as capital assets for tax purposes.
This section does not apply to you if you are a member of a special class of holders subject to special rules, including:
This section is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations and published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect, as well as the Income Tax Treaty between Luxembourg and the United States. These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
In addition, this section is based in part upon the representations of the depositary and the assumption that each obligation in the Deposit Agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.
For purposes of this discussion, you are a U.S. holder if you are a beneficial owner of shares or ADSs and you are
United States holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the United States federal, state and local and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of shares or ADSs.
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In general, and taking into account the earlier assumptions, for United States federal income tax purposes, if you hold ADRs evidencing ADSs, you will be treated as the owner of the shares represented by those ADRs. Exchanges of shares for ADRs, and ADRs for shares, generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax.
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, if you are a U.S. holder the gross amount of any dividend paid by us out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is subject to United States federal taxation. If you are a non-corporate U.S. holder, dividends paid to you in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002 and before January 1, 2009 that constitute qualified dividend income will be taxable to you at a maximum tax rate of 15% provided that you hold the shares or ADSs for more than 60 days during the 120-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date and meet other holding period requirements. Dividends we pay with respect to the shares or ADSs generally will be qualified dividend income. The dividend is taxable to you when you, in the case of shares, or the depositary, in the case of ADSs, receive the dividend, either actually or constructively. The dividend will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of your basis in the ADSs or shares and thereafter as capital gain.
The amount of the dividend distribution that you must include in your income, if paid in currency other than the U.S. dollar, will be the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency payments made, determined at the spot foreign currency/U.S. dollar rate on the date such dividend distribution is includible in your income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Generally, any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date you include the dividend payment in income to the date such payment is converted into U.S. dollars will be treated as ordinary income or loss and will not be eligible for the special tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income. The gain or loss generally will be income or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.
For foreign tax credit purposes, the dividend will be income from sources outside the United States, but generally will be passive income or financial services income which is treated separately from other types of income for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit allowable to you. Special rules apply in determining the foreign tax credit limitation with respect to dividends that are subject to the maximum 15% tax rate. No U.S. foreign tax credit will be allowed to U.S. holders of shares or ADSs in respect of any personal property or similar tax imposed by Luxembourg (or any taxing authority thereof or therein).
Distributions of additional shares to U.S. holders with respect to their shares or ADSs that are made as part of a pro rata distribution to all our shareholders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Taxation of Capital Gain
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, if you are a U.S. holder and you sell or otherwise dispose of your shares or ADSs, you will recognize capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized and your tax basis (determined in U.S. dollars) in such shares or ADSs. Generally such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if your holding period for such shares or ADSs exceeds one year. Long-term capital gain of a non-corporate U.S. holder that is recognized on or after May 6, 2003 and before January 1, 2009 is generally subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%. The gain or loss will generally be income or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.
PFIC Rules
We believe that, as of the date of this annual report, our shares and ADSs should not be treated as stock of a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but this conclusion is a factual determination made annually and thus may be subject to change.
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In general, if you are a U.S. holder we will be a PFIC with respect to you if, for any taxable year in which you held our ADSs or shares:
Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents (other than certain rents and royalties derived in the active conduct of a trade or business), annuities and gains from assets that produce passive income. If a foreign corporation owns at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation, the foreign corporation is treated for purposes of the PFIC tests as owning its proportionate share of the other corporations assets, and as receiving directly its proportionate share of the other corporations income.
If you are a U.S. holder that did not make a mark-to-market election and we are treated as a PFIC, you would be subject to special rules with respect to:
Under these rules:
If you own shares in a PFIC that are treated as marketable stock, you may also make a mark-to-market election. Although stock traded on a qualified foreign exchange may be considered marketable stock, the United States Internal Revenue Service has not yet identified specific foreign exchanges that are qualified for this purpose. If you make this election, you will not be subject to the PFIC rules described above. Instead, in general, you will include as ordinary income each year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of your shares or ADSs at the end of the taxable year over your adjusted basis in your shares or ADSs. These amounts of ordinary income will not be eligible for the favorable tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains. You will also be allowed to take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of your shares or ADSs over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). Your basis in the shares or ADSs will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts.
In addition, notwithstanding any election you make with regard to the shares or ADSs, dividends that you receive from us will not constitute qualified dividend income to you if we are a PFIC either in the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year. Dividends that you receive that do not constitute qualified dividend income are not eligible for taxation at the 15% maximum rate applicable to qualified dividend income. Instead, you must include the gross amount of any such dividend paid by us out of our accumulated earnings and profits (as
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determined for United States federal income tax purposes) in your gross income, and it will be subject to tax at rates applicable to ordinary income.
If you are a U.S. holder who owns our shares or ADSs during any year that we are a PFIC, you must file Internal Revenue Service Form 8621.
Luxembourg Tax Consequences
Tax Consequences for the Company
Tax Treatment of the Company
We were incorporated in Luxembourg as a holding company according to the law of July 31, 1929.
Because our share capital exceeds 24 million, we qualify and have opted for the special status of a billionaire holding company as provided in the grand-ducal decree of December 17, 1938.
As a billionaire holding company, we are not subject to corporate income tax, municipal business tax, net wealth tax or capital gains tax in Luxembourg, nor to withholding tax (including with respect to dividends).
We are, however, subject to taxation in Luxembourg on dividends distributed by us and on interest paid to holders of bonds and other securities and on certain fees paid to non-resident directors (or statutory auditors or liquidators). This tax is calculated as follows:
As a billionaire holding company, we will in all cases be subject to a minimum annual flat tax of 48,000.
Holders of Tenaris shares or ADSs will not be subject to Luxembourg income tax, wealth tax or capital gains tax in respect of those shares or ADSs, except for individuals resident (or, in certain circumstances, formerly resident) in Luxembourg, entities organized in Luxembourg or entities domiciled or having a permanent establishment in
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Luxembourg. For purposes of Luxembourg tax law, you are deemed to be an individual resident in Luxembourg, subject to treaty provisions, if you have your domicile or your usual place of residence in Luxembourg.
Non-resident holders of Tenaris shares or ADSs are not subject to Luxembourg income tax, wealth tax or capital gains tax in respect of those shares or ADSs, provided, however, that a non-resident holder will be subject to Luxembourg tax on capital gains derived from the disposition of Tenaris shares or ADSs held for six months or less if such non-resident holder has owned alone, or together with his spouse or minor children, directly or indirectly at any point in time within the five year term preceding the disposition, more than 10% of our share capital.
No inheritance tax is payable by a holder of Tenaris shares or ADSs except if the deceased holder was a resident of Luxembourg at the time of death.
There is no Luxembourg transfer or stamp tax on the purchase or disposition of Tenaris shares or ADSs.
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
G. Statement by Experts
H. Documents on Display
Tenaris is required to file annual and special reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any documents filed by Tenaris at the SECs public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov which contains reports and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC.
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, as applied to foreign private issuers. Because we are a foreign private issuer, the SECs rules do not require us to deliver proxy statements or to file quarterly reports. In addition, our insiders are not subject to the SECs rules that prohibit short-swing trading. We intend to prepare quarterly and annual reports containing consolidated financial statements. Our annual consolidated financial statements will be certified by an independent accounting firm. We intend to file quarterly financial information with the SEC on Form 6-K simultaneous with or promptly following the publication of that information in Luxembourg or any other jurisdiction on which our securities are listed, and we will file annual reports on Form 20-F within the time period required by the SEC, which is currently six months from the close of our fiscal year on December 31. These quarterly and annual reports may be reviewed at the SECs Public Reference Room. Reports and other information filed electronically with the SEC are also available a the SECs website.
We have appointed JPMorgan Chase to act as depositary for our ADSs. During the time there continue to be our ADSs deposited with the depositary, we will furnish the depositary with:
The depositary will, as provided in the deposit agreement, arrange for the mailing of summaries in English of the reports and communications to all record holders of our ADSs. Any record holder of ADSs may read the reports, notices or summaries thereof, and communications at the depositarys office located at One Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, New York 10081.
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Whenever a reference is made in this annual report to a contract or other document of Tenaris, please be aware that such reference is not necessarily complete and that you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the annual report for a copy of the contract or other document. You may review a copy of the annual report at the SECs public reference room in Washington, D.C.
I. Subsidiary Information
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
The Company was organized in December 2001. For the periods covered in this annual report, Tenariss risk management activities have been determined and carried out by Tenaris at the subsidiary level. Tenaris has recently begun to centralize its risk management activities. The discussion set forth below provides information, on a consolidated basis, with respect to Tenariss sensitivity to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and market prices. In addition, in the ordinary course of business, Tenaris also faces risks with respect to financial instruments that are either non-financial or non-quantifiable; such risks principally include country risk and credit risk and are not presented in the following analysis.
The analysis shown below presents the hypothetical loss/earnings on the fair value of the financial instruments and derivative instruments which were held by Tenaris at December 31, 2002 and are sensitive to changes. None of these instruments are held for trading purposes. Actual results could differ due to the nature of these financial transactions. The risk analysis sets forth the sensitivity of Tenariss financial instruments to selected changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates or quoted market prices.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
The following table provides information about Tenariss short- and long-term debt obligations at December 31, 2002, which included fixed and variable interest rate.
The variable portion of some of Tenariss debt obligations was under LIBOR (USD130.0 million) with fixed spreads. A change in LIBOR of 10% would represent a change in interest charges of approximately USD0.3 million per year.
99
At December 31, 2002, Tenariss temporary investment portfolio consisted primarily of fixed short-term deposits. Given the short-term nature of these instruments, an increase in interest rates would not significantly decrease their market value.
The following table provides information as to the net fair values of derivative financial instruments at December 31, 2002, compared to December 31, 2001.
The following table provides information as to variable interest rate swaps for the year ended December 31, 2002.
Foreign Exchange Rate Sensitivity
As of December 31, 2002, Tenariss total financial debt denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar amounted to USD427.1 million, or 60% of USD715.9 million of total financial debt. Tenariss financial debt denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar was USD320.9 million denominated in euros, USD56.4 million denominated in Japanese yen, USD30.1 million denominated in Brazilian real, USD13.0 denominated in Canadian dollars and USD6.7 in other currencies.
Tenariss cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2002 amounted to USD304.5 million, more than 80% of which was denominated in U.S. dollars, while the remaining cash and cash equivalents were mainly denominated in euros and Japanese yen.
At December 31, 2002, Tenariss net monetary position (total liabilities less cash and cash equivalents, less trade and accounts receivables, less other monetary assets) in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and subject to exchange rate fluctuations amounted to USD1,013.2 million. The following table provides information at December 31, 2002, about Tenariss exposure under each currency and the pre-tax effect on Tenariss shareholders equity of a 10% appreciation or depreciation in each currency.
100
The total fair value of Tenariss foreign exchange rate contracts is a gain of USD2.1 million.
The following table summarizes the foreign exchange forward purchases (sales) for the year ended December 31, 2002.
Commodity Derivative Instruments
Tenaris enters into forward contracts to hedge the change in the market price related to raw materials commodities and combustible commodities at the subsidiary level. The discussion set forth below provides information on the contracts entered into at the subsidiary level and commodity derivative instruments.
The following table summarizes commodity price derivatives for the year ended December 31, 2002.
Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities
101
PART II
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
Item 15. Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of the Companys management, including the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) within 90 days of the filing date of this Annual Report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
There were no significant changes in the Companys internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of their most recent evaluation.
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
Item 16B. Code of Ethics
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
102
PART III
Item 17. Financial Statements
We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of responding to this Item.
Item 18. Financial Statements
See pages F-1 through F-71 of this annual report.
Item 19. Exhibits
103
104
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Financial Statements
F-1
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated combined balance sheets and the related consolidated combined statements of income, of cash flows and of changes in shareholders equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Tenaris S.A. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002 in conformity with International Accounting Standards. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which 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, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
International Accounting Standards vary in certain important respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as allowed by Item 18 to Form 20-F. The application of the latter would have affected the determination of the consolidated combined net income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002, and the determination of consolidated combined shareholders equity at December 31, 2002 and 2001 to the extent summarized in Note 31 to the consolidated combined financial statements.
F-2
Consolidated combined income statement
F-3
Consolidated combined balance sheet
Contingencies, commitments and restrictions on the distribution of profits (Note 24).
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated combined financial statements.
F-4
Consolidated combined statement of changes in shareholders equity
(all amounts in USD thousands)
Shareholders equity under International Accounting Standards at December 31, 2002 comprises the following captions:
The shareholders equity in accordance with Luxembourg regulations is disclose in Note 24 (viii).
Dividends may be paid by Tenaris to the extent distributable retained earnings calculated in accordance with Luxembourg GAAP exist. Therefore, retained earnings included in the consolidated combined financial statements may not be wholly distributable. See Note 24 (viii).
F-5
Consolidated combined cash flow statement
(a) Includes the effect the fair value of net assets and liabilities acquired on the exchange transaction.
F-6
Consolidated combined cash flow statement (Contd)
F-7
F-8
Accounting policies
F-9
F-10
F-11
F-12
F-13
F-14
F-15
F-16
F-17
F-18
- - Interest income: on an effective yield basis.
- - Dividend income from investments in companies under cost method: when Tenaris right to receive collection is established.
F-19
F-20
F-21
Under US GAAP, in accordance with SFAS No. 141 Business combinations (SFAS No. 141), costs of registering and issuing equity securities shall be recognized as a reduction of the fair value of the securities.
F-22
Financial risk management
F-23
Financial risk management (Contd)
F-24
Notes to the consolidated combined financial statements
Index to the notes to the consolidated combined financial statements
F-25
Notes to the consolidated combined financial statements (All amounts are shown in USD thousands, unless otherwise stated)
F-26
F-27
F-28
F-29
F-30
8 Earnings per share
F-31
F-32
F-33
F-34
(a) Corresponds to the dividend in kind with Siderar shares distributed by Siderca.
The principal associated companies are:
F-35
F-36
F-37
F-38
F-39
(a) Employees severance indemnity
F-40
(a) Employees severance indemnity (Contd)
(b) Pension benefits
F-41
(i) Deducted from assets
(ii) Liabilities
F-42
F-43
F-44
F-45
F-46
F-47
F-48
F-49
F-50
F-51
F-52
F-53
F-54
(iii) Officers and directors compensations
F-55
F-56
The consolidated financial statements of Siderca include the financial statements of Siderca and its subsidiaries, which are shown below:
F-57
The consolidated financial statements of Tamsa include the financial statements of Tamsa and its subsidiaries, which are shown below:
F-58
The consolidated financial statements of Dalmine include the financial statements of Dalmine and its subsidiaries, which are shown below:
F-59
The consolidated financial statements of Tenaris Global Services include the financial statements of Tenaris Global Services and its subsidiaries, which are shown below:
F-60
The combined consolidated financial statements of Tenaris also include the financial statements of the following companies:
F-61
F-62
F-63
F-64
F-65
The following is a summary of additional financial statement disclosures required under US GAAP:
The tax loss carryforwards at December 31, 2002, expire as follows:
F-66
The accumulated balances related to each component of other comprehensive income were as follows:
F-67
(e) Adoption of SFAS No. 142
F-68
F-69
F-70
Paolo RoccaPresident
F-71
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
CERTIFICATIONS
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
I, Paolo Rocca, certify that:
Certification of Chief Financial Officer
I, Carlos Condorelli, certify that:
EXHIBIT INDEX