12 31 06 10K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006

or

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File Number: 1-7677

                LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.                
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware
 
73-1015226

(State of Incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer)
Identification No.)

16 South Pennsylvania Avenue
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
 
 
73107

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (405) 235-4546

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange
On Which Registered
Common Stock, Par Value $.10
 
American Stock Exchange

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Preferred Share Purchase Rights and $3.25 Convertible Exchangeable Class C Preferred Stock, Series 2

1



(Facing Sheet Continued)

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. [ ] Yes [X] No

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. [ ] Yes [X] No

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for the shorter period that the Registrant has had to file the reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for the past 90 days. [X] Yes [ ] No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). [ ] Yes [X] No

The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, computed by reference to the price at which the voting common stock was last sold as of June 30, 2006, was approximately $69 million. For purposes of this computation, shares of the Registrant’s common stock beneficially owned by each executive officer and director of the Registrant and by Jayhawk Capital Management, L.L.C. and its affiliates (together “Jayhawk”) are deemed to be owned by affiliates of the Registrant. Such determination should not be deemed an admission that such executive officers, directors and other beneficial owners of our common stock are, in fact, affiliates of the Registrant. In addition, this computation does not include the 719 shares of voting Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Non-Cumulative Preferred”) held by non-affiliates of the Company. An active trading market does not exist for the shares of Non-Cumulative Preferred.

As of March 19, 2007 the Registrant had 19,479,139 shares of common stock outstanding (excluding 3,447,754 shares of common stock held as treasury stock).

 
2

 
FORM 10-K OF LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
Page
     
 
PART I
 
     
     
18 
     
25 
     
25 
     
26 
     
29 
     
30 
     
 
PART II
 
     
32 
     
36 
     
38 
     
67 
     
69 
     
69 
     
69 
     
70 
     
 
PART III
 
     
74 
     
74 


 

 
FORM 10-K OF LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
     
   
Page
     
74 
     
74 
     
74 
     
 
PART IV
     
75  
 

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

LSB Industries, Inc. (the "Company", “Registrant”, "We", "Us", or "Our") was formed in 1968 as an Oklahoma corporation, and became a Delaware corporation in 1977. We are a diversified holding company. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, ThermaClime, Inc. (“ThermaClime”) through its subsidiaries, owns substantially all of our core businesses consisting of the:

 
·
Climate Control Business engaged in the manufacturing and selling of a broad range of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) products for the niche markets we serve. These products are used in commercial and residential new building construction, renovation of existing buildings and replacement of existing systems.
 
·
Chemical Business engaged in the manufacturing and selling of chemical products produced from plants in Texas, Arkansas and Alabama for the industrial, mining and agricultural markets.
 
Certain statements contained in this Part I may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. See "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."

We believe our Climate Control Business has developed leadership positions in niche markets by offering extensive product lines, customized products and improved technologies. Under this focused strategy, we have developed what we believe to be the most extensive line of water source heat pumps and hydronic fan coils in the United States. Further, we were a pioneer in the use of geothermal technology in the climate control industry and have used it to create what we believe to be the most energy efficient climate control systems commercially available today. We employ highly flexible production capabilities that allow us to custom design units for new construction markets and for the retrofit and replacement markets, and our products are currently installed in some of the most recognizable commercial developments in the country, including Prudential Tower, Rockefeller Plaza, Trump Tower, and Time Warner Center, and are slated to be in a number of developments currently under construction. In addition, we have a significant presence in the lodging industry with installations in numerous Hyatt, Marriott, Four Seasons, Starwood, Ritz Carlton and Hilton hotels. We also have a substantial share of resort destinations in Las Vegas where we have units installed in over 47,000 rooms for a number of premier properties, including the MGM Grand, Luxor, Venetian, Treasure Island, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Caesar’s Palace, Monte Carlo, Mirage, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock and Wynn resorts.

Our Chemical Business has three chemical production facilities located in Baytown, Texas (the “Baytown” facility), El Dorado, Arkansas (the “El Dorado” facility) and Cherokee, Alabama (the “Cherokee” facility). Our Chemical Business is a supplier to some of the world’s leading chemical and industrial companies. By focusing on specific geographic areas, we have developed freight and distribution advantages over many of our competitors and have established leading regional market positions, a key element in the success of this business. The primary raw



material feedstocks (anhydrous ammonia and natural gas) of the Chemical Business are commodities, subject to price fluctuations and are purchased at prices in effect at time of purchase. Baytown consumes approximately 120,000 tons of purchased anhydrous ammonia per year. The majority of Baytown’s production is sold pursuant to a long-term contract that provides for a pass-through of certain costs, including the anhydrous ammonia costs, plus a profit. El Dorado purchases approximately 200,000 tons of anhydrous ammonia annually and produces and sells approximately 500,000 tons of nitrogen-based products per year. The anhydrous ammonia is purchased pursuant to a supply agreement whereby El Dorado secures substantially all of its requirements of anhydrous ammonia from one supplier. Although anhydrous ammonia is produced from natural gas, the price does not necessarily follow the spot-price of natural gas in the U.S. because anhydrous ammonia is an internationally traded commodity and the relative price is set in the world market while natural gas is primarily a nationally traded commodity. The ammonia supply to El Dorado is transported from the Gulf of Mexico by pipeline. Our cost of anhydrous ammonia is based upon formulas indexed to published industry prices, primarily tied to import prices. Cherokee normally consumes 4 to 6 million MMBtu’s of natural gas annually and produces and sells approximately 300,000 tons of nitrogen-based products per year.

Natural gas is a primary raw material for anhydrous ammonia. Natural gas costs continue to exhibit volatility. In 2006, we saw daily spot prices per MMBtu, excluding transportation, range from $3.54 to $9.90. Due to the uncertainty of the sales prices of our products in relation to the cost of anhydrous ammonia and natural gas, our Chemical Business has pursued a strategy of developing customers that purchase substantial quantities of products pursuant to sales agreements and/or formulas that provide for the pass through of these raw material costs. These pricing arrangements help mitigate the commodity risk inherent in the raw material feedstocks of natural gas and anhydrous ammonia. For 2006, approximately 65% of the Chemical Business’ sales were made pursuant to pass-through sales agreements. It is our goal to continue developing pass-through agreements with our customers. The remaining sales are primarily into agricultural markets at the price in effect at time of shipment. The sales prices of our agricultural products have only a moderate correlation to the anhydrous ammonia and natural gas feedstock costs and also reflect market conditions for like and competing nitrogen sources. This can compromise our ability to recover our full cost to produce the product in this market. Additionally, the lack of sufficient non-seasonal sales volume to operate our manufacturing facilities at optimum levels has kept the Chemical Business from reaching full performance potential. Our primary efforts to improve the results of our Chemical Business include securing increased non-seasonal sales volumes with an emphasis on customers that will accept the commodity risk inherent with natural gas and anhydrous ammonia.

Segment Information and Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sales

Schedules of the amounts of net sales, gross profit, operating income (loss) and identifiable assets attributable to each of our lines of business and of the amount of our export sales in the aggregate and by major geographic area for each of the last three years appear in Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.


Climate Control Business

General 

Our Climate Control Business manufactures and sells a broad range of standard and custom designed geothermal and water source heat pumps and hydronic fan coils as well as other products for the niche markets we serve. These products are for use in commercial and residential HVAC systems including large custom air handlers and modular chiller systems. The construction of commercial, institutional and residential buildings including multi and single-family homes, the renovation of existing buildings and the replacement of existing HVAC systems drive the demand for our Climate Control products. Our Climate Control commercial products are used in a wide variety of buildings, such as: hotels, motels, office buildings, schools, universities, apartments, condominiums, hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, industrial and high tech manufacturing facilities, food and chemical processing facilities, and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. We target many of our products to meet increasingly stringent indoor air quality and energy efficiency standards.

The following table summarizes net sales information relating to our products of the Climate Control Business:

 
2006
 
2005
 
2004
Percentage of net sales of the Climate Control Business:
                 
Geothermal and water source heat pumps
 
61
%
 
54
%
 
52
%
Hydronic fan coils
 
27
%
 
34
%
 
35
%
Other HVAC products
 
12
%
 
12
%
 
13
%
   
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Percentage of our consolidated net sales:
                 
Geothermal and water source heat pumps
 
27
%
 
21
%
 
20
%
Hydronic fan coils
 
12
%
 
13
%
 
14
%
Other HVAC products
 
6
%
 
5
%
 
5
%
   
45
%
 
39
%
 
39
%

Geothermal and Water Source Heat Pumps

We believe we are a leading provider of geothermal and water source heat pumps to the commercial construction and renovation markets in the United States. Water source heat pumps are highly efficient heating and cooling products which enable individual room climate control through the transfer of heat through a water pipe system which is connected to a centralized cooling tower or heat injector. Water source heat pumps enjoy a broad range of commercial applications, particularly in medium to large sized buildings with many small, individually controlled spaces. We believe the market for commercial water source heat pumps will continue to grow due to the relative efficiency and long life of such systems as compared to other air conditioning and heating systems, as well as to the emergence of the replacement market for those systems.


Our Climate Control Business has also developed the use of geothermal water source heat pumps in residential and commercial applications. Geothermal systems, which circulate water and antifreeze through an underground heat exchanger, are among the most energy efficient systems available. We believe the longer life, lower cost to operate, and relatively short payback periods of geothermal systems, as compared with air-to-air systems, will continue to increase demand for our geothermal products. We specifically target new residential construction of moderate and high-end multi and single-family homes.

Hydronic Fan Coils

We believe that our Climate Control Business is a leading provider of hydronic fan coils. Our Climate Control Business targets the commercial and institutional markets. Hydronic fan coils use heated or chilled water, provided by a centralized chiller or boiler through a water pipe system, to condition the air and allow individual room control. Hydronic fan coil systems are quieter and have longer lives and lower maintenance costs than other comparable systems used where individual room control is required. Important components of our strategy for competing in the commercial and institutional renovation and replacement markets include the breadth of our product line coupled with customization capability provided by a flexible manufacturing process. The lodging and hospitality industry is a significant user of hydronic fan coils. Subsequent to the September 11, 2001 tragedy, our hydronic fan coil operation experienced a decline of major lodging and hospitality construction projects in several key geographic markets. During 2005 and 2006, this specific market continued to improve.

Geothermal and Water Source Heat Pump and Hydronic Fan Coil Market

We estimate the annual United States market for water source heat pumps and hydronic fan coils to be approximately $480 million based on data supplied by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (“ARI”). Levels of repair, replacement, and new construction activity generally drive demand in these markets. In aggregate, the United States market for geothermal and water source heat pump and fan coil products is returning to historical levels based on data supplied by the ARI. The previous decline in the total market in 2001 through 2003 was primarily a direct result of the slowdown in construction and refurbishment related to the lodging and hospitality industry and has been attributed to the events of September 11, 2001 and world unrest.

Production and Backlog

Most of our Climate Control production occurs on a specific order basis. We manufacture the units in many sizes and configurations, as required by the purchaser, to fit the space and capacity requirements of hotels, motels, schools, hospitals, apartment buildings, office buildings and other commercial or residential structures. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the backlog of confirmed orders for our Climate Control Business was approximately $80.4 million and $56.2 million, respectively. The increase in our backlog relates primarily to the increase in demand for our geothermal and water source heat pumps and hydronic fan coils. Past experience indicates that customers generally do not cancel orders after we receive them. We anticipate shipping substantially all of this backlog within twelve months.


In response to a record order intake level of our heat pump products, we have increased unit capacity by almost 70% through additional shifts, overtime and capital investment since the end of 2005.  During 2006, we invested approximately $4.9 million in fabrication equipment, plant-wide process control systems and other upgrades relating to our Climate Control Business. For 2007, we have committed to spend an additional $3.6 million for production equipment and other upgrades.  Our investment in the Climate Control Business will continue if order intake levels continue to warrant.  In addition to the spending on equipment and systems, during 2006, we have invested approximately $2.8 million in facilities, including a new 46,000 square foot building next to our existing heat pump manufacturing facility and the renovation of an existing facility.  These investments have and will increase our capacity to produce and distribute our Climate Control products, primarily heat pump products.

Marketing and Distribution

Distribution

Our Climate Control Business sells its products to mechanical contractors, original equipment manufacturers and distributors. Our sales to mechanical contractors primarily occur through independent manufacturers' representatives, who also represent complementary product lines not manufactured by us. Original equipment manufacturers generally consist of other air conditioning and heating equipment manufacturers who resell under their own brand name the products purchased from our Climate Control Business in competition with us. The following table summarizes net sales to original equipment manufacturers relating to our products of the Climate Control Business:

 
2006
 
2005
 
2004
Net sales to original equipment manufacturers as a percentage of:
                 
                   
Net sales of the Climate Control Business
 
17
%
 
22
%
 
21
%
Consolidated net sales
 
8
%
 
9
%
 
8
%

Market

Our Climate Control Business depends primarily on the commercial construction industry, including new construction and the remodeling and renovation of older buildings, and on the residential construction industry for both new and replacement markets relating to their geothermal products.

Raw Materials

Numerous domestic and foreign sources exist for the materials used by our Climate Control Business, which materials include compressors, steel, electric motors, valves and copper. Periodically, our Climate Control Business enters into fixed-price copper contracts. We do not anticipate any difficulties in obtaining necessary materials for our Climate Control Business. In 2007, however, changes in market supply and demand could result in increased costs, lost production and/or delayed shipments. We believe the majority of cost increases, if any, will be passed to our customers in the form of higher prices as product price increases are implemented and take effect and while we believe we will have sufficient materials, a shortage of raw materials could impact production of our Climate Control products.


Competition

Our Climate Control Business competes primarily with seven companies, some of whom are also our customers. Some of our competitors serve other markets and have greater financial and other resources than we do. Our Climate Control Business manufactures a broader line of geothermal and water source heat pump and fan coil products than any other manufacturer in the United States, and we believe that we are competitive as to price, service, warranty and product performance.

Continue to Introduce New Products

Our Climate Control Business will continue to launch new products and product upgrades in an effort to maintain and increase our current market position and to establish a presence in new markets.

Chemical Business

General

Our Chemical Business manufactures three principal product lines that are derived from natural gas, anhydrous ammonia, and sulfur:

 
·
concentrated, blended and regular nitric acid, mixed nitrating acids, metallurgical grade anhydrous ammonia, sulfuric acid, and high purity ammonium nitrate for industrial applications,
 
·
anhydrous ammonia, fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), and ammonium nitrate ammonia solution (ANA) for the agricultural applications, and
 
·
industrial grade ammonium nitrate and solutions for the mining industry.

The following table summarizes net sales information relating to our products of the Chemical Business:

 
2006
 
2005
 
2004
Percentage of net sales of the Chemical Business:
                 
Industrial acids and other chemical products
 
37
%
 
34
%
 
38
%
Agricultural products
 
34
%
 
35
%
 
33
%
Mining products
 
29
%
 
31
%
 
29
%
   
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Percentage of our consolidated net sales:
                 
Industrial acids and other chemical products
 
19
%
 
20
%
 
22
%
Agricultural products
 
18
%
 
21
%
 
20
%
Mining products
 
16
%
 
18
%
 
17
%
   
53
%
 
59
%
 
59
%



Industrial Acids and Other Chemical Products

Our Chemical Business manufactures and sells industrial acids and other chemical products primarily to the polyurethane, paper, fibers and electronics industries. We are a major supplier of concentrated nitric acid and mixed nitrating acids, specialty products used in the manufacture of fibers, gaskets, fuel additives, explosives, and other chemical products. In addition, we produce and sell blended and regular nitric acid, metallurgical and commercial grade ammonia and sulfuric acid. We compete based upon service, price, location of production and distribution sites, product quality and performance. We believe we are the largest domestic merchant marketer of concentrated and blended nitric acids and provide inventory management as part of the value-added services offered to certain customers.

Baytown is one of the two largest nitric acid manufacturing units in the United States, with demonstrated capacity exceeding 1,350 short tons per day. Subsidiaries within our Chemical Business entered into a series of agreements with Bayer Corporation ("Bayer") (collectively, the "Bayer Agreement"). Under the Bayer Agreement, El Dorado Nitric Company ("EDNC"), a subsidiary within our Chemical Business, operates Baytown at Bayer's Baytown, Texas operation. Bayer purchases from EDNC all of its requirements for nitric acid at its Baytown operation for a term through at least May 2009. EDNC purchases from Bayer certain of its requirements for materials, utilities and services for the manufacture of nitric acid. Upon expiration of the initial ten-year term in 2009, the Bayer Agreement may be renewed for up to six renewal terms of five years each; however, prior to each renewal period, either party to the Bayer Agreement may opt against renewal.

Agricultural Products

Our Chemical Business produces ammonium nitrate at El Dorado and anhydrous ammonia, UAN, and ammonium nitrate ammonia solution (“ANA”) at Cherokee; all of which are nitrogen based fertilizers. Cherokee also has the ability to produce agricultural grade ammonium nitrate. Although, to some extent, the various forms of nitrogen-based fertilizers are interchangeable, each has its own characteristics which produce agronomic preferences among end users. Farmers decide which type of nitrogen-based fertilizer to apply based on the crop planted, soil and weather conditions, regional farming practices and relative nitrogen fertilizer prices. We sell these agricultural products to farmers, ranchers, fertilizer dealers and distributors located in the Central and Southeastern United States.

Our Chemical Business' agricultural markets have historically been in relatively close proximity to El Dorado and Cherokee and include a high concentration of pastureland and row crops which favor our products. We develop our market position in these areas by emphasizing high quality products, customer service and technical advice. We have been expanding further into the Southeastern and NorthCentral United States. Using a proprietary prilling process, El Dorado produces a high performance ammonium nitrate fertilizer that, because of its uniform size, is easier to apply than many competing nitrogen-based fertilizer products. We believe that our "E-2" brand ammonium nitrate fertilizer is recognized as a premium product within our primary market. In addition, El Dorado establishes long-term relationships with end-users through its network of wholesale and retail distribution centers and Cherokee sells directly to agricultural customers.


Mining Products

Our Chemical Business manufactures industrial grade ammonium nitrate (“AN”) and 83% AN solution for the mining industry. One of our subsidiaries, El Dorado Chemical Company ("EDC"), is a party to a long-term cost-plus supply agreement which was amended during August 2006. Under this supply agreement, EDC supplies Orica USA, Inc. (“Orica”) with a significant volume of industrial grade ammonium nitrate per year for a term through at least December 2010, with provisions for renewal thereafter.

Major Customers

The following summarizes net sales to major customers relating to our products of the Chemical Business:

 
2006
 
2005
 
2004
Net sales to Orica as a percentage of:
                 
Net sales of the Chemical Business
 
20
%
 
19
%
 
17
%
Consolidated net sales
 
10
%
 
11
%
 
10
%
Net sales to Bayer as a percentage of:
                 
Net sales of the Chemical Business
 
14
%
 
15
%
 
18
%
Consolidated net sales
 
7
%
 
9
%
 
11
%

Raw Materials

Anhydrous ammonia and natural gas represent the primary components in the production of most of the products of our Chemical Business. Spot natural gas and anhydrous ammonia costs have fluctuated dramatically in recent years. The following table shows, for the period indicated, the high and low daily spot price for natural gas based on the price received on the Tennessee 500 Leg and for ammonia (excluding transportation and other charges) based on the Green Markets low Tampa.

Daily Spot Natural Gas Prices Per MMBtu
Ammonia Price Per Metric Ton
 
High
Low
High
Low
2004
$7.93
$4.16
$340
$182
2005
$15.25
$5.50
$399
$235
2006
$9.90
$3.54
$395
$270

As of March 10, 2007, the price of natural gas was approximately $---7.00 per MMBtu and ammonia was $370 per metric ton. Natural gas is an integral raw material in the production of anhydrous ammonia. Prices of raw material feedstocks of natural gas and anhydrous ammonia remain volatile, and we have pursued a strategy of developing customers that purchase substantial quantities of products pursuant to sales agreements and/or formulas that provide for the pass-through of these raw material costs. These pricing arrangements provide a hedge against the commodity risk inherent in the raw material feedstocks of natural gas and anhydrous ammonia. In addition, we economically hedge the natural gas requirements in the financial markets for most forward sales commitments made at fixed sales prices.


Interruptions to the natural gas supply chain by the hurricanes of 2005 continued to exacerbate natural gas prices into early 2006. Cherokee was forced to curtail production in January and February of 2006 when major customers reduced purchases due to the high natural gas raw material pass-through costs. The natural gas supply chain continued to recover and by mid-2006, the Gulf of Mexico supply was back to approximately 90% of pre-hurricane levels based on a report from the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Under an agreement, as amended, with its principal supplier of anhydrous ammonia, EDC will purchase a majority of its anhydrous ammonia requirements using a market price-based formula plus transportation to El Dorado through December 31, 2008. We believe that we can obtain anhydrous ammonia from other sources in the event of an interruption of service under the above-referenced contract. Our Chemical Business natural gas feedstock requirements are generally purchased at spot market price for delivery at Cherokee. Periodically, our Chemical Business also enters into fixed-price natural gas contracts for part of our requirements.

Seasonality

We believe that the only seasonal products of our Chemical Business are fertilizer and related chemical products sold to the agricultural industry. The selling seasons for those products are primarily during the spring and fall planting seasons, which typically extend from March through June and from September through November in the geographical markets in which the majority of our agricultural products are distributed. As a result, our Chemical Business increases its inventory of ammonium nitrate and UAN prior to the beginning of each planting season. In addition, the amount and timing of sales to the agricultural markets depend upon weather conditions and other circumstances beyond our control.

Regulatory Matters

Our Chemical Business is subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws, rules and regulations as discussed under “Environmental Matters" and "Legal Proceedings" of Item 3.

Because of growing concerns over ammonium nitrate, other nitrogen fertilizers and other potentially hazardous materials, there have been new and proposed federal, state and industry requirements to place additional security controls over the distribution, transportation and handling of these products.

We fully support these initiatives and believe they will not materially affect the viability of ammonium nitrate as a valued product to the agricultural industry.

Competition

Our Chemical Business competes with several chemical companies in our markets, of whom CF Industries, Dyno Nobel North America and Terra Industries, have greater financial and other resources than us. We believe that competition within the markets served by our Chemical Business is primarily based upon service, price, location of production and distribution sites, and product quality and performance.


Employees

As of December 31, 2006, we employed 1,565 persons. As of that date, our Climate Control Business employed 1,143 persons, none of whom was represented by a union, and our Chemical Business employed 357 persons, with 117 represented by unions under agreements expiring in July through November of 2007.


Environmental Matters

Our operations are subject to numerous environmental laws (“Environmental Laws”) and to other federal, state and local laws regarding health and safety matters (“Health Laws”). In particular, the manufacture and distribution of chemical products are activities which entail environmental risks and impose obligations under the Environmental Laws and the Health Laws, many of which provide for certain performance obligations, substantial fines and criminal sanctions for violations. There can be no assurance that material costs or liabilities will not be incurred by us in complying with such laws or in paying fines or penalties for violation of such laws. The Environmental Laws and Health Laws and enforcement policies thereunder relating to our Chemical Business have in the past resulted, and could in the future result, in compliance expenses, cleanup costs, penalties or other liabilities relating to the handling, manufacture, use, emission, discharge or disposal of pollutants or other substances at or from our facilities or the use or disposal of certain of its chemical products. Historically, significant expenditures have been incurred by subsidiaries within our Chemical Business in order to comply with the Environmental Laws and Health Laws and are reasonably expected to be incurred in the future.

The Company has certain facilities in our Chemical Business that contain asbestos insulation around certain piping and heated surfaces. The asbestos insulation is in adequate condition to prevent leakage and can remain in place as long as the facility is operated or remains assembled. The Company plans to maintain the facilities in an adequate condition to prevent leakage through its standard repair and maintenance activities.

1. Discharge Water Matters

The El Dorado, Arkansas facility (“El Dorado”) within our Chemical Business generates process wastewater. The process water discharge and storm-water run off are governed by a state National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) water discharge permit issued by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”), which permit is to be renewed every five years. The ADEQ issued to El Dorado a new revised NPDES water discharge permit in 2004, and El Dorado has until June 2007 to meet the compliance deadline for the more restrictive limits under the 2004 NPDES permit. In order to meet El Dorado’s June 2007 limits, El Dorado has reduced the effluent levels of its wastewater and believes that the ADEQ will allow El Dorado to directly discharge its wastewater into the creek that runs through its property.

In order to directly discharge its wastewater from El Dorado into the creek and to meet the June 2007 permit limits, El Dorado has conducted a study of the adjacent stream to determine whether a permit modification is appropriate. On September 22, 2006, the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission (“Commission”) approved the results of the study that showed that the proposed permit modification is appropriate. A public hearing was held on the matter on


November 13, 2006 with minimal opposition. We believe that the ADEQ will issue to El Dorado the permit modification during the third quarter of 2007. Accordingly, direct discharge of wastewater into the creek appears at this time to be the most likely wastewater discharge option, although there are no assurances that this option will ultimately be made available to El Dorado.

If El Dorado is unable to directly discharge its wastewater, El Dorado is considering the following other options to discharge its wastewater:

 
·
discharge into the sewer discharge system of the city of El Dorado, Arkansas (the “City”), subject to El Dorado obtaining a sewer discharge permit from the City; or
  · utilization of a joint pipeline to be constructed by the City.
 
El Dorado has submitted an application to the City which, if approved, would allow El Dorado to tie-in to the City’s sewer discharge system and become an industrial customer of the City. While we believe this to be a feasible option, this option has been put in abeyance while El Dorado concentrates on reducing its effluent levels to allow it to directly discharge its wastewater as discussed above.

Further, for the past several years, El Dorado has anticipated utilizing a joint pipeline to be built by the City to discharge its wastewater. The City has approved the construction of a joint pipeline, but the City’s construction of the pipeline is subject to the City receiving a permit from the ADEQ. The ADEQ has not issued the necessary permit to discharge wastewater into the pipeline and, as a result, this has caused a delay of unknown duration in construction of the pipeline. During March 2006, the ADEQ issued a draft permit to the City for the joint pipeline, and a public hearing occurred in May 2006 to receive public comments. The final permit was issued in March 2007. It is anticipated that both the joint pipeline group and opposing residents will appeal the final permit. The pipeline will not be available by the June 1, 2007 deadline. The ADEQ has stated to El Dorado that since the direct discharge of wastewater appears promising, the ADEQ has declined to allow an extension of compliance deadlines that would coincide with a delayed construction schedule for the City’s planned joint wastewater pipeline.

Irrespective of the option that El Dorado is required to utilize to dispose of its wastewater El Dorado anticipates spending approximately $0.8 million to remove certain contaminants from its wastewater as though it was permitted to directly discharge into the creek. If El Dorado is required to utilize the City’s sewer discharge system and obtains a sewer discharge permit from the City, El Dorado will be required to obtain from the ADEQ an extension of the June 1, 2007 deadline and will spend an additional $0.5 million to connect to the City’s sewer discharge system. If El Dorado is required to ultimately participate in the City’s joint pipeline to discharge its wastewater, it will be required to obtain from the ADEQ an extension of the June 1, 2007 deadline, and anticipates spending an additional $2 million for its pro-rata share of the City’s cost of engineering and construction of the City’s pipeline.

In addition, El Dorado has entered into a consent administrative order (“CAO”) that recognizes the presence of nitrate contamination in the shallow groundwater at El Dorado. A new CAO to address the shallow groundwater contamination became effective on November 16, 2006 and requires the evaluation of the current conditions and remediation based upon a risk assessment. The final remedy for shallow groundwater contamination, should any remediation be


required, will be selected pursuant to the new CAO and based upon the risk assessment. Based on area well surveys performed, there are no known users of this shallow groundwater in the area, and preliminary risk assessments have not identified any public health risk that would require remediation. As an interim measure, El Dorado has installed two recovery wells to recycle ground water and to recover nitrates. The cost of any additional remediation that may be required will be determined based on the results of the investigation and risk assessment and cannot currently be reasonably estimated. Therefore, no liability has been established at December 31, 2006.

2. Air Matters

To resolve ammonia emissions from certain of our nitric acid plants, El Dorado entered into a new air consent order which became effective December 19, 2006. Under the terms of the consent order, El Dorado replaced the catalyst on the units used for abatement of nitrogen oxide (a periodic maintenance requirement), agreed to monitor ammonia slippage, and agreed to submit an air permit modification to set an allowable limit for the ammonia emissions.

Under the terms of a consent administrative order relating to air matters (“AirCAO”), which became effective in February 2004, resolving certain air regulatory alleged violations associated with El Dorado’s sulfuric acid plant and certain other alleged air emission violations, El Dorado is required to implement additional air emission controls at El Dorado no later than six years from the effective date of the AirCAO. The ultimate cost of any technology changes required cannot presently be determined but is believed to cost between $2.5 million to $4 million of capital expenditures, depending on the technology changes as may be required. Our initial engineering evaluation began during the fourth quarter of 2006.

3. Other Environmental Matters

In April 2002, Slurry Explosive Corporation (“Slurry”), later renamed Chemex I Corp., a subsidiary within our Chemical Business, entered into a Consent Administrative Order (“Slurry Consent Order”) with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (“KDHE”), regarding Slurry’s Hallowell, Kansas manufacturing facility (“Hallowell Facility”). The Slurry Consent Order addressed the release of contaminants from the facility into the soils and groundwater and surface water at the Hallowell Facility. There are no known users of the groundwater in the area. The adjacent strip pit is used for fishing. Under the terms of the Slurry Consent Order, Slurry is required to, among other things, submit an environmental assessment work plan to the KDHE for review and approval, and agree with the KDHE as to any required corrective actions to be performed at the Hallowell Facility.

In connection with the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of Slurry and Universal Tech Corporation (“UTeC”) in December 2002, which was accounted for as discontinued operations, both subsidiaries within our Chemical Business, UTeC leased the Hallowell Facility to the buyer under a triple net long-term lease agreement. However, Slurry retained the obligation to be responsible for, and perform the activities under, the Slurry Consent Order. In addition, certain of our subsidiaries agreed to indemnify the buyer of such assets for these environmental matters. The successor (“Chevron”) of the prior owner of the Hallowell Facility has agreed, within certain limitations, to pay and has been paying one-half of the costs of certain interim remediation measures at the site approved by the KDHE, subject to reallocation.

 
As a result of meetings with the KDHE, we recorded a provision of $0.6 million for our share of these additional estimated costs for 2005. In addition, during 2006, additional costs were estimated due to requirements by the KDHE to further investigate and delineate the site. As a result, for 2006, we recorded provisions totaling $0.2 million for our share of these estimated additional costs. The above provisions are classified as discontinued operations (in accordance with SFAS 144) in the accompanying consolidated statements of income (there are no income tax benefits related to this expense). At December 31, 2006, the total estimated liability (which is included in current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities) in connection with this remediation matter is $1.4 million and Chevron’s share for one-half of these costs (which is included in accounts receivable and other assets) is $0.7 million. These amounts are not discounted to their present value. It is reasonably possible that a change in estimate of our liability and receivable will occur in the near term. Should soil remediation be required, it is expected to be completed during 2007 followed by up to five years of ground water monitoring.

Recently, a site modeling was performed by a consulting firm for Slurry and Chevron which indicates that the removal of the contaminated soil would have only limited beneficial effect on the reduction of the contamination of the ground water down gradient of the site. The consultant’s modeling report was presented for review to the KDHE in March 2007. As a result, Slurry and Chevron expect to attempt to pursue a course with the KDHE of long-term surface and ground water monitoring to track the natural decline in contamination, instead of the soil excavation. We estimate the costs relating to this course of action to be substantially less than the cost of the soil excavation but we are unable to determine if the KDHE will ultimately accept the proposal.



ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Risks Related to Us and Our Business

Cost and availability of raw materials could materially affect our profitability and liquidity.

Our Chemical Business’ sales and profits are heavily affected by the costs and availability of its primary raw materials. Anhydrous ammonia and natural gas, which are purchased from unrelated third parties, represent the primary raw material feedstocks in the production of most of the products of the Chemical Business. The primary material utilized in anhydrous ammonia production is natural gas, and fluctuations in the price of natural gas can have a significant effect on the cost of anhydrous ammonia. Historically, there has been volatility in the cost of anhydrous ammonia and natural gas, and in many instances, we were unable to increase our sales prices to cover all of the higher anhydrous ammonia and natural gas costs incurred. Although our Chemical Business has a program to enter into contracts with certain customers that provide for the pass-through of raw material costs, we have a substantial amount of sales by the Chemical Business that do not provide for these pass-throughs. Thus, in the future, we may not be able to pass along to all of our customers the full amount of any increases in anhydrous ammonia and natural gas costs. We have suspended in the past, and could in the future, from time to time, suspend production at our chemical facilities due to, among other things, the high cost or lack of availability of such primary raw materials. Accordingly, our results of operations and financial condition have in the past been, and may in the future be, materially affected by the cost or unavailability of raw materials, including anhydrous ammonia and natural gas.
 
In addition, our Climate Control Business depends on raw materials such as copper and steel, which have recently shown considerable price volatility. While we periodically enter into fixed-price contracts on copper to hedge against price increases, there can be no assurance that our Climate Control Business will effectively manage against price fluctuations in copper and other raw materials or that future price fluctuations in copper and other raw materials will not have an adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. Our Climate Control Business depends on certain suppliers to deliver the key components that are required in the production of its products. Any disruption in such supply could result in lost production or delayed shipments, which could materially affect our operations and cash flow.

In recent years, our Chemical Business has been unable to generate significant positive cash flows.

Due, in part, to lower than optimum sales levels, margin problems and extensive capital expenditures, our Chemical Business has not generated significant positive cash flows in recent years. Continuing significant cash flow expenditures by this business could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and liquidity.

Our Climate Control Business and its customers are sensitive to economic cycles.

Our Climate Control Business is affected by cyclical factors, such as interest rates, inflation and economic downturns. Our Climate Control Business depends on sales to customers in the commercial construction and renovation industries, which are particularly sensitive to these


factors. A decline in the economic activity in the United States has in the past, and could in the future, have a material adverse effect on our customers in the commercial construction and renovation industries in which our Climate Control Business sells a substantial amount of its products. Such a decline could result in a decrease in revenues and profits, and an increase in bad debts, in our Climate Control Business.

Weather conditions adversely affect our Chemical Business.

The agricultural products produced and sold by our Chemical Business have in the past, and could continue in the future, to be materially affected by adverse weather conditions (such as excessive rains or drought) in the primary markets for our fertilizer and related agricultural products. If any of these unusual weather events occur during the primary seasons for sales of our agricultural products (March-June and September-November), this could have a material adverse effect on the agricultural sales of our Chemical Business and our financial condition and results of operation.

Environmental and regulatory matters entail significant risk for us.

As discussed under “Environmental Matters” of Item 1, our Chemical Business is subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations. The manufacture and distribution of chemical products are activities which entail environmental risks and impose obligations under environmental laws and regulations, many of which provide for substantial fines and potential criminal sanctions for violations. Our Chemical Business has in the past, and may in the future, be subject to fines, penalties and sanctions for violations of environmental laws and substantial expenditures for cleanup costs and other liabilities relating to the handling, manufacture, use, emission, discharge or disposal of pollutants or other substances at or from the Chemical Business’ facilities. Further, a number of our Chemical Business’ facilities are dependent on environmental permits to operate, the loss of which could have a material adverse effect on its operations and our financial condition.

We may be required to expand our security procedures and install additional security equipment for our Chemical Business in order to comply with the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and possible future government regulation.

The chemical industry in general, and producers and distributors of ammonium nitrate specifically, are scrutinized by the government, industry and public on security issues.  Under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as well as current and proposed regulations, we may be required to incur substantial additional costs relating to security at our chemical facilities and distribution centers and security for the transportation of our products.  These costs could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operation.

A substantial portion of our sales is dependent upon a limited number of customers.

During 2006, six customers of our Chemical Business accounted for 54% of its net sales and 29% of our consolidated sales, and our Climate Control Business had one customer that accounted for 16% of its net sales and 7% of our consolidated sales. The loss of, or a material reduction in purchase levels by, one or more of these customers could have a material adverse
 


effect on our business and our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity if we are unable to replace a customer on substantially similar terms.

Our working capital requirements fluctuate because of the seasonal nature of our Chemical Business’ agricultural products.

Because of the seasonal nature of our Chemical Business’ agricultural products, our working capital requirements are significantly higher at certain times of the year due to increases in inventories of ammonium nitrate, UAN and other agricultural products prior to the beginning of each planting season. If additional working capital is required and not available under our revolving credit facility, this could have a negative impact on our other operations, including our Climate Control Business.

There is intense competition in the Climate Control and Chemical industries.

Substantially all of the markets in which we participate are highly competitive with respect to product quality, price, design innovations, distribution, service, warranties, reliability and efficiency. We compete with a number of established companies that have greater financial, marketing and other resources than we have and are less highly leveraged than we are. Competitive factors could require us to reduce prices or increase spending on product development, marketing and sales that would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.

We are effectively controlled by the Golsen Group.

Jack E. Golsen, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), members of his immediate family (spouse and children), including Barry H. Golsen, our Vice Chairman and President, entities owned by them and trusts for which they possess voting or dispositive power as trustee (collectively, the “Golsen Group”) beneficially owned as of March 14, 2007, an aggregate of 3,542,375 shares of our common stock and 1,020,000 shares of our voting preferred stock (1,000,000 of which shares have .875 votes per share, or 875,000 votes), which together votes as a class and represented approximately 21.8% of the voting power of our issued and outstanding voting securities as of that date. At such date, the Golsen Group also beneficially owned options, rights and other convertible preferred stock that allowed its members to acquire an additional 392,926 shares of our common stock within 60 days of March 14, 2007. Thus, the Golsen Group may be considered to effectively control us. As a result, the ability of other stockholders to influence our management and policies could be limited.

Loss of key personnel could negatively affect our business.

We believe that our performance has been and will continue to be dependent upon the efforts of our principal executive officers. We cannot promise you that our principal executive officers will continue to be available. Jack E. Golsen has an employment agreement with us. No other principal executive has an employment agreement with us. The loss of some of our principal executive officers could have a material adverse effect on us. We believe that our future success will depend in large part on our continued ability to attract and retain highly skilled and qualified personnel.


We may have inadequate insurance.

While we maintain liability insurance, including certain coverage for environmental contamination, it is subject to coverage limits and policies may exclude coverage for some types of damages. Although there may currently be sources from which such coverage may be obtained, it may not continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms or the possible types of liabilities that may be incurred by us may not be covered by our insurance. In addition, our insurance carriers may not be able to meet their obligations under the policies or the dollar amount of the liabilities may exceed our policy limits. Even a partially uninsured claim, if successful and of significant magnitude, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

Our warranty claims are not generally covered by our insurance.

The development, manufacture, sale and use of products by our Climate Control Business involve a risk of warranty and product liability claims. Warranty claims are not generally covered by our product liability insurance and there may be types of product liability claims that are not covered by our product liability insurance. A successful warranty or product liability claim not covered by our insurance could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
 
Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war, and natural disasters (such as hurricanes, pandemic health crisis, etc.), have and could negatively impact the U.S. and foreign companies, the financial markets, the industries where we operate, our operations and profitability.
 
Terrorist attacks and natural disasters (such as hurricanes) have in the past, and can in the future, negatively affect our operations. We cannot predict further terrorist attacks and natural disasters in the United States and elsewhere. These attacks or natural disasters have contributed to economic instability in the United States and elsewhere, and further acts of terrorism, violence, war or natural disasters could further affect the industries where we operate, our ability to purchase raw materials, our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, terrorist attacks and natural disasters may directly impact our physical facilities, especially our chemical facilities, or those of our suppliers or customers and could impact our sales, our production capability and our ability to deliver products to our customers. In the past, hurricanes affecting the Gulf Coast of the United States have resulted in damages to, or shutdown of, the gas pipeline to Cherokee, resulting in that facility being shutdown for several weeks. The consequences of any terrorist attacks or hostilities or natural disasters are unpredictable, and we may not be able to foresee events that could have an adverse effect on our operations.

Our net loss carryovers are subject to various limitations and have not been approved by the Internal Revenue Service.

Our net loss carryovers have resulted from certain losses, and we anticipate they may be used to reduce the federal income tax payments which we would otherwise be required to make with respect to income, if any, generated in future years. We had available regular-tax net operating loss carryovers of approximately $49.3 million at December 31, 2006. The use of the net



operating loss carryovers is, however, subject to certain limitations and will expire to the extent not utilized beginning in 2019. In addition, the amount of these carryovers has not been audited or approved by the Internal Revenue Service, and, accordingly, we cannot promise that such carryovers will not be reduced as a result of audits in the future.

Restatements and amendments to our 2004 audited financial statements and certain matters related to our disclosure controls and procedures may present a risk of future restatements and could in turn lead to legal exposure.
In response to comments from the SEC to our 2004 Form 10-K, and as a result of changes we made internally, we restated and amended our 2004 audited financial statements and on December 30, 2005, filed a Form 10-K/A (Amendment No. 1) for year ended December 31, 2004. As a result of the restatement and amendments to our 2004 audited financial statements and SEC comments, we also filed on December 30, 2005, an amended Form 10-Q/A for each of the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005.

As a result of this restatement to our 2004 financial statements, we also revised our 2004 Form 10-K and first two quarters 2005 Form 10-Qs to provide that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2004, March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005, in our Form 10-K/A and Forms 10-Q/A, as a result of assessing that the change from the LIFO method to the FIFO method of accounting was not material resulting in the decision at the time of the change not to disclose and not to restate the prior years financial statements. We believe that during December 2005, we corrected the weakness to our disclosure controls and procedures by, among other things, establishing a Disclosure Committee to maintain oversight activities and to examine and reevaluate our policies, procedures and criteria to determine materiality of items relative to our financial statements taken as a whole. Restatements by others have, in some cases, resulted in the filing of class action lawsuits against such companies and their management and further inquiries from the SEC. Any similar lawsuit against us could result in substantial defense and/or liability costs and would likely consume a material amount of management’s attention that might otherwise be applied to our business. Under certain circumstances, these costs might not be covered by, or might exceed the limits of, our insurance coverage.

In addition, by letter received in August 2006 from the SEC, the SEC has made an informal inquiry of us relating to the change in inventory accounting from LIFO to FIFO resulting in the restatement of our financial statements, and, at this time, we do not know if the informal inquiry:

 
·
will rise to the level of an investigation or proceeding, or
 
·
will result in an enforcement action, if any, by the SEC.

We are a holding company and depend, in large part, on receiving funds from our subsidiaries to fund our indebtedness.

Because we are a holding company and operations are conducted through our subsidiaries, principally ThermaClime and its subsidiaries, our ability to make scheduled payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness depend on operating performance and cash flows of our subsidiaries and the ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions and pay dividends to us. Under its loan agreements, ThermaClime and its subsidiaries may only make distributions and
 

pay dividends to us under limited circumstances and in limited amounts. If ThermaClime is unable to make distributions or pay dividends to us, or the amounts of such distributions or dividends are not sufficient for us to service our debts, we may not be able to pay the principal or interest, or both, due on our indebtedness.

We are leveraged, which could affect our ability to pay our indebtedness.

We have a substantial amount of debt. At December 31, 2006, our aggregate consolidated debt was approximately $97.7 million resulting in total debt as a percentage of total capitalization of 70%.

The degree to which we are leveraged could have important consequences to us, including the following:

· our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for refinancing indebtedness, acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures or other purposes may be impaired;
· funds available to us for our operations and general corporate purposes or for capital expenditures will be reduced because a substantial portion of our consolidated cash flow from operations could be dedicated to the payment of the principal and interest on our indebtedness;
· we may be more highly leveraged than some of our competitors, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage;
· the agreements governing our long-term indebtedness, including indebtedness under the debentures, and those of our subsidiaries (including indebtedness under the debentures) and bank loans contain certain restrictive financial and operating covenants;
· an event of default, which is not cured or waived, under financial and operating covenants contained in these debt instruments could occur and have a material adverse effect on us; and
· we may be more vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions.

Our ability to make principal and interest payments, or to refinance indebtedness, will depend on our future operating performance and cash flow, which are subject to prevailing economic conditions and other factors affecting us, many of which are beyond our control.

Future issuance or potential issuance of our common stock could adversely affect the price of our common stock, our ability to raise funds in new stock offerings and dilute your percentage interest in our common stock.

Future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock or equity-related securities in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect prevailing trading prices of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through future offerings of equity or equity-related securities. No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales of shares of common stock or the availability of shares of common stock for future sale, will have on the trading price of our common stock. Such future sales could also significantly reduce the percentage ownership of our existing common stockholders.


We have not declared or paid dividends on our outstanding common stock in many years and have a substantial amount of accrued and unpaid dividends on our outstanding series of cumulative preferred stock.

We have not paid cash dividends on our outstanding common stock in many years, and from January 1, 1999, through December 31, 2005, we did not pay any accrued dividends on our outstanding cumulative preferred stock. We intend to retain most of our future earnings, if any, to provide funds for our operations and/or expansion of our businesses. However, during each quarter in 2006, our board of directors declared nominal dividends on certain outstanding series of our preferred stock, as follows: $.10 per share on the then outstanding shares of our Series 2 Preferred, $.37 per share on our outstanding Series B 12% Cumulative Convertible Preferred, and $.31 per share on our outstanding Non-Cumulative Preferred. These dividends are not for the full amount of the required quarterly dividends pursuant to the terms of our outstanding series of preferred stock. As of March 19, 2007, there were approximately $6.8 million of accrued and unpaid dividends on our outstanding cumulative preferred stock after the completion of our recently completed exchange offer which is discussed under “Sale of Unregistered Securities -Preferred Stock Exchanges and Completion of Exchange Offer” of Item 5.

We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our outstanding common stock in the foreseeable future, and until all accrued and unpaid dividends are paid on our outstanding cumulative preferred stock, no dividends may be paid on our common stock. In the event of our liquidation, winding up or dissolution, there can be no distributions on our common stock until all of the liquidation preference and stated value amounts of our outstanding preferred stock and all accrued and unpaid dividends due on our outstanding cumulative preferred stock are paid in full. Further, not paying all of the cumulative accrued dividends on our outstanding preferred stock could adversely affect the marketability of our common stock and our ability to raise additional equity capital.

We are subject to a variety of factors that could discourage other parties from attempting to acquire us.

Our certificate of incorporation provides for a staggered board of directors and, except in limited circumstances, a two-thirds vote of outstanding voting shares to approve a merger, consolidation or sale of all, or substantially all, of our assets. In addition, we have entered into severance agreements with our executive officers and some of the executive officers of our subsidiaries that provide, among other things, that if, within a specified period of time after the occurrence of a change in control of our company, these officers are terminated, other than for cause, or the officer terminates his employment for good reason, we must pay such officer an amount equal to 2.9 times the officer’s average annual gross salary for the last five years preceding the change in control.

We have authorized and unissued (including shares held in treasury) 55,520,861 shares of common stock and 4,036,093 shares of preferred stock as of March 14, 2007. These unissued shares could be used by our management to make it more difficult, and thereby discourage an attempt to acquire control of us.


We have adopted a preferred share purchase plan, which is designed to ensure that all of our stockholders receive fair and equal treatment in the event of a proposed takeover or abusive tender offer.

The foregoing provisions and agreements are designed to discourage a third party tender offer or proxy contest for control of us and could have the effect of making it more difficult to remove incumbent management.

Delaware has adopted an anti-takeover law which, among other things, will delay for three years business combinations with acquirers of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of publicly-held companies (such as us), unless (a) the acquirer owned at least 85% of the outstanding voting stock of such company prior to commencement of the transaction, or (b) two-thirds of the stockholders, other than the acquirer, vote to approve the business combination after approval thereof by the board of directors, and (c) the stockholders decide to opt out of the statute.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Climate Control Business
 
Our Climate Control Business manufactures most of its heat pump products in a 270,000 square foot facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We lease this facility, with an option to buy, through May 2016, with options to renew for three additional five-year periods. For 2006, approximately 98% of the productive capacity of this manufacturing facility was being utilized, based on two ten-hour shifts per day and a four-day work week in one department and one ten-hour shift per day and a four-day work week in all other departments. During mid-2006, we added three twelve-hour shifts per weekend. See discussion under “Production and Backlog” of Item 1.

Our Climate Control Business conducts its fan coil manufacturing operations in a facility located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, consisting of approximately 265,000 square feet. We own this facility subject to a mortgage. For 2006, our Climate Control Business was using 87% of the productive capacity, based on one ten-hour shift per day and a four-day work week and a limited second shift in selected areas.

Our Climate Control Business conducts its large air handler manufacturing operation in a facility located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, consisting of approximately 110,000 square feet. We own this facility subject to a mortgage. For 2006, approximately 53% of the productive capacity of this manufacturing facility was being utilized, based on one eight-hour shift on a five-day work week and a partial second shift in selected areas.
 
All of the properties utilized by our Climate Control Business are considered by our management to be suitable to meet the current needs of that business. However, we plan to

utilize additional space at some of our other facilities for distribution purposes as the result of the record order intake level of our heat pump products as discussed under “Production and Backlog” in Item 1.
 
Chemical Business

Our Chemical Business primarily conducts manufacturing operations (a) on 150 acres of a 1,400 acre tract of land located at El Dorado, (b) on 160 acres of a 1,300 acre tract of land located at Cherokee and (c) on leased property within Bayer’s complex in Baytown, Texas. The Company and/or its subsidiaries own all of its manufacturing facilities except Baytown. Baytown is being leased pursuant to a long-term lease with an unrelated third party. Certain real property and equipment located at El Dorado and Cherokee are being used to secure a $50 million term loan. For 2006, the following facilities were utilized based on continuous operation:

 
Percentage of Capacity
 
 
El Dorado (1)
91
%
 
 
Cherokee (2)
83
%
 
 
Baytown (3)
90
%
 

(1) The percentage of capacity for El Dorado relates to its nitric acid capacity. El Dorado has capacity to produce other nitrogen products in excess of its nitric acid capacity.

(2) The percentage of capacity for Cherokee relates to its ammonia production capacity and was compromised by the curtailments in early 2006 as explained under “Overview - Chemical Business” of Item 7. Cherokee has additional capacity for nitric acid, ammonium nitrate and urea in excess of its ammonia capacity.

(3) Production projects were completed at Baytown from 2004 through 2006 which increased nameplate capacity by 7%. Further process fine tuning and capacity increases are planned for 2007.

In addition to El Dorado and Cherokee, our Chemical Business distributes its agricultural products through 15 wholesale and retail distribution centers, with 13 of the centers located in Texas (10 of which we own and 3 of which we lease); 1 center located in Tennessee (owned); and 1 center located in Missouri (owned).

All of the properties utilized by our Chemical Business are considered by our management to be suitable and adequate to meet the current needs of that business.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

1.  Environmental See “Business-Environmental Matters” for a discussion as to:

 
·
claims by the KDHE regarding Slurry’s former facility in Hallowell, Kansas and Chevron, the successor of the prior owner of the facility; and
 
·
discussion as to a consent order between El Dorado and the ADEQ entered into during December 2006 to resolve certain ammonia emissions.


 
2. Chemical Business
 
Cherokee Nitrogen Company (“CNC”), a subsidiary within our Chemical Business, has been sued for an undisclosed amount of monies based on a claim that CNC breached an agreement by overcharging the plaintiff, Nelson Brothers, LLC, (“Nelson”) for ammonium nitrate as a result of inflated prices for natural gas used to manufacture the ammonium nitrate. CNC has filed a third-party complaint against Dynegy and a subsidiary (“Dynegy”) asserting that Dynegy was the party responsible for fraudulently causing artificial natural gas prices to exist and seeking an undisclosed amount from Dynegy, including any amounts which may be recovered by Nelson. The suit is Nelson Brothers, LLC v. Cherokee Nitrogen v. Dynegy Marketing, and is pending in Alabama state court in Colbert County. Dynegy has filed a counterclaim against CNC for $600,000 allegedly owed on account, which has been recorded by CNC. Although there is no assurance, counsel for CNC has advised us that, at this time, they believe that CNC will recover monies from Dynegy and the likelihood of Dynegy recovering from CNC is remote. Our counsel also has advised us that they believe that the likelihood of Nelson recovering monies from CNC over and above any monies which may be recovered from Dynegy by CNC is remote.

CNC has filed suit against Meecorp Capital Markets, LLC (“Meecorp”) and Lending Solutions, Inc. in Alabama State Court, in Etowah County, Alabama, for recovery of actual damages of $140,000 plus punitive damages, relating to a loan transaction. Meecorp counterclaimed for the balance of an alleged commitment fee of $100,000, an alleged equity kicker of $200,000 and $3,420,000 for loss of opportunity. CNC is vigorously pursuing this matter, and counsel for CNC has advised that they believe there is a good likelihood CNC will recover from the defendants and that the likelihood of Meecorp recovering from CNC is remote.
 
3. Other

Zeller Pension Plan

In February 2000, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized management to proceed with the sale of the automotive products business, since the automotive products business was no longer a “core business” of the Company. In May 2000, the Company sold substantially all of its assets in its automotive products business. After the authorization by the board, but prior to the sale, the automotive products business purchased the assets and assumed certain liabilities of Zeller Corporation (“Zeller”). The liabilities of Zeller assumed by the automotive products business included Zeller’s pension plan, which is not a multi-employer pension plan. In June 2003, the principal owner (“Owner”) of the buyer of the automotive products business was contacted by a representative of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) regarding the plan. The Owner was informed by the PBGC of a possible under-funding of the plan and a possible takeover of the plan by the PBGC. The PBGC previously advised the Company that the PBGC may consider the Company to be potentially liable for the under-funding of the Zeller Plan in the event that the plan is taken over by the PBGC and alleged that the under-funding is approximately $600,000. However, the Company’s ERISA counsel was verbally informed by a PBGC representative that he would probably recommend no further action by the PBGC with respect to the Company’s involvement with the Zeller plan. There are no assurances that such recommendation, will be made or, if made, will be accepted by the PBGC.


 
MEI Drafts

On July 18, 2006, Masinexportimport Foreign Trade Company (“MEI”) gave notice to the Company and a subsidiary of the Company alleging that it was owed $1,533,000 in connection with MEI’s attempted collection of ten non-negotiable bank drafts payable to the order of MEI. The bank drafts were issued by Aerobit Ltd. (“Aerobit”), a non-U.S. company and at the time of issuance of the bank drafts was a subsidiary of the Company. Each of the bank drafts has a face value of $153,300, for an aggregate principal face value of $1,533,000. The bank drafts were issued in September 1992, and had a maturity date of December 31, 2001. Each bank draft was endorsed by LSB Corp., which, at the time of endorsement, was a subsidiary of the Company.

On October 22, 1990, a settlement agreement between the Company, its subsidiary Summit Machine Tool Manufacturing Corp. (“Summit”), and MEI (the “Settlement Agreement”), was entered into, and in connection with the Settlement Agreement, Summit issued to MEI obligations totaling $1,533,000. On May 16, 1992, the Settlement Agreement was rescinded by the Company, Summit, and MEI at the request of MEI, and replaced with an agreement purportedly substantially similar to the Settlement Agreement between MEI and Aerobit, pursuant to which MEI agreed to replace the original $1,533,000 of Summit’s obligations with Aerobit bank drafts totaling $1,533,000, endorsed by LSB Corp. Aerobit previously advised us that MEI has not fulfilled the requirements under the bank drafts for payment thereof.

All of the Company’s ownership interest in LSB Corp. was sold to an unrelated third party in September 2002. Further, all of the Company’s interest in Aerobit was sold to a separate unrelated third party, in a transaction completed on or before November 2002. Accordingly, neither Aerobit, which was the issuer of the bank drafts, nor LSB Corp., which was the endorser of the bank drafts, are currently subsidiaries of the Company.

Neither the Company nor any of its currently owned subsidiaries are makers or endorsers of the bank drafts in question. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in connection with this matter. No liability has been established relating to these bank drafts as of December 31, 2006.

Securities and Exchange Commission Inquiry

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) made an informal inquiry to the Company by letter dated August 15, 2006. The inquiry relates to the restatement of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2004 and accounting matters relating to the change in inventory accounting from LIFO to FIFO. The Company has responded to the inquiry. At the present time the informal inquiry is not a pending proceeding nor does it rise to the level of a government investigation. Until further communication and clarification with the SEC, if any, the Company is unable to determine:
 


 
  · if the inquiry will ever rise to the level of an investigation or proceeding, or
 
·
the materiality to the Company’s financial position with respect to enforcement actions, if any, the SEC may have available to it.

We are also involved in various other claims and legal actions which in the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, if determined adversely to us, would not have a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of our shareholders during the fourth quarter of 2006.


ITEM 4A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Our officers serve one-year terms, renewable on an annual basis by the Board of Directors. Information regarding the Company's executive officers is as follows:

Jack E. Golsen (1)
 
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Golsen, age 78, first became a director in 1969. His term will expire in 2007. Mr. Golsen, founder of the Company, is our Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer and has served in that capacity since our inception in 1969. Mr. Golsen served as our President from 1969 until 2004. During 1996, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Commerce and Industry Hall of Honor as one of Oklahoma's leading industrialists. Mr. Golsen has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Mexico in biochemistry.
     
Barry H. Golsen (1)
 
Vice Chairman of the Board, President, and President of the Climate Control Business. Mr. Golsen, age 56, first became a director in 1981. His term will expire in 2009. Mr. Golsen was elected President of the Company in 2004. Mr. Golsen has served as our Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors since August 1994, and has been the President of our Climate Control Business for more than five years. Mr. Golsen also serves as a director of the Oklahoma branch of the Federal Reserve Bank. Mr. Golsen has both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Oklahoma.
     
David R. Goss
 
Executive Vice President of Operations and Director. Mr. Goss, age 66, first became a director in 1971. His term will expire in 2009. Mr. Goss, a certified public accountant, is our Executive Vice President of Operations and has served in substantially the same capacity for more than five years. Mr. Goss is a graduate of Rutgers University.
     
Tony M. Shelby
 
Executive Vice President of Finance and Director. Mr. Shelby, age 65, first became a director in 1971. His term will expire in 2008. Mr. Shelby, a certified public accountant, is our Executive Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, a position he has held for more than five years. Prior to becoming our Executive Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, he served as Chief Financial Officer of a subsidiary of the Company and was with the accounting firm of Arthur Young & Co., a predecessor to Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. Shelby is a graduate of Oklahoma City University.
     
Jim D. Jones 
 
Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller and Treasurer. Mr. Jones, age 64, has been Senior Vice President, Controller and Treasurer since July 2003, and has served as an officer of the Company since April 1977. Mr. Jones is a certified public accountant and was with the accounting firm of Arthur Young & Co., a predecessor to Ernst & Young LLP.
Mr. Jones is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma.



     
David M. Shear (1)
 
Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Mr. Shear, age 47, has been Senior Vice President since July 2004 and General Counsel and Secretary since 1990. Mr. Shear attended Brandeis University, graduating cum laude in 1981. At Brandeis University, Mr. Shear was the founding Editor-In-Chief of Chronos, the first journal of undergraduate scholarly articles. Mr. Shear attended the Boston University School of Law, where he was a contributing Editor of the Annual Review of Banking Law.
Mr. Shear acted as a staff attorney at the Bureau of Competition with the Federal Trade Commission from 1985 to 1986. From 1986 through 1989, Mr. Shear was an associate in the Boston law firm of Weiss, Angoff, Coltin, Koski and Wolf. Also see discussion under “Family Relationships” in Item 10.

(1) Barry H. Golsen is the son of Jack E. Golsen and David M. Shear is married to the niece of Jack E. Golsen.



PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information 

Our common stock is listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “LXU”. The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the high and low bid information for our common stock which reflects inter-dealer prices, without retail markup, markdown or commission, and may not represent actual transactions.

 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
2006
 
2005
 
Quarter
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
First
 
$
7.48
 
$
5.87
 
$
7.93
 
$
5.95
 
Second
 
$
9.19
 
$
6.95
 
$
7.50
 
$
6.00
 
Third
 
$
10.25
 
$
8.25
 
$
7.35
 
$
6.05
 
Fourth
 
$
13.20
 
$
8.50
 
$
6.70
 
$
4.84

Stockholders

As of March 14, 2007, we had 740 record holders of our common stock. This number does not include investors whose ownership is recorded in the name of their brokerage company.

Dividends

We are a holding company and, accordingly, our ability to pay cash dividends on our preferred stock and our common stock depends in large part on our ability to obtain funds from our subsidiaries. The ability of ThermaClime (which owns substantially all of the companies comprising the Climate Control Business and Chemical Business) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries to pay dividends and to make distributions to us is restricted by certain covenants contained in the Working Capital Revolver Loan and Senior Secured Loan agreements to which they are parties.

Under the terms of the Working Capital Revolver Loan and Senior Secured Loan agreements, ThermaClime cannot transfer funds to us in the form of cash dividends or other distributions or advances, except for:

 
·
the amount of income taxes that ThermaClime would be required to pay if they were not consolidated with us;
 
·
an amount not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of ThermaClime's consolidated net income during each fiscal year determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles plus amounts paid to us within the first bullet above, provided that certain other conditions are met;
 
·
the amount of direct and indirect costs and expenses incurred by us on behalf of ThermaClime pursuant to a certain services agreement;
 
 
 
 
·
amounts under a certain management agreement between us and ThermaClime, provided certain conditions are met.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends only if and when declared by our Board of Directors. No cash dividends may be paid on our common stock until all required dividends are paid on the outstanding shares of our Series 2 Preferred, or declared and amounts set apart for the current period, and, if cumulative, prior periods.

As discussed below under “Sale of Unregistered Securities - Preferred Stock Exchanges and Completion of Exchange Offer”, during 2006, we had transactions in which Series 2 Preferred was exchanged for our common stock. Because the exchanges were pursuant to terms other than the original terms, the transactions were considered extinguishments of the preferred stock. In addition, the transactions qualified as induced conversions under SFAS 84. Accordingly, we recorded a charge (stock dividend) to accumulated deficit of approximately $2.9 million which equaled the excess of the fair value of the common stock issued over the fair value of the common stock issuable pursuant to the original conversion terms. To measure fair value, we used the closing price of our common stock on the day the parties entered into an exchange agreement.

As of March 14, 2007, we have issued and outstanding, 193,295 shares of the Series 2 Preferred, 1,000,000 shares of Series D Cumulative Convertible Class C Preferred Stock ("Series D Preferred"), 612 shares of a series of the Non-Cumulative Preferred and 20,000 shares of Series B 12% Convertible, Cumulative Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred"). Each share of preferred stock is entitled to receive an annual dividend, if and when declared by our Board of Directors, payable as follows:

 
·
Series 2 Preferred at the annual rate of $3.25 a share payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, which dividend is cumulative;
 
·
Series D Preferred at the rate of $.06 a share payable on October 9, which dividend is cumulative but will be paid only after accrued and unpaid dividends are paid on the Series 2 Preferred;
 
·
Non-Cumulative Preferred at the rate of $10.00 a share payable April 1, which are non-cumulative; and
 
·
Series B Preferred at the rate of $12.00 a share payable January 1, which dividend is cumulative.

We have not paid cash dividends on our outstanding common stock in many years, and from January 1, 1999, through December 31, 2005, we did not pay any accrued dividends on our outstanding cumulative preferred stock. We intend to retain most of our future earnings, if any, to provide funds for our operations and/or expansion of our businesses. However, during each quarter in 2006, our board of directors declared nominal dividends on certain outstanding series of our preferred stock, as follows: $.10 per share on the then outstanding shares of our Series 2 Preferred, $.37 per share on our outstanding Series B Preferred, and $.31 per share on our outstanding Non-Cumulative Preferred. These dividends are not for the full amount of the required quarterly dividends pursuant to the terms of our outstanding series of preferred stock.


No dividends or other distributions, other than dividends payable in common stock, shall be declared or paid, by us in connection with any shares of common stock until all cumulative and unpaid dividends on the Series 2 Preferred, Series D Preferred and Series B Preferred shall have been paid. As of March 19, 2007, the aggregate amount of unpaid dividends in arrears on our Series 2 Preferred, Series D Preferred and Series B Preferred totaled approximately $4.8 million, $0.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

Our Board of Directors did not, and does not plan, to declare a dividend on our preferred stock during March 2007. There are no assurances that we will in the future pay any additional quarterly dividends on any of our outstanding shares of preferred stock. We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our outstanding common stock in the foreseeable future, and until all accrued and unpaid dividends are paid on our outstanding cumulative preferred stock, no dividends may be paid on our common stock. See “Risk Factors”.

Sale of Unregistered Securities

Completion of Exchange Offer

On November 10, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement (“Jayhawk Agreement”) with Jayhawk Capital Management, L.L.C. and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the “Jayhawk Group”). Under the Jayhawk Agreement, the Jayhawk Group agreed, if the Company made an exchange offer for the Series 2 Preferred, to tender (discussed below) 180,450 shares of the 346,662 shares of Series 2 Preferred owned by the Jayhawk Group. In addition, as a condition to the Jayhawk Group’s obligation to tender such shares of Series 2 Preferred in an exchange offer, the Jayhawk Agreement further provided that Jack E. Golsen (Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Company), his wife, children and certain entities controlled by them (the “Golsen Group”) would exchange only 26,467 of the 49,550 shares of Series 2 Preferred beneficially owned by them. As a result, only 309,807 of the 499,102 shares of Series 2 Preferred outstanding would be eligible to participate in an exchange offer, with the remaining 189,295 being held by the Jayhawk Group and the Golsen Group.

On January 26, 2007, our Board of Directors approved and on February 9, 2007, we began an exchange offer to exchange shares of our common stock for up to 309,807 of the 499,102 outstanding shares of the Series 2 Preferred. The exchange offer expired on March 12, 2007. The terms of the exchange offer provided for the issuance by the Company of 7.4 shares of common stock in exchange for each share of Series 2 Preferred tendered in the exchange offer and the waiver of all rights to accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series 2 Preferred tendered. As a result of this exchange offer, we issued 2,262,965 shares of our common stock for 305,807 shares of Series 2 Preferred that were tendered. In addition, an aggregate of approximately $7.3 million in accrued and unpaid dividends were waived as a result of this exchange offer. Pursuant to the Jayhawk Agreement and the terms of the exchange offer, the Jayhawk Group and the Golsen Group tendered 180,450 and 26,467 shares, respectively, of Series 2 Preferred for 1,335,330 and 195,855 shares, respectively, of our common stock and waived a total of approximately $4.96 million in accrued and unpaid dividends, with the Jayhawk Group waiving a total of $4.33 million and the Golsen Group waiving a total of $0.63 million.


The shares of common stock issued by us as a result of the tender offer were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”) pursuant to an exemption from registration under Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act. No fractional shares were issued so cash was paid in lieu of any additional shares in an amount equal to the fraction of a share times the closing price per share of our common stock on the last business day immediately preceding the expiration date of the tender offer.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

During the three months ended December 31, 2006, the Company and affiliated purchasers, as defined, did not purchase any of its equity securities except that during October 2006, we entered into various Exchange Agreements with certain holders of our Series 2 Preferred to exchange an aggregate of 104,548 shares of Series 2 Preferred for an aggregate of 773,655 shares of common stock in transactions exempted from registration pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act. These exchanges were subject to approval by AMEX to list the shares of common stock to be issued in connection with the Exchange Agreements. In accordance with the Exchange Agreements, the holders that exchanged Series 2 Preferred for our common stock waived any and all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series 2 Preferred exchanged. On November 7, 2006, the AMEX approved the listing of the shares to be issued in the exchange. All such exchanges are shown in the following table:







Period
(a) Total
number of
shares of
Series 2
Preferred
purchased
 
(b) Average
price paid per
share of
Series 2
Preferred
(c) Total number of
shares of Series 2
Preferred purchased
as part of publicly
announced plans
or programs
(d) Maximum number (or
approximate dollar value)
of shares of Series 2
Preferred that may yet
be purchased under
the plans or programs
October 1, 2006 -
October 31, 2006
 
104,548
 
 
$
 
66.43
 
-
 
-
             
November 1, 2006 -
November 30, 2006
 
-
 
 
$
 
-
 
-
 
-
             
December 1, 2006 -
December 31, 2006
 
-
 
 
$
 
-
 
-
 
-
Total
104,548
 
$
66.43
-
-

These shares of Series 2 Preferred were cancelled. The average price paid per share of Series 2 Preferred is based on the closing market price of our common stock on the dates of the underlying Exchange Agreements.


ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 
Years ended December 31,
 
2006
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
2002
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Selected Statement of Operations Data:
                                     
                                       
Net sales
$
491,952
   
$
397,115
   
$
363,984
   
$
317,026
   
$
283,553
 
Interest expense (1)
$
11,915
   
$
11,407
   
$
7,393
   
$
6,097
   
$
8,218
 
                                       
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting changes (1) (2)
 
$
 
16,183
   
 
$
 
5,746
   
 
$
 
1,906
   
 
$
 
2,913
   
 
$
 
2,723
 
Cumulative effect of accounting changes
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
(536
)
 
$
-
   
$
860
 
Net income
$
15,930
   
$
5,102
   
$
1,370
   
$
2,913
   
$
122
 
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock
$
13,300
   
$
2,819
   
$
(952
)
 
$
586
   
$
(2,205
)
Income (loss) per common share applicable to
common stock:
                                     
Basic:
                                     
Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting changes
 
$
 
.95
   
 
$
 
.26
   
 
$
 
(.03
 
)
 
 
$
 
.05
   
 
$
 
.04
 
Net loss from discontinued operations
$
(.02
)
 
$
(.05
)
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
(.29
)
Cumulative effect of accounting changes
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
(.04
)
 
$
-
   
$
.07
 
Net income (loss)
$
.93
   
$
.21
   
$
(.07
)
 
$
.05
   
$
(.18
)
Diluted:
                                     
Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting changes
 
$
 
.79
   
 
$
 
.23
   
 
$
 
(.03
 
)
 
 
$
 
.04
   
 
$
 
.03
 
Net loss from discontinued operations
$
(.01
)
 
$
(.04
)
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
(.27
)
Cumulative effect of accounting changes
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
(.04
)
 
$
-
   
$
.07
 
Net income (loss)
$
.78
   
$
.19
   
$
(.07
)
 
$
.04
   
$
(.17
)
 
(1) In May 2002, the repurchase of Senior Unsecured Notes using proceeds from a Financing Agreement was accounted for as a voluntary debt restructuring. As a result, subsequent interest payments associated with the Financing Agreement debt were recognized against the unrecognized gain on the transaction. The Financing Agreement debt was repaid in September 2004.
(2) Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting changes includes gains on extinguishment of debt of $4.4 million and $1.5 million for 2004 and 2002, respectively.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (CONTINUED)

 
Years ended December 31,
 
2006
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
2002
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
                                     
                                       
Total assets
$
219,927
   
$
188,963
   
$
167,568
   
$
161,813
   
$
166,276
 
Redeemable preferred stock
$
65
   
$
83
   
$
97
   
$
103
   
$
111
 
Long-term debt, including current portion
$
97,692
   
$
112,124
   
$
106,507
   
$
103,275
   
$
113,361
 
Stockholders' equity
$
42,644
   
$
13,456
   
$
8,398
   
$
6,184
   
$
1,204
 
Selected other data:
                                     
Cash dividends declared per common share
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 




ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with a review of the other Items included in this Form 10-K and our December 31, 2006 Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report. Certain statements contained in this MD&A may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. See "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."

Overview

General

We are a manufacturing, marketing and engineering company. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, ThermaClime, through its subsidiaries, owns substantially all of our core businesses consisting of the:

·
Climate Control Business engaged in the manufacturing and selling of a broad range of air conditioning and heating products in the niche markets we serve consisting of geothermal and water source heat pumps, hydronic fan coils, large custom air handlers and other products used in commercial and residential new building construction, renovation of existing buildings and replacement of existing systems.
·
Chemical Business engaged in the manufacturing and selling of chemical products produced from three plants located in Arkansas, Alabama and Texas for the industrial, mining and agricultural markets.

2006 Results

LSB’s 2006 sales were $492.0 million compared to $397.1 million in 2005, operating income was $27.6 million compared to $15.0 million in 2005 and income from continuing operations was $16.2 million compared to $5.7 million in 2005. Net income was $15.9 million compared to $5.1 million for 2005.

The Climate Control Business continued to report strong sales and operating results due to record high backlogs and new order flow. Their sales were $221.2 million compared to $156.9 million in 2005. Their operating income before allocation of corporate overhead was $25.4 million, an 80% increase over the $14.1 million in 2005.

Our Chemical Business reported improved results in 2006 with sales of $260.7 million compared to $233.4 million in 2005. Operating income before allocation of corporate overhead was $10.2 million, a 32% increase over the $7.7 million in 2005.

Climate Control Business

The Climate Control Business has historically and consistently generated annual profits and positive cash flows and continues to do so. Climate Control’s sales for 2006 were $221 million, a 41% increase from the same period last year. As indicated above the Climate Control Business’


sales and operating income for 2006 were higher than in 2005. The increase in 2006 sales and operating income as compared to 2005 is attributable to strong demand for the geothermal and water source heat pumps that reported a 57% sales increase and to the fan coil and other products that reported a 21% increase. Management’s objectives for the Climate Control Business include the continued emphasis on:

 
·
increasing the sales and operating margins of all products,
 
·
developing and introducing new and energy efficient products, and
 
·
increasing production to meet customer demand.

Most of the products of the Climate Control Business are produced to customer orders that are placed well in advance of required delivery dates. As a result, the Climate Control Business maintains significant backlogs that eliminate the necessity to carry substantial inventories other than for firm customer orders. Due to the increase in the demand for Climate Control’s products, the backlog of confirmed orders has also increased. The backlog of confirmed orders at December 31, 2006, was approximately $80 million as compared to $56 million at 2005 and $28 million at 2004. We anticipate shipping substantially all of this backlog within twelve months.

Management is taking certain actions to increase the production level to reduce the product delivery lead times and the current backlog. In response to record intake level of customer orders, we recently increased our unit output through additional shifts and overtime. Management has also invested $4.9 million in fabrication equipment, plant-wide process control systems and other upgrades during 2006 and has plans for additional production equipment during 2007 including $3.6 million already committed. This investment is expected to increase capacity and reduce overtime. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2006, we acquired a 46,000 sq. ft. building adjacent to our existing 270,000 sq. ft. geothermal and water source heat pump production facility at an approximate cost of $2.5 million to increase production and warehouse space. We have also committed approximately $1.2 million to renovate an existing building as a distribution center for our geothermal and water source heat pumps. At December 31, 2006, approximately $0.3 million of the $1.2 million commitment had been expended. Both of these real property investments have been financed by mortgages.

In October 2006, Trison Construction, Inc. (“Trison”), a subsidiary within our Climate Control Business, was awarded reimbursement of defense costs of $1.2 million in connection with a binding arbitration filed with the American Arbitration Association. The amount was paid in the fourth quarter and is classified as other income which is included in operating income.

Our Climate Control Business will continue to launch new products and product upgrades in an effort to maintain our current market position and to establish a presence in new markets. In recent periods, the Climate Control Business's profitability was affected by operating losses of certain new product lines being developed over the past few years. Our emphasis has been to increase the sales levels of these operations above the breakeven point. During 2006, the results for these new products have not improved appreciably. We believe that the prospects for these new product lines are improving and that these products will contribute favorably in the future.

 
Chemical Business

The Chemical Business has production facilities in Baytown, Texas (the “Baytown” facility), El Dorado, Arkansas (the “El Dorado” facility) and Cherokee, Alabama (the “Cherokee” facility). Baytown and El Dorado produce nitrogen products from anhydrous ammonia that is delivered by pipeline. Cherokee produces nitrogen products from natural gas that is delivered by pipeline. As indicated above, for 2006, the Chemical Business reported a sales increase of $27.2 million or 12% and a $2.5 million or 32% increase in operating income before allocation of corporate overhead.

Sales in all product lines were higher in 2006 in tons shipped, while our average price per ton remained consistent with 2005. Industrial acids and other chemical products increased $15.0 million or 18.7%; agricultural products increased $9.1 million or 11.3%; and mining products increased $3.1 million or 4.3%. Agricultural volumes increased in spite of a severe drought throughout the mid-south and southeast United States. The increase in agricultural volume is attributable to our ability to reach outside our traditional geographic markets and sell into markets previously served by competitors that have exited the market.

The increase in operating income is attributable to higher industrial acid and agricultural sales, the improvement in production performance due to higher throughput volumes, and an improvement in the natural gas supply and corresponding average costs as the result of the hurricane disruptions of 2005.

Our raw materials, anhydrous ammonia and natural gas, are commodities subject to significant price fluctuations, and generally purchased at prices in effect at time of purchase. Due to the uncertainty of the sales prices of our products in relation to the cost of anhydrous ammonia and natural gas, we have developed some customers that purchase substantial quantities of products pursuant to sales agreements and/or formulas that provide for the pass through of these raw material costs. These pricing arrangements help mitigate the commodity price risk inherent in anhydrous ammonia and natural gas. Approximately 65% of the Chemical Business’ sales in 2006 were subject to these pricing arrangements.

Although anhydrous ammonia is produced from natural gas, the price of anhydrous ammonia does not necessarily follow the price of natural gas in the United States. Much of the anhydrous ammonia consumed in the U.S. is produced off shore and delivered inland by pipeline, barge and rail with originations at or near the Gulf of Mexico. Our raw material cost of anhydrous ammonia is based upon formulas indexed to published industry ammonia prices tied to import prices.

Most of the production from Baytown is sold pursuant to a long-term supply agreement that provides for the pass through of certain production costs including anhydrous ammonia. This facility continues to generate consistent operating profits and reported higher sales and profits in 2006 than in 2005.

El Dorado produces approximately 500,000 tons of products per year from purchased anhydrous ammonia. Approximately 59% of the volume sold in 2006 was sold pursuant to pricing arrangements that allow for the pass through of the cost of anhydrous ammonia to the     



customer. The balance of these products sold during 2006 was primarily agricultural and was sold at the spot market price in effect at the time of shipment. During August 2006, a sales agreement for El Dorado to supply a significant amount of industrial grade ammonium nitrate each year pursuant to pricing arrangements was amended with mutual benefit to the parties for a term extending through 2010. The amendment provides for, among other things, an increase of 10% of the minimum annual tons beginning in 2007 and a price increase in the profit-per-ton component.

Following a trial in October 2006, a jury verdict awarded El Dorado approximately $9.8 million in damages due to the faulty repair of a hot gas expander in one of EDC’s nitric acid plants. EDC will pay attorneys fees equal to 31.67% of any recovery. The award is under appeal and will be recognized if and when realized.

As previously reported, Cherokee incurred losses in the third and fourth quarters of 2005 and continuing into the first quarter 2006, related to disruptions at the plant caused by the record climb in natural gas costs due to the hurricanes in the U.S. Gulf. Although Cherokee’s operating results were negative for 2006, due to high natural gas costs in the first quarter and downtime in the third and fourth quarters, the 2006 operating loss was reduced from 2005.

Natural gas prices continue to be unpredictable. Daily spot prices per MMBtu, excluding transportation, during 2006 ranged from a high of $9.90 to a low of $3.54. During 2006, approximately 71% of Cherokee’s sales were priced to include the cost of natural gas.

Our Chemical Business will continue to focus on growing our non-seasonal industrial customer base with an emphasis on customers that accept the risk inherent with raw material costs, while maintaining a strong presence in the seasonal agricultural sector. The operations strategy is to maximize production of the plants, thereby lowering the fixed cost of each ton of production.

Stock Options

On June 19, 2006, the Executive Compensation and Option Committee of our Board of Directors granted 450,000 shares of non-qualified stock options to certain employees which are subject to shareholders’ approval. The option price of these options is $8.01 per share which is based on the market value of our common stock at the date of authorization. These options will vest over a ten-year period at a rate of 10% per year and expire on September 16, 2016 with certain restrictions. Under SFAS 123(R), the fair value for these options will be estimated, using an option pricing model, as of the date we receive shareholders’ approval which is currently expected to be no later than our 2007 annual shareholders’ meeting. In general, a ratable portion of the total estimated fair value relating to these options will be charged to selling, general, and administrative expense (“SG&A”) at the date of shareholders’ approval and the remaining balance amortized to SG&A over the options’ remaining vesting period.

 
Preferred Stock Exchanges and Completion of Exchange Offer 

During October 2006, we entered into Exchange Agreements with certain holders of our Series 2 Preferred. Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreements we issued 773,655 shares of our common stock in exchange for 104,548 shares of Series 2 Preferred. The holders that were parties to an Exchange Agreement waived their rights to all unpaid dividends on the Series 2 Preferred exchanged which totaled approximately $2.43 million.

As discussed under “Sale of Unregistered Securities” of Item 5, during November 2006, the Company entered into the Jayhawk Agreement with the Jayhawk Group. Under the Jayhawk Agreement, the Jayhawk Group agreed to tender in an exchange offer (discussed below) 180,450 shares of Series 2 Preferred owned by the Jayhawk Group. In addition, as a condition to the Jayhawk Group’s obligation to tender such shares of Series 2 Preferred in an exchange offer, the Jayhawk Agreement further provided that the Golsen Group would exchange 26,467 shares of Series 2 Preferred beneficially owned by them.
 
Our Board of Directors approved and on February 9, 2007, we began an exchange offer to exchange shares of our common stock for up to 309,807 shares of the Series 2 Preferred. The terms of the exchange offer provided for the issuance by the Company of 7.4 shares of common stock in exchange for each share of Series 2 Preferred tendered in the exchange offer and the waiver of all rights to accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series 2 Preferred tendered. As a result of this exchange offer, we issued 2,262,965 shares of our common stock for 305,807 shares of Series 2 Preferred that were tendered. In addition, an aggregate of approximately $7.3 million in accrued and unpaid dividends were waived as a result of this exchange offer. This exchange transaction qualified as an induced conversion under SFAS 84. As a result, in the first quarter of 2007, we will record a charge (stock dividend) to accumulated deficit which will equal the excess of the fair value of the common stock issued over the fair value of the common stock issuable pursuant to the original conversion terms. In addition, such stock dividend will decrease net income applicable to common stock, thereby negatively impacting earnings per common share for the first quarter of 2007.
Pursuant to the Jayhawk Agreement and the terms of the exchange offer, the Jayhawk Group and the Golsen Group tendered 180,450 and 26,467 shares, respectively, of Series 2 Preferred for 1,335,330 and 195,855 shares, respectively, of our common stock and waived a total of approximately $5.0 million in accrued and unpaid dividends.

Amendments to the Series 2 Preferred

On March 6, 2007, our stockholders approved two amendments to the Series 2 Preferred, which amendments became effective on that date. The first amendment provides that the right of the holders of the Series 2 Preferred to elect two directors to our board of directors when at least six quarterly dividends on the Series 2 Preferred are in arrears and unpaid may be exercised only if and so long as at least 140,000 shares of Series 2 Preferred are issued and outstanding. The second amendment permits us to purchase or otherwise acquire shares of our common stock for a five-year period even though cumulative accrued and unpaid dividends exist on the Series 2 Preferred. The five-year period commenced on March 13, 2007, upon the completion of the exchange offer.
 
Business Interruption and Property Insurance Claims

El Dorado - Beginning in October 2004 and continuing into June 2005, the Chemical Business’ results were adversely affected as a result of the loss of production due to a mechanical failure of one of the four nitric acid plants at the El Dorado, Arkansas plant. The plant was restored to normal production in June 2005. We filed a property damage insurance claim for $3.8 million, net of a $1.0 million deductible. We also filed a business interruption claim for $5.0 million, net of the forty-five day waiting period. As of December 31, 2006, the insurers have paid claims totaling $5.5 million. The insurers are contesting our remaining claims.

On March 23, 2006, we filed a lawsuit in Federal Court in the Western District of Arkansas, El Dorado Division, to collect amounts from our insurers to which we believe we are owed under the policy. The total amount claimed under the lawsuit which includes business interruption and property claims, is approximately $2.3 million, plus attorney fees. Additional recoveries, if any, will be recognized when realized.

Cherokee - As a result of damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, the natural gas pipeline servicing the Cherokee Facility suffered damage and the owner of the pipeline declared an event of Force Majeure. This event of Force Majeure caused curtailments and interruption in the delivery of natural gas to the Cherokee Facility. Cherokee Nitrogen Company’s (“CNC”) insurer was promptly put on notice of a claim, but the quantification of the claim amount took time and involved the retention of a gas market expert and a business interruption consultant.

On September 25, 2006, CNC filed a contingent business interruption claim. CNC is now in discussions with, and providing additional documentation to, the forensic accountant hired by CNC’s insurers to examine the claim. The recovery of this claim, if any, will be recognized when realized.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As a diversified holding company, cash requirements are primarily dependent upon credit agreements and our ability to obtain funds from our ThermaClime and non-ThermaClime subsidiaries.

On March 14, 2006, we completed an $18.0 million private placement of the Company’s 7% Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures due 2011 (the “Debentures”). Interest on the Debentures is payable semi-annually each year beginning September 1, 2006. We used substantially all of the net proceeds of $16.5 million from the Debentures to purchase or redeem higher interest rate debt, including ThermaClime’s 10 3/4% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2007 (“Senior Unsecured Notes”). The remaining balance was used for general corporate purposes.

Our total outstanding debt at December 31, 2006 was $97.7 million compared to $112.1 million at December 31, 2005.

During the third and fourth quarters of 2006, $14.0 million of the Debentures were converted into common stock at $7.08 per common share. At December 31, 2006, there were $4.0 million
of Debentures outstanding. In February 2007, there were additional conversions of $3.0 million leaving $1.0 million currently outstanding. The conversions from debt to stockholders’ equity of $17.0 million improves the Company’s debt leverage ratio. As a result of the $17.0 million conversions, annual interest expense will be reduced by approximately $1.2 million.
 
Historically, ThermaClime’s primary cash needs have been for working capital and capital expenditures. ThermaClime and its subsidiaries depend upon their Working Capital Revolver Loan, internally generated cash flows, and secured equipment financing in order to fund operations and pay obligations.

The Working Capital Revolver Loan and the Senior Secured Loan have financial covenants that are discussed below under “Loan Agreements - Terms and Conditions”.

ThermaClime’s ability to maintain an adequate amount of borrowing availability under its Working Capital Revolver Loan depends on its ability to comply with the terms and conditions of its loan agreements and its ability to generate cash flow from operations. ThermaClime is restricted under its credit agreements as to the funds it may transfer to the Company and its non-ThermaClime affiliates and certain ThermaClime subsidiaries. This limitation does not prohibit payment to the Company of amounts due under a Services Agreement, Management Agreement and a Tax Sharing Agreement. ThermaClime’s Working Capital Revolver is a $50.0 million facility. As of December 31, 2006, ThermaClime had availability for additional borrowing under its Working Capital Revolver Loan of $22.8 million. Borrowing availability is based upon certain percentages of accounts receivable and inventory.

The Company is discussing with prospective lenders, the possibilities of refinancing certain outstanding debt at more favorable terms, including, among other issues, reduced interest rates. As of the date of this report, the Company has not entered into definitive negotiations with any prospective lender to provide such refinancing. There are no assurances that the Company will be successful in their efforts to refinance portions of its outstanding debt, or that if the Company is successful in refinancing any of its outstanding debt that the terms will be more favorable than the terms of the outstanding debt.

Capital Expenditures

General

Capital expenditures in 2006 were $14.7 million, including $7.7 million primarily for additional capacity in the Climate Control Business and $7.0 million for the Chemical Business, primarily for process and reliability improvements of existing facilities. As discussed below, our current commitment for 2007 includes spending for production equipment, facilities upgrades and capacity expansion in the Climate Control Business and spending for production equipment and environmental compliance in the Chemical Business.

Other capital expenditures for 2007 are believed to be discretionary and are dependent upon an adequate amount of liquidity and/or obtaining acceptable funding. We have carefully managed those expenditures to projects necessary to execute our business plans and those for environmental and safety compliance.


Current Commitments

As of the date of this report, we have committed capital expenditures of approximately $8.4 million for production equipment, facilities upgrades and environmental compliance in 2007. The expenditures include $4.8 million for the Chemical Business and $3.6 million for the Climate Control Business. We plan to finance approximately $3.6 million and the balance will be funded from working capital.

In addition, we plan to spend approximately $0.9 million in 2007 ($1.2 million in total) on an existing building to expand the distribution facilities of our geothermal and water source heat pump business which has been funded by mortgage debt.

In addition, certain additional capital expenditures will be required to bring the sulfuric acid plant's air emissions to lower limits. There have been minimal expenditures on this project since 2004. The ultimate cost is believed to be between $2.5 million and $4.0 million, to be expended through February 2010. Currently, there are no committed capital expenditures for the project.

The ADEQ issued to El Dorado a new revised NPDES water discharge permit in 2004, and El Dorado has until June 2007 to meet the compliance deadline for the more restrictive limits under the recently issued NPDES permit. In order to meet El Dorado’s June 2007 limits, El Dorado is considering three options to discharge its wastewater.

The estimated remaining capital expenditures to meet the requirements of the NPDES permit ranges from $0.8 million to $2.8 million, depending on which option El Dorado utilizes or is required to utilize to meet the permit requirements.

Dividends

We have not paid cash dividends on our outstanding common stock in many years, and from 1999 through 2005, we had not paid any dividends on our outstanding cumulative preferred stock. During each of the quarters of 2006, our Board of Directors declared and we paid partial dividends on certain outstanding series of our preferred stock as follows: $.10 per share on our outstanding Series 2 Preferred, $.37 per share on our outstanding Series B Preferred, and $.31 per share on our outstanding Non-Cumulative Preferred. These dividends were not for the full amount of the required quarterly dividends pursuant to the terms of all of our outstanding series of preferred stock. See discussion under “Dividends” and “Sale of Unregistered Securities” of Item 5 concerning the issuance of common stock in exchange for a portion of the Series 2 Preferred in October 2006 and March 2007. As of March 19, 2007, there were approximately $6.8 million of unpaid dividends on our outstanding cumulative preferred stock. We intend to retain most of our future earnings, if any, to provide funds for our operations and/or expansion of our business.

We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our outstanding common stock in the foreseeable future, and until all unpaid dividends are paid on our outstanding cumulative preferred stock, no dividends may be paid on our common stock.


Compliance with Long-Term Debt Covenants

As discussed below under “Loan Agreements - Terms and Conditions”, the Senior Secured Loan and Working Capital Revolver Loan, as amended, of ThermaClime and its subsidiaries require, among other things, that ThermaClime meet certain financial covenants. ThermaClime's forecasts for 2007 indicate that ThermaClime will be able to meet all required covenant tests.

Summary

Cash flow and liquidity will continue to be managed very carefully. We believe, with the $15.9 million net income for 2006 and the infusion of new capital as a result of the debenture offering and the subsequent conversion of the debentures to stockholders’ equity, our capital base is improved. Based upon current forecasts, we should have adequate cash from internal cash flows and financing sources to enable us to satisfy our cash requirements for 2007. Due to the volatility of the cost of major raw materials, we have historically experienced revisions to financial forecasts on a frequent basis during the course of a year. As a result, actual results may differ from our forecast, which could have a material impact on our liquidity and future operating results.

Loan Agreements - Terms and Conditions

7% Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures - On March 14, 2006, we completed a private placement to six qualified institutional buyers, pursuant to which we sold $18.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 7% Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures due 2011 (the “Debentures”). Interest on the Debentures is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year which began September 1, 2006.

The Debentures are convertible by holders, in whole or in part, into shares of the Company’s common stock prior to their maturity on March 1, 2011. Holders of Debentures electing to convert all or any portion of a Debenture will obtain the following conversion rate per $1,000 principal amount of Debentures during the dates indicated:
 
   
Shares Per $1,000
Principal Amount
 
Conversion
Price Per Share
 
March 1, 2007 - August 31, 2007
 
141.04
   
$
7.09
 
September 1, 2007 - February 29, 2008
 
137.27
   
$
7.28
 
March 1, 2008 - August 31, 2008
 
133.32
   
$
7.50
 
September 1, 2008 - February 28, 2009
 
129.23
   
$
7.74
 
March 1, 2009 - March 1, 2011
 
125.00
   
$
8.00
 
 
The conversion rates will be adjusted to reflect dividends, stock splits, issuances of rights to purchase shares of common stock and other events, as set forth in the Indenture.

We have used substantially all of the net proceeds for the purchase or redemption of our higher interest rate debt or debt of our subsidiaries, including ThermaClime’s Senior Unsecured Notes. The remaining balance was used for general corporate purposes.


Approximately $13.6 million of the net proceeds have been used to purchase or redeem all of the Senior Unsecured Notes held by unrelated third parties and Jayhawk at ThermaClime’s carrying value (which includes $1.0 million that was held by Jayhawk) including accrued interest of $0.3 million. Approximately $6.95 million of the Senior Unsecured Notes held by us remain outstanding.

During 2006, $14 million of the Debentures were converted into 1,977,499 shares of our common stock at the conversion price of $7.08 per share. Certain of the conversions related to offers received from the holders and accepted by us which included additional consideration of $277,000 to be paid to the holders. Because the offer met the criteria within SFAS 84-Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt, the additional consideration was expensed. During February 2007, an additional $3.0 million of the Debentures were converted into common stock at the conversion price of $7.08 per common share.

Working Capital Revolver Loan - ThermaClime finances its working capital requirements through borrowings under a Working Capital Revolver Loan. Under the Working Capital Revolver Loan, ThermaClime and its subsidiaries may borrow on a revolving basis up to $50.0 million based on specific percentages of eligible accounts receivable and inventories. The Working Capital Revolver Loan matures in April 2009. As of December 31, 2006, borrowings outstanding were $26.0 million and the net credit available for additional borrowings was $22.8 million. The Working Capital Revolver Loan requires that ThermaClime and its Climate Control Business meet certain financial covenants measured quarterly. ThermaClime and its Climate Control Business were in compliance with those covenants for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2006.

Senior Secured Loan - In September 2004, ThermaClime and certain of its subsidiaries (the “Borrowers”) completed a $50.0 million term loan (“Senior Secured Loan”) with a certain lender (the “Lender”). The Senior Secured Loan is to be repaid as follows:

· quarterly interest payments which began September 30, 2004;
· quarterly principal payments of $312,500 beginning September 30, 2007;
· a final payment of the remaining outstanding principal of $47.5 million and accrued interest on September 16, 2009.

The Senior Secured Loan accrues interest at the applicable LIBOR rate, as defined, plus an applicable LIBOR margin, as defined or, at the election of the Borrowers, the alternative base rate, as defined, plus an applicable base rate margin, as defined, with the annual interest rate not to exceed 11% or 11.5% depending on the leverage ratio. At December 31, 2006, the annual interest rate was 11%.

The Borrowers are subject to numerous affirmative and negative covenants under the Senior Secured Loan agreement including, but not limited to, limitation on the incurrence of certain additional indebtedness and liens, limitations on mergers, acquisitions, dissolution and sale of assets, and limitations on declaration of dividends and distributions to us, all with certain exceptions. The Borrowers are also subject to a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, measured quarterly on a trailing twelve-month basis. The Borrowers were in compliance with the required



minimum ratio for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2006 and the coverage ratio is considered to be achievable for 2007. The maturity date of the Senior Secured Loan can be accelerated by the Lender upon the occurrence of a continuing event of default, as defined.

Cross - Default Provisions - The Working Capital Revolver Loan agreement and the Senior Secured Loan contain cross-default provisions. If ThermaClime fails to meet the financial covenants of the Senior Secured Loan, the lender may declare an event of default, making the debt due on demand. If this should occur, there are no assurances that we would have funds available to pay such amount or that alternative borrowing arrangements would be available. Accordingly, ThermaClime could be required to curtail operations and/or sell key assets. These actions could result in the recognition of losses that may be material.

Seasonality

We believe that our only seasonal products are fertilizer and related chemical products sold by our Chemical Business to the agricultural industry. The selling seasons for those products are primarily during the spring and fall planting seasons, which typically extend from March through June and from September through November in the geographical markets in which the majority of our agricultural products are distributed. As a result, our Chemical Business increases its inventory of agricultural products prior to the beginning of each planting season. In addition, the amount and timing of sales to the agricultural markets depend upon weather conditions and other circumstances beyond our control.
 
Related Party Transactions
 
One of the manufacturing facilities within our Climate Control Business sustained substantial water damage in its office area resulting from the improper installation by an unrelated third-party vendor of certain plumbing to a water line. As a result of the water damage, it became necessary to replace all of the carpet in the office area of the facility. During 2006, we purchased replacement carpet from a company (“Designer Rugs”) owned by Linda Golsen Rappaport, the daughter of Jack E. Golsen, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and sister of Barry H. Golsen, our President. We paid approximately $159,000 to Designer Rugs for the new carpet, removal of the damaged carpeting and installation of the new carpet. During the second quarter of 2006, we were reimbursed under our insurance coverage for the cost of the carpet and installation except for a deductible amount of $25,000.

In addition, another subsidiary within our Climate Control Business is in the process of remodeling their offices including the replacement of carpet and flooring throughout the office area. Payments totaling $69,000 were made during 2006 towards a purchase totaling $75,000 from Designer Rugs. Substantially all of the carpet was delivered and installed in 2006. Final completion expected early in 2007.

During 2006, Jayhawk purchased $1.0 million principal amount of the Debentures. In addition, we purchased $1.0 million principal amount of the Notes held by Jayhawk. Jayhawk earned interest of $117,000 relating to these debt instruments in 2006.

During 2006 we paid nominal cash dividends to holders of certain series of our preferred stock. These dividend payments included $91,000 and $133,000 to the Golsen Group and the Jayhawk Group, respectively. Additionally, the dividend payments included $23,000 collectively to the significant shareholders discussed below.

As discussed above under “Overview-Preferred Stock Exchanges and Completion of Exchange Offer”, in October 2006, we issued 773,655 shares of our common stock to certain holders of our Series 2 Preferred in exchange for 104,548 shares of Series 2 Preferred. The shares of common stock issued included 303,400 and 262,167 shares issued for exchange for 41,000 and 35,428 shares of Series 2 Preferred stock to Paul Denby and James Sight (“Significant Shareholders”), respectively, or to entities controlled by the Significant Shareholders.

As discussed above under “Overview-Preferred Stock Exchanges and Completion of Exchange Offer”, during November 2006, we entered into the Jayhawk Agreement with the Jayhawk Group. Under the Jayhawk Agreement, the Jayhawk Group agreed, if we made an exchange offer for the Series 2 Preferred, to tender 180,450 shares of the 346,662 shares of Series 2 Preferred owned by the Jayhawk Group. In addition, as a condition to the Jayhawk Group’s obligation to tender the shares of Series 2 Preferred in an exchange offer, the Jayhawk Agreement further provided that the Golsen Group would exchange 26,467 shares of Series 2 Preferred beneficially owned by them. Pursuant to the Jayhawk Agreement and the terms of the exchange offer, during March 2007, the Jayhawk Group and the Golsen Group tendered 180,450 and 26,467 shares, respectively, of Series 2 Preferred for 1,335,330 and 195,855 shares, respectively, of our common stock and waived a total of approximately $5.0 million in accrued and unpaid dividends.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosures of contingencies. In addition, the more critical areas of financial reporting impacted by management's judgment, estimates and assumptions include the following:

Receivables and Credit Risk - Our sales to contractors and independent sales representatives are generally subject to a mechanics lien in the Climate Control Business. Our other sales are generally unsecured. Credit is extended to customers based on an evaluation of the customer's financial condition and other factors. Credit losses are provided for in the financial statements based on historical experience and periodic assessment of outstanding accounts receivable, particularly those accounts which are past due (determined based upon how recently payments have been received). Our periodic assessment of accounts and credit loss provisions are based on our best estimate of amounts that are not recoverable. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the large number of customers comprising our customer bases and their dispersion across many different industries and geographic areas, however, 10 customers account for approximately 30% of our total net receivables at December 31, 2006. We do not believe this concentration in these 10 customers represents a significant credit risk due to the financial stability of these customers. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, our allowance for doubtful accounts of $2.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively, were netted against our accounts receivable.
 
Inventory Valuations - Inventories are priced at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using the first-in, first-out basis. Finished goods and work-in-process inventories include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the carrying value of certain nitrogen-based inventories produced by our Chemical Business was reduced to market because cost exceeded the net realizable value by $0.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively. In addition, the carrying value of certain slow-moving inventory items (primarily Climate Control products) was reduced to market because cost exceeded the net realizable value by $0.8 million and $1.0 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Precious Metals - Precious metals are used as a catalyst in the Chemical Business manufacturing processes. Precious metals are carried at cost, with cost being determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, precious metals were $6.4 million and $5.0 million, respectively, and are included in supplies, prepaid items and other in the consolidated balance sheets. Because some of the catalyst consumed in the production process cannot be readily recovered and the amount and timing of recoveries are not predictable, we follow the practice of expensing precious metals as they are consumed. For 2006, 2005 and 2004, the amounts expensed for precious metals were approximately $5.1 million, $3.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively, and are included in cost of sales. Periodically, during major maintenance or capital projects we may be able to perform procedures to recover precious metals (previously expensed) which have accumulated within the manufacturing equipment. For 2006, 2005 and 2004, we recognized recoveries of precious metals at historical FIFO costs of approximately $2.4 million, $2.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, which are reductions to cost of sales.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill - Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable and goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually. If assets to be held and used are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is the amount by which the carrying amounts of the assets exceed the fair values of the assets as measured by the present value of future net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets or their appraised value. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amounts of the assets or fair values less costs to sell. At December 31, 2006, we had no long-lived assets that met the criteria presented in SFAS 144 to be classified as assets held for sale. We have considered impairment of our long-lived assets and goodwill. We obtained third party appraisals of the fair values associated with Cherokee and made estimates of fair values for others. The timing of impairments cannot be predicted with reasonable certainty and are primarily dependent on market conditions outside our control. Should sales prices permanently decline dramatically without a similar decline in the raw material costs or should other matters, including the environmental requirements and/or operating requirements set by Federal and State agencies change substantially from our current expectations, a provision for impairment may be required based upon such event or events. See Item 1 "Business-Environmental Matters." Based on estimates obtained from external sources and internal estimates based on inquiry and other techniques, we recognized impairments relating to certain non-core equipment of $0.1 million and $0.4 million relating to Corporate assets during 2005 and 2004, respectively, (none in 2006) and $0.3 million, $0.1 million and $0.4 million relating to certain capital spare parts and idle assets in our Chemical Business during 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. These impairments are included in other expense in the consolidated statements of income.

 
Accrued Insurance Liabilities - We are self-insured up to certain limits for group health, workers’ compensation and general liability insurance claims. Above these limits, we have insurance coverage, which management considers to be adequate. Our accrued insurance liabilities are based on estimates of the self-insured portions of the claims, which include the incurred claims amounts plus estimates of future claims development calculated by applying our historical claims development factors to our incurred claims amounts. We also consider the reserves established by our insurance adjustors and/or estimates provided by attorneys handling the claims, if any. In addition, our accrued insurance liabilities include estimates of incurred, but not reported, claims and other insurance-related costs. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, our claims liabilities were $1.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and are included in accrued and other liabilities. It is possible that the actual development of claims could exceed our estimates.

Product Warranty - Our Climate Control Business sells equipment for which we provide warranties covering defects in materials and workmanship. Generally, the base warranty coverage for most of the manufactured equipment is limited to 18 months from the date of shipment or 12 months from the date of start-up, whichever is shorter, and to 90 days for spare parts. In some cases, the customer may purchase an extended warranty. Our accounting policy and methodology for warranty arrangements is to periodically measure and recognize the expense and liability for such warranty obligations using a percentage of net sales, based on historical warranty costs. It is possible that future warranty costs could exceed our estimates. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, our accrued product warranty obligations were $1.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively and are included in current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Accrued Plant Turnaround Costs - We accrue in advance the cost expected to be incurred in the next planned major maintenance activities (“Turnarounds”) of our Chemical Business. Turnaround costs are accrued on a straight-line basis over the scheduled period between Turnarounds, which generally ranges from 12 to 24 months. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities include $1.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively, relating to Turnarounds.

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) completed a project to clarify guidance on the accounting for Turnarounds. The FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. AUG AIR-1 (“FSP”) which eliminates the accrue-in-advance method of accounting for Turnarounds. In addition, the adoption of the provisions in the FSP is to be considered a change in accounting principle with retrospective application as described in SFAS 154-Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, if practical. The FSP became effective for us on January 1, 2007. We currently are using the accrue-in-advance method for Turnarounds that is eliminated under the FSP. There are three acceptable accounting methods for Turnarounds that we may adopt of which we have elected to adopt the deferral method. We are currently assessing the  impact the FSP may have on our financial statements which we believe could be significant. 

Executive Benefit Agreements - We have entered into benefit agreements with certain key executives. Costs associated with these individual benefit agreements are accrued when they become probable over the estimated remaining service period. Total costs accrued equal the present value of specified payments to be made after benefits become payable. In 1992, we
entered into individual benefit agreements with certain key executives (“1992 Agreements”) that provide for annual benefit payments for life (in addition to salary). As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the liability for these benefits under the 1992 Agreements is $1.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively, which is included in current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

In 1981, we entered into individual death benefit agreements with certain key executives. In addition, as part of the 1992 Agreements, should the executive die prior to attaining the age of 65, we will pay the beneficiary named in the agreement in 120 equal monthly installments aggregating to an amount specified in the agreement. In 2005, we entered into a death benefit agreement with our CEO. As of December 31, 2006, the liability for death benefits is $1.4 million ($0.9 million at December 31, 2005) which is included in current and noncurrent accrued and noncurrent liabilities.

Environmental and Regulatory Compliance - The Chemical Business is subject to specific federal and state regulatory and environmental compliance laws and guidelines. We have developed policies and procedures related to environmental and regulatory compliance. We must continually monitor whether we have maintained compliance with such laws and regulations and the operating implications, if any, and amount of penalties, fines and assessments that may result from noncompliance. At December 31, 2006, liabilities totaling $1.4 million have been accrued relating to a consent administrative order (“CAO”) covering El Dorado and a CAO covering our former Hallowell facility. These liabilities are included in current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities and are based on current estimates that may be revised in the near term based on results of our investigation, risk assessment and remediation pursuant to the new CAO and Slurry Consent Order. In addition, we will be required to make capital expenditures as it relates to the NPDES permit and Air CAO.

Asset Retirement Obligations - We have a legal obligation to monitor certain discharge water outlets at our Chemical Business facilities should we discontinue the operations of a facility. We do not believe that the annual costs of the required monitoring activities would be significant and as we currently have no plans to discontinue the use of the facilities and the remaining life of either facility is indeterminable, an asset retirement liability has not been recognized. Currently, there is insufficient information to estimate the fair value of the asset retirement obligation. However, we will continue to review this obligation and record a liability when a reasonable estimate of the fair value can be made.

Deferred Income Taxes - Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes, and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We are able to realize deferred tax assets up to an amount equal to the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences. The taxable temporary differences will turn around in the loss carry forward period as the differences reverse. Other differences will turn around as the assets are realized or liabilities are paid in the normal course of business. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, our deferred tax assets were net of a valuation allowance of $19.3 million and $26.1 million, respectively. The decrease in the valuation allowance is due primarily to the utilization of net operating loss carry forwards in 2006.

 
Contingencies - We accrue for contingent losses when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable. In addition, we recognize contingent gains when such gains are realized. We are a party to various litigation and other contingencies, the ultimate outcome of which is not presently known. Should the ultimate outcome of these contingencies be adverse, such outcome could create an event of default under ThermaClime's Working Capital Revolver Loan and the Senior Secured Loan and could adversely impact our liquidity and capital resources.

Revenue Recognition - We recognize revenue for substantially all of our operations at the time title to the goods transfers to the buyer and there remains no significant future performance obligations by us. Revenue relating to construction contracts is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method based primarily on contract costs incurred to date compared with total estimated contract costs. Changes to total estimated contract costs or losses, if any, are recognized in the period in which they are determined. Sales of warranty contracts are recognized as revenue ratably over the life of the contract. See discussion above under “Product Warranty” for our accounting policy for recognizing warranty expense.

Recognition of Insurance Recoveries - If an insurance claim relates to a recovery of our losses, we recognize the recovery when it is probable and reasonably estimable. If our insurance claim relates to a contingent gain, we recognize the recovery when it is realized.

Management's judgment and estimates in these areas are based on information available from internal and external resources at that time. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates and judgments, as additional information becomes known.


Results of Operations

The following Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 and accompanying notes and the discussions above under “Overview” And “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

The following table contains certain information about our continuing operations in different industry segments for each of the three years ended December 31:

 
2006
 
2005
 
2004
 
(In thousands)
Net sales:
                     
Climate Control
$
221,161
   
$
156,859
   
$
141,014
 
Chemical
 
260,651
     
233,447
     
216,264
 
Other
 
10,140
     
6,809
     
6,706
 
 
$
491,952
   
$
397,115
   
$
363,984
 
                       
Gross profit:
                     
Climate Control
$
65,496
   
$
48,122
   
$
42,721
 
Chemical
 
22,438
     
16,426
     
8,917
 
Other
 
3,343
     
2,330
     
2,145
 
 
$
91,277
   
$
66,878
   
$
53,783
 
                       
Operating income (loss):
                     
Climate Control
$
25,428
   
$
14,097
   
$
11,707
 
Chemical
 
10,200
     
7,703
     
(877
)
General corporate expense and other business operations, net
 
(8,074
)
   
(6,835
)
   
(7,586
)
   
27,554
     
14,965
     
3,244
 
                       
Interest expense
 
(11,915
)
   
(11,407
)
   
(7,393
)
Gains on extinguishment of debt
 
-
     
-
     
4,400
 
Provision for loss on notes receivable-Climate Control
 
-
     
-
     
(1,447
)
Non-operating income (expense), net:
                     
Climate Control
 
1
     
-
     
-
 
Chemical
 
311
     
362
     
2,463
 
Corporate and other business operations
 
312
     
1,199
     
(29
)
Provision for income taxes
 
(901
)
   
(118
)
   
-
 
Equity in earnings of affiliate - Climate Control
 
821
     
745
     
668
 
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting chang
$
16,183
   
$
5,746
   
$
1,906
 



Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2005

Net Sales

The following table contains certain information about our net sales in different industry segments for 2006 and 2005:

 
 
2006
 
 
2005
 
 
Change
 
Percentage
Change
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net sales:
                           
Climate Control:
                           
Geothermal and water source heat pumps
$
134,210
   
$
85,268
   
$
48,942
   
57.4
%
Hydronic fan coils
 
59,497
     
53,564
     
5,933
   
11.1
%
Other HVAC products
 
27,454
     
18,027
     
9,427
   
52.3
%
Total Climate Control
$
221,161
   
$
156,859
   
$
64,302
   
41.0
%
 
                           
Chemical:
                           
Industrial acids and other chemical products
$
95,208
   
$
80,228
   
$
14,980
   
18.7
%
Agricultural products
 
89,735
     
80,638
     
9,097
   
11.3
%
Mining products
 
75,708
     
72,581
     
3,127
   
4.3
%
Total Chemical
$
260,651
   
$
233,447
   
$
27,204
   
11.7
%
 
                           
Other
$
10,140
   
$
6,809
   
$
3,331
   
48.9
%
 
                           
Total net sales
$
491,952
   
$
397,115
   
$
94,837
   
23.9
%

Climate Control Business

· Net sales of our geothermal and water source heat pump products increased primarily as a result of a 52% increase in the number of units sold in the commercial and residential markets due to customer demand representing an approximate 4% gain in market share based on data supplied by the ARI;
· Net sales of our hydronic fan coils increased primarily due to a 10% increase in overall average unit sales prices as the result of lowering discounting and higher selling prices driven by raw material cost increases;
· Net sales of our other HVAC products increased as the result of an increase in the number of larger custom air handlers sold primarily relating to three large projects.

Chemical Business

El Dorado and Cherokee produce all the chemical products described in the table above and Baytown produces only industrial acids products. Overall, volume of tons sold for the Chemical Business increased 12% while sales prices remained consistent with 2005.

· Volume at El Dorado increased 14% primarily related to agricultural products as the result of the loss of production during the first half of 2005 as discussed below, to industrial acid and other chemical products due to spot sales opportunities, and to mining products relating to the growth of coal mining in the mining industry;

 
·
Volume at Baytown increased 24% as the result of a closing of a chemical facility within our market and other various spot sales opportunities;
·
Volume at Cherokee decreased 6% resulting from the suspension of production during the first half of January 2006 as the result of a reduction in orders from several key customers due to the increased natural gas costs and further production curtailments throughout the first quarter of 2006.

Other - Net sales classified as “Other” consists of sales of industrial machinery and related components. The increase in net sales relates primarily to increased customer demand for our machine tool products.

Gross Profit

Gross profit by industry segment represents net sales less cost of sales. The following table contains certain information about our gross profit in different industry segments for 2006 and 2005:

 
 
2006
 
 
2005
 
 
Change
 
Percentage
Change
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Gross profit:
                             
Climate Control
$
65,496
   
$
48,122
     
$
17,374
   
36.1
%
Chemical
 
22,438
     
16,426
       
6,012
   
36.6
%
Other
 
3,343
     
2,330
       
1,013
   
43.5
%
 
$
91,277
   
$
66,878
     
$
24,399
   
36.5
%

In addition to the information presented in the above table, our Climate Control Business’ gross profit percentage (as a percentage of net sales) was 29.6% for 2006 compared to 30.7% for 2005. The gross profit percentage of our Chemical Business was 8.6% for 2006 compared to 7.0% for 2005. The gross profit percentage relating to “Other” (see discussion above) was 33.0% for 2006 compared to 34.2% for 2005.

The increase in gross profit in our Climate Control Business was a direct result of the increase in sales volume as discussed above. The decline in our gross profit percentage was primarily due to raw material costs increases being incurred ahead of customer price increases becoming effective.

The net increase in gross profit of our Chemical Business relates primarily to:

 
·
Cherokee as the result of not incurring the disruptions at the plant caused by the rise in natural gas costs due to the hurricanes in the U.S. Gulf in 2005 and a decrease in electricity costs as a result of a negotiated reduction in utility rates in 2006;
 
·
Baytown due primarily to the increase in sales volume as discussed above;
 
·
El Dorado as the result of the increase in sales volume as discussed above.

 
As previously reported, beginning in October 2004 and continuing into June 2005, the Chemical Business’ results were adversely affected as a result of the loss of production due to a mechanical failure of one of the four nitric acid plants at El Dorado. The plant was restored to normal production in June 2005. We recognized insurance recoveries of $0.9 million and $1.9 million under our business interruption insurance policy relating to this claim for 2006 and 2005, respectively, which is recorded as a reduction to cost of sales. The negative impact on gross profit resulting from the lost production was approximately $4.1 million in 2005.

The increase in gross profit classified as “Other” (see discussion above) is due primarily to the increase in sales as discussed above.

Operating Income

Our chief operating decision makers use operating income by industry segment for purposes of making decisions which include resource allocations and performance evaluations. Operating income by industry segment represents gross profit by industry segment less selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) incurred by each industry segment plus other income and other expense earned/incurred by each industry segment before general corporate expenses and other business operations, net. General corporate expenses and other business operations, net consist of unallocated portions of gross profit, SG&A, other income and other expense. The following table contains certain information about our operating income for 2006 and 2005:

 
2006
 
2005
 
Change
 
(In thousands)
Operating income:
                     
Climate Control
$
25,428
   
$
14,097
   
$
11,331
 
Chemical
 
10,200
     
7,703
     
2,497
 
General corporate expense and other business operations, net
 
(8,074
)
   
(6,835
)
   
(1,239
)
 
$
27,554
   
$
14,965
   
$
12,589
 

Operating Income - Climate Control: The net increase in operating income of our Climate Control Business resulted primarily from the net increase of gross profit of $17.4 million as discussed above, an arbitration award of $1.2 million received in 2006 relating to the arbitration case involving Trison as discussed under “Climate Control Business” of Item 3, and a decrease in professional fees of $1.0 million primarily as the result of fees incurred during 2005 relating to this arbitration case. This increase in operating income was partially offset by increased shipping and handling costs of $3.9 million due to increased sales volume and rising fuel costs, increased commissions of $1.8 million due to increased sales volume and distribution mix and increased personnel cost of $1.6 million as the result of increased number of personnel and higher incentives, and increased warranty costs of $0.7 million due to the increased sales volume.

Operating Income - Chemical: The net increase of our Chemical Business’ operating income primarily relates to the net increase in gross profit of $6.0 million as discussed above. This increase in operating income was partially offset by an increase in handling costs of $0.8 million due primarily to increased sales volume and an increase in professional fees of $0.4 million relating to legal costs associated with ammonium nitrate anti-dumping tariffs. In addition, we recognized gains of $1.6 million from certain property insurance claims in 2005.


 
General Corporate Expense and Other Business Operations, Net: The net increase in our general corporate expense and other business operations, net relates primarily to an increase of $0.6 million in personnel costs relating to increased group health care costs of $0.4 million and commissions of $0.3 million on the increased sales classified as “Other” as discussed above, an increase in professional fees of $0.6 million due, in part, for assistance in our evaluation of our internal controls and procedures and related documentation for Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, a litigation settlement of $0.3 million relating to an asserted financing fee, and a decrease in gains of $0.7 million from the sales of corporate assets. The increase was partially offset by the increase in gross profit classified as “Other” of $1.0 million and a refund of $0.4 million relating to insurance brokerage fees.

Interest Expense - Interest expense was $11.9 million for 2006 compared to $11.4 million for 2005, an increase of $0.5 million. This net increase in interest expense includes $1.1 million relating to the Debentures sold in March 2006 and $0.3 million of additional consideration paid in conjunction with the conversion of a portion of the Debentures during 2006 which was partially offset by a decrease of $0.8 million relating to the Notes which were purchased or redeemed during 2006.

Non-Operating Other Income, net - Our non-operating other income, net was $0.6 million for 2006 compared to $1.6 million for 2005. In 2005, we recognized net proceeds from life insurance policies of $1.2 million.

Provision For Income Taxes - Due to net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards, provisions for income taxes consist of federal alternative minimum taxes and state income taxes for 2006 and federal alternative minimum taxes for 2005.

Net Loss From Discontinued Operations - Net loss from discontinued operations includes provisions of $0.2 million and $0.6 million for 2006 and 2005, respectively, for our share of estimated environmental remediation costs to investigate and delineate a site in Hallowell, Kansas as a result of meetings with the KDHE. There are no income tax benefits related to these expenses.


Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2004

Net Sales

The following table contains certain information about our net sales in different industry segments for 2005 and 2004:

 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
Change
 
Percentage
Change
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net sales:
                           
Climate Control:
                           
Geothermal and water source heat pumps
$
85,268
   
$
73,920
   
$
11,348
   
15.4
%
Hydronic fan coils
 
53,564
     
48,760
     
4,804
   
9.9
%
Other HVAC products
 
18,027
     
18,334
     
(307
)
 
(1.7
)  %
Total Climate Control
$
156,859
   
$
141,014
   
$
15,845
   
11.2
%
                             
Chemical:
                           
Agricultural products
$
80,638
   
$
72,154
   
$
8,484
   
11.8
%
Industrial acids and other chemical products
 
80,228
     
82,040
     
(1,812
)
 
(2.2
)  %
Mining products
 
72,581
     
62,070
     
10,511
   
16.9
%
Total Chemical
$
233,447
   
$
216,264
   
$
17,183
   
7.9
%
                             
Other
$
6,809
   
$
6,706
   
$
103
   
1.5
%
                             
Total net sales
$
397,115
   
$
363,984
   
$
33,131
   
9.1
%

Climate Control Business

· Net sales of our geothermal and water source heat pump products increased primarily as a result of stronger customer demand, a 7% increase in overall average unit sales prices due to the increase in our raw material costs as discussed below, and change in product mix;
· Net sales of our hydronic fan coils increased primarily from a 6% increase in overall average unit sales prices due to the increase in our raw material costs as well as an improvement in product mix;
· Net sales of our other HVAC products decreased $0.3 million. For 2004, net sales of other HVAC products includes $3.8 million as a result of consolidating MultiClima’s operating results in the second quarter of 2004 as required under FIN 46. Effective July 1, 2004, we were no longer required to consolidate MultiClima’s operating results. Excluding the effect of MultiClima, sales of other HVAC products increased $3.5 million which includes an increase in sales of $1.1 million relating to our modular chiller systems, $0.9 million relating to our large custom air handlers, $0.9 million as a result of an increase in construction projects and $0.7 million relating to a new product line with increasing demand.

 
Chemical Business

As discussed above, El Dorado and Cherokee produce all the chemical products described in the table above and Baytown produces only industrial acids products. Overall sales prices for the Chemical Business increased 13% but overall volume of tons sold decreased 5%.

·
The overall increase in sales prices reflects, in part, higher sales prices resulting from the increased cost of the raw material feedstocks (anhydrous ammonia and natural gas) as discussed below;
·
The volume at Baytown was down 14% due to lower demand for nitric acid by Bayer resulting from the shutdown of one of North America’s consuming locations;
·
The volume at Cherokee decreased 4% due primarily to the suspension of production resulting from the hurricanes in the U.S. Gulf as discussed above under “Overview-Chemical Business.”

Other - Net sales classified as “Other” consists of sales of industrial machinery and related components.

Gross Profit 

Gross profit by industry segment represents net sales less cost of sales. The following table contains certain information about our gross profit in different industry segments for 2005 and 2004:

 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
Change
 
Percentage
Change
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Gross profit:
                           
Climate Control
$
48,122
   
$
42,721
   
$
5,401
   
12.6
%
Chemical
 
16,426
     
8,917
     
7,509
   
84.2
%
Other
 
2,330
     
2,145
     
185
   
8.6
%
 
$
66,878
   
$
53,783
   
$
13,095
   
24.3
%

In addition to the information presented in the above table, our Climate Control Business’ gross profit percentage (as a percentage of net sales) was 30.7% for 2005 compared to 30.3% for 2004. The gross profit percentage of our Chemical Business was 7.0% for 2005 compared to 4.1% for 2004. The gross profit percentage relating to “Other” (see discussion above) was 34.2% for 2005 compared to 32.0% for 2004.

The net increase in gross profit of our Climate Control Business resulted primarily by the increase in sales of our geothermal and water source heat pumps and hydronic fan coils as discussed above. This increase in gross profit was partially offset by a change in product/customer mix and our inability to fully pass on to our customers in the form of product price increases the increase in the raw material cost of copper. The spot market increases through the twelve months of 2005 for copper were approximately 40%. In addition, a decrease of $0.8 million relates to MultiClima in the second quarter of 2004 as discussed above.


The net increase in gross profit of our Chemical Business is due primarily to improved margins on certain agricultural and industrial acid products and cost recoveries during 2005 of $2.1 million of production catalyst (precious metals) used in our manufacturing processes compared to $0.2 million during 2004. The increase in gross profit was offset, in part, by our inability to fully pass on to our customers the 25% increase in costs of anhydrous ammonia during the spring and fall planting seasons incurred by El Dorado, the 34% increase in costs of natural gas sustained by Cherokee and the suspension of production at Cherokee resulting from the hurricanes in the U.S. Gulf as discussed above under “Overview-Chemical Business”. Cherokee also incurred an increase of $2.2 million of electricity costs primarily as the result of increased rates charged by their utility company. In addition in 2004, net settlements of $1.5 million (which increased gross profit) were reached with insurance carriers relating to a vendor’s faulty repair work to a chemical plant boiler.

As discussed above and previously reported, the Chemical Business’ results were adversely affected as a result of the loss of production due to a mechanical failure of one of the four nitric acid plants at El Dorado. We recognized insurance recoveries of $1.9 million under our business interruption insurance policy relating to this claim for 2005 which is recorded as a reduction to cost of sales. The negative impact on gross profit resulting from the lost production was approximately $4.1 million in 2005 and approximately $1.0 million in 2004.

See discussion above for products sold which are classified as “Other”.

Operating Income (Loss)
 
See discussion above concerning the definition and use of operating income (loss) by industry segment by our chief operating decision makers. The following table contains certain information about our operating income (loss) for 2005 and 2004:

 
2005
 
2004
 
Change
 
(In thousands)
Operating income (loss):
                     
Climate Control
$
14,097
   
$
11,707
   
$
2,390
 
Chemical
 
7,703
     
(877
)
   
8,580
 
General corporate expense and other business operations, net
 
(6,835
)
   
(7,586
)
   
751
 
 
$
14,965
   
$
3,244
   
$
11,721
 

Operating Income - Climate Control: The net increase in our Climate Control Business’ operating income resulted primarily by selling, general and administrative expenses of $1.4 million relating to MultiClima which were only incurred in the second quarter of 2004 and the net increase in gross profit of $5.4 million as discussed above. This increase in operating income was partially offset by increased shipping and handling costs of $1.0 million as a result of increased sales volume and rising fuel costs, increased professional fees of $0.9 million primarily relating to litigation and related arbitrations between Trison and a customer (as discussed under “Climate Control Business” of Item 3), increased commissions of $0.8 million due to increased sales volume, increased personnel costs of $0.6 million due primarily to increased group health insurance costs and increased provision for losses on accounts receivable of $0.5 million due primarily to lower than usual incidence in 2004 and the increased sales volumes in 2005.


Operating Income (Loss) - Chemical: The net increase in our Chemical Business’ operating income included the net increase in gross profit of $7.5 million as discussed above and gains of $1.6 million from replacement cost property insurance recoveries which includes $1.5 million of recoveries discussed above under “Business Interruption and Property Insurance Claims” of Item 3 and a decrease in personnel costs of $0.3 million as a result of a reduction in personnel at El Dorado. This increase was partially offset by an increase in handling costs of $1.0 million due primarily to higher railcar lease and maintenance costs as the result of increasing the number of railcars used to support our agricultural business.

General Corporate Expense and Other Business Operations, Net: The decrease in our general corporate expense and other business operations, net relates primarily to an increase in gains of $0.7 million from the sales of corporate assets, a decrease in professional fees of $0.3 million which includes costs incurred during 2004 relating to a proposed unregistered offering of Senior Secured Notes which was terminated, a decrease of $0.3 million of provisions for impairments on corporate assets and a decrease of approximately $0.6 million due to other individually immaterial items. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in personnel costs of $1.1 million which includes the recognition of death benefit obligations, an increase in group health insurance costs and net premium costs associated with key individual life insurance policies including policies associated with a death benefit agreement entered into with our CEO during the second quarter of 2005.

Interest Expense - Interest expense was $11.4 million for 2005 compared to $7.4 million for 2004. The increase of $4.0 million relates primarily to interest expense incurred on the $50.0 million term loan that was completed in September 2004 as discussed under “Loan Agreements - Terms and Conditions.” A portion of the proceeds of the Senior Secured Loan was used to repay the outstanding balance under a former financing agreement (“Financing Agreement”). There was no interest expense recognition on the Financing Agreement indebtedness from May 2002 through September 2004 since that transaction was accounted for as a voluntary debt restructuring in 2002. This increase was partially offset due to the repurchase of $5.0 million of the Senior Unsecured Notes in September 2004.

Provision for Loss on Notes Receivable - Based on our assessment of the liquidity and results of operations of MultiClima and its parent company, we concluded that the outstanding notes receivable were not recoverable. As a result, effective July 1, 2004, we forgave and cancelled the loan agreements in exchange for extending the Option’s expiration date from June 15, 2005 to June 15, 2008 with an estimated value of zero. We recognized a provision for loss of $1.4 million for 2004.

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt - As a result of the repayment in September 2004 of the Financing Agreement prior to the maturity date of June 30, 2005, we recognized the remaining unearned interest of $4.4 million as a gain on extinguishment of debt.
 
Non-Operating Other Income, net - Our non-operating other income, net was $1.6 million for 2005 compared to $2.4 million for 2004, a decrease of $0.8 million. In 2005, we received net proceeds from life insurance policies of $1.2 million. In addition, we recognized gains of $0.2 million from the sales of certain current assets (primarily precious metals) in 2005 compared to gains of $2.3 million in 2004.


Loss from Discontinued Operations - Net loss from discontinued operations in 2005 consists of provisions of $0.6 million for our share of estimated environmental remediation costs to investigate and delineate a site in Hallowell, Kansas as a result of meetings held during 2005 with the KDHE. There are no income tax benefits related to these expenses.

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change - Effective March 31, 2004, we included in our condensed consolidated balance sheet the consolidated assets and liabilities of the parent company of MultiClima as required under FIN 46. As a result, we recorded a cumulative effect of accounting change of $0.5 million primarily relating to the elimination of embedded profit included in the cost of inventory which was purchased from MultiClima by certain of our subsidiaries. Effective July 1, 2004, we no longer had a variable interest in this entity and were no longer required to consolidate this entity.

Cash Flow From Operating Activities

Historically, our primary cash needs have been for operating expenses, working capital and capital expenditures. We have financed our cash requirements primarily through internally generated cash flow, borrowings under our revolving credit facilities, secured asset financing and the sale of assets. See additional discussion concerning cash flows from our Climate Control and Chemical Businesses in "Liquidity and Capital Resources."

For 2006, net cash provided by continuing operating activities was $17.7 million, including net income (which includes insurance recoveries of $0.9 million under our business interruption insurance policy), plus depreciation and amortization and other adjustments offset by cash used by changes in assets and liabilities.

Accounts receivable increased $18.1 million relating primarily to the Climate Control Business as the result of increased sales of our heat pump products, large custom air handlers, and hydronic fan coils as discussed above under “Results of Operations.”

Inventories increased a net $7.3 million including:

· an increase of $10.4 million relating to the Climate Control Business primarily relating to the increased cost of certain raw materials and the increased quantities of raw materials on hand due to increasing sales volume, partially offset by
· a decrease of $3.2 million relating to the Chemical Business as the results of the decline in the average cost of anhydrous ammonia and natural gas in December 2006 compared to December 2005 and reduced inventory on hand at Cherokee due to a Turnaround performed in December 2006.

Other supplies and prepaid items increased $1.9 million primarily due to a net increase of $1.4 million in precious metals as a result of the increased cost of precious metals and recoveries performed and additional precious metals purchased net of the amount consumed in the manufacturing process in the Chemical Business.



Accounts payable increased $11.2 million primarily due to:

· an increase of $5.4 million in our Climate Control Business resulting from increased production of our heat pump products, large custom air handlers, and hydronic fan coils, increased cost of certain raw materials, and increased levels of raw materials on hand and
· an increase of $5.1 million in our Chemical Business resulting primarily from Baytown’s property taxes and scheduled lease payments, costs incurred by Cherokee relating to a Turnaround performed in December 2006, and increased sales volume at Baytown in December 2006 compared to December 2005.

Customer deposits increased $1.0 million primarily due to the increase in deposits received on sales commitments by Cherokee and as down payments on two customer orders of large air handlers in the Climate Control Business.

The increase in other current and noncurrent liabilities of $3.5 million includes primarily:

· an increase of $1.2 million of accrued commissions primarily as the result of increased sales volume in the Climate Control Business,
· an increase of $1.0 million of deferred revenue on extended warranty contracts as the result of increased sales volume in the Climate Control Business,
· an increase in accrued contractual manufacturing obligations of $1.0 million pursuant to EDC’s supply agreement and EDNC’s Bayer Agreement in the Chemical Business,
· an increase of $0.7 million in accrued payroll and benefits due primarily to an increase in the number of employees and to salary and wage incentives in the Climate Control Business,
· an increase of $0.6 million of accrued death benefits relating to our benefit agreements with certain key executives partially offset by,
· a decrease of $1.1 million of accrued property and franchise taxes primarily due to Baytown’s property taxes being processed and included in accounts payable at December 31, 2006 as discussed above.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities
 
Net cash used by continuing investing activities was $18.4 million for 2006 which included $14.7 million for capital expenditures of which $7.7 million and $7.0 million are for the benefit of our Climate Control Business and Chemical Business, respectively. In addition, we made deposits of $3.5 million of current and noncurrent restricted cash which is to be used for capital expenditures in the Climate Control Business, working capital, and to fund an unrealized loss on exchange-traded contracts.

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

Net cash used by continuing financing activities was $1.4 million and primarily consisted of:

· the acquisition of $13.3 million of the Notes as discussed above under “Loan Agreements - Terms and Conditions”,

 
· payments of $6.9 million on other long-term debt, and
· payments of $6.1 million on revolving debt facilities, net of proceeds, offset, in part, by
· proceeds of $16.5 million from the Debentures, net of fees of $1.5 million, as discussed above under “Loan Agreements - Terms and Conditions” and
· net proceeds of $8.2 million from other long-term debt.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except for the following:
 
Cepolk Holding, Inc. (“CHI”), a subsidiary of the Company, is a limited partner and has a 50% equity interest in Cepolk Limited Partnership (“Partnership”) which is accounted for on the equity method. The Partnership owns an energy savings project located at the Ft. Polk Army base in Louisiana (“Project”). At December 31, 2006, our investment was $3.3 million. For 2006, distributions received from this Partnership were $0.9 million and our equity in earnings was $0.8 million. As of December 31, 2006, the Partnership and general partner to the Partnership is indebted to a term lender (“Lender”) of the Project, in the amount of approximately $5.3 million, net of restricted cash for debt service of $0.9 million, with a term extending to December 2010 (“Loan”). CHI has pledged its limited partnership interest in the Partnership to the Lender as part of the Lender’s collateral securing all obligations under the Loan. This guarantee and pledge is limited to CHI’s limited partnership interest and does not expose CHI or the Company to liability in excess of CHI’s limited partnership interest. No liability has been established for this pledge since it was entered into prior to adoption of FIN 45. CHI has no recourse provisions or available collateral that would enable CHI to recover its partnership interest should the Lender be required to perform under this pledge.
 
Aggregate Contractual Obligations

Our aggregate contractual obligations as of December 31, 2006 are summarized in the following table.


 
Payments Due in the Year Ending December 31,

Contractual Obligations
 
Total
 
2007
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
Thereafter
 
                                                              (In thousands)
Long-term debt:
                                                       
Working Capital Revolver Loan (1)
 
$
26,048
   
$
5,492
   
$
-
   
$
20,556
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
                                                         
Senior Secured Loan due 2009
   
50,000
     
625
     
1,250
     
48,125
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
                                                         
7% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes
   
4,000
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
4,000
       
-
                                                         
Capital leases
   
767
     
342
     
360
     
34
     
31
     
-
     
-
 
                                                         
Other
   
16,877
     
5,120
     
2,293
     
954
     
1,047
     
1,079
     
6,384
 
                                                         
Total long-term debt
   
97,692
     
11,579
     
3,903
     
69,669
     
1,078
     
5,079
     
6,384
 
                                                         
Interest payments on long-term debt (2)
   
26,858
     
9,388
     
9,059
     
5,732
     
860
     
676
     
1,143
 
                                                         
Capital expenditures (3)
   
8,169
     
8,169
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
                                                         
Operating leases:
                                                       
Baytown lease
   
26,351
     
10,297
     
11,173
     
4,881
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
                                                         
Other operating leases
   
12,052
     
3,120
     
2,244
     
1,794
     
1,226
     
819
     
2,849
 
                                                         
Exchange-traded futures contracts
   
3,208
     
3,208
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
                                                         
Accrued contractual manufacturing obligations
   
2,161
     
2,161
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
                                                         
Purchase obligations
   
3,828
     
1,044
     
1,044
     
1,044
     
696
     
-
     
-
 
                                                         
Contractual obligations included in noncurrent accrued and other liabilities
   
 
2,700
     
 
-
     
 
171
     
 
174
     
 
171 
     
 
171
     
 
2,013
 
Total
 
$
183,019
   
$
48,966
   
$
27,594
   
$
83,294
   
$
4,031
   
$
6,745
   
$
12,389
 

(1
)
We primarily utilize a cash management system with a series of separate accounts consisting of several “zero-balance” disbursement accounts for funding of payroll and accounts payable. As a result of our cash management system, checks issued, but not presented to the banks for payment, may create negative book cash balances. These negative book cash balances are included in current portion of long-term debt since these accounts are primarily funded by our Working Capital Revolver Loan.
(2
)
The estimated interest payments relating to variable interest rate debt are based on the effective interest rates at December 31, 2006. In addition, we used the balance of the Working Capital Revolver Loan at December 31, 2006 as the average outstanding balance of the Working Capital Revolver Loan through maturity.
     
(3
)
Capital expenditures include only non-discretionary amounts in our 2007 capital expenditure budget. These amounts do not include, as discussed in “Environmental Matters” under Item 1, an estimated range from $0.8 million to $2.8 million as required under a NPDES permit effective June 2007 based on current assumptions and an estimated $2.5 million to $4.0 million over the next four years relating to the Air CAO.


 
Availability of Company's Loss Carry-Overs

For a discussion on our net operating loss carry-overs, see Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

General 

Our results of operations and operating cash flows are impacted by changes in market interest rates and changes in market prices of copper, steel, anhydrous ammonia and natural gas.

Forward Sales Commitments Risk

Periodically our Climate Control and Chemical Businesses enter into forward sales commitments of products for deliveries in future periods. As a result, we could be exposed to embedded losses should our product costs exceed the firm sales prices. At December 31, 2006, we had $0.3 million of embedded losses associated with sales commitments with firm sales prices in our Chemical Business.

Interest Rate Risk

Our interest rate risk exposure results from our debt portfolio which is impacted by short-term rates, primarily variable rate-based borrowings from commercial banks, and long-term rates, primarily fixed-rate notes, some of which prohibit prepayment or require substantial prepayment penalties.

We purchased two interest rate cap contracts for a cost of $590,000 in March 2005 to help minimize our interest rate risk exposure relating to the Working Capital Revolver Loan. These contracts set a maximum three-month LIBOR base rate of 4.59% on $30 million. These contracts mature on March 29, 2009. These contracts are free-standing derivatives and are accounted for on a mark-to-market basis in accordance with SFAS 133. At December 31, 2006, the market value of these contracts was $385,000.

Commodity Price Risk

Our Climate Control Business buys substantial quantities of copper and steel for use in manufacturing processes and our Chemical Business buys substantial quantities of anhydrous ammonia and natural gas as feedstocks generally at market prices. Periodically, our Climate Control Business enters into exchange-traded futures for copper and our Chemical Business enters into exchange-traded futures for natural gas, which contracts are generally accounted for on a mark-to-market basis in accordance with SFAS 133. At December 31, 2006, our purchase commitments under these contracts were for 300,000 pounds of copper through March 2007 at a weighted average cost of $3.10 per pound ($931,000) and a weighted average market value of $2.86 per pound ($859,000). In addition, our Chemical Business had purchase commitments under these contracts for 300,000 MMBtu of natural gas through June 2007 at a weighted average cost of $7.59 per MMBtu ($2,278,000) and a weighted average market value of $6.47 per MMBtu ($1,942,000).

 
The following table presents principal amounts and related weighted-average interest rates by maturity date for our interest rate sensitive financial instruments and our purchase commitments under exchange-traded futures contracts and related weighted-average contract costs by contract terms as of December 31, 2006.

 
Years ending December 31,
 
 
(Dollars in thousands,except for per pound and MMBtu)
 
2007
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Expected maturities of long-term debt:
                                                     
Variable rate debt
$
7,032
   
$
1,610
   
$
68,916
   
$
258
   
$
283
   
$
466
   
$
78,565
 
                                                       
Weighted average
                                                     
interest rate (1)
 
10.31
%
   
10.37
%
   
10.36
%
   
8.95
%