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Kemet Corporation

kem · NYSE Financial Services
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Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2002 Annual Report · Kemet Corporation
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KEMET®
Preferred Supplier of High Performance Solutions

2 0 0 2
A n n u a l   R e p o rt

K E M E T
2 0 0 2   A n n u a l   R e p o rt

P r o f i l e

KEMET Corporation is the world’s largest manufacturer of solid tantalum capacitors, and a world leader in the manufac-

turing  of  multilayer  ceramic  capacitors  and  solid  aluminum  capacitors. These  surface-mount  technologies  are  the  fastest

growing segment of the capacitor industry. Capacitors, which store, filter, and regulate electrical energy and current flow, are
found in virtually all electronic applications and products. KEMET’s capacitors are used in a wide variety of electronic

applications, including Internet infrastructure, communication systems and devices, personal computers, automotive electronic
systems,  and  military  and  aerospace  systems. KEMET’s  strategy  is  to  be  the  preferred  capacitor  supplier  to  the  world’s

most successful electronics firms. The Company’s stock is traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol KEM.

H i g h l i g h t s

o f   F i s c a l   2 0 0 2

Years ended March 31, (Dollars in thousands except per share data)

2000

2001

2002(2)

Net sales

Net earnings before nonrecurring charges

Net earnings (loss)

$822,095

$1,406,147

$508,555

$ 70,119

$ 325,346

$ 16,516

$ 70,119

$ 352,346

$ (27,289)

Net earnings before nonrecurring charges/Net sales

8.5%

25.1%

3.2%

Net earnings before nonrecurring charges per share, diluted(1)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Research and development expenses

Fixed asset expenditures

Percent debt to capital

Year-end number of employees

(1) Reflects the impact of 2-for-1 stock split effective June 1, 2000.
(2) Excludes nonrecurring, pre-tax charges of $66,537.

$

0.85

$ 48,457

$ 23,918

$

$

$

4.00

$

0.19

55,713

26,188

$ 46,626

$ 25,106

$ 82,009

$ 210,559

$ 78,546

15.4%

10.1%

10.5%

14,000

13,900

6,900

Net Sales
(In Millions)

Earnings Per Share—
Diluted

Shareholders’ Equity
(In Millions)

$1,600

1,200

800

400

0

$4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0

$1,000

750

500

250

0

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002(2)

1998 1999 2000* 2001 2002

*Includes $143 million from secondary stock offering

High-Performance  Solutions

KEMET produces the most complete line of surface-mount capacitors.

Tantalum

Multilayer ceramic

Solid aluminum

KEMET leads the industry in easy-to-buy-from service.

Perfect quality

Delivered 100% on time

Any customer location in the world

Competitive prices

Being easy to buy from is deeply embedded in KEMET’s corporate culture.

A preferred supplier position is earned each day by excelling at delivering

solutions, from technology to service, important to customers.

KEMET’s mission is to earn and enhance the preferred capacitor

very efficient operations that can deliver a high-performance solution

supplier  position  at  the  most  successful  electronics  equipment

to  each  customer  as  defined  by  their  needs.  In  fast-developing

companies  in  the  world. We  lead  our  industry  in  producing  high-

sectors,  like  notebook  computers,  video  games,  and  increasingly

performance capacitor solutions, including the world’s most complete

broadband infrastructure, advances in electronics are creating new

line  of  surface-mount  tantalum,  ceramic,  and  aluminum  capacitor

demands for innovative capacitor solutions to deliver higher capac-

technologies provided with near perfect quality and on-time delivery

itance at higher frequencies. In more mature sectors, like PCs and

at competitive prices to customer locations worldwide. Electronics

wireless  handsets,  operational  excellence  is  key  to  simplifying

is  a  high-growth,  but  cyclical  industry.  By  focusing  exclusively  on
capacitors  and  by  growing  organically, KEMET has  developed

processes  and  driving  out  excess  costs  to  deliver  products  at  a

competitive price.

www.KEMET.com 1

C o m p e t i t i v e
P r i c e s

T e c h n o l o g y

I n n o v a t i v e

P r o d u c t s

Electronics is a high-growth industry, because each company in the

manager’s  job  is  to  produce  perfect  parts  delivered  100  percent 

In recent years, KEMET has made substantial advances in capacitor

on-time  at  declining  costs.  World-class  information  technologies

technologies, in particular those directed at high-frequency electronics

in a product measuring .03 centimeters by .08 centimeters. Recently
KEMET introduced  the  world’s  fastest  tantalum  capacitor,  whose

electronics supply chain delivers to its customers more value for less
cost every year. KEMET’s focused plant concept is key to delivering

products  at  competitive  prices  while  maintaining  acceptable  profit
margins. KEMET has sixteen manufacturing and distribution facilities

in  the  Southeastern  United  States  and  Mexico,  each  focused  on  a
limited number of production processes. Each day, a KEMET plant

seamlessly  tie  together  manufacturing  facilities  thousands  of  miles
apart  into  a  virtual  factory.  During  fiscal  2002, KEMET executed

significant  productivity  enhancement  and  cost  reduction  initiatives,
positioning KEMET to be cost-competitive as the industry recovers.

that require high capacitance, such as microprocessors operating at

frequency  response  approaches  that  of  ceramic,  while  providing

clock speeds of greater than 1 gigahertz. Industry sources estimate

that microprocessor speeds will increase three times within the next
five years and eight times within the next ten. KEMET is a leader in

significantly  more  capacitance  per  volume.  During  fiscal  2002,
KEMET introduced solid aluminum capacitors that cost-effectively
address  certain  high-frequency  applications. Together, KEMET’s

the  capacitor  technology  necessary  to  manage  the  power  for  these

tantalum, ceramic, and solid aluminum products represent the most

high-frequency  microprocessors.  High-capacitance  ceramics  have

complete line of high-performance capacitor solutions in the world.

evolved from forty to over four hundred layers of ceramic and metal

Focused manufacturing in

low-cost locations, along

with productivity and cost

initiatives, allow KEMET to

be cost-competitive.

M o s t   C o m p l e t e   L i n e   o f     S u r f a c e - M o u n t   C a p a c i t o r s

Ceramic

High    Capacitance Ceramic

Multiple Anode Organic Tantalum (KO-MAT)

Aluminum Organic Capacitor (AO-CAP)

Multiple Anode Tantalum (MAT)

KEMET Organic Capacitor (KO-CAP)

Low Resistance Tantalum

Commercial Tantalum

1

10

100

1000

C a pa c i ta n c e   i n       M i c r o fa r a d s   ( µ F )

r
e
t
s
a
F

d
e
e
p
S

r
e
w
o
l
S

The most complete line of

surface-mount capacitors

allows KEMET to provide

the best solution to 

the customer regardless

of technology.

2   www.KEMET.com

www.KEMET.com 3

G l o b a l

L o g i s t i c s

Finished manufactured parts from KEMET’s production plants are

using their local currency. As a result, KEMET delivers parts with

KEMET’s  key  customers  are  among  the  largest,  most  successful

captured  approximately  15  percent  of  the  world  electronics  manu-

transferred from our U.S. Distribution Center in Brownsville, Texas to

near  perfect  quality  and  on-time  delivery  to  any  customer  location

electronics  original  equipment  manufacturers  (OEM),  electronic

facturing  market  from  facilities  acquired  from  electronics  OEMs.

local  distribution  hubs  around  the  world  from Asia  to  Europe.  Our

benchmark just-in-time logistics systems allow us to provide the kind

anywhere  in  the  world.  Combined  with  the  focused  manufacturing
strategy, KEMET’s systems allow the Company to achieve the most

manufacturing services (EMS) providers, and distributors. Approxi-

mately  35  percent  of  our  revenue  is  generated  through  sales  to

Industry  sources  anticipate  this  penetration  doubling  within  five
years.  KEMET’s  service-oriented,  easy-to-buy-from  philosophy

of  reliable  delivery  customers  might  expect  from  a  local  supplier.
KEMET’s industry leading, “Easy to Buy From” information systems

allow  us  to  do  business  with  local  buyers,  in  their  local  language,

reliable order fulfillment in our industry and among the lowest total

distributors,  with  the  remaining  split  roughly  evenly  between  OEM

positions us to grow along with our service-oriented EMS customers.

costs in the world.

and EMS customers. Over the past decade, our EMS customers have

Customers can place an

order, receive an on-line

confirmation and a

delivery date within

seconds, and experience

on-time delivery anywhere 

in the world.

KEMET’s industry leading

service positions the

Company to grow along

with our customers as they

gain market share globally.

4   www.KEMET.com

www.KEMET.com 5

S e r v i c e

L e t t e r   t o   O u r  

S h a r e h o l d e r s

Following the most successful year in KEMET’s history, fiscal

Significant  productivity  initiatives  were  implemented,  which  will

I am particularly enthusiastic about the fiscal 2002 new product

2002  was  one  of  the  most  challenging. Total  sales  for  fiscal  2002

were $509 million, down from $1.4 billion in fiscal 2001. 

result in additional cost savings as our industry recovers. On approx-
imately one-third of the revenue of the year earlier, KEMET achieved

Electronics is a high-growth, but cyclical, industry. During most

a break-even level of profitability from the June 2001 quarter through

of  calendar  2000,  shipments  in  the  electronics  industry  were  at  an

unsustainably high level. Because many customers did not immedi-

ately  respond  to  their  sales  slowdown  late  in  2000  by  reducing

the  March  2002  quarter,  before  nonrecurring  charges,  which  is  a
significant accomplishment by the entire KEMET team. 

KEMET’s  strategy  remains  earning  the  preferred  supplier

purchases of capacitors, by March 2001 some customers had accumu-

lated inventory that was five times the normal level prior to the bubble.

position at the world’s most successful electronic manufacturers and
distributors. To  service  our  key  accounts, KEMET incurs  selling,

To reduce this huge pile of excess inventory, throughout most of

general,  and  administrative  (SG&A)  expenses  of  approximately 

development  activities.  During  the  year,  Dr.  Jeffrey  Graves  joined
KEMET from GE Corporation to accelerate our research and devel-
opment.  Also  during  the  year,  KEMET formally  launched  the 

While fiscal 2002 was one of the most challenging in KEMET’s
history,  I  remain  optimistic  about KEMET’s  future. The  inventory

correction is coming to an end. Electronic end markets are beginning

to  recover.  Our  business  model,  from  our  focused  concept  through

AO-CAP,  a  solid  surface-mountable  aluminum  capacitor. This  is  an

our  global  logistics,  is  tuned  to  earning  the  preferred  supplier  posi-

emerging capacitor sector where we believe we are the technology

tion at the world’s most successful electronics companies. We have a

leader  and  are  becoming  the  worldwide  market  leader. Along  with
our  tantalum  and  ceramic  capacitors, AO-CAPs  allow KEMET to

deliver to customers the most complete line of surface-mount capac-
itor technology in the world. In recent years, KEMET has made sig-

broader  portfolio  of  innovative  products  to  capture  a  larger  share 

of  our  customers’  capacitor  dollars  than  ever  before.  We  have  a

strong  financial  position  and  one  of  the  most  experienced  teams  in

our industry. 

KEMET’s future is brighter than ever. 

fiscal 2002 customers purchased new capacitors at a rate that was half

$48 million per year, primarily in a direct, salaried sales force and the

nificant  progress  in  the  development  of  high-capacitance  ceramic

the rate at which they were consuming capacitors. In my forty-three
years with KEMET, spanning eleven industry cycles, I have never

previously experienced a correction of this magnitude and rapidity.
KEMET has  an  experienced  management  team,  and  I  am

supporting  information  technologies.  We  consider  this  a  long-term

capacitors, which is a high-growth sector, and we will make important

investment  in  our  customer  relationships,  and  our  SG&A  does  not

new high-capacitance, ceramic capacitor introductions during fiscal

vary much from year to year. Likewise, annually, we invest approx-

2003.  We  continue  to  make  advances  in  tantalum  capacitors  in

proud of their performance in these exceptional circumstances. Costs

innovative  capacitor  solutions  and  achieve  world  class  costs.  We

imately  $24  million  in  research  and  development  (R&D)  to  create

which we are the world leader. Shortly after the end of the fiscal year,
KEMET launched the world’s fastest tantalum capacitor targeted at

were  substantially  reduced  to  adjust  to  the  new  level  of  business.

maintain these relatively fixed SG&A and R&D investment costs during

power  management  of  high-frequency  electronics,  such  as  note-

From  June  2000  through  March  2002,  the  employee  base  was

a down year like fiscal 2002, and this business model gives us con-

books, advanced video games, and high-end servers. 

David E. Maguire
Chairman,  Chief  Executive  Officer,
and President

reduced from 16,000 to 6,900, as we downsized to match demand.

siderable upside leverage when the capacitor industry does recover.

With highly efficient operations, a broad portfolio of innovative products, a strong balance

sheet, and an experienced management team, KEMET is well positioned for the future.

L e a d e r s h i p

6   www.KEMET.com

www.KEMET.com 7

D e p t h
KEMET as a company is entering its eleventh electronics industry

manufacturers  and  distributors. The  Company’s  growth  has  been

cycle  since  it  began  producing  tantalum  capacitors  in  the  1950s.
KEMET’s  seventeen  corporate  officers  have  served  the  Company 

entirely  organic,  resulting  in  tightly  integrated  and  highly  efficient
operations. At the end of fiscal 2002, KEMET had a strong balance

on  average  over  twenty  years  and  managed  through  five  of  those
cycles. Since before the Company went public in 1992, the KEMET

team  has  a  long  history  of  pursuing  a  consistent  strategy  to  be  the

sheet, with over $234 million in cash, $855 million in shareholders’

equity,  and  only  $100  million  in  long-term  debt.  As  the  up  cycle
begins, KEMET is  poised  with  strong  depth  in  both  management

preferred capacitor supplier to the world’s most successful electronics

and financial resources.

back row, left to right: Manuel A. Cappella, Vice President/Managing Director, Mexico Tantalum; James P. McClintock, Vice President,
Ceramic Operations; C. Ross Patterson, Vice President and Chief Information Officer; Rick C. Rickenbach, Vice President, Tantalum U.S.
front row, left to right: Larry W. Sheppard, Vice President, Human Resources; Harris L. Crowley, Executive Vice President; 
D. Ray Cash, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

E x p e r i e n c e

8 www.KEMET.com
8 www.KEMET.com

Selected Financial Data

Dollars in thousands except per share data
Income Statement Data:

Net sales

Operating income (loss)

Interest income

Interest expense

Net earnings (loss)
Per Share Data:

Net earnings (loss) per share—basic

Net earnings (loss) per share—diluted

Weighted-average shares outstanding

—basic

—diluted

Balance Sheet Data:

Total assets

Working capital

Long-term debt

Stockholders’ equity

Other Data:

Cash flow from operating activities

Capital expenditures

Research and development

Years ended March 31,

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

$ 508,555

$1,406,147

$822,095

$565,569

$667,721

(40,365)

566,986

124,315 

22,604

82,202

(16,713) 

(2,079) 

(9,809)

6,736

7,507

(27,289)

352,346

9,135

70,119

—

9,287

6,150

—

7,305

49,190

$

$

(0.32)

(0.32)

$

$

4.05

4.00

$

$

0.87

0.85

$

$

0.08

0.08

$

$

0.63

0.62

85,773,763

86,930,965

80,650,376

78,441,440

78,146,444

85,773,763

88,181,118

82,411,634

79,027,860

78,854,328

$1,171,714

$1,366,530

$927,256

$663,690

$642,109

454,776

100,000

855,045

460,055

100,000

886,176

260,154

100,000

547,456

90,371

144,000

313,674

48,772

104,000

306,260

$ (34,219)

$ 392,440

$183,052

$ 20,817

$ 88,153

78,546

25,106

210,559

26,188

82,009

23,918

59,047

21,132

114,516

23,766

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 9

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations 
and Financial Condition

Results of Operations

Overview

KEMET  estimates  that  the  compounded  annual  growth  rate  for

capacitors  was  approximately  20%  during  the  1990s.  Underlying  the

strong  demand  for  capacitors  is  the  cyclical  nature  of  the  electronics

industry. The  Company  believes  that  the  industry  entered  into  another

correction phase of a long-term growth trend during calendar 2001. The

Company considers that the rapidity with which this inventory/capacity

correction  occurred  was  unprecedented  compared  to  previous  cycles.

After achieving record revenues and profits in fiscal 2001, demand for

capacitors fell considerably in fiscal 2002.

Manufacturing  throughput  was  down  in  response  to  the  decrease  in

demand,  which  resulted  in  the  absorption  of  fixed  costs  over  fewer

units than in the same period in the prior year. Combined with nonre-

curring  charges  and  decreasing  average  selling  prices,  this  resulted  in

an increase in the cost of sales as a percentage of sales in the current

year as compared to the prior year.

Selling,  general,  and  administrative  expenses  for  the  year  ended

March 31, 2002 were $46.6 million, or 9% of net sales, as compared to

$55.7 million, or 4% of net sales, for the year ended March 31, 2001.

Selling,  general,  and  administrative  expenses  decreased  compared  to

the  prior  year  primarily  due  to  the  Company’s  efforts  to  control  over-

head expenses in anticipation of declining capacitor demand. Selling,

Comparison of Fiscal Year 2002 to Fiscal Year 2001

general,  and  administrative  expenses  increased  as  a  percent  of  sales

Net sales for fiscal year 2002 were $508.6 million, which repre-

largely as the result of lower sales in the current year.

sented a 64% decrease from fiscal year 2001 net sales of $1,406.1 million.
There  was  a  substantial  decrease  in  demand  across  market  segments

Research, development, and engineering expenses were $25.1 mil-
lion  for  fiscal  year  2002,  compared  to  $26.2  million  for  fiscal  year

during  the  year  ended  March  31,  2002. The  Company  believes  that

2001. These costs reflect the Company’s continuing commitment to the

shipments  were  down  significantly  compared  to  the  prior  year  due  to

development  and  introduction  of  new  products,  such  as  aluminum

the  correction. The  Company  regards  the  decline  as  the  most  pro-

capacitors,  along  with  the  improvement  of  product  performance  and

nounced in its history, and it resulted from two factors. First, customers’

production efficiencies.

capacitor  consumption  fell  off  as  demand  turned  down.  Second,  cus-

Depreciation,  amortization,  and  impairment  charges  for  the  year

tomers  were  purchasing  capacitors  significantly  below  their  level  of

ended March 31, 2002 were $109.7 million, as compared to $63.6 mil-

consumption as they used up inventory.

lion  for  the  prior  period. The  primary  reason  for  the  increase  is  that

The decrease in net sales was attributable to a decline in both tan-

$36.8  million  of  asset  impairment  charges  were  reflected  in  the  year

talum  and  ceramic  capacitor  unit  volume  and  lower  average  selling

ended March 31, 2002. There were no asset impairment charges in the

prices.  Unit  volumes  decreased  64%  to  approximately  12.9  billion

year ended March 31, 2001. The increase, net of impairment charges,

units in fiscal 2002 from approximately 36.1 billion units in fiscal 2001.

was  the  result  of  the  Company’s  investment  in  additional  capacity  to

After  increasing  throughout  fiscal  2001,  average  selling  prices

support existing and new product expansions and reflects the deprecia-

decreased  each  quarter  during  fiscal  2002.  Sales  of  surface-mount

tion on those capital expenditures.

capacitors for fiscal 2002 were $399.6 million, a decrease of 72% from

The  operating  loss  for  the  year  ended  March  31,  2002  was 

the  prior  year.  Both  export  and  domestic  sales  decreased  64%  to

$40.4 million, compared to $567.0 million of operating income in the

$277.0 and $231.6 million, respectively.

prior year. The change from operating income in the prior year to oper-

Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation, for the year ended March 31,

ating loss in the current year resulted primarily from a combination of

2002 was $367.5 million, as compared to $693.7 million for the year

the  aforementioned  lower  sales  levels,  nonrecurring  charges,  and  the

ended March 31, 2001. The year ended March 31, 2002 includes approx-

corresponding reduction in manufacturing margins.

imately  $29.8  million  of  nonrecurring  charges  (See  Nonrecurring

Income tax benefit for fiscal year 2002 was $13.4 million, as com-

Charges) as opposed to none in the prior year. As a percentage of net

pared  to  income  tax  expense  of  $216.0  million  in  the  prior  year. The

sales, cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation, was 72% for the year ended

benefit  in  the  current  year  versus  the  expense  in  the  prior  year  was 

March  31,  2002,  as  compared  to  49%  for  the  prior  year.  Excluding

the result of a current year pre-tax loss compared to a pre-tax profit in

$29.8  million  of  nonrecurring  charges  and  depreciation  expense,  cost

the prior year.

of  sales  was  66%  of  sales  for  the  year  ended  March  31,  2002.

10 KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

Quarterly Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain quarterly information for the years ended March 31, 2002 and 2001. This information is unaudited but, in

the opinion of the Company’s management, reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly this

information when read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein.

Dollars in thousands except per share data

Net sales

Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation)(1)

Net earnings (loss)

Net earnings (loss) per share (basic)

Net earnings (loss) per share (diluted)

Weighted-average shares outstanding (basic)

Weighted-average shares outstanding (diluted)

Dollars in thousands except per share data

Net sales

Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation)(1)

Net earnings

Net earnings per share (basic)

Net earnings per share (diluted)

Weighted-average shares outstanding (basic)

Weighted-average shares outstanding (diluted)

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2002

First

Quarter

$152,721

$ 58,240

$ 13,051

$

$

0.15

0.15

Second

Quarter

$120,636

$ 38,254

$

$

$

990

0.01

0.01

Third

Quarter

$117,296

$ 14,177

Fourth

Quarter

Total

$117,902

$ 508,555

$ 30,356

$ 141,027

$ (26,919)

$ (14,411)  $ (27,289)

$

$

(0.31)

(0.31)

$

$

(0.17)

(0.17)

$

$

(0.32)

(0.32)

85,815,664

85,653,867

85,916,721

85,873,025

85,773,763

86,737,292

86,399,931

85,916,721

85,873,025

85,773,763

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2001

First

Quarter

Second

Quarter

Third

Quarter

Fourth

Quarter

Total

$329,169

$159,333

$364,049

$187,875

$374,930

$194,011

$337,999

$1,406,147

$171,269

$ 712,488

$ 80,235 

$ 96,264 

$ 97,403 

$ 78,444 

$ 352,346

$

$

0.92

0.90

$

$

1.10

1.08

$

$

1.11

1.10

$

$

0.91

0.90

$

$

4.05

4.00

87,324,021

87,414,074

87,416,454

86,362,252

86,930,965

88,915,974

88,804,300

88,678,409

87,414,105

88,181,118

(1) Gross  profit  (exclusive  of  depreciation)  as  a  percentage  of  net  sales  fluctuates  from  quarter  to  quarter  due  to  a  number  of  factors,  including  net  sales  fluctuations, 
nonrecurring charges, product mix, the timing and expense of moving product lines to lower cost locations, and the relative mix of sales between distributors, original
equipment manufacturers, and electronic manufacturing services providers.

Nonrecurring Charges

The Company incurred nonrecurring charges in the quarters ended December 31, 2001 and March 31, 2002. A summary of the nonrecurring

charges incurred follows (dollars in millions):

Inventory charges

Impaired long-lived assets

Personnel reductions

Joint venture termination

Total

Quarter ended

Classification

Dec. 31 Mar. 31

Total

COGS*

Impairment

$13.3

11.6

9.9

3.7

$ 3.7

21.5

2.9

—

$17.0

33.1

12.8

3.7

$38.5

$28.1

$66.6

X

X

X

X

*Cost of Goods Sold

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

11

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations 
and Financial Condition (continued)

Nonrecurring Charges in the Quarter Ended December 31, 2001

Personnel  reductions—Consolidation  of  certain  manufacturing

Following  two  years  of  tremendous  growth  in  product  shipments

and  support  personnel  resulted  in  a  reduction  of  approximately

during calendar years 1999 and 2000, the electronics industry experi-

350  manufacturing  personnel  in  the  U.S.  and  Mexico  in  March

enced  a  severe  inventory  correction. The  Company  anticipated  that

2002, with an annualized savings of approximately $15 million at

lower  production  levels  would  continue  well  into  calendar  2002. The

a cost of approximately $2.9 million.

Company  acted  by  streamlining  manufacturing  facilities,  accelerating

productivity  improvement  programs,  and  reducing  manufacturing  and

support  personnel  in  the  Company’s  U.S.  and  Mexican  facilities. The

nonrecurring  charges  related  to  the  aforementioned  activities  in  the

quarter ended December 31, 2001 were:

Comparison of Fiscal Year 2001 to Fiscal Year 2000

Net sales for fiscal year 2001 were $1,406.1 million, which repre-

sented a 71% increase from fiscal year 2000 net sales of $822.1 million.

The increase in net sales was attributed to the strong growth in demand

for electronic products such as computers and peripherals, cell phones,

Inventory—Inventory  charges  consisted  of  obsolete  or  scrapped

and automotive electronic systems. Average selling prices continued an

inventory and the loss on sale of excess precious metal inventory,

upward trend that began in the prior fiscal year. Unit volumes increased

primarily palladium, sold during the quarter and charged to Cost

approximately 15% to 36.1 billion units in fiscal year 2001, from 31.5

of Goods Sold.

Impaired long-lived assets—Certain long-lived assets used in pro-

duction,  as  well  as  costs  related  to  the  disposal  of  those  assets,

were  charged  to  Depreciation,  Amortization,  and  Impairment

Charges. These assets were retired as part of the effort to stream-

line manufacturing facilities and in response to lack of anticipated

product demand associated with the productive assets.

Personnel  reductions—The  Company  made  manufacturing  and

support  personnel  reductions  of  approximately  600  and  1,000

employees  in  the  U.S.  and  Mexico,  respectively.  A  charge  of 

$9.9  million  was  reflected  in  Cost  of  Goods  Sold. The  Company

anticipates  an  annualized  savings  of  approximately  $30  million

related to the reductions.

Termination  of  joint  venture—Through  its  wholly-owned  sub-

sidiary,  the  Company  agreed  with  Australasian  Gold  Mines  NL

(AGM) to sell KEMET’s interest in Tantalum Australia, a joint venture

in Australia. The investment was written down to its net realizable

value and $3.7 million was charged to Depreciation, Amortization,

and Impairment Charges. In conjunction with this transaction, the

agreement  for  the  Company  to  purchase  product  from Tantalum

Australia  was  also  canceled. The  Company  continues  to  hold  a

10% equity interest in AGM.

Nonrecurring Charges in the Quarter Ended March 31, 2002

The  Company  announced  enhancements  to  its  high-frequency

products  organization.  High-frequency  electronics  include  products

such  as  notebook  computers,  advanced  video  games,  and  high-end

servers  using  microprocessors  operating  at  frequencies  greater  than 

1  gHz. Two  product  lines  are  targeted  at  these  applications,  KEMET

organic  capacitors  (KO-CAP),  and  solid  aluminum  organic  capacitors

(AO-CAP). The  nonrecurring  charges  incurred  in  the  quarter  ended

March 31, 2002 were:

Inventory—Inventory  charges  consisted  of  obsolete  or  scrapped
inventory during the quarter and were charged to Cost of Goods Sold.

billion  units  in  fiscal  year  2000. The  Company  experienced  growth  in

both domestic and export markets as domestic sales increased 57% and

export sales increased 85%.

Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation, for the year ended March 31,

2001 was $693.7 million, as compared to $569.7 million for the year

ended  March  31,  2000.  As  a  percentage  of  net  sales,  cost  of  sales,

exclusive of depreciation, for fiscal year 2001 was 49%, as compared

to 69% for fiscal year 2000. The decrease in cost of sales as a percent-

age  of  net  sales  was  attributed  to  higher  average  selling  prices  during

fiscal  year  2001,  gains  from  manufacturing  efficiencies  due  to  higher

unit volume, and the results of the Company’s cost reduction programs

such as reduced palladium usage in ceramic capacitors.

Selling,  general,  and  administrative  expenses  for  the  year  ended

March 31, 2001 were $55.7 million, or 4% of net sales, as compared to

$48.5 million, or 6% of net sales, for the year ended March 31, 2000.

The decrease in selling, general, and administrative expenses as a per-

centage of sales is primarily due to the impact of higher sales volume

and increased average selling prices.

Research, development, and engineering expenses were $26.2 mil-

lion  for  fiscal  year  2001,  compared  to  $23.9  million  for  fiscal  year

2000. These costs reflect the Company’s continuing commitment to the

development  and  introduction  of  new  products,  such  as  aluminum

capacitors,  along  with  the  improvement  of  product  performance  and

production efficiencies.

Depreciation and amortization for fiscal year 2001 was $63.6 mil-

lion, an increase of $7.9 million, or 14%, from $55.7 million for fiscal

year  2000. The  increase  resulted  primarily  from  depreciation  expense

associated  with  increased  capital  expenditures  during  the  current  and

prior fiscal years.

Operating income was $567.0 million for fiscal year 2001, com-

pared to $124.3 million for fiscal year 2000. The increase in operating

income resulted primarily from the increase in net sales and improve-

ments in cost of sales as discussed above.

Income tax expense for fiscal year 2001 was 38% of net earnings
before income taxes. Both federal and state taxes increased over fiscal

Impaired long-lived assets—Certain long-lived assets used in pro-

year 2000 as loss carryforwards and credits were not available in fiscal

duction,  as  well  as  costs  related  to  the  disposal  of  those  assets,

year 2001 to the extent they were available in the prior fiscal year.

were  charged  to  Depreciation,  Amortization,  and  Impairment

Charges. These  assets  were  the  first  generation  of  high-frequency

solid aluminum production equipment.

12

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The agreement whereby a subsidiary of the Company sells certain

The Company’s liquidity needs arise from working capital require-

non-U.S. accounts receivable expired in April 2002. The Company is in

ments, capital expenditures, and principal and interest payments on its

the process of determining if it will replace this facility. Approximately

indebtedness. The Company intends to satisfy its liquidity requirements

$40.1 million in proceeds to the Company related to the sale of these

primarily  with  funds  provided  by  operations,  short-term  investments

non-U.S. accounts receivable at March 31, 2002.

and borrowings under its Loan Agreement.

In May 1998, the Company sold $100.0 million of its Senior Notes

Cash flows from operating activities for the year ended March 31,

pursuant to the terms of a Note Purchase Agreement dated as of May 1,

2002 used $34.2 million, compared to a $392.4 million surplus in the

1998,  between  the  Company  and  the  eleven  purchasers  of  the  Senior

prior  year. The  reduction  in  cash  flow  was  primarily  a  result  of  the

Notes named therein. These Senior Notes have a final maturity date of

$27.3 million loss in fiscal 2002 versus the $352.3 million fiscal 2001

May 4, 2010, with required principal repayments beginning on May 4,

profit, combined with the timing of cash flows from current assets and

2006. The Senior Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.66%, with interest

liabilities  such  as  accounts  receivable,  inventories,  accounts  payable,

payable  semiannually  beginning  November  4,  1998. The  terms  of  the

accrued liabilities, and income taxes payable.

Note Purchase Agreement include various restrictive covenants typical

Capital  expenditures  were  $78.5  million  for  the  year  ended 

of  transactions  of  this  type,  and  require  the  Company  to  meet  certain

March 31, 2002, compared to $210.6 million for the prior year. Capital
expenditures in the prior year principally reflect capacity added to meet

financial  tests  including  a  minimum  net  worth  test  and  a  maximum
ratio  of  debt  to  total  capitalization. The  net  proceeds  from  the  sale  of

demand. The current period’s expenditures are principally the completion

the  Senior  Notes  were  used  to  repay  existing  indebtedness  and  for

of  projects  initiated  during  fiscal  2001. They  represent  the  Company’s

general corporate purposes. The Company was in compliance with its

commitment  to  improve  product  quality,  expand  into  new  products,

covenants at March 31, 2002, and at the time of this filing.

and  improve  manufacturing  efficiencies. The  Company  estimates  its

In April 2002, the Company entered into the Loan Agreement with

capital expenditures for fiscal 2003 to be approximately $50 million.

a  bank. The  Loan  Agreement  is  an  uncommitted  credit  facility  which

Inventories increased to $259.4 million at March 31, 2002, from

allows  borrowings  by  the  Company  in  an  aggregate  principal  amount

$202.3 million at March 31, 2001, due to an increase in units as well

not to exceed $50.0 million for a term not to exceed 180 days for any

as  higher  raw  material  prices.  Current  liabilities  decreased  to  $112.4

single borrowing. The interest rate charged on any borrowing under the

million  at  March  31,  2002  versus  $285.1  million  at  March  31,  2001,

Loan Agreement is mutually agreed upon by the Bank and the Company

commensurate with the decrease in business activity in fiscal year 2002

at the time of such borrowing.

versus fiscal year 2001.

The Company presently has a total of nine manufacturing facilities

The  Company  is  subject  to  restrictive  covenants  which,  among

in Matamoros, Monterrey, and Ciudad Victoria, Mexico, with approxi-

others, restrict its ability to make loans or advances or to make invest-

mately  70%  of  the  Company’s  employees  located  there.  In  fiscal  year

ments,  and  require  it  to  meet  financial  tests  related  principally  to

2002, the volatility of the Mexican peso did not have a material impact

funded  debt  and  net  worth. At  March  31,  2002,  the  Company  was  in

on the Company’s performance.

compliance with such covenants. Borrowings are secured by guarantees

As discussed in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements,

of certain of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries.

the Company or its subsidiaries are at any one time parties to a number

On  January  20,  2000,  the  Company  sold  6,500,000  shares  of  its

of lawsuits arising out of their respective operations, including workers’

common stock in a public offering for $142.6 million in net cash pro-

compensation  or  workplace  safety  cases  and  environmental  issues,

ceeds after deducting underwriting fees and offering expenses. Included

some  of  which  involve  claims  of  substantial  damages. Although  there

in  the  offering  were  2,193,220  shares  sold  by  a  stockholder  of  the

can be no assurance, based upon information known to the Company,

Company  which  were  shares  of  non-voting  common  stock  that  were

the Company does not believe that any liability which might result from

converted into common stock on a share-for-share basis. The net proceeds

an adverse determination of such lawsuits would have a material adverse

were  used  to  repay  outstanding  debt  under  the  Company’s  short-term

effect on the Company.

credit facility and to fund capital expenditures.

The Company believes its strong financial position will permit the

The Board of Directors has authorized programs to purchase up to

financing of its business needs and opportunities. It is anticipated that

8.0  million  shares  of  its  common  stock  on  the  open  market. Through

ongoing  operations  will  be  financed  primarily  by  internally  generated

March  31,  2002,  the  Company  made  purchases  of  2.1  million  shares

for  $38.7  million.  Approximately  240,000  shares  were  subsequently

reissued for the exercise of employee stock options. At March 31, 2002,

the Company held approximately 1,860,000 treasury shares at a cost of

$34.3 million and had outstanding put option obligations for approxi-

mately 0.3 million shares at a weighted-average purchase price of $21.09

($18.12  net  of  put  premiums  received)  per  share  under  the  purchase

program. The  amount  and  timing  of  future  purchases  will  depend  on

market conditions and other factors and will be funded from existing cash.

funds and cash on hand.
Business Outlook

The  Company  believes  that  major  cost  saving  initiatives  that

occurred throughout fiscal 2002 positioned KEMET to maintain a strong
financial position and further enhance earnings capability.

From  a  peak  of  16,000  employees  in  the  summer  of  2000,  the

number  of  employees  at  June  1,  2002,  was  reduced  to  approximately

6,900. This was achieved through a variety of programs, such as attrition,

leaves of absences, early retirement programs, and reductions-in-force.

The Company also established other cost reduction or cost containment

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

13

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations 
and Financial Condition (continued)

programs,  including  the  aforementioned  nonrecurring  charges,  in

as  some  excess  capacitor  inventories  were  consumed. The  Company

response to the business downturn. The Company believes these actions

believes  unit  shipments  will  continue  to  increase  through  the  rest  of

will result in annualized savings of approximately $110.0 million.

calendar 2002 as customers’ capacitor purchases in the coming months

KEMET  anticipates  four  drivers  of  growth  as  it  enters  the  growth

continue  to  approach  their  consumption. The  Company  believes  that

phase of the current cycle.

• First, the Company’s preferred capacitor supplier relationships with

the world’s most successful electronics companies remain strong.

• Second,  capacitor  shipments  will  increase  as  customers’  busi-

nesses recover. Some electronics end markets, such as notebook

computers  and  servers,  appear  to  have  stabilized  and  begun

growing again.

unit  shipments  in  the  quarter  ending  June  30,  2002  will  exceed  the

volumes shipped in the quarter ended March 31, 2002.

Average  selling  prices  for  the  March  2002  quarter  decreased

approximately 9% from average selling prices for the December 2001

quarter, following quarterly declines of 10% in the December 2001 quarter,

10% in the September 2001 quarter, and 11% in the June 2001 quarter.

These  declines  are  from  average  selling  prices  that  were  abnormally

high in historical terms as a result of exceptional product demand and

• Third,  KEMET’s  customer-service-oriented  strategy  has  the

higher  raw  materials  costs  that  were  passed  through  to  customers

Company  particularly  well  positioned  with  Electronics  Manu-

during  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  2001. As  the  industry  reaches  the

facturing  Services  providers,  and  the  Company  believes  that  it
will  be  a  net  beneficiary  as  global  electronics  manufacturing

end  of  the  inventory  correction  and  unit  volumes  begin  to  increase
toward the actual level of capacitor consumption, the Company believes

continues  to  shift  to  our  large  EMS  customers.  Some  analysts

the  decline  in  average  selling  prices  should  begin  to  moderate  in  the

predict that the percentage of global electronics manufacturing

June 2002 quarter.

that is outsourced will double by 2005.

The Company’s best current estimate, given the high level of eco-

• Finally, the Company believes it has the world’s most complete

line of surface-mount capacitor technologies, including innovative

high-frequency tantalum, high-capacitance ceramic, and newly

introduced solid aluminum capacitors. These high-performance

capacitor  solutions  will  allow  KEMET  to  continue  to  earn  a

greater share of our customers’ capacitor business.

The Company believes that unit shipments may have reached the

low  point  of  the  current  cycle  in  the  quarter  ended  September  30,

2001,  as  unit  shipments  increased  during  subsequent  quarters. The

increase  in  the  following  quarters  was  broadly  based  across  original

equipment manufacturers, electronics manufacturing services providers,

and distributors. The best visibility into customers’ inventories is through

the  distributor  channel,  where  March  2002  capacitor  inventory  levels

were reduced approximately 66% from a January 2001 peak. Sales to

distributors increased 17% sequentially over the December 2001 quarter,

Commitments

nomic uncertainty, is that revenues for the quarter ending June 30, 2002

will be approximately equal to those for the quarter ended March 31,

2002, and that net income will be positive. The Company expects that

the gross margin percentage for the quarter ending June 30, 2002 will

be in the range of 30% to 32%.

For  fiscal  2003,  the  Company  anticipates  maintaining  its  invest-

ments in key customer relationships through its direct sales and customer

service  professionals,  as  well  as  through  research  and  development, 

to maintain its position at the leading edge of technology in the capac-

itor industry.

Capital expenditures for fiscal 2003 are anticipated to be approxi-

mately  $50  million,  compared  to  $79  million  in  fiscal  2002.  The

Company  continued  to  transfer  the  production  of  its  smaller  sizes  of

commercial  tantalum  products  to  its  newest,  low-cost  manufacturing

facility in Mexico.

As of March 31, 2002, the Company had contractual obligations in the form of non-cancelable operating leases (see note 10 to the Consolidated

Financial Statements), long-term contracts for the purchase of tantalum powder and wire (see note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), and

debt (see note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), as follows (dollars in thousands):

Fiscal years ended March 31,

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Thereafter

Total

$ 2,389

$

979

$493

$80

$

77,000

65,000

—

—

—

—

—

—

21

—

20,000

80,000

—

142,000

100,000

$

— $ 3,962

$79,389

$65,979

$493

$80

$20,021

$80,000

$245,962

Description

Operating leases

Tantalum

Debt

Total

14 KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

Cabot Corporation

Revenue  Recognition. Revenue  is  recognized  from  sales  when  a

On April 10, 2002, the Company was sued by Cabot Corporation

product is shipped. A portion of sales is made to distributor customers

(“Cabot”) in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

which,  under  certain  conditions,  allows  for  returns  of  overstocked

(Suffolk Co. Civil Action No. 02-1585-BLS) with respect to its existing

inventory and provides protection against price reductions initiated by

supply  agreement  with  Cabot  for  tantalum  powder,  ore  and  wire. The

the Company. At the time sales to distributors are recorded, allowances

action arises out of a tantalum supply agreement entered into between

are also recognized against net sales for estimated product returns and

Cabot  and  a  KEMET  subsidiary  in  December  2000. This  agreement

price protection. Historical distributor returns and price adjustments on

requires the subsidiary to purchase and Cabot to sell certain specified

both a consolidated level and on an individual distributor level as well

amounts  of  tantalum  powder  and  tantalum  wire  in  the  years  2001

as the economic climate are considered in determining the allowance.

through  2003  and  tantalum  ore  in  2001  and  2002. The  supply  agree-

These procedures require the exercise of significant judgments, but the

ment  specifies  a  variety  of  tantalum  powder  and  wire  products  and

Company  believes  they  reasonably  estimate  future  credits  for  returns

their associated year-by-year prices per pound.

and price adjustments.

The  complaint  requests  various  injunctive  and  declaratory  relief

Inventories. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market,

requiring KEMET to purchase the contracted products at regular intervals

with  cost  determined  under  the  first-in,  first-out  method  and  market

throughout  the  year,  to  specifically  identify  products  that  it  intends  to
purchase  under  the  agreement  and  to  inspect  products  when  and  as

based  upon  net  realizable  value. The  valuation  of  inventories  requires
management  to  make  estimates.  For  instance,  unit  volume  decreased

they  are  produced  and  tendered  by  Cabot. The  complaint  also  seeks

substantially compared to the prior year, which resulted in higher finished

damages in an unspecified amount relating to an alleged repudiation of

goods inventories cost and quantities. The Company computes an obso-

the agreement to purchase 80,000 pounds of tantalum ore during 2002.

lescence reserve by gauging the current demand for a specific product,

The Company denies any liability under the supply agreement and

comparing  it  with  historical  trends,  and  taking  into  account  general

intends to defend itself vigorously. The Company will exercise all of its

economic  conditions. The  Company  also  must  assess  the  prices  at

rights and remedies afforded by law.
Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s significant accounting policies are summarized in

Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The following identifies

a number of policies which require significant judgments or estimates.

The Company’s estimates and assumptions are based on historical

data and other assumptions that KEMET believes are reasonable in the

circumstances. These  estimates  and  assumptions  affect  the  reported

which  it  believes  the  finished  goods  inventory  can  be  sold  compared 

to its cost.

Pension and Other Nonpension Post-retirement Benefits. KEMET

engages an independent actuarial firm to perform an actuarial valuation

of the fair values of its post-retirement plans’ assets and benefit obliga-

tions. Management provides the actuarial firm with certain assumptions

that have a significant effect on the fair value of the assets and obligations

such as the:

amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets

Weighted-average discount rate—used to arrive at the net present

and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. In addition, they

value of the obligation;

affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the report-

ing period.

The  judgments  are  based  on  management’s  assessment  as  to  the

effect  certain  estimates,  assumptions,  or  future  trends  or  events  may

have on the financial condition and results of operations reported in the

Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  It  is  important  that  a  reader  of  the

financial  statements  understand  that  actual  results  could  differ  from

these estimates, assumptions, and judgments.

KEMET’s  management  believes  the  following  critical  accounting

policies  contain  the  most  significant  judgments  and  estimates  used  in

the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Estimates  for  Nonrecurring  Charges. In  fiscal  2002,  KEMET

recorded  nonrecurring  charges  of  approximately  $66.6  million. The

nonrecurring charges were related to its high-frequency products organ-

ization and in response to reduced product demand as the electronics

industry  entered  into  another  correction  phase  of  a  long-term  growth
trend during calendar 2001. These activities were designed to cut both

fixed and variable costs and included the consolidation of operations,

inventory write downs, charges for impaired assets, and the termination

of employees. These costs are recorded based upon estimates and may

differ from the actual costs incurred. Any difference will be adjusted in

a future period.

Return  on  assets—used  to  estimate  the  growth  in  invested  asset

value available to satisfy certain obligations;

Salary increases—used to calculate the impact future pay increases

will have on post-retirement obligations; and

Medical cost inflation—used to calculate the impact future medical

costs will have on post-retirement obligations.

Management  understands  that  these  assumptions  directly  impact

the  actuarial  valuation  of  the  assets  and  obligations  recorded  on  the

balance  sheet  and  the  income  or  expense  that  flows  through  the

Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Management bases its assumptions on either historical or market

data  that  it  considers  reasonable  in  the  circumstances. Variations  in

these  assumptions  could  have  a  significant  effect  on  the  amounts

reported through the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Taxes. Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  recognized  for  the
future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial

statement  carrying  amounts  of  existing  assets  and  liabilities  and  their

respective  tax  bases  and  operating  loss  and  tax  credit  carryforwards.

Management evaluates its tax assets and liabilities on a periodic basis 

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

15

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations 
and Financial Condition (continued)

and adjusts these balances on a timely basis as appropriate. Management

exists; (2) Delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) The

believes that it has adequately provided for its future tax consequences

seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and (4) Collectibility

based upon current facts and circumstances and current tax law. How-

is reasonably assured. Upon adoption of the SAB, there was no impact

ever, should management’s tax positions be challenged and not prevail,

on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

different  outcomes  could  result  and  have  a  significant  impact  on  the

In  July  2001,  the  FASB  issued  Statement  of  Financial Accounting

amounts reported through the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Standards No. 141, “Business Combinations” (Statement No. 141), and

The  carrying  value  of  the  Company’s  net  deferred  tax  assets  (tax

Statement  of  Financial Accounting  Standards  No.  142,  “Goodwill  and

benefits expected to be realized in the future) assumes that KEMET will

Other Intangible Assets” (Statement No. 142). Statement No. 141 requires

be able to generate, based on certain estimates and assumptions, suffi-

that the purchase method of accounting be used for all business combi-

cient  future  taxable  income  in  certain  tax  jurisdictions  to  utilize  these

nations initiated after June 30, 2001. Statement No. 141 also specifies

deferred tax benefits. If these estimates and related assumptions change

criteria  that  intangible  assets  acquired  in  a  purchase  method  business

in the future, the Company may be required to reduce the value of the

combination  must  meet  to  be  recognized  and  reported  apart  from

deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense.

goodwill.  Statement  No.  142  requires  that  goodwill  and  intangible

Management  believes  that  it  is  more  likely  than  not  that  the

assets  with  indefinite  useful  lives  no  longer  be  amortized,  but  instead

deferred tax assets will be realized, based on the scheduled reversal of
deferred  tax  liabilities  and  projected  future  taxable  income.  However,

be  tested  for  impairment.  Any  unamortized  negative  goodwill  must 
be written off at the date of adoption. Statement No. 142 is effective for

there can be no assurance that we will meet our expectations of future

fiscal  years  beginning  after  December  15,  2001,  and  was  adopted  by

income.  Management  evaluates  the  deferred  tax  assets  on  a  periodic

the Company effective April 1, 2002.

basis and assesses the need for additional valuation allowances.
Adoption of Accounting Standards

Effective  October  1,  2000,  the  Company  adopted  Statement  of

Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  133,  “Accounting  for  Derivative

Instruments and Hedging Activities,” (Statement No. 133) as amended

by  Statement  No.  138.  Statement  No.  133  establishes  accounting  and

reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative

instruments  embedded  in  other  contracts  and  hedging  activities.  It

requires the recognition of all derivative instruments as either assets or

liabilities  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheet  and  the  measurement  of

those instruments at fair value. The accounting treatment of changes in

fair value is dependent upon whether or not a derivative instrument is

designated  as  a  hedge  and,  if  so,  the  type  of  hedge.  For  derivatives

designated as cash flow hedges, to the extent effective, changes in fair

value  are  recognized  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income

(“AOCI”)  until  the  hedged  item  is  recognized  in  earnings.  Ineffective-

ness is recognized immediately in earnings. For derivatives designated

as fair value hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings.

Prior  to  adoption  of  Statement  No.  133,  the  Company  recorded

gains  and  losses  related  to  the  hedges  of  forecasted  foreign  currency

transactions  directly  to  earnings  (“Other  income  and  expense”),  and

gains and losses related to hedges of firm commitments were deferred

and  recognized  in  earnings  as  adjustments  of  carrying  amounts  when

the transactions occurred.

The adoption of Statement No. 133 did not result in a significant

transition  adjustment  and  is  therefore  not  separately  captioned  in  the

statement of earnings as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting

principle. The transition adjustment as of October 1, 2000 was a gain of

approximately $0.9 million net of tax, and is included in cost of goods
sold for the period.

The Company adopted the Securities and Exchange Commission’s

Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 (the “SAB”) effective January 1, 2001.

The SAB requires that a company recognize revenue only when all of

the following criteria are met: (1) Persuasive evidence of an arrangement

The Company believes that income will increase by $1.85 million

in  the  year  ending  March  31,  2003,  as  the  result  of  the  adoption  of

Statement 142. As of the date of the adoption, the Company expects to

have unamortized goodwill, trademarks, and patents and technology of

approximately  $28.4  million,  $7.2  million,  and  $5.5  million,  respec-

tively, which will be subject to the provisions of Statement No. 142. In

addition, the Company had $0.6 million of negative goodwill at March

31,  2002.  Amortization  expense  related  to  goodwill,  trademarks,  and

patents and technology was approximately $1.0 million, $0.3 million,

and $0.4 million, respectively, for the year ended March 31, 2002. The

Company anticipates that under Statement 142 it will increase income

by $0.6 million by writing off negative goodwill in the quarter ending

June 30, 2002, and goodwill and trademarks will not be amortized in

the  year  ending  March  31,  2003,  reducing  amortization  expense  by

approximately  $1.3  million.  Patent  and  technology  amortization  is

expected to remain the same in fiscal 2003.

In  July  2001,  the  FASB  issued  Statement  of  Financial Accounting

Standards  No.  143,  “Accounting  for  Asset  Retirement  Obligations”

(Statement No. 143). Statement No. 143 requires entities to record the

fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in

which it is incurred. When the liability is initially recorded, the Company

is required to capitalize a cost by increasing the carrying amount of the

related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present

value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the use-

ful life of the related asset. Statement No. 143 is effective for fiscal years

beginning  after  June  15,  2002,  and  will  be  adopted  by  the  Company

effective April 1, 2003. The Company believes the adoption of Statement

No. 143 will not significantly impact financial results.

In  October  2001,  the  FASB  issued  Statement  of  Financial

Accounting  Standards  No.  144,  “Accounting  for  the  Impairment  or

Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (Statement No. 144). Statement No. 144

requires entities to test a long-lived asset, excluding goodwill and other

intangible  assets  that  are  not  amortized,  for  recoverability  whenever

events or changes in circumstances indicate that the entity may not be 

16 KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

able  to  recover  the  carrying  value  of  the  asset.  An  impairment  loss 

Occurrences affecting the slope or speed of decline of the pricing

would  be  recognized  for  an  asset  that  is  assessed  as  being  impaired.

curve  for  the  Company’s  products,  or  affecting  KEMET’s  ability  to

Statement No. 144 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December

reduce product  and  other  costs  and  to  increase  productivity;  the

15,  2001,  and  was  adopted  by  the  Company  effective  April  1,  2002.

effect  of  changes in  the  mix  of  products  sold  and  the  resulting

The  Company  believes  the  adoption  of  Statement  No.  144  will  not

effects on gross margins;

significantly impact financial results.
Safe Harbor Statement

From time to time, information provided by the Company, including

but not limited to statements in this report or other statements made by

or on behalf of the Company, may contain “forward-looking” informa-

tion  within  the  meaning  of  Section  27A  of  the  Securities Act  of  1933

and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Such state-

Difficulties  in  obtaining  raw  materials,  supplies,  power,  natural

resources,  and  any  other  items  needed  for  the  production  of

capacitors; the effects of quality deviations in raw materials, par-

ticularly  tantalum  powder  and  ceramic  dielectric  materials;  the

effects of significant price increases for tantalum or palladium, or

an inability to obtain adequate supplies of tantalum from the limited

number of suppliers;

ments  involve  a  number  of  risks  and  uncertainties. The  Company’s

The amount and rate of growth in the Company’s selling, general,

actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-

and  administrative  expenses,  and  the  impact  of  unusual  items

looking statements. The cautionary statements set forth in the Company’s

resulting from KEMET’s ongoing evaluation of its business strategies,

2002 Annual Report under the heading Safe Harbor Statement identify

asset valuations, and organizational structure;

important  factors  that  could  cause  actual  results  to  differ  materially

from  those  in  any  forward-looking  statements  made  by  or  on  behalf 

of the Company.

This  Annual  Report  contains  forward-looking  statements  within

the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as

amended. The Company intends that these forward-looking statements

be subject to the safe harbor created by that provision. These forward-

looking statements involve risks and uncertainties beyond the Company’s

control. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be

regarded  as  a  representation  by  the  Company  that  the  future  events,

plans or expectations contemplated by the Company will be achieved.

Furthermore, past performance in operations and share price is not nec-

essarily  predictive  of  future  performance.  Finally,  the  Company

cannot assume responsibility for certain information that is based upon

market estimates.

The Company wishes to caution readers that the following impor-

tant  factors,  among  others,  in  some  cases  have  affected,  and  in  the

future  could  affect,  KEMET’s  actual  results  and  could  cause  KEMET’s

actual consolidated results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2003 and

beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking

statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company whether contained

herein, in other documents subsequently filed by the Company with the

SEC, or in oral statements:

The acquisition of fixed assets and other assets, including inventories

and receivables; the making or incurring of any expenditures and

expenses, including, but not limited to, depreciation and research

and  development  expenses;  any  revaluation  of  assets  or  related

expenses; and the amount of and any changes to tax rates;

The  effect  of  any  changes  in  trade,  monetary,  and  fiscal  policies,

laws,  and  regulations;  other  activities  of  governments,  agencies,

and  similar  organizations;  social  and  economic  conditions,  such

as trade restrictions or prohibitions, inflation, and monetary fluctu-

ations; import and other charges or taxes; the ability or inability of

KEMET  to  obtain,  or  hedge  against,  foreign  currency;  foreign

exchange  rates  and  fluctuations  in  those  rates,  particularly  a

strengthening of the U.S. dollar; nationalization; unstable govern-

ments  and  legal  systems;  intergovernmental  disputes;  the  costs

and  other  effects  of  legal  and  administrative  cases  and  proceed-

ings (whether civil, such as environmental and product-related, or

criminal); settlements, investigations, claims, and changes in those

items;  developments  or  assertions  by  or  against  the  Company

relating  to  intellectual  property  rights  and  intellectual  property

licenses; adoption of new or changes in accounting policies and

practices  and  the  application  of  such  policies  and  practices;  the

effects  of  changes  within  KEMET’s  organization,  particularly  at 

the executive officer level, or in compensation and benefit plans;

A moderating growth rate in end-use products which incorporate

the  amount,  type,  and  cost  of  the  financing  which  the  Company

the Company’s products and the effects of a downturn in the general

has and any changes to that financing; the effects of severe weather

economy or in general business conditions;

Underutilization  of  KEMET’s  plants  and  factories,  or  of  any  plant

expansion  or  new  plant,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  those  in

Mexico,  resulting  in  production  inefficiencies  and  higher  costs;

start-up expenses, inefficiencies, delays, and increased depreciation
costs in connection with the start of production in new plants and

expansions; capacity constraints that could limit the ability to con-

tinue to meet rising demand for surface-mount capacitors;

on  KEMET’s  operations,  including  disruptions  at  manufacturing

facilities;  the  effects  of  a  disruption  in  KEMET’s  computerized

ordering systems; and the effects of a disruption in KEMET’s com-

munications systems.
Effect of Inflation

Inflation  generally  affects  the  Company  by  increasing  the  cost  of

labor,  equipment,  and  raw  materials. The  Company  does  not  believe

that  inflation  has  had  any  material  effect  on  the  Company’s  business

over  the  past  three  years  except  for  the  following  discussion  in

Commodity Price Risk.

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

17

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

Commodity Price Risk

The  Company’s  exposure  to  market  risk  for  changes  in  interest

The Company purchases various precious metals used in the man-

rates  relates  primarily  to  the  Company’s  long-term  debt  obligations  and

ufacture of capacitors and is therefore exposed to certain commodity price

interest rate swaps. The Company also has an uncommitted debt financ-

risks. These precious metals consist primarily of palladium and tantalum.

ing  alternative  in  the  form  of  an  Offering  Basis  Loan  Agreement  for 

Palladium  is  a  precious  metal  used  in  the  manufacture  of  multi-

$50 million which is priced on a mutually agreed upon rate by the bank

layer  ceramic  capacitors  and  is  mined  primarily  in  Russia  and  South

and the Company at the time of such borrowing. The Company had not

Africa. Currently, the Company uses forward contracts and spot buys to

historically used interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, or other derivative

secure the acquisition of palladium and manage the price volatility in

financial instruments for the purpose of hedging fluctuations in interest

the market. The Company is also aggressively pursuing ways to reduce

rates,  but  entered  into  interest  rate  swap  agreements  subsequent  to

palladium usage in ceramic capacitors and minimize the price risk.

March 31, 2002. The Company will use interest rate swap agreements

Tantalum powder is a metal used in the manufacture of tantalum

to  effectively  convert  a  portion  of  its  fixed  rate  debt  to  a  floating  rate

capacitors and is primarily purchased under annual contracts. Manage-

basis,  reducing  interest  expense.  Interest  rate  swaps  are  designated  as

ment  believes  the  tantalum  needed  has  generally  been  available  in

fair value hedges. The interest rate differential to be received or paid on

sufficient quantities to meet manufacturing requirements. However, the

the swaps is recognized over the lives of the swaps as an adjustment to
interest expense.

increase  in  demand  for  tantalum  capacitors  during  fiscal  year  2001,
along  with  the  limited  number  of  tantalum  powder  suppliers,  led  to

increases in tantalum prices and impacted availability. Tight supplies of

tantalum raw material and some tantalum powders caused the price to

increase  from  under  $50  per  pound  early  in  calendar  2000  to  over

$300 per pound in calendar 2001. The Company was able to pass price

increases to its customers due to the strong demand for capacitors but

may  not  be  able  to  do  so  in  the  future. The  Company’s  contractual

commitments for the supply of tantalum are at prices well above market

prices that traded during calendar 2002 through the date this document

was filed.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

A  portion  of  the  Company’s  sales  to  its  customers  in  Europe  are

denominated  in  the  Euro,  thereby  creating  an  exposure  to  foreign

currency exchange rates. Also, a portion of the Company’s costs are in

its Mexican operations and are denominated in Mexican pesos, creating

an  exposure  to  exchange  rates.  In  order  to  minimize  its  exposure,  the

Company will periodically enter into forward foreign exchange contracts

in which the net long or short position in the Euro or Mexican peso is

hedged against the U.S. dollar.

The  impact  of  changes  in  the  relationship  of  other  currencies  to

the U.S. dollar has historically not been significant, and such changes

in  the  future  are  not  expected  to  have  a  material  impact  on  the

Company’s results of operations or cash flows. The Company does not

use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes or if there

is no underlying business transaction supporting or related to the deriv-

ative financial instrument.

18

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

Independent Auditors’ Report

The Board of Directors

KEMET Corporation:

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets

financial  statement  presentation. We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a

of  KEMET  Corporation  and  subsidiaries  as  of  March  31,  2002  and

reasonable basis for our opinion.

2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockhold-

In  our  opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements  referred  to

ers’  equity  and  comprehensive  income,  and  cash  flows  for  each  of 

above  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the  financial  position  of

the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2002. These consol-

KEMET Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2002 and 2001,

idated  financial  statements  are  the  responsibility  of  the  Company’s

and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the

management.  Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  these

years  in  the  three-year  period  ended  March  31,  2002,  in  conformity

consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States 

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  auditing  standards

of America.

generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of  America. Those  standards

require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assur-

ance  about  whether  the  financial  statements  are  free  of  material  mis-
statement.  An  audit  includes  examining,  on  a  test  basis,  evidence

supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An

audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and signif-

Greenville, South Carolina 

icant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall 

April 26, 2002

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

19

KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Dollars in thousands except per share data
Assets
Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

Accounts receivable (notes 10 and 11)

Inventories:

Raw materials and supplies

Work in process

Finished goods

Total inventories

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (note 15)

Deferred income taxes (note 7)

Total current assets

Property and equipment, net (note 11)

Intangible assets, net (note 2)

Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:

Accounts payable, trade (note 10)

Accrued expenses (note 11)

Income taxes payable 

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt (note 3)

Other non-current obligations (note 4)

Deferred income taxes (note 7)

Total liabilities

Stockholders’ equity (notes 8, 10, 14 and 16):

Common stock, par value $.01, authorized 300,000,000 shares, issued 87,783,060 and

87,619,517 shares at March 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively

Additional paid-in capital

Retained earnings

Accumulated other comprehensive income

March 31,

2002

2001

$ 234,622

$ 360,758

22,101

96,583

118,527

68,318

72,547

79,002

81,975

41,300

259,392

202,277

10,791

40,255

567,161

539,785

41,856

22,912

50,493

35,018

745,129

567,262

44,027

10,112

$1,171,714

$1,366,530

$

73,057

$ 201,767

32,252

7,076

112,385

100,000

48,926

55,358

49,229

34,078

285,074

100,000

51,084

44,196

316,669

480,354

878

321,734

562,903

3,808

876

322,068

590,192

2,355

Treasury stock, at cost (1,859,695 and 1,600,040 shares at March 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively)

(34,278)

(29,315)

Total stockholders’ equity

Commitments and contingencies (notes 10 and 12)

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

855,045

886,176

$1,171,714

$1,366,530

20 KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Dollars in thousands except per share data

Net sales

Operating costs and expenses:

Cost of goods sold, exclusive of depreciation

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

Research and development

Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges

Total operating costs and expenses

Operating income (loss)

Other income and expense:

Interest income

Interest expense 

Other expense (note 11)

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) (note 7)

Net earnings (loss)

Net earnings (loss) per share (notes 10, 14 and 16):

Basic

Diluted

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

Basic

Diluted

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Years ended March 31,

2002

2001

2000

$508,555

$1,406,147

$822,095

367,528

693,659

569,706

46,626

25,106

109,660

55,713

26,188

63,601

48,457

23,918

55,699

548,920

839,161

697,780

(40,365)

566,986

124,315

(9,809)

(16,713)

6,736

3,438

7,507 

7,892

(40,730) 

(13,441)

568,300

215,954

(2,079)

9,135

11,695

105,564

35,445

$ (27,289)

$ 352,346

$ 70,119

$

$

(0.32)

(0.32)

$

$

4.05

4.00

$

$

0.87

0.85

85,773,763

86,930,965

80,650,376

85,773,763

88,181,118

82,411,634

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

21

KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and 
Comprehensive Income

Dollars in thousands except share amounts

Common Stock

Shares

Amount

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Retained
Earnings

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

Treasury
Stock

Total
Stock-
holders’
Equity

Balance at March 31, 1999

78,509,800

$785

$145,090

$167,727

$

72

— $313,674

Comprehensive income (loss):

Net earnings

Foreign currency translation loss

Total comprehensive income

Exercise of stock options (note 8)

Tax benefit on exercise of stock options

Purchases of stock by Employee Savings Plan

Secondary offering (note 16)

—

—

—

1,944,260

—

71,848

6,500,000

—

—

—

20

—

—

65

—

—

—

11,052

9,315

724

142,543

70,119

—

—

—

—

—

—

Balance at March 31, 2000

87,025,908

870

308,724

237,846

Comprehensive income (loss):

Net earnings

Unrealized gain on foreign exchange contracts, 

net of $1,398 tax

Foreign currency translation loss

Total comprehensive income

Exercise of stock options (note 8)

Tax benefit on exercise of stock options

Purchases of stock by Employee Savings Plan

Put options proceeds (note 10)

Treasury stock purchases (note 16)

—

—

—

—

549,720

—

43,889

—

(1,600,040)

—

—

—

—

5

—

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

3,204

4,325

1,094

4,721

—

352,346

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(56)

—

—

—

—

—

16

—

2,594

(255)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

70,119

(56)

70,063

11,072

9,315

724

142,608

547,456

352,346

2,594

(255)

354,685

3,209

4,325

1,095

4,721

(29,315)

(29,315)

Balance at March 31, 2001

86,019,477

876

322,068

590,192

2,355

(29,315)

886,176

Comprehensive income (loss):

Net loss

Unrealized gain on foreign exchange contracts, 

net of $1,267 tax

Unrealized securities loss, net of $425 tax

Foreign currency translation gain

Total comprehensive income (loss)

Exercise of stock options (note 8)

Tax benefit on exercise of stock options

Purchases of stock by Employee Savings Plan

Put options proceeds (note 10)

Treasury stock purchases (note 16)

—

—

—

—

—

299,315

—

104,573

—

(500,000)

—

—

—

—

—

1

—

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1,893)

1,048

1,319

599

(1,407)

(27,289) 

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2,143

(756)

66

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

4,430 

—

—

—

(27,289)

2,143

(756)

66

(25,836)

2,538

1,048

1,320

599

(9,393)

(10,800)

Balance at March 31, 2002

85,923,365

$878

$321,734

$562,903

$3,808

$(34,278)

$855,045

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

22

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Dollars in thousands

Sources (uses) of cash

Operating activities:

Net earnings (loss)

Years ended March 31,

2002

2001

2000

$ (27,289)

$ 352,346

$ 70,119

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash from operating activities:

Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges

109,660

63,601

Post-retirement and unfunded pension

Loss on sale and disposal of equipment

Deferred income taxes

Changes in other non-current assets and liabilities

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

Inventories

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Accounts payable, trade

Accrued expenses and income taxes

Tax benefit of stock options exercised

(2,158) 

1,043 

5,084

(5,987)

74,482

(57,115)

39,702

(128,710)

(43,979)

1,048

(3,662)

5,266

(8,023)

2,233

(2,456)

(71,318)

(45,805)

78,059

17,874

4,325

55,699

(14,586)

11,579

2,931

(2,950)

(38,025)

(5,140)

(55)

58,958

39,187

9,315

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

(34,219)

392,440

187,032

Investing activities:

Purchases of short-term investments

Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments

Additions to property and equipment

Investment in affiliates

Other

Net cash used by investing activities

Financing activities:

Proceeds from sale of common stock to Employee Savings Plan

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

Proceeds from secondary offering

Proceeds from put options (note 10)

Purchases of treasury stock

Net payments to revolving loan and demand note

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

Net increase (decrease) in cash

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

Supplemental Cash Flow Statement Information:

Interest paid

Income taxes paid

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

(57,819)

(202,354)

(123,687)

57,819 

326,041 

—

(78,546)

(210,559)

(82,009)

(7,207)

179

—

(255)

—

81

(85,574)

(87,127)

(205,615)

1,320

2,538

—

599

1,095

3,209

—

4,721

(10,800)

(29,315)

724

11,072

142,608

—

—

—

—

(64,000)

(6,343)

(20,290)

90,404

(126,136)

285,023

360,758

75,735

71,821

3,914

$ 234,622

$ 360,758

$ 75,735

$

7,671

$

7,361

$ 20,047

$ 209,186

$

$

9,477

7,179

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

23

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1: Organization and Significant
Accounting Policies

Nature of Business and Organization

approximately $0.9 million net of tax, and is included in cost of goods

sold for the period.

Inventories

KEMET Corporation and subsidiaries (“KEMET” or the “Company”)

Inventories  are  stated  at  the  lower  of  cost  or  market. These  costs

is the world’s largest manufacturer of solid tantalum capacitors, the fifth

do not include depreciation or amortization, the impact of which is not

largest  manufacturer  of  multilayer  ceramic  capacitors,  and  a  leader  in

material  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements. The  cost  of  most

the development of solid aluminum capacitors. The Company is head-

inventories  is  determined  by  the  “first-in,  first-out”  (FIFO)  method.

quartered in Simpsonville, South Carolina, and has fourteen manufac-

Approximately 6% and 7% of inventory costs of certain raw materials at

turing  plants  located  in  South  Carolina,  North  Carolina,  and  Mexico.

March 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, have been determined on the

Additionally,  the  Company  has  wholly-owned  foreign  subsidiaries

“last-in, first-out”(LIFO) basis. It is estimated that if all inventories had

which primarily sell KEMET’s products in foreign markets.

been  costed  using  the  FIFO  method,  they  would  have  been  approxi-

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company

include  the  accounts  of  its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries.  Intercompany
balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of direct obligations of U.S. government

agencies  and  investment-grade  commercial  paper  with  an  initial  term

of less than three months. For purposes of the statements of cash flows,

the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original

maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Derivative Financial Instruments

mately  $824  and  $902  higher  than  reported  at  March  31,  2002  and

2001, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is calcu-

lated principally using the straight-line method over the estimated useful

lives  of  the  respective  assets.  Leasehold  improvements  are  amortized

using  the  straight-line  method  over  the  lesser  of  the  estimated  useful

lives  of  the  assets  or  the  terms  of  the  respective  leases.  Maintenance

costs  are  expensed;  expenditures  for  renewals  and  improvements  are

generally  capitalized.  Upon  sale  or  retirement  of  property  and  equip-

ment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed and

any  gain  or  loss  is  recognized.  Reviews  are  regularly  performed  to

Derivative  financial  instruments  are  utilized  by  the  Company  to

determine  whether  facts  and  circumstances  exist  which  indicate  that

reduce  exposures  to  volatility  of  foreign  currencies  and  commodities

the  carrying  amount  of  assets  may  not  be  recoverable. The  Company

impacting  the  cost  of  its  products. The  Company  does  not  enter  into

assesses  the  recoverability  of  its  assets  by  comparing  the  projected

financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group

Effective  October  1,  2000,  the  Company  adopted  Statement 

of  assets  over  their  remaining  life  against  their  respective  carrying

No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,”

amounts.  Impairment,  if  any,  is  based  on  the  excess  of  the  carrying

as  amended  by  Statement  No.  138.  Statement  No.  133  establishes

amount over the fair value of those assets.

accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including

certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and hedging

activities.  It  requires  the  recognition  of  all  derivative  instruments  as

either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and meas-

urement of those instruments at fair value. The accounting treatment of

changes  in  fair  value  is  dependent  upon  whether  or  not  a  derivative

instrument  is  designated  as  a  hedge  and,  if  so,  the  type  of  hedge.  For

derivatives  designated  as  cash  flow  hedges,  to  the  extent  effective,

changes  in  fair  value  are  recognized  in  Accumulated  Other  Compre-

hensive  Income  until  the  hedged  item  is  recognized  in  earnings.

Ineffectiveness  is  recognized  immediately  in  earnings.  For  derivatives

designated  as  fair  value  hedges,  changes  in  fair  value  are  recognized 

in earnings.

Prior  to  adoption  of  Statement  No.  133,  the  Company  recorded

gains  and  losses  related  to  the  hedges  of  forecasted  foreign  currency

transactions  directly  to  earnings  (“Other  income  and  expense”),  and

gains and losses related to hedges of firm commitments were deferred

and  recognized  in  earnings  as  adjustments  of  carrying  amounts  when

the transactions occurred.

The adoption of Statement No. 133 did not result in a significant

transition  adjustment  and  is  therefore  not  separately  captioned  in  the

statement of operations as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting

principle. The transition adjustment as of October 1, 2000 was a gain of

Goodwill

Goodwill, which represents the excess of purchase price over fair

value of net assets acquired, is amortized on a straight-line basis over

the  expected  period  to  be  benefited  and  does  not  exceed  40  years.

KEMET assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset by determining

whether the amortization of the goodwill balance over its remaining life

can  be  recovered  through  undiscounted  future  net  cash  flows. The

amount of goodwill impairment, if any, is measured based on projected

discounted future operating cash flows using a discount rate reflecting

our  average  cost  of  funds.  KEMET  recorded  goodwill  amortization  of

approximately  $1.0  million  in  2002,  2001,  and  2000.  Unamortized

goodwill  totaled  $27.7  million  and  $28.7  million  at  March  31,  2002

and 2001, respectively.

In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)

issued  Statement  No.  142,  “Goodwill  and  Other  Intangible  Assets.”

Under Statement No. 142, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite
useful lives will no longer be amortized, but will be tested for impair-

ment at least on an annual basis in accordance with the provisions of

Statement No. 142. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in business

combinations completed before July 1, 2001 will continue to be amor-

tized prior to the adoption of Statement No. 142, which KEMET adopted

on  April  1,  2002.  As  of  March  31,  2002,  KEMET  has  unamortized

24 KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

goodwill  in  the  amount  of  $27.7  million.  Effective  April  1,  2002,

temporary  differences  are  expected  to  be  recovered  or  settled. The

KEMET  will  no  longer  amortize  its  goodwill.  In  connection  with

effect  on  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  of  a  change  in  tax  rates  is

Statement  No.  142’s  transitional  goodwill  impairment  evaluation,

recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

KEMET will be required to perform an assessment of whether there is an

indication  that  goodwill  is  impaired  as  of  the  date  of  adoption. To

accomplish this, KEMET must identify its reporting units and determine

the carrying value of each reporting unit by assigning the assets and lia-

bilities,  including  the  existing  goodwill,  to  those  reporting  units  as  of

the date of adoption. KEMET will then have six months from the date of

adoption to determine the fair value of each reporting unit and compare

it to the carrying amount of the reporting unit. The Company believes

that income will increase by $1.85 million in the year ending March 31,

2003 as the result of the adoption of Statement No. 142. As of the date

of  the  adoption,  the  Company  expects  to  have  unamortized  goodwill,

trademarks, and patents and technology of approximately $27.7 million,
$7.2  million,  and  $5.5  million,  respectively,  which  will  be  subject  to

Stock-Based Compensation

The  Company  applies  the  intrinsic  value-based  method  of

accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,

“Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and its related interpreta-

tions  in  accounting  for  stock  options. As  such,  compensation  expense

would be recorded on the date of grant only if the current market price

of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. The Company has

elected  the  “disclosure  only”  provisions  of  Statement  No.  123,

“Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” which provide pro forma

disclosure of earnings as if stock compensation were recognized on the

fair value basis.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

the  provisions  of  Statement  No.  142.  In  addition,  the  Company  had

The  Company  sells  to  customers  located  throughout  the  United

$0.6  million  of  negative  goodwill  at  March  31,  2002.  Amortization

States and the world. Credit evaluations of its customers’ financial con-

expense  related  to  goodwill,  trademarks,  and  patents  and  technology

ditions  are  performed  periodically,  and  the  Company  generally  does

was  approximately  $1.0  million,  $0.25  million,  and  $0.4  million,

not require collateral from its customers.

respectively, for the year ended March 31, 2002. The Company antici-

pates that under Statement No. 142 it will increase income by $0.6 mil-

lion  by  writing  off  negative  goodwill  in  the  quarter  ending  June  30,

2002,  and  goodwill  and  trademarks  will  not  be  amortized  in  the  year

ending  March  31,  2003,  reducing  amortization  expense  by  approxi-

mately $1.25 million.

Intangible Assets

Foreign Operations

Financial  statements  of  the  Company’s  Mexican  operations  are

prepared using the U.S. dollar as its functional currency. Translation of

the Mexican operations, as well as gains and losses from non-U.S. dollar

foreign currency transactions, such as those resulting from the settlement

of  foreign  receivables  or  payables,  are  reported  in  the  Consolidated

Statements of Earnings.

Patents  and  technology  are  amortized  using  the  straight-line

Translation of other foreign operations to U.S. dollars occurs using

method  over  twenty-five  years. Trademarks  are  amortized  using  the

the  current  exchange  rate  for  balance  sheet  accounts  and  an  average

straight-line method over a forty-year period. The Company assesses the

exchange rate for results of operations. Such translation gains or losses

recoverability of its intangible assets by determining whether the amor-

are  recognized  as  a  component  of  equity  in  “Accumulated  Other

tization of the intangible’s balance over its remaining life can be recovered

Comprehensive Income.”

through  undiscounted  future  operating  cash  flows  of  the  acquired

assets. The amount of intangible impairment, if any, is measured based

on projected discounted future operating cash flows. The assessment of

the  recoverability  of  intangibles  will  be  impacted  if  estimated  future

operating cash flows are not achieved.

Other Assets

Other assets consist principally of the cash surrender value of life

insurance policies, prepaid pension benefits, and marketable equitable

securities designated as available-for-sale.

The cost, gross unrealized holding losses, and fair value of available-

for-sale  marketable  equity  securities  at  March  31,  2002  were  $2,261,

$932, and $1,329, respectively.

Deferred Income Taxes

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net earnings, foreign currency

translation gains or losses, unrealized gains or losses from available-for-

sale securities, and unrealized gains and losses from forward contracts

and is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

and Comprehensive Income.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue  is  recognized  from  sales  when  a  product  is  shipped. A

portion of sales is made to distributors under agreements allowing cer-

tain  rights  of  return  and  price  protection  on  unsold  merchandise  held

by distributors (see note 10). The Company adopted the Securities and

Exchange Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 (the “SAB”)

effective January 1, 2001. The SAB requires that a company recognize

Income  taxes  are  accounted  for  under  the  asset  and  liability
method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future

revenue only when all of the following criteria are met: (1) Persuasive
evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) Delivery has occurred or services

tax  consequences  attributable  to  differences  between  the  financial

have been rendered; (3) The seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or deter-

statement  carrying  amounts  of  existing  assets  and  liabilities  and  their

minable; and (4) Collectibility is reasonably assured. Upon adoption of

respective  tax  bases  and  operating  loss  and  tax  credit  carryforwards.

the SAB, there was no impact on the Company’s results of operations or

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates

financial condition.

expected  to  apply  to  taxable  income  in  the  years  in  which  those

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

25

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Earnings per Share

Note 2: Intangible Assets

The  Company  calculates  earnings  per  share  in  accordance  with

Intangible assets consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

Statement No. 128, “Earnings per Share.” Basic earnings per share is

computed  using  the  weighted-average  number  of  shares  outstanding.

Diluted  earnings  per  share  is  computed  using  the  weighted-average

number of shares outstanding adjusted for the incremental shares attrib-

uted to outstanding options to purchase common stock.

Goodwill

Trademarks

On  June  1,  2000,  the  Company  issued  additional  shares  in  con-

Patents and technology

nection with the two-for-one stock split. The per common share amounts

Other

in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes have

Accumulated amortization

Intangible assets, net

Note 3: Debt

A summary of long-term debt follows (dollars in thousands):

The  Company  has  determined,  using  the  criteria  in  Statement 

date of May 4, 2010

No.  131,  “Disclosures  about  Segments  of  an  Enterprise  and  Related

Less current installments

Senior notes, interest payable semiannually 

at a rate of 6.66% with a final maturity 

March 31,

2002

2001

$ 40,709

$ 40,709

10,000

12,000

1,143

63,852

21,996

10,000

12,000

1,143

63,852

19,825

$ 41,856

$ 44,027

March 31,

2002

2001

$100,000

$100,000

—

—

$100,000

$100,000

been adjusted to reflect the stock splits.

Environmental Cost

The Company recognizes liabilities for environmental remediation

when  it  is  probable  that  a  liability  has  been  incurred  and  can  be

reasonably estimated. The Company determines its liability on a site-by-

site  basis,  and  it  is  not  discounted  or  reduced  for  possible  recoveries

from insurance carriers. Expenditures that extend the life of the related

property  or  mitigate  or  prevent  future  environmental  contamination 

are capitalized.

Business Segments

Information,”  that  it  operates  in  a  single  reporting  segment.  The

Company’s products may be categorized generally based upon primary

raw material (tantalum, palladium, or aluminum) or method of attach-

ment  (surface-mount  or  leaded),  and  are  sold  to  original  equipment

manufacturers, electronics manufacturing services providers, and elec-

tronics distributors. No customer accounted for more than 10% of net

sales in fiscal 2002. Two customers each accounted for more than 10%

of net sales in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001, and one customer

accounted  for  more  than  10%  of  net  sales  in  the  fiscal  year  ended

March 31, 2000. Geographic information is included in note 9.

Use of Estimates

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with

accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America

requires  management  to  make  estimates  and  assumptions.  These

estimates  and  assumptions  affect  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and

liabilities  and  the  disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  at  the

date  of  the  financial  statements.  In  addition,  they  affect  the  reported

amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual

results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Reclassification

Certain  prior  year  amounts  have  been  reclassified  to  conform  to

2002 presentation.

Other

All amounts are presented in thousands unless otherwise noted.

26 KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

Long-term debt, excluding 

current installments

In May 1998, the Company sold $100,000 of its Senior Notes pur-

suant  to  the  terms  of  a  Note  Purchase Agreement  dated  May  1,  1998

between  the  Company  and  the  eleven  purchasers  of  the  Senior  Notes

named therein. The Senior Notes have a final maturity date of May 4,

2010,  and  begin  amortizing  on  May  4,  2006. The  Senior  Notes  bear

interest  at  a  fixed  rate  of  6.66%,  with  interest  payable  semiannually

beginning November 4, 1998. The aggregate maturities of the debt sub-

sequent  to  March  31,  2002  follow:  2007,  $20,000;  2008,  $20,000;

2009, $20,000; 2010, $20,000; and 2011, $20,000.

In April  2002,  the  Company  entered  into  an  Offering  Basis  Loan

Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with a bank. The Loan Agreement is

an uncommitted credit facility which allows borrowings by the Company

in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50.0 million for a term

not  to  exceed  180  days  for  any  single  borrowing. The  interest  rate

charged on any borrowing under the Loan Agreement is mutually agreed

upon by the Bank and the Company at the time of such borrowing.

The  Company  is  subject  to  restrictive  covenants  under  its  loan

agreements  which,  among  others,  restrict  its  ability  to  make  loans  or

advances or to make investments and require it to meet financial tests

related principally to funded debt and net worth. At March 31, 2002, the

Company was in compliance with such covenants. Borrowings are secured

by guarantees of certain of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Note 4: Other Non-Current Obligations

The  weighted-average  rates  used  in  determining  pension  cost  for

Non-current  obligations  are  summarized  as  follows  (dollars  in

the Plan are as follows:

thousands):

Deferred compensation and pension benefit 

March 31,

2002

2001

Years ended March 31,

2002

2001

2000

Discount rate

7.00% 7.00% 7.50%

Rate of compensation increase

5.00% 5.00% 5.00%

liabilities (note 5)

$10,336

$12,098

Expected return on Plan assets

9.00% 9.00% 9.00%

Accrued post-retirement medical plan

liability (note 6)

Other

36,448

36,820

2,142

2,166

A reconciliation of the Plan’s projected benefit obligation, fair value

of the Plan assets, and funding status is as follows (dollars in thousands):

Other non-current obligations

$48,926

$51,084

Included as a part of other non-current obligations is the Company’s

accrual for environmental liabilities.
Note 5: Employee Pension and Savings Plans

The  Company  has  a  non-contributory  pension  plan  (the  “Plan”)

which covers substantially all employees in the United States who meet

age  and  service  requirements. The  Plan  provides  defined  benefits  that

are  based  on  years  of  credited  service,  average  compensation  (as

defined),  and  the  primary  social  security  benefit. The  effective  date  of

the Plan is April 1, 1987.

March 31,

2002

2001

Accumulated benefit obligation

$ 94,242

$ 86,530

Projected benefit obligation:

Net obligation at beginning of year

128,658 

111,698

Service cost

Interest cost

Actuarial gain

Gross benefits paid

Curtailment

4,891

9,201

205 

(6,198)

(4,629)

1,518

4,246

8,462

8,991

(4,739)

—

—

The  cost  of  pension  benefits  under  the  Plan  is  determined  by  an

Special termination benefits

independent  actuarial  firm  using  the  “projected  unit  credit”  actuarial

cost  method.  Currently  payable  contributions  to  the  Plan  are  limited 

to  amounts  that  are  currently  deductible  for  income  tax  reporting

purposes,  and  are  included  in  accrued  expenses  in  the  consolidated

balance sheets.

Components  of  net  periodic  pension  cost  include  the  following

(dollars in thousands):

Years ended March 31,

Net benefit obligation at end of year

$133,646

$128,658

Fair value of Plan assets:

Fair value of Plan assets at 

beginning of year

Actual return on Plan assets

Employer contributions

Gross benefits paid

$ 93,898

$ 94,880

2,050

21,200

(6,198)

(7,743)

11,500

(4,739)

2002

2001

2000

Fair value of Plan assets at end of year

$110,950 

$ 93,898

Service cost

Interest cost

$ 4,891

$ 4,246

$ 4,544

9,201

8,462

8,071

Expected return on assets

(9,612)

(8,862)

(6,323)

Amortization of:

Transition asset

Prior service cost

Actuarial loss

Curtailment

Special termination benefits

(1)

(76)

1,199 

(121)

1,518 

(6)

(84)

—

—

—

(6)

(83)

650

—

—

Total net periodic pension cost

$ 6,999

$ 3,756

$ 6,853

Funding status:

Funded status at end of year

Unrecognized net actuarial loss

Unrecognized prior service cost

Unrecognized net transition asset

(22,696)

(34,760)

33,620

31,687

(195)

—

(399)

—

Net prepaid asset (accrued benefit liability)

$ 10,729

$ (3,472)

The Company sponsors an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan

for  key  managers. This  plan  is  non-qualified  and  provides  certain  key

employees defined pension benefits which would equal those provided

by  the  Company’s  non-contributory  pension  plan  if  the  plan  were  not

The special termination benefits and curtailment were the result of

limited  by  the  Employee  Retirement  Security  Act  of  1974  and  the

personnel reductions occurring within fiscal 2002.

Internal Revenue Code. Expenses related to the deferred compensation

plan totaled $1,710 in fiscal 2002, $1,504 in fiscal 2001, and $988 in

fiscal  2000. Total  benefits  accrued  under  this  plan  were  $10,336  at
March 31, 2002 and $8,626 at March 31, 2001.

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

27

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

In  addition,  the  Company  has  a  defined  contribution  plan  (the

A reconciliation of the post-retirement medical and life insurance

“Savings Plan”) in which all U.S. employees who meet certain eligibil-

plan’s projected benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets, and funding

ity requirements may participate. A participant may direct the Company

status is as follows (dollars in thousands):

to contribute amounts, based on a percentage of the participant’s com-

pensation, to the Savings Plan through the execution of salary reduction

agreements.  In  addition,  the  participants  may  elect  to  make  after-tax

contributions. The Company will make annual matching contributions

to the Savings Plan of 30% to 50%. The Company contributed $1,914

in fiscal 2002, $2,061 in fiscal 2001, and $1,801 in fiscal 2000.

Note 6: Post-Retirement Medical and 
Life Insurance Plans

The Company provides health care and life insurance benefits for

certain retired employees who reach retirement age while working for

the Company. The components of the expense for post-retirement medical
and life insurance benefits are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Service cost

Interest cost

Amortization of actuarial loss

Expected return on assets

Curtailment

Special termination benefits

Years ended March 31,

2002

2001

2000

$1,375

$1,268

$1,479

2,688

—

(140)

251

306

2,985

111

2,834

248

—

—

—

—

—

—

Total net periodic benefits cost

$4,480

$4,364

$4,561

March 31,

2002

2001

Projected benefit obligation:

Net obligation at beginning of year

$ 43,210

$ 40,396

Service cost

Interest cost

Actuarial (gain) loss

Curtailment

Special termination benefits

Gross benefits paid

1,375

2,688

(4,813)

109

306

1,268

2,985

347

—

—

(2,452)

(1,786)

Net benefit obligation at end of year

$ 40,423 

$ 43,210

Fair value of plan assets:

Employer contributions

Actual return on plan assets

Gross benefits paid

$ 4,852

$ 1,786

25

—

(2,452)

(1,786)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

$ 2,425 

$

—

Funding status:

Funded status at end of year

Unrecognized net actuarial loss

$(37,998)  $(43,210)

1,550

6,390

Net accrued benefit liability

$(36,448)

$(36,820)

The weighted-average rates used in determining post-retirement medical and life insurance costs are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Discount rate

Rate of compensation increase

Health care cost trend on covered charges

Years ended March 31,

2002

7.00%

5.00%

2001

7.00%

5.00%

2000

7.50%

5.00%

7.5% decreasing to

8.0% decreasing to

9.5% decreasing to

ultimate trend of 

ultimate trend of

ultimate trend of

6.0% in 2005

6.0% in 2008

7.0% in 2008

Sensitivity of retiree welfare results

Effect of a one percentage point increase in assumed health care cost trend:

• On total service and interest cost components

• On post-retirement benefit obligation

Effect of a one percentage point decrease in assumed health care cost trend:

• On total service and interest cost components

• On post-retirement benefit obligation

$ 129

$ 737

$(118) 

$(698)

$ 143

$ 933

$(131)

$(885)

$ 538

$ 3,487

$ (472)

$(3,196)

28 KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

March 31,

2002

2001

$

— $ 4,424

14,565

41,638

4,363

14,296

35,853

1,896

60,566

56,469

(4,515)

(2,665)

(1,486)

(4,678)

(1,398)

(2,476)

(75,669)

(65,647)

Note 7: Income Taxes

The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows

The components of earnings (loss) before income taxes consist of

(dollars in thousands):

(dollars in thousands):

Domestic

Foreign

Years ended March 31,

2002

2001

2000

$(50,111)

$530,128

$ 91,373

9,381

38,172

14,191

$(40,730)

$568,300

$105,564

Deferred tax assets:

Pension benefits

Medical benefits

Sales and inventory allowances

All other

The provision for income tax expense (benefit) is as follows (dollars

in thousands):

Current

Federal

State and local
Foreign

Deferred

Federal

State and local

Foreign

Years ended March 31,

2002

2001

2000

Deferred tax liabilities:

Depreciation and differences in basis 

(67,003)

(57,095)

Amortization of intangibles

Tax effect of hedging

$(22,376)

$197,522

$ 27,342

All other

(469)
4,321

16,384
10,071

1,051
4,121

(18,524) 

223,977

32,514

4,629

(7,859)

2,568

512

(58)

(499)

335

193

170

Net deferred income tax liability

$(15,103)

$ (9,178)

The net deferred income tax liability is reflected in the accompany-

ing 2002 and 2001 balance sheets as a $40,255 and $35,018 current

asset and a $55,358 and $44,196 non-current liability, respectively.

Based on the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and pro-

jected  future  taxable  income,  the  Company  believes  that  the  deferred

5,083

(8,023)

2,931

tax assets will ultimately be realized. Accordingly, no valuation allowance

Provision for income taxes

$(13,441)

$215,954

$ 35,445

has been provided for in 2002 or 2001.

A  reconciliation  of  the  statutory  federal  income  tax  rate  to  the

effective income tax rate is as follows:

Years ended March 31,

At  March  31,  2002,  unremitted  earnings  of  the  subsidiaries  out-

side  the  United  States  were  deemed  to  be  permanently  invested.  No

deferred tax liability was recognized with regard to such earnings. It is

not  practicable  to  estimate  the  income  tax  liability  that  might  be

2002

2001

2000

incurred if such earnings were remitted to the United States.

Statutory federal income tax rate 

(35.0)% 35.0% 35.0%

State income taxes, net of federal taxes

Foreign sales corporation

Goodwill amortization

Other

(0.3)

(2.1)

0.9

3.5

1.9 

(1.8)

0.1

2.8

0.8

(1.9)

0.3

(0.6)

Effective income tax rate 

(33.0)% 38.0% 33.6%

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

29

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Note 8: Stock Option Plans

The pro forma amounts indicated above recognize compensation

The Company has two option plans that reserve shares of common

expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the grant. The

stock for issuance to executives and key employees. The Company has

pro forma effect on net income for fiscal year 2002 is not representative

adopted  the  disclosure-only  provisions  of  Statement  of  Financial

of the pro forma effects on net income in future years because it does

Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compen-

not take into consideration pro forma compensation expense related to

sation”  (Statement  No.  123).  On  July  1,  2000,  the  Company  adopted

grants made prior to 1996.

the  provisions  of  FASB  Interpretation  No.  44,  “Accounting  for  Certain

The  fair  value  of  each  option  grant  is  estimated  on  the  date  of

Transactions  Involving  Stock  Compensation,”  which  requires  variable

grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following

accounting  treatment  on  certain  re-priced  options. This  requires  that

weighted-average assumptions: expected life of 5 years for 2001, 2000,

any  increase  in  the  stock  price  above  the  July  1,  2000  adoption  date

and 1999; a risk-free interest rate of 4.9% for 2002, 5.1% for 2001, and

stock  price  be  recognized  immediately  as  compensation  expense.  For

6.8% for 2000; expected volatility of 57.8% for 2002, 58.0% for 2001,

fiscal years 2002, 2001, and 2000, no compensation cost has been rec-

and 49.7% for 2000; and a dividend yield of 0.0% for all three years.

ognized  for  the  stock  option  plans.  Had  compensation  costs  for  the

Under  the  1992  Executive  Stock  Option  Plan  approved  by  the

Company’s  two  stock  option  plans  been  determined  based  on  the  fair

Company  in  April  1992,  1,905,120  options  were  granted  to  certain

value at the grant date for awards in fiscal years 2002, 2001, and 2000,
consistent  with  the  provisions  of  Statement  No.  123,  the  Company’s 

executives.  In  May  1992,  the  Company  also  approved  the  1992  Key
Employee Stock Option Plan, which authorizes the granting of options

net  earnings  and  earnings  per  share  would  have  been  reduced  to  the 

to purchase 2,310,000 shares of common stock. In addition, stockhold-

pro  forma  amounts  indicated  below  (dollars  in  thousands  except  per

ers approved the 1995 Executive Stock Option Plan at the 1996 Annual

share data):

Years ended March 31,

2002

2001

2000

Meeting. This  plan  provides  for  the  issuance  of  options  to  purchase

3,800,000 shares of common stock to certain executives.

These plans provide that shares granted come from the Company’s

authorized but unissued common stock or treasury stock. The prices of

Net earnings (loss)

As reported

$(27,289)

$352,346

$70,119

the  options  granted  thus  far  pursuant  to  these  plans  are  no  less  than

Pro forma

$(32,185)

$348,628

$64,286

100% of the value of the shares on the date of grant. Also, the options

Earnings (loss) 

per share:

Basic

As reported

$ (0.32)  $

Pro forma

$ (0.38)

$

Diluted

As reported

$ (0.32)  $

4.05

4.01

4.00

$ 0.87

$ 0.80

$ 0.85

Pro forma

$ (0.38)

$

3.95 

$ 0.78

may  not  be  exercised  within  two  years  from  the  date  of  grant  and  no

options will be exercisable after ten years from the date of grant.

30 KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

A summary of the status of the Company’s three stock option plans as of March 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000, and changes during the years ended

on those dates is presented below:

2002

Weighted-

Average

Exercisable

March 31,

2001

Weighted-

Average

Exercisable

2000

Weighted-

Average

Exercisable

Fixed Options

Shares

Price

Shares

Price

Shares

Price

Options outstanding at beginning of year

2,841,020

$13.12

2,632,020

$10.09

Options granted

Options exercised

Options cancelled

824,250

(299,315)

(7,500)

16.59

8.35

16.50

828,000

(549,720)

(69,280)

17.51 

5.62

11.10

3,286,000

2,379,000

(1,944,260)

(1,088,720)

$ 6.81

10.71

5.83

9.66

Options outstanding at end of year

3,358,455

$14.39

2,841,020

$13.12

2,632,020

$10.09

Option price range at end of year

Option price range for exercised shares

Options available for grant at end of year

Options exercisable at end of year

Weighted-average fair value of options

granted during the year

$2.50 to $19.80

$2.50 to $18.19 

1,823,620

1,717,205 

$2.50 to $19.38 

$2.50 to $16.07

2,647,870

723,020 

$2.50 to $16.07

$2.50 to $16.07

1,412,590

504,210

$9.01

$9.61

$7.54

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at March 31, 2002:

Options Outstanding

Options Exercisable

Range of

Exercisable

Prices

$ 2.50 

$ 4.00 to $ 8.00

$12.00 to $16.00 

$16.00 to $20.00

Number

Outstanding

at 3/31/02

9,200 

502,005 

1,194,000

1,653,250

3,358 455

Weighted-

Average

Remaining

Contractual Life

.6 years

5.3 years

6.7 years

8.5 years

7.4 years

Weighted-

Average

Exercisable

Price

$ 2.50

$ 5.54

$14.50

$17.06

$14.39

Number

Exercisable

at 3/31/02

9,200

502,005

1,194,000

12,000

1,717,205

Weighted-

Average

Exercisable

Price

$ 2.50

$ 5.54

$14.50

$18.19

$11.84

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

31

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Note 9: Geographic Information (dollars in thousands):

United States

Asia Pacific

Germany

Mexico(2)

Years ended March 31,(1)

2002

2001

2000

$231,605

$ 642,406

$408,890

94,133

35,980

45,312

273,853

124,980

86,779

190,289

49,670

—

several  guarantee  in  an  aggregate  amount  up  to  but  not  to  exceed

$4,000  to  guarantee  this  recourse  provision. The  Company  transferred

receivables and incurred factoring costs of $306,693 and $2,399 in fiscal

2002, $529,946 and $5,236 in fiscal 2001, and $372,656 and $3,444

in fiscal 2000. The facility expired in April 2002, and the Company is

determining if it will be replaced.

Included  in  accounts  payable,  trade,  is  $19,974  and  $30,310  at

March  31,  2002  and  2001,  respectively,  which  represents  factored

Other countries(3)

101,525

278,129

173,246

receivables collected but not remitted.

$508,555

$1,406,147

$822,095

(1) Revenues  are  attributed  to  countries  or  regions  based  on  the  location  of  the
customer. No customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales in the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2002. The Company sold $231,801 and $148,158 to two
customers and each accounted for more than 10% of net sales in the fiscal year
ended  March  31,  2001.  One  customer  accounted  for  more  than  10%  of  net
sales as the Company sold it $129,600 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000.

(2) Did not exceed 5% of sales in 2000 and is included with “Other countries.”
(3) No country in this group exceeded 5% of consolidated net sales.

The  following  geographic  information  includes  long-lived  assets

based on physical location (dollars in thousands):

March 31,

(c) The Company sold put options to institutional parties as part of

a  program  to  purchase  up  to  8.0  million  shares  of  its  common  stock.

Net premiums generated from the sale of outstanding put options were

$0.6  million  and  $4.7  million  in  fiscal  2002  and  2001,  respectively,

and accounted for as Additional Paid-in Capital. During the year ended

March  31,  2002,  the  Company  purchased  500,000  shares  of  treasury
stock in connection with the exercise of such put options. At March 31,

2002, the Company had the maximum potential obligation to purchase

approximately  342,000  shares  of  its  common  stock  at  a  weighted-

average purchase price of $21.09 ($18.12 net of put premiums received)

for an aggregate of $7.2 million. The put options are exercisable only at

maturity and expire in April and August of 2002 and had a fair value in

2002

2001

favor  of  the  holder  of  approximately  $1.0  million  at  March  31,  2002.

United States

Mexico

Other

$290,705

$314,980

248,222

251,331

858

951

$539,785

$567,262

Note 10: Commitments

(a)  The  Company  has  agreements  with  distributor  customers

which, under certain conditions, allow for returns of overstocked inven-

tory  and  provide  protection  against  price  reductions  initiated  by  the

Company.  Allowances  for  these  commitments  are  included  in  the

Consolidated Balance Sheets as reductions in trade accounts receivable

(note  11). The  Company  adjusts  sales  to  distributors  for  anticipated

returns  and  price  protection  changes  based  on  historical  experience.

Charges against sales in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001, and fiscal 2000 were

$33,509,  $72,575,  and  $54,212  respectively.  Actual  applications

against  the  allowances  in  fiscal  2002,  fiscal  2001,  and  fiscal  2000,

were $63,692, $35,603, and $44,623, respectively.

(b)  A  subsidiary  of  the  Company  sells  certain  receivables  dis-

counted at .60% above LIBOR for the number of days the receivables

The  Company  has  the  right  to  settle  the  put  options  through  physical

settlement  or  net  share  settlement  using  shares  of  the  Company’s

common stock.

(d) The  Company  has  a  contract  to  purchase  tantalum,  a  metal

used in the manufacture of tantalum capacitors, through 2003. The con-

tractual agreement requires the Company to purchase specific amounts

of  tantalum  ore,  powder  and  wire  at  fixed  prices.  The  contracted

amounts are estimated to be $77 million and $65 million for calendar

2002 and 2003, respectively.

(e) The Company’s leases consist primarily of manufacturing equip-

ment and expire principally between 2003 and 2007. A number of leases

require that the Company pay certain executory costs (taxes, insurance,

and  maintenance)  and  contain  certain  renewal  and  purchase  options.

Annual rental expense for operating leases were included in results of

operations  and  were  approximately  $6,011  in  fiscal  2002,  $7,346  in

fiscal 2001, and $8,300 in fiscal 2000. Future minimum lease payments

over the next five fiscal years under non-cancelable operating leases at

March 31, 2002 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Total

are outstanding, with a recourse provision not to exceed 5% of the face

Minimum lease 

amount of the factored receivables. The Company has issued a joint and

payments

$2,389

$979

$493

$80

$21

$3,962

32

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

Note 11: Supplementary Balance Sheet and Income Statement Detail (dollars in thousands):

Accounts receivable:

Trade

Other

Less:

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Allowance for price protection and customer returns (note 10)

Net accounts receivable

Property and equipment, at cost:

Land and land improvements
Buildings

Machinery and equipment

Furniture and fixtures

Construction in progress

Total property and equipment

Accumulated depreciation

Net property and equipment

Accrued expenses:

Salaries, wages and related employee costs

Vacation

Other

Total accrued expenses

March 31,

2002

2001

$ 42,360

$143,681

2,708

6,273

45,068

149,954

661

882

22,306

52,489

$ 22,101 

$ 96,583

$ 12,834
112,426

$ 12,817
94,462

746,928

653,645

44,424

31,145

947,757

407,972

41,368

75,894

878,186

310,924

$539,785

$567,262

$ 13,361

$ 23,795

8,848

10,043

9,526

15,908

$ 32,252

$ 49,229

Useful life

20 years
20–40 years

10 years

4–10 years

—

Years ended March 31,

specifies  a  variety  of  tantalum  powder  and  wire  products  and  their

2002

2001

2000

associated year-by-year prices per pound.

Other (income) expense:

Loss on retirement of assets

$ 931

$3,380

$ 9,405

Accounts receivable discounting

2,399

5,236

3,444

Unrealized gain on foreign currency

exchange gains

Other

—

108

(941)

217

(1,682)

528

The  complaint  requests  various  injunctive  and  declaratory  relief

requiring KEMET to purchase the contracted products at regular intervals

throughout  the  year,  to  specifically  identify  products  that  it  intends  to

purchase  under  the  agreement  and  to  inspect  products  when  and  as

they  are  produced  and  tendered  by  Cabot. The  complaint  also  seeks

damages in an unspecified amount relating to an alleged repudiation of

the agreement to purchase 80,000 pounds of tantalum ore during 2002.

$3,438

$7,892

$11,695

The  Company  has  not  recorded  any  liability  associated  with  the

Note 12: Legal Proceedings

Cabot lawsuit. See commitments in note 10(d).

Other

Cabot Corporation

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and

On April 10, 2002, the Company was sued by Cabot Corporation

Liability  Act  of  1980,  as  amended  (CERCLA),  and  certain  analogous

(“Cabot”) in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

state  laws  impose  retroactive,  strict  liability  upon  certain  defined

(Suffolk Co. Civil Action No. 02-1585-BLS) with respect to its existing

classes of persons associated with releases of hazardous substances into

supply  agreement  with  Cabot  for  tantalum  powder,  ore  and  wire. The

the  environment.  Among  those  liable  under  CERCLA  (known  collec-

action arises out of a tantalum supply agreement entered into between

tively as “potentially responsible parties” or “PRPs”) is any person who

Cabot  and  a  KEMET  subsidiary  in  December  2000. This  agreement

“arranged  for  disposal”  of  hazardous  substances  at  a  site  requiring

requires the subsidiary to purchase and Cabot to sell certain specified

response  action  under  the  statute.  While  a  company’s  liability  under

amounts of tantalum powder and tantalum wire in the years 2001 through

CERCLA  is  often  based  upon  its  proportionate  share  of  overall  waste

2003  and  tantalum  ore  in  2001  and  2002.  The  supply  agreement

volume  or  other  equitable  factors,  CERCLA  has  been  widely  held  to

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

33

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

permit  imposition  of  joint  and  several  liabilities  on  each  PRP. The

Note 14: Earnings (Loss) per Share

Company has periodically incurred, and may continue to incur, liability

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are calculated as follows

under CERCLA and analogous state laws with respect to sites used for

(dollars in thousands except per share data):

off-site  management  or  disposal  of  Company-derived  wastes.  The

Company has been named as a PRP at the Seaboard Chemical Site in

Jamestown, North Carolina. The Company is participating in the clean-up

as  a  “de  minimis”  party  and  does  not  expect  its  total  exposure  to  be

material. In addition, Union Carbide Corporation (Union Carbide), the

former owner of the Company, is a PRP at certain sites relating to the off-

site disposal of wastes from properties presently owned by the Company.

Years ended March 31,

2002

2001

2000

Net earnings (loss)

$(27,289)

$352,346

$70,119

Weighted-average shares

outstanding (basic)

85,773,763

86,930,965

80,650,376

Stock options

—

1,250,153

1,761,258

The Company is participating, in coordination with Union Carbide, in

Weighted-average shares

certain  PRP-initiated  activities  related  to  these  sites. The  Company

expects  that  it  will  bear  some  portion  of  the  liability  with  respect  to

these  sites;  however,  any  such  share  is  not  presently  expected  to  be

material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
In connection with the acquisition in 1990, Union Carbide agreed, sub-

ject  to  certain  limitations,  to  indemnify  the  Company  with  respect  to

the foregoing sites.

The  Company  or  its  subsidiaries  are  at  any  one  time  parties  to  a

number of lawsuits arising out of their respective operations, including

workers’  compensation  or  workplace  safety  cases,  some  of  which

involve claims of substantial damages. Although there can be no assur-

ance,  based  upon  information  known  to  the  Company,  the  Company

outstanding (diluted)

85,773,763

88,181,118

82,411,634

Basic earnings (loss) 

per share

Diluted earnings (loss) 

per share

$ (0.32)

$ (0.32)

$

$

4.05

$ 0.87

4.00

$ 0.85

The  year  ended  March  31,  2002  excluded  potentially  dilutive

securities of 766,279 in the computation of diluted earnings per share

because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
Note 15: Derivatives, Hedging, and 

Other Financial Instruments

does  not  believe  that  any  liability  which  might  result  from  an  adverse

The  Company  uses  certain  derivative  financial  instruments  to

determination of such lawsuits would have a material adverse effect on

reduce  exposures  to  volatility  of  foreign  currencies  and  commodities

the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
Note 13: Nonrecurring Charges

impacting the costs of its products.

Hedging Foreign Currencies

Certain  nonrecurring  charges  were  incurred  during  the  quarters

Certain  operating  expenses  at  the  Company’s  Mexican  facilities

ended December 31, 2001, and March 31, 2002. The charges totaled

are  paid  in  Mexican  pesos.  In  order  to  hedge  these  forecasted  cash

$66.6 million in fiscal 2002 pre-tax and were included in the statement

flows, management purchases forward contracts to buy Mexican pesos

of operations under two captions: $29.8 million in cost of goods sold

for  periods  and  amounts  consistent  with  the  related  underlying  cash

and  $36.8  million  in  depreciation,  amortization,  and  impairment

flow exposures. These contracts are designated as hedges at inception

charges.  Demand  for  the  Company’s  products  decreased  substantially

and monitored for effectiveness on a routine basis. At March 31, 2002

during the first nine months of fiscal 2002, requiring a reevaluation of

and  2001,  the  Company  had  outstanding  forward  exchange  contracts

the  Company’s  cost  structure  resulting  in  (1)  charges  of  $9.9  million

that mature within approximately one year to purchase Mexican pesos

associated with personnel reductions of approximately 600 and 1,000

with notional amounts of $93.0 million and $89.3 million, respectively.

employees  in  the  U.S.  and  Mexico,  respectively,  (2)  charges  of  $13.3

The fair values of these contracts at March 31, 2002 and 2001 totaled

million  in  connection  with  excess  and  obsolete  inventories,  including

$7.4 million and $5.0 million, respectively, and are recorded as a deriv-

precious  metals,  and  (3)  asset  impairment  charges  of  $15.3  million

ative  asset  on  the  Company’s  balance  sheet  as  other  current  assets.

including $11.6 million of machinery and equipment and a $3.7 mil-

Changes  in  the  derivatives’  fair  values  are  deferred  and  recorded  as  a

lion  loss  associated  with  the  termination  of  the  Company’s Australian

component  of  “Accumulated  Other  Comprehensive  Income  (Loss)”

joint  venture,  all  of  which  were  recorded  in  the  quarter  ended

(AOCI), until the underlying transaction is recorded in earnings. When

December 31, 2001.

the  hedged  item  affects  earnings,  gains  or  losses  are  reclassified  from

The  Company  announced  enhancements  to  its  high-frequency

AOCI to the consolidated statement of earnings as cost of goods sold.

products organization that resulted in the following charges in the quarter

The Company anticipates all amounts in AOCI as of March 31, 2002 and

ended  March  31,  2002:  (1)  charges  of  $2.9  million  associated  with

2001 will be reclassified into earnings within one year. Any ineffective-

personnel reductions of approximately 350 employees in the U.S. and
Mexico,  (2)  charges  of  $3.7  million  in  connection  with  excess  and

ness in the Company’s hedging relationships is recognized immediately
in earnings.

obsolete inventories, and (3) asset impairment charges of $21.5 million,

Prior to adoption of Statement No. 133 (as amended by Statement

primarily machinery and equipment.

No. 138), the Company recorded gains from foreign currency contracts

At  March  31,  2002,  approximately  $2.5  million  related  to  the

of $0.9 million and $1.7 million in 2001 and 2000, respectively, as a

reduction  in  the  labor  force  is  included  in  accrued  expenses. This

component of other income and expense in its statement of operations.

amount is expected to be paid within one year.

Subsequent  to  adoption  of  the  new  standard,  the  Company  recorded

34 KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

$16.5  and  $2.8  million  of  gains  from  foreign  currency  contracts  as  a

Note 16: Common Stock

component of cost of goods sold in 2002 and 2001, respectively.

The Board of Directors has authorized programs to purchase up to

The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging

8.0  million  shares  of  its  common  stock  in  the  open  market. Through

instruments  and  hedged  items,  as  well  as  risk  management  objectives

March  31,  2002,  the  Company  made  purchases  of  2.1  million  shares

and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions.

for  $38.7  million.  Approximately  240,000  shares  were  subsequently

Hedging Commodity Prices

The Company occasionally enters into contracts for the purchase

of  its  raw  materials,  primarily  palladium,  which  are  considered  to  be

derivatives  or  embedded  derivatives  with  underlyings  not  clearly  and

closely  related  to  the  host  contract.  As  such,  the  fair  values  of  these

embedded derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet as derivative

assets or liabilities and the change in fair values is recorded as a com-

ponent  of  cost  of  goods  sold.  At  March  31,  2002  and  2001,  the

Company had derivative assets from these embedded derivatives of $0

and  $3.7  million,  respectively,  included  in  other  current  assets  on  the

balance  sheet,  and  the  change  in  fair  values  of  such  derivatives  since

adoption of the new standard in fiscal 2001 was a loss of $3.7 million

and a gain of $2.1 million in 2002 and 2001, respectively.

All other contracts to purchase raw materials qualify for the normal

purchases exclusion and are not accounted for as derivatives.

Other Financial Instruments

reissued  in  connection  with  employee  stock  option  exercises.  At 

March 31, 2002, the Company held approximately 1,860,000 treasury

shares at a cost of $34.3 million. The amount and timing of future pur-

chases will depend on market conditions and other factors. The program

will be funded from existing cash and a combination of direct purchases

and/or put options may be used to execute the program.

On May 15, 2000, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a

two-for-one stock split. The record date for the split was May 24, 2000,

with distribution of the additional shares on June 1, 2000. All references

in the consolidated financial statements to number of shares outstanding,
price  per  share,  per  share  amounts,  and  stock  option  plan  data  have

been restated to reflect the split.

On  January  20,  2000,  the  Company  sold  6,500,000  shares  of  its

common stock in a public offering for $142.6 million in net cash proceeds

after deducting underwriting fees and offering expenses. Included in the

offering were 2,193,220 shares sold by a stockholder of the Company

which  were  shares  of  non-voting  common  stock  that  were  converted

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receiv-

into common stock on a share-for-share basis. The net proceeds to the

able, and accounts payable approximate their fair values. The fair value

Company  were  used  to  repay  outstanding  debt  under  the  Company’s

of the Company’s debt outstanding at March 31, 2002 and 2001 was

short-term credit facility and to fund capital expenditures.

$96.5  million  and  $96.5  million,  respectively,  which  was  determined

based on indications from a lending institution.

KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

35

Corporate Information

Stock Information

Dividend Policy

The common stock of KEMET Corporation is traded on The New

The Company has not declared or paid any cash dividends on

York Stock Exchange under the symbol KEM.

its  common  stock. The  Company  currently  intends  to  retain

Registrar and Transfer Agent

Boston EquiServe

Limited Partnership

150 Royall Street

earnings to support its growth strategy and does not anticipate

paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determi-

nation to pay dividends will be at the discretion of the Company’s

Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other factors,

the capital requirements, operating results, and financial condi-

Canton, Massachusetts 02021

tion of the Company from time to time.

Inquiries  regarding  stock  transfers,  lost  certificates,  or  address

changes should be directed to the Stock Transfer Department at

the address above.

Independent Auditors

KPMG LLP

Greenville, South Carolina

Stockholder Inquiries and Availability of Form 10-K Report

A copy of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year

ended March 31, 2002, filed with the Securities and Exchange

Commission, is available to stockholders free of charge from 

the following:

John Warner,

Director of Investor and Public Relations

KEMET Corporation

Post Office Box 5928

Greenville, South Carolina 29606

Phone: 864-963-6300

Email: investorrelations@kemet.com

Website: www.kemet.com/ir

Price Range of Common Stock

As of December 9, 1999, the Company’s common stock began

trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol KEM.

Prior to that date, the common stock was traded on The Nasdaq
Stock  Market(cid:2) under  the  symbol  KMET. The  following  table
represents the high and low sale prices of the common stock as

reported by the appropriate exchange for the periods indicated:

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2002

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2001

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

High

Low

$22.50

$15.95

20.70

19.35

19.96

13.90

15.75

15.75

High

Low

$44.22

$24.19

33.94

29.19

23.31

22.50

13.75

14.25

36 KEMET 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

B o a r d   o f  

D i r e c t o r s

David E. Maguire
Chairman, 
Chief Executive Officer, 
and President

E. Erwin Maddrey, II
President
Maddrey and Associates, 
an investment and consulting firm

Charles E. Volpe
Former President 
and Chief Operating Officer

Paul C. Schorr, IV
Managing Director
Citigroup Venture Capital
Equity Partners, LP

Stewart A. Kohl
Managing General Partner
The Riverside Company

O f f i c e r s

David E. Maguire
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, 
and President
Harris L. Crowley
Executive Vice President
D. Ray Cash
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
William W. Johnson
Vice President, Sales Worldwide
Raymond L. Beck
Vice President, Quality and Marketing
C. Ross Patterson
Vice President and 
Chief Information Officer

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Larry W. Sheppard (Retired 7/02)
Vice President, Human Resources
Dr. Jeffrey A. Graves
Vice President, Technology and Engineering
James A. Bruorton
Vice President, Worldwide Distribution
Eugene J. DiCianni
Vice President, Sales Americas
Ravi G. Sastry
Vice President, International Sales
Manuel A. Cappella
Vice President/Managing Director,
Mexico Tantalum

James P. McClintock
Vice President, Ceramic Operations
Rick C. Rickenbach
Vice President, Tantalum U.S.
Dr. Larry A. Mann
Vice President, Ceramic Technology
Dr. Daniel F. Persico
Vice President, 
Organic Process Technology
Michael W. Boone
Treasurer/Director of Finance 
and Secretary

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KEMET®

Corporate Offices

KEMET Corporation 

Post Office Box 5928 

Greenville, South Carolina 29606 

(864) 963-6300

Subsidiaries

KEMET Electronics Corporation 

2835 Kemet Way 

Simpsonville, South Carolina 29681

KEMET de Mexico S.A. de C.V.

Av. Carlos Salazar y Blv. Manuel 

Cavazos Lerma #15 

Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico 87380

KEMET Electronics S.A. 

1–3, Avenue de la Paix 

Ch–1211 Geneva 20 

Switzerland

KEMET Electronics Asia Ltd. 

4A Chuan Hing Industrial Building 

14 Wang Tai Road 

Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong