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Kemet Corporation

kem · NYSE Financial Services
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FY2005 Annual Report · Kemet Corporation
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KEMET Electronics Corporation
World Sales Headquarters
P.O. Box 5928
Greenville, SC 29606
Phone: 864.963.6300
Fax: 864.963.6521
www.kemet.com

KEMET Electronics S.A.
1-3, Avenue de la Paix
P.O. Box 76
Ch-1211
Geneva 20, Switzerland
Phone: 41.22.715.0100
Fax: 41.22.715.0170

KEMET Electronics Marketing (S) Pte Ltd.
101 Thompson Road
#23-03 United Square
Singapore 307591
Phone: 65.353.6636
Fax: 65.353.6656

ANNUAL REPORT 2005

Highlights of Fiscal 2005

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

2003

2004

2005

Net sales

Net loss

Net loss per share, diluted

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$447,332

$  433,882

$  425,338

$(55,988)

$(111,975)

$(174,094)

$   (0.65)

$     (1.30)

$

(2.01)

$  43,710

$    38,452

$  (12,752)

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and investments in marketable securities

$263,585

$  271,284

$  219,466

Stockholders’ equity

$793,275

$  684,478

$  515,203

Net Sales (In Millions)

Earnings (Loss) Per Share — Diluted

Stockholders’ Equity (In Millions)

$1,500

1,200

900

600

300

0

’00

’01

’02

’03

’04

’05

$5

4

3

2

1

0

-1

-2

-3

’00

’01

’02

’03

’04

’05

$900

675

450

225

0

’00

’01

’02

’03

’04

’05

KEMET Electronics Corporation
World Sales Headquarters
P.O. Box 5928
Greenville, SC 29606
Phone: 864.963.6300
Fax: 864.963.6521
www.kemet.com

KEMET Electronics S.A.
1-3, Avenue de la Paix
P.O. Box 76
Ch-1211
Geneva 20, Switzerland
Phone: 41.22.715.0100
Fax: 41.22.715.0170

KEMET Electronics Marketing (S) Pte Ltd.
101 Thompson Road
#23-03 United Square
Singapore 307591
Phone: 65.353.6636
Fax: 65.353.6656

ANNUAL REPORT 2005

Highlights of Fiscal 2005

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

2003

2004

2005

Net sales

Net loss

Net loss per share, diluted

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$447,332

$  433,882

$  425,338

$(55,988)

$(111,975)

$(174,094)

$   (0.65)

$     (1.30)

$

(2.01)

$  43,710

$    38,452

$  (12,752)

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and investments in marketable securities

$263,585

$  271,284

$  219,466

Stockholders’ equity

$793,275

$  684,478

$  515,203

Net Sales (In Millions)

Earnings (Loss) Per Share — Diluted

Stockholders’ Equity (In Millions)

$1,500

1,200

900

600

300

0

’00

’01

’02

’03

’04

’05

$5

4

3

2

1

0

-1

-2

-3

’00

’01

’02

’03

’04

’05

$900

675

450

225

0

’00

’01

’02

’03

’04

’05

Dear Fellow Shareholders

Fiscal 2005 was a year of transition for KEMET. In March 2005, Dave Maguire retired from the KEMET board after 
a 43-year career with the company. Dave is highly respected at KEMET as well as throughout the entire electronics
industry. All of KEMET is grateful for his many contributions over the years and wish him the best in his retirement.
He’s earned it.

I joined KEMET as Chief Executive Officer in April 2005. KEMET is a team on a mission: to be a successful company,
which means that we have to be profitable. Being profitable in the short-term is important to employees as well as
shareholders and other stakeholders.

I will not try to gloss-over or defend the FY2005 results. I have said that our number one priority is “The math must
work,” and it clearly was not working. We did make progress on many fronts. However, our financial performance
was unacceptable, and it will improve. Your company is taking immediate action on numerous fronts to bring the
company to the performance levels you want and expect.

We have taken immediate actions to adjust our cost/expense to revenue ratio. We are reaching the conclusion of
the reorganization of our global operations, announced in July 2003. Over 90% of our production workforce is now
in low-cost locations. Our first production facility in Suzhou, China, is performing well, and our second should be
on-line as you read this. These facilities manufacture products close to the major customers that are consuming them.

I am realigning the company to a more flatly structured organization with accountability and responsibility lower 
in the organization. I want the people who are close to the action — and close to the customer — to have the
responsibility and authority to make the correct decisions to satisfy our customers and improve profitability.
Additionally, I am establishing three sales/field units to focus on specific geographies and all customers within those
geographies. The leaders of these field units will report directly to me. I intend to be close to our customers and
make sure their needs are our priorities.

There are two pillars of success for any company in this industry — customer focus and technology leadership. In my
early visits with customers, I have clearly received the message that they enjoy doing business with KEMET. Our Easy-
To-Buy-From model is working. Customers want us to succeed. This is a strong foundation on which we can grow.

I have also been impressed with KEMET’s dedication to providing leading-edge technology that meets the needs of
our customers. We had numerous new product introductions during the year. We are seeing increases in shipments
of our innovative organic tantalum-polymer products, which we call KO-CAPs. We are also making advances in new
high-capacitance, multilayer ceramic capacitors. All these new parts are environmentally friendly, in accordance
with new environmental legislation around the world.

I have arrived at KEMET at a challenging time for the company, in particular, and the electronics industry, in general.
I appreciate the depth of experience of KEMET’s employees, many of whom have decades of knowledge about the
electronics industry. We will tap into and leverage that knowledge as we chart a course for KEMET’s future. We will
seek ways to sell more to our existing customers and to find new customers for our products, while continuing to
reduce costs.

Further details of our forward course are still being determined as I write this, but I can assure you I came to
KEMET to help our team win. I look forward to reporting back to you on our progress toward success in the future.

Thank you for your continued support of KEMET.

Sincerely,

Per-Olof Loof
Chief Executive Officer

Corporate Profile

KEMET Corporation is one of the world’s
leading suppliers of tantalum, multilayer
ceramic and solid aluminum electronic
capacitors. Our vision is to be the preferred
supplier of standardized components
among customers demanding the highest
standards of quality, delivery and service.

Board of Directors

Officers

Key Subsidiaries

Frank G. Brandenberg
Chairman
Former Corporate Vice President 
and Sector President of Northrop 
Grumman Corporation

Maureen E. Grzelakowski
Technology Industry Consultant

Per-Olof Loof
Chief Executive Officer of 
KEMET Corporation

E. Erwin Maddrey, II
President
Maddrey and Associates,
an investment and consulting firm

Joseph D. Swann
President of Rockwell Automation
Power Systems and
Senior Vice President of 
Rockwell Automation

Charles E. Volpe
Former President and 
Chief Operating Officer of
KEMET Corporation

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.
30 Canton Road, Room 1512 
Silver Cord Tower II
Tsimshatshui Kowloon
Hong Kong

KEMET Electronics Marketing (S) Pte Ltd.
101 Thompson Road
#23-03 United Square
Singapore 307591

KEMET Electronics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
Block 8, Suchun Industrial Square
Suchun Road, Suzhou Industrial Park
Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021
People’s Republic of China

Per-Olof Loof
CEO

James P. McClintock
President and COO

David E. Gable
VP and CFO

Larry C. McAdams
VP Human Resources

J. Kelly Vogt
VP Sales and Marketing

Daniel E. LaMorte
VP and CIO

Dr. Philip M. Lessner
VP Tantalum Technology and
Technical Marketing

Guy T. Williams
VP Engineering and Facilities

James A. Bruorton III
VP Global Distribution Sales

John E. Schneider
VP Sales — Asia

John R. Warner III
VP Strategy and Communications

Donald R. Aldworth
VP Quality

Joseph S. Porter
VP Sales — Americas

Michael W. Boone
Treasurer, Senior Director of Finance 
and Secretary

Dear Fellow Shareholders

Fiscal 2005 was a year of transition for KEMET. In March 2005, Dave Maguire retired from the KEMET board after 
a 43-year career with the company. Dave is highly respected at KEMET as well as throughout the entire electronics
industry. All of KEMET is grateful for his many contributions over the years and wish him the best in his retirement.
He’s earned it.

I joined KEMET as Chief Executive Officer in April 2005. KEMET is a team on a mission: to be a successful company,
which means that we have to be profitable. Being profitable in the short-term is important to employees as well as
shareholders and other stakeholders.

I will not try to gloss-over or defend the FY2005 results. I have said that our number one priority is “The math must
work,” and it clearly was not working. We did make progress on many fronts. However, our financial performance
was unacceptable, and it will improve. Your company is taking immediate action on numerous fronts to bring the
company to the performance levels you want and expect.

We have taken immediate actions to adjust our cost/expense to revenue ratio. We are reaching the conclusion of
the reorganization of our global operations, announced in July 2003. Over 90% of our production workforce is now
in low-cost locations. Our first production facility in Suzhou, China, is performing well, and our second should be
on-line as you read this. These facilities manufacture products close to the major customers that are consuming them.

I am realigning the company to a more flatly structured organization with accountability and responsibility lower 
in the organization. I want the people who are close to the action — and close to the customer — to have the
responsibility and authority to make the correct decisions to satisfy our customers and improve profitability.
Additionally, I am establishing three sales/field units to focus on specific geographies and all customers within those
geographies. The leaders of these field units will report directly to me. I intend to be close to our customers and
make sure their needs are our priorities.

There are two pillars of success for any company in this industry — customer focus and technology leadership. In my
early visits with customers, I have clearly received the message that they enjoy doing business with KEMET. Our Easy-
To-Buy-From model is working. Customers want us to succeed. This is a strong foundation on which we can grow.

I have also been impressed with KEMET’s dedication to providing leading-edge technology that meets the needs of
our customers. We had numerous new product introductions during the year. We are seeing increases in shipments
of our innovative organic tantalum-polymer products, which we call KO-CAPs. We are also making advances in new
high-capacitance, multilayer ceramic capacitors. All these new parts are environmentally friendly, in accordance
with new environmental legislation around the world.

I have arrived at KEMET at a challenging time for the company, in particular, and the electronics industry, in general.
I appreciate the depth of experience of KEMET’s employees, many of whom have decades of knowledge about the
electronics industry. We will tap into and leverage that knowledge as we chart a course for KEMET’s future. We will
seek ways to sell more to our existing customers and to find new customers for our products, while continuing to
reduce costs.

Further details of our forward course are still being determined as I write this, but I can assure you I came to
KEMET to help our team win. I look forward to reporting back to you on our progress toward success in the future.

Thank you for your continued support of KEMET.

Sincerely,

Per-Olof Loof
Chief Executive Officer

Corporate Profile

KEMET Corporation is one of the world’s
leading suppliers of tantalum, multilayer
ceramic and solid aluminum electronic
capacitors. Our vision is to be the preferred
supplier of standardized components
among customers demanding the highest
standards of quality, delivery and service.

Board of Directors

Officers

Key Subsidiaries

Frank G. Brandenberg
Chairman
Former Corporate Vice President 
and Sector President of Northrop 
Grumman Corporation

Maureen E. Grzelakowski
Technology Industry Consultant

Per-Olof Loof
Chief Executive Officer of 
KEMET Corporation

E. Erwin Maddrey, II
President
Maddrey and Associates,
an investment and consulting firm

Joseph D. Swann
President of Rockwell Automation
Power Systems and
Senior Vice President of 
Rockwell Automation

Charles E. Volpe
Former President and 
Chief Operating Officer of
KEMET Corporation

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.
30 Canton Road, Room 1512 
Silver Cord Tower II
Tsimshatshui Kowloon
Hong Kong

KEMET Electronics Marketing (S) Pte Ltd.
101 Thompson Road
#23-03 United Square
Singapore 307591

KEMET Electronics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
Block 8, Suchun Industrial Square
Suchun Road, Suzhou Industrial Park
Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021
People’s Republic of China

Per-Olof Loof
CEO

James P. McClintock
President and COO

David E. Gable
VP and CFO

Larry C. McAdams
VP Human Resources

J. Kelly Vogt
VP Sales and Marketing

Daniel E. LaMorte
VP and CIO

Dr. Philip M. Lessner
VP Tantalum Technology and
Technical Marketing

Guy T. Williams
VP Engineering and Facilities

James A. Bruorton III
VP Global Distribution Sales

John E. Schneider
VP Sales — Asia

John R. Warner III
VP Strategy and Communications

Donald R. Aldworth
VP Quality

Joseph S. Porter
VP Sales — Americas

Michael W. Boone
Treasurer, Senior Director of Finance 
and Secretary

UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549 

FORM 10-K 

(Mark One) 

⌧ 

(cid:134) 

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

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005 

Or 

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

For the transition period from                         to                          

Commission File Number: 0-20289 

KEMET Corporation 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

Delaware 
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization) 

2835 KEMET Way, Simpsonville, South Carolina 
(Address of principal executive offices) 

57-0923789 
(IRS Employer 
Identification No.) 

29681 
(Zip Code) 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (864) 963-6300 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Title of each class 
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value 
(Title of class) 

Name of each exchange on which registered 
New York Stock Exchange 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that 
the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 
90 days. ⌧ Yes  (cid:134) No 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not 

contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or 
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this 
Form 10-K.  ⌧ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act 

Rule 12b-2). ⌧ Yes  (cid:134) No 

Aggregate market value of voting Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of 

September 30, 2004, computed by reference to the closing sale price of the registrant’s Common Stock was 
approximately $699,663,900. 

Number of shares of each class of Common Stock outstanding as of May 31, 2005: Common Stock, $.01 Par 

Value 86,613,204 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

1.  Portions of the definitive proxy statement relating to the annual meeting of stockholders to be 

held on July 20, 2005: Part III 

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS 

General 

PART I 

KEMET Corporation which together with its subsidiaries is referred to herein as “KEMET” or the 
“Company” is a leading manufacturer of tantalum capacitors, multilayer ceramic capacitors (“MLCC”), 
and solid aluminum capacitors. For the year ended March 31, 2005 (“fiscal year 2005”), KEMET 
generated net sales of $425.3 million, down 2.0% from $433.9 million in fiscal year 2004. In fiscal year 
2005, total net sales were broken down geographically as follows: North American sales were 
approximately 46.6%, Asian sales were approximately 33.1%, and European sales were approximately 
20.3%. During fiscal year 2005, the Company shipped approximately 33.6 billion capacitors compared to 
27.1 billion in fiscal year 2004. 

Capacitors are electronic components that store, filter, and regulate electrical energy and current flow 
and are one of the essential passive components used on circuit boards. Virtually all electronic applications 
and products contain capacitors, including communication systems, data processing equipment, personal 
computers, cellular phones, automotive electronic systems, military and aerospace systems, and consumer 
electronics. 

Since its divestiture from Union Carbide Corporation (“UCC”) in December 1990, KEMET’s 

business strategy is to be the preferred capacitor supplier to the world’s most successful electronics original 
equipment manufacturers (“OEM”), Electronics Manufacturing Services providers (“EMS”), and 
electronics distributors. The Company’s customers include Alcatel, Arrow Electronics, Avnet, Bosch, 
Celestica, Delphi, Flextronics, Hewlett-Packard, Hon Hai, IBM, Intel, J.C. Tally, Jabil, Jaco, Motorola, 
Sanmina-SCI, Siemens, Solectron, TRW, TTI, and Visteon. KEMET reaches these customers through a 
direct, salaried sales force that calls on customer locations around the world. 

Background of Company 

KEMET’s operations began in 1919 as a business of UCC to manufacture component parts for 

vacuum tubes. In the 1950s, Bell Laboratories invented solid-state transistors along with tantalum 
capacitors and other passive components necessary for their operation. As vacuum tubes were gradually 
replaced by transistors, the Company changed its manufacturing focus from vacuum tube parts to tantalum 
capacitors. The Company entered the market for tantalum capacitors in 1958 as one of approximately 
25 United States manufacturers. By 1966, the Company was the United States’ market leader in tantalum 
capacitors. In 1969, the Company began production of ceramic capacitors as one of approximately 
35 United States manufacturers. 

The Company was formed in 1990 by certain members of the Company’s management at the time, 

Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd., and other investors that acquired the outstanding common stock of 
KEMET Electronics Corporation from UCC. 

Public Offerings, Recapitalization, and Stock Purchases 

In October 1992, the Company completed an initial public offering of its common stock and a related 
recapitalization to simplify its capital structure. In June 1993, the Company completed an additional public 
offering of common stock and used the net proceeds to reduce outstanding indebtedness. 

2 

In January 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. The net 
proceeds were used to repay outstanding debt under the Company’s short-term credit facility and to fund 
capital expenditures. 

The Board of Directors has previously authorized programs to purchase up to 8.0 million shares of its 

common stock on the open market. Through March 31, 2005, the Company had made purchases of 
2.1 million shares for $38.7 million, none of which occurred during fiscal year 2005. The Company does not 
anticipate any further stock purchases under this authorization. Approximately 615,000 treasury stock 
shares were subsequently reissued in connection with the exercise of employee stock options. At March 31, 
2005, the Company held approximately 1,460,000 treasury shares at a cost of $26.9 million. 

Stock Splits 

In September 1995, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock split whereby one 

additional common share, par value $.01, was issued for each common share outstanding to shareholders 
of record on September 13, 1995. 

In May 2000, the 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. 

Outstanding Debt 

In May 1998, the Company sold $100.0 million of its Senior Notes pursuant to the terms of a Note 
Purchase Agreement dated as of May 1, 1998. These Senior Notes have a final maturity date of May 4, 
2010, with required principal payments beginning on May 4, 2006. 

The Capacitor Industry 

Because of their fundamental nature and widespread application, demand for capacitors tends to 
reflect the general demand for electronic products, which, though cyclical, has been growing over the past 
several decades. Growth in the electronics market and the corresponding growth in the capacitor market 
was fueled by: 

•  The development of new products and applications, such as cellular phones, personal computers, 

and electronic controls for engines and machinery; 

•  The increase in the electronic content of existing products, such as home appliances, medical 

equipment, and automobiles; and 

•  The growth in the number of capacitors required in certain complex electronic products that use 

state-of-the-art microprocessors. 

Capacitors 

Capacitors are electronic components consisting of conducting materials separated by a dielectric, or 
insulating material, which allows a capacitor to interrupt the flow of electrical current. Capacitors can be 
either surface-mount or leaded. Surface mounting is an assembly technique used by customers in 
production of high volumes of circuit boards for electronic products. 

KEMET manufactures a full line of capacitors, including tantalum, multilayer ceramic, and solid 

aluminum. Most customers buy both tantalum and ceramic capacitors from the Company. KEMET 
manufactures these types of capacitors in many different sizes and configurations. The Company produces 
surface-mount capacitors, which are attached directly to the circuit board without lead wires, and leaded 
capacitors, which are attached to the circuit board using lead wires. 

3 

The choice of capacitor dielectric is driven by the engineering specifications and the application of the 

component product into which the capacitor is incorporated. Product design engineers in the electronics 
industry typically select capacitors on the basis of capacitance levels, size, and cost. Tantalum and ceramic 
capacitors are commonly used in conjunction with integrated circuits, and the same circuit may, and 
frequently does, contain both ceramic and tantalum capacitors. Generally, ceramic capacitors are more 
cost-effective at lower capacitance values, tantalum capacitors are more cost-effective at higher 
capacitance values, and solid aluminum capacitors can be more effective in special applications. 

Management believes that sales of surface-mount capacitors, including multilayer ceramic, tantalum, 

and solid aluminum capacitors will continue to grow more rapidly than other types of capacitors in both 
the United States and worldwide markets; because, technological breakthroughs in electronics are 
regularly expanding the number and type of applications for these products. 

Our Strategy 

KEMET has used its position as a leading, high-quality manufacturer of capacitors to capitalize on the 
increasingly demanding requirements of its customers. Key elements of the Company’s strategy include the 
following business objectives: 

Maintaining Long-Term Customer Relationships.  KEMET continually seeks to maintain the existing 

business relationships it has with leading electronics companies and to increase the percentage of each 
customer’s requirements which the Company supplies under these relationships. KEMET seeks to 
continue growing with emerging electronics companies around the globe through its distributor network 
and its direct sales force. Customers around the globe are demanding increased levels of service to provide 
ease of ordering, just-in-time delivery to multiple facilities, flexible scheduling, computerized paperless 
purchasing, specialized packaging, and a full breadth of product offerings. KEMET believes that it has 
responded to each of these customer needs and positioned the Company to capture a larger portion of 
OEM and EMS capacitor supply requirements. In addition, KEMET will continue to develop and expand 
preferred supplier relationships with its OEM and EMS customers and its distributors to ensure its ability 
to meet their rapidly changing demands. 

Providing Product Breadth and Service Flexibility.  KEMET manufactures a full line of products with 

different specifications in order to respond to the needs of its customers. During fiscal year 2005, the 
Company shipped approximately 33.6 billion capacitors of various types, with types being distinguished by 
dielectric material, configuration, encapsulation, capacitance level and tolerance, performance 
characteristics, marking, and packaging. 

KEMET believes that it is a market leader in reliable and timely delivery of capacitor products. As 

most customers have moved to just-in-time inventory management, the timeliness and reliability of 
shipments by their suppliers have become increasingly important. The Company has designed its 
manufacturing facilities and order entry system to respond quickly to customer needs and has invested over 
$10 million in an easy-to-buy-from order entry system. KEMET’s order entry system provides on-line 
pricing, scheduled delivery dates, and accurate inventory information and provides a direct link between 
the Company and its major distributors. 

Manufacturing High-Quality Products.  KEMET is a leader in an industry in which customers require 
high quality standards and exacting product specifications. The Company has built its brand reputation on 
continuous improvements and a company-wide commitment to quality products and services. Ranked best 
in class by independent surveys and recognized by numerous customer awards, KEMET strives to exceed 
customer expectations to achieve preferred supplier status. The Company continues to utilize Lean and Six 
Sigma methods to drive towards zero defects while increasing process speed and eliminating non-value 
added activities. 

4 

Improving Current Products and Developing New Products.  KEMET’s customers increasingly look for 

greater capacitance in smaller products, higher frequency response for fast microprocessors, and lower 
resistance to extend battery life in portable electronics. To respond to its customers’ needs, the Company 
has several high-capacitance, high-frequency response product development initiatives. 

In a capacitor, an insulator, or dielectric, separates two electrodes. Positive charges are stored on one 

electrode and negative charges on the other, while the insulator keeps the charges separate allowing the 
capacitor to store electrons. The highest unit volumes of capacitors are ceramics, tantalums, and 
aluminums. Ceramic capacitors have low levels of capacitance, relative to tantalum and aluminum, but are 
very fast devices. Relative to ceramics and aluminums, tantalums provide the most capacitance per volume. 
Like tantalums, aluminums have a high level of capacitance while being faster than tantalums, but require 
more volume to provide the same level of capacitance as tantalums. 

KEMET has created faster tantalum capacitors by using new organic cathode polymers obtained 

through a technical alliance with NEC Tokin Corporation (“NEC”). These high-capacitance, 
high-frequency-response organic tantalum capacitors are called KO-CAPs (KEMET Organic Capacitors). 
KEMET has also achieved faster tantalum capacitors by designing new architectures, called MATs 
(Multiple Anode Capacitors). KEMET introduced the world’s fastest tantalum capacitor, a KO-MAT, 
through combining new organic cathode polymers with new architecture to produce a multiple-anode 
organic tantalum capacitor. KEMET pays NEC royalties upon reaching certain sales volume targets. In 
fiscal years 2005 and 2004, the amount of royalties was immaterial. 

Ceramic capacitors are produced by building up layers of ceramic dielectric material between layers of 

electrodes. To gain higher capacitance in the same volume, there must be a higher number of layers of 
material, which means each layer must be thinner. Over the past several years, KEMET has made 
continual improvements which allows the Company to produce layers approaching one micron thicknesses. 

Finally, through a technical alliance with Showa Denko K.K., KEMET offers for sale fast, 
high-capacitance solid aluminum capacitors which, unlike traditional aluminum capacitors, are truly 
surface mountable. These capacitors are called AO-CAPs (Aluminum Organic Capacitors). KEMET pays 
Showa Denko royalties when certain sales volumes are met. In fiscal years 2005 and 2004, the amount of 
royalties was immaterial. 

High-frequency electronics are evolving very rapidly. There are significant differences between the 
functional characteristics and the cost of tantalum, ceramic, and solid aluminum capacitors. Electronics 
designers choose from among these capacitor technologies based on the functional and cost requirements 
of specific applications. Most of KEMET’s competitors focus on one of these capacitor technologies. 
KEMET has the most complete line of capacitor technologies across the three primary capacitor types. 
KEMET wants to be positioned to provide the best solution to meet the customers’ needs, especially in 
high-frequency, high-capacitance applications, regardless of the capacitor technology chosen. 

In addition to product line expansion in the high frequency area, KEMET has also expanded its 

specialty product lines. To facilitate this, KEMET purchased certain assets of Wilson Greatbatch’s 
high-voltage and high-temperature Sierra-KD ceramic product line in July 2003. Since that time, KEMET 
development personnel have made significant improvements in the production processes for those 
products and also leveraged the technology to internally develop high-voltage commercial ceramic surface 
mount and leaded product lines. KEMET has also introduced a tantalum military-COTS (“commercial off 
the shelf”) product line and ceramic and tantalum medical product lines. New specialty product lines also 
include the introduction of ceramic open-mode product whose primary markets are automotive and high 
reliability power supplies. It is anticipated that this expansion of specialty product lines will continue 
during the next fiscal year. 

5 

Remaining an Overall Low-cost Producer.  KEMET’s customers are under worldwide competitive 
pressure to reduce their product costs and these pressures are passed along to component manufacturers. 
The Company believes that it has achieved a strong position as an overall low-cost producer of capacitors. 
To maintain this position, it is constantly seeking to reduce material and labor costs, develop cost-efficient 
manufacturing equipment and processes, and design manufacturing plants for efficient production. 

KEMET has been able to reduce the manufacturing cost of its products by increasing materials 
utilization efficiency and production yields. KEMET has a dedicated engineering team that continues to 
develop faster and more efficient automated manufacturing, assembly, testing, and packaging machines 
and processes. 

KEMET has manufacturing facilities in the Carolinas, Mexico and China. In July 2003, the Company 
announced a reorganization of its operations that will result in relocating commodity production facilities 
from the United States to low-cost locations in Mexico and China. A production facility opened in Suzhou, 
China, in October of 2003, and a second facility is scheduled to open in the summer of 2005. The 
Company’s production facilities are highly integrated into a virtual factory through information technology. 
The Company has developed a global logistics system to deliver parts with near-perfect on-time delivery to 
any customer location in the world. 

Markets and Customers 

KEMET’s products are sold to a variety of OEMs in a broad range of industries including the 
computer, communications, automotive, military, and aerospace industries. KEMET also sells an 
increasing number of its products to EMS providers, which also serve OEMs in these industries. The 
Company is not dependent on any one customer or group of related customers. Two customers each in 
fiscal year 2005, fiscal year 2004, and fiscal year 2003 accounted for over 10% of the Company’s net sales. 
The Company’s top 50 customers accounted for approximately 95% of the Company’s net sales during 
fiscal year 2005. 

The following table presents an overview of the diverse industries that incorporate the Company’s 

capacitors into their products and the general nature of those products. 

Industry  
Automotive. . . . . . . . . . . .

Audio systems, power train electronics, instrumentation, airbag systems, 
anti-lock braking systems, electronic engine controls, air conditioning controls, 
and security systems 

Products 

Business Equipment . . . .   Copiers, point-of-sale terminals, and fax machines 

Communications . . . . . . .   Cellular phones, modems, telephones, switching equipment, and relays 

Computer-related . . . . . .

Personal computers, workstations, mainframes, computer peripheral 
equipment, power supplies, disk drives, printers, and local area networks 

Industrial . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Electronic controls, measurement equipment, instrumentation, and medical 
electronics 

Military/Aerospace . . . . .   Avionics, radar, guidance systems, and satellite communications 

KEMET produces a small percentage of its capacitors under military specification standards sold for 

both military and commercial uses. The Company does not sell any of its capacitors directly to the U.S. 
government. Although the Company does not track sales of capacitors by industry, the Company estimates 
that sales of its capacitors to OEMs that produce products principally for the military and aerospace 
industries accounted for less than 3% of its net sales during fiscal year 2005. Certain of the Company’s 
other customers may also purchase capacitors for products in the military and aerospace industries. 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales and Distribution 

KEMET’s domestic sales, and most of its international sales, are made through the Company’s direct 
sales and customer service employees. The Company’s United States sales staff is located in four regional 
offices, thirteen local offices, and eight satellite offices. A substantial majority of the Company’s 
international sales are made through three regional offices in Europe; six locations in Asia; two locations 
in Canada; one location in Mexico; and one location in Brazil. The Company also has independent sales 
representatives located in Korea, Puerto Rico, and the United States. 

KEMET markets and sells its products in its major markets with a direct sales force, in contrast to its 

competitors, which generally utilize independent commissioned representatives or a combination of 
representatives and direct sales employees. The Company believes its direct sales force creates a distinctive 
competence in the market place and has established strong relationships with its customers. With a global 
sales organization that is customer-based, KEMET’s direct sales personnel from around the world serve on 
KEMET Global Account Teams. These teams are committed to serving any customer location in the world 
with a dedicated KEMET representative. This approach requires a blend of accountability and 
responsibility to specific customer locations, guided by an overall account strategy for each customer. 

Electronics distributors are an important distribution channel in the electronics industry and 

accounted for approximately 52%, 51%, and 43% of the Company’s net sales in fiscal years 2005, 2004, and 
2003, respectively. In fiscal years 2005 and 2004, two distributors of passive components each accounted for 
more than 10% of net sales. 

The Company’s distributor policy includes a price protection program which protects the value of the 

distributors’ inventory in the event the Company reduces its published selling price to distributors. This 
program allows the distributor to debit the Company for the difference between KEMET’s list price and 
the lower authorized price for specific parts. The Company establishes price protection reserves on specific 
parts residing in distributors’ inventories in the period that the price protection is formally authorized by 
the Company’s management. 

The Company’s distributor policy also includes a “ship-from-stock and debit” (“SFSD”) program 
which provides a mechanism for the distributor to meet a competitive price after obtaining authorization 
from the local Company sales office. This program allows the distributor to ship its higher-priced inventory 
and debit the Company for the difference between KEMET’s list price and the lower authorized price for 
that specific transaction. The Company establishes reserves for its SFSD program based primarily on 
certain distributors’ actual inventory levels comprising 91% to 95% of the total global distributor 
inventory. The remaining 5% to 9% is estimated based on actual distributor inventory and current sales 
trends. Management analyzes historical SFSD activity to determine the SFSD exposure on the global 
distributor inventory at the balance sheet date. Should the distributors increase inventory levels, the 
estimation of the inventory at the distributors for the remaining 5% to 9% could be estimated at an 
incorrect amount. However, the Company believes that the difference between the estimate and the 
ultimate actual amount would be immaterial. 

Sales by Geography 

In fiscal year 2005, total net sales were broken down geographically as follows: North American sales 

were approximately 46.6%, Asian sales were approximately 33.1%, and European sales were 
approximately 20.3%. Although management believes that the Company is able to provide a level of 
delivery and service that is competitive with local suppliers, the Company’s capacitor market shares in 
Asian and European markets tend to be significantly lower than in the United States because some 
international electronics manufacturers prefer to purchase components from local producers. As a result, a 
large percentage of the Company’s international sales are made to foreign operations of U.S. 
manufacturers. A portion of the Company’s European sales are denominated in local currencies and the 

7 

euro; therefore, a significant appreciation of the U.S. dollar against such foreign currencies or the euro 
would reduce the gross profit realized by the Company on its European sales as measured in U.S. dollars. 
Substantially all of the Company’s European export shipments are made duty-paid, free delivery as 
required by local market conditions (see note 9 to consolidated financial statements). 

Inventory and Backlog 

Although the Company manufactures and inventories standardized products, a portion of its products 

are produced to meet specific customer requirements. Cancellations by customers of orders already in 
production could have an impact on inventories; however, cancellations have not been significant to date. 

The backlog of outstanding orders for the Company’s products was $50.2 million and $69.0 million at 
March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The current backlog is expected to be filled during the first quarter 
of fiscal year 2006. Most of the orders in the Company’s backlog may be cancelled by its customers, in 
whole or in part, although some may be subject to penalty. 

Competition 

The market for tantalum, ceramic, and aluminum capacitors is highly competitive. The capacitor 
industry is characterized by, among other factors, a long-term trend toward lower prices for capacitors, low 
transportation costs, and few import barriers. Competitive factors that influence the market for the 
Company’s products include product quality, customer service, technical innovation, pricing, and timely 
delivery. The Company believes that it competes favorably on the basis of each of these factors. 

The Company’s major U.S. competitors include AVX Corporation and Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., 
in the production of tantalum and ceramic capacitors. The Company’s major foreign competitors include 
Kyocera/AVX Corporation, Murata Manufacturing Company Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., TDK 
Corporation, Yageo, and Taiyo Yuden in the production of ceramic capacitors and NEC Corporation, 
EPCOS, Kyocera/AVX Corporation and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. in the production of tantalum 
capacitors. 

Raw Materials 

The most expensive raw materials used in the manufacture of the Company’s products are tantalum 

powder, palladium, and silver. These materials are considered commodities and are subject to price 
volatility. Tantalum powder is primarily purchased under long-term contracts, while palladium and silver 
are primarily purchased on the spot and forward markets, depending on market conditions. For example, if 
the Company believes that prices are likely to rise, it may purchase a significant amount of its annual 
requirements for forward delivery. 

Tantalum powder is used in the manufacture of tantalum capacitors. Management believes the 
tantalum needed has generally been available in sufficient quantities to meet manufacturing requirements. 
However, the 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. During the fiscal years ended 
March 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company recorded $12.4 million and $40.8 million, respectively, of charges 
related to a tantalum inventory purchase commitment that exceeded market prices (see Critical 
Accounting Policies and Long-Term Supply Agreement). During fiscal year 2005, the Company was able to 
renegotiate the pricing arrangement under tantalum inventory purchase commitment, and accordingly, the 
Company reversed $11.8 million of the original charges. 

8 

During fiscal year 2001, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with Australasian Gold 

Mines NL, which subsequently changed its name to Tantalum Australia NL (“TAA”), to establish an 
independent source of tantalum to meet the increasing demand for tantalum capacitors from key 
customers. This transaction closed in April 2001, and included KEMET acquiring a ten percent equity 
interest in TAA. Upon successfully achieving the objective of establishing an independent source of 
tantalum material, KEMET relinquished its interest in the joint venture. KEMET retained its equity 
interest in TAA, which has been reduced to less than eight percent on a fully-diluted basis. 

Although palladium is presently found primarily in South Africa and Russia, the Company believes 

that there are a sufficient number of suppliers from which the Company can purchase its palladium 
requirements. Although palladium required by the Company has generally been available in sufficient 
quantities, the limited number of suppliers could lead to higher prices, and the inability of the Company to 
pass any increase on to its customers could have an adverse effect on the margin of those products in which 
the metal is used. The Company continues to take actions to minimize the impact of future palladium price 
increases on its profit margins. The Company has significantly reduced the palladium and silver 
requirements in the production of MLCCs with a major shift in the production process using base metal 
electrodes, such as nickel. 

Silver and aluminum have generally been available in sufficient quantities, and the Company believes 

there are a sufficient number of suppliers from which the Company can purchase its requirements. 

Patents and Trademarks 

At March 31, 2005, the Company held 65 United States and 36 foreign patents and 13 United States 

and 79 foreign trademarks. The Company believes that the success of its business is not materially 
dependent on the existence or duration of any patent, license, or trademark other than the name 
“KEMET.” The Company’s engineering and research and development staffs have developed and 
continue to develop proprietary manufacturing processes and equipment designed to enhance the 
Company’s manufacturing facilities and reduce costs. 

Research and Development 

Research and development expenses were $26.6 million for fiscal year 2005 compared to $24.4 million 

for fiscal year 2004. These amounts include expenditures for product development and the design and 
development of machinery and equipment for new processes and cost reduction efforts. Most of the 
Company’s products and manufacturing processes have been designed and developed by Company 
engineers. The Company continues to invest in new technology to improve product performance and 
production efficiencies. 

Environmental 

The Company is subject to various Mexican, Chinese, and United States federal, state, and local 

environmental laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, including those 
governing the handling and management of certain chemicals used and generated in manufacturing 
electronic components. Based on the annual costs incurred by the Company over the past several years, 
management does not believe that compliance with these laws and regulations will have a material adverse 
effect on the Company’s capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position. The Company believes, 
however, that it is reasonably likely that the trend in environmental litigation, laws, and regulations will 
continue to be toward stricter standards. Such changes in the law and regulations may require the 
Company to make additional capital expenditures which, while not currently estimable with certainty, are 
not presently expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition. See “Legal 
Proceedings” for a discussion of certain other environmental matters. 

9 

Employees 

As of April 30, 2005, KEMET had approximately 8,100 employees, of whom approximately 1,200 were 
located in the United States, approximately 6,200 were located in Mexico, 600 in China, and the remainder 
were located in the Company’s foreign sales offices. The Company believes that its future success will 
depend in part on its ability to recruit, retain, and motivate qualified personnel at all levels of the 
Company. While none of its United States employees are unionized, the Company has approximately 
4,200 hourly employees in Mexico represented by labor unions as required by Mexican law. The Company 
has not experienced any major work stoppages and considers its relations with its employees to be good. In 
addition, the Company’s labor costs in Mexico are denominated in Mexican pesos, and Mexican inflation 
or a significant depreciation of the United States dollar against the Mexican peso would increase the 
Company’s labor costs in Mexico. 

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Reports 

The Company maintains an Internet website at the following address: http://www.kemet.com. KEMET 

makes available on or through its Internet website certain reports and amendments to those reports that 
are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in accordance with the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934. These include annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and 
current reports on Form 8-K. This information is available on the Company’s website free of charge as 
soon as reasonably practicable after KEMET electronically files the information with, or furnishes it to, 
the SEC. 

Code of Business Integrity and Ethics 

The Company maintains a Code of Business Integrity and Ethics (the “Code”) that is followed by all 

of the management of KEMET. This includes the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial and 
Accounting Officer, the accounting staff and other members of management. The Company’s website 
includes a copy of the Code, and it can be downloaded free of charge at http://www.kemet.com. A copy of 
the Code has been included as an Exhibit to the 2005 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K. 

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES 

KEMET is headquartered in Simpsonville, South Carolina, and has a total of 19 manufacturing plants 
and distribution centers located in the southeastern United States, Mexico, and China. The manufacturing 
operations are in Simpsonville and Fountain Inn, South Carolina; Shelby, North Carolina; Matamoros, 
Monterrey, and Ciudad Victoria, Mexico; and Suzhou, China, which opened in calendar year 2003. The 
Company’s existing manufacturing and assembly facilities have approximately 2.5 million square feet of 
floor space and are highly automated with proprietary manufacturing processes and equipment. 

The Mexican facilities operate under the Maquiladora Program. In general, a company that operates 
under this program is afforded certain duty and tax preferences and incentives on products brought back 
into the United States. The Company has operated in Mexico since 1969 and approximately 77% of its 
employees are located in Mexico. The Company’s Mexican facilities in Matamoros are located within five 
miles of Brownsville, Texas, with easy access for daily shipments of work-in-process and finished products. 
The Company also has manufacturing facilities in Monterrey that commenced operations in 1991. The 
Company constructed and put into production a new manufacturing plant in Monterrey in 1996. During 
fiscal year 2000, the Company began production in a new manufacturing facility for tantalum capacitors in 
Ciudad Victoria, Mexico. The Company’s manufacturing processes and standards, including compliance 
with applicable environmental and worker safety laws and regulations, are essentially identical in the 
United States and Mexico. The Company’s Mexican and Chinese operations, like its United States 
operations, have won numerous quality, environmental, and safety awards. 

10 

Most of the Company’s manufacturing and assembly facilities produce one product or a family of 

closely related products. Management believes that this focused approach to manufacturing allows each 
facility to shorten manufacturing time, optimize product flow, and avoid long and costly equipment 
retooling and employee training time, all of which leads to overall reduced costs. 

The Company has developed just-in-time manufacturing and sourcing systems. These systems enable 

the Company to meet customer requirements for faster deliveries while minimizing the need to carry 
significant inventory levels. The Company continues to emphasize flexibility in all of its manufacturing 
operations to improve product delivery response times. 

Management believes that substantially all of its property and equipment is in good condition, and the 

Company believes that, on the overall, it has sufficient capacity to meet its current and projected 
manufacturing and distribution needs. 

The Company has listed its Greenwood, South Carolina facility with a real estate broker for sale. 
Accordingly, this facility is presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Property held for sale. There 
are two additional facilities (one in Matamoros, Mexico and one in Mauldin, South Carolina) that are idle 
and are ready for sale. The Company is in the process of determining the future of these facilities. Finally, 
the Company’s leased facility in Brownsville, Texas is being subleased by an outside company. 

The following table provides certain information regarding the Company’s principal facilities: 

Location   
Simpsonville, South Carolina(1). . . . . .  
Matamoros, Mexico(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Monterrey, Mexico(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Ciudad Victoria, Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Fountain Inn, South Carolina . . . . . . . .  
Monterrey, Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Greenwood, South Carolina(3) . . . . . .  
Mauldin, South Carolina(4) . . . . . . . . .  
Suzhou, China(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Suzhou, China(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Shelby, North Carolina(8) . . . . . . . . . . .  
Mauldin, South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Matamoros, Mexico(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Brownsville, Texas(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

  Square 
  Footage

  Type of
Interest

Description of Use 

372,000  Owned  Manufacturing/Headquarters  
291,000  Owned  Manufacturing 
275,000  Owned  Manufacturing 
259,000  Owned  Manufacturing 
249,000  Owned  Manufacturing 
229,000  Owned  Manufacturing 
132,000  Owned 
129,000  Owned 
127,000  Leased  Manufacturing 
127,000  Leased  Manufacturing 
123,000  Owned  Manufacturing 

Idle—Property Held for Sale  
Idle—Ready for Sale 

80,000  Leased  Distribution/Storage 
68,000  Owned 
Idle—Ready for Sale 
60,000  Leased  Shipping/Distribution 

Date 

  Constructed,
  Acquired or

First 

  Occupied by
  Company 

1963 
1985 
1991 
1999 
1985 
1996 
1981 
1971 
2003 
2005 
1981 
1976 
1977 
1992 

(1)—Includes two separate manufacturing facilities. 

(2)—Includes three manufacturing facilities for Matamoros and two manufacuturing facilities for 

Monterrey. 

(3)—The Greenwood, South Carolina facility has been listed with a broker and is available for sale. The 

Company is reporting this facility as Property held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

(4)—Manufacturing facilities, one in Matamoros, Mexico and the Mauldin, South Carolina, facility were 

closed as part of the cost savings initiatives in fiscal year 2003. 

(5)—Includes two separate manufacturing facilities, one became operational in the latter half of calendar 

year 2003 and one which is used for storage. 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(6)—This manufacturing facility is scheduled to begin operations in fiscal year 2006. 

(7)—The Brownsville, Texas facility is being subleased to an outside company. KEMET is leasing back 

5,000 square feet. 

(8)—The Shelby, North Carolina facility is scheduled to be closed in the fiscal second quarter 2006. 

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 

The Company has periodically incurred, and may continue to incur, liability under the Comprehensive 

Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”) and 
analogous state laws with respect to sites used for off-site management or disposal of Company-derived 
wastes. The Company has been named as a potentially responsible party (“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, UCC is a PRP at 
certain sites relating to the off-site disposal of wastes from properties presently owned by the Company. 
The Company is participating in coordination with UCC in 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, UCC agreed, subject 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 work place safety cases, some of which involve 
claims of substantial damages. Although there can be no assurance, based upon information known to the 
Company, the Company does not believe that any liability which might result from an adverse 
determination of such lawsuits would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition 
or results of operations. 

In January 2005, the Company filed a lawsuit against AVX Corporation (“AVX”) to protect trade 

secrets relating to the development and manufacture of tantalum polymer capacitors. KEMET has been 
manufacturing these advanced components since 1999, and they now constitute the fastest growing 
segment of the tantalum capacitor market. KEMET was seeking judgment against AVX for actual and 
exemplary damages, attorney’s fees, and injunctive relief to eliminate any commercial advantage that 
otherwise would be derived by AVX from the misappropriation of KEMET trade secrets. While the 
Company still believes in the merits of the case, the lawsuit was dismissed in order to allow management to 
be able to focus on the important business challenges it currently faces. 

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

No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during the Company’s quarter ended 

March 31, 2005. 

12 

PART II 

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED 

STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES. 

The Company’s Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol KEM. 
The Company had approximately 30,400 stockholders as of June 1, 2005, of which approximately 331 were 
stockholders of record. The following table represents the high and low sale prices of the Company’s 
Common Stock for the periods indicated: 

First Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Second Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Third Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Fourth Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

  High 

Fiscal Year 2005 
Low 
$ 10.80  
$  7.80  
$  7.44  
$  7.70  

$ 15.11 
$ 12.25 
$  9.35 
$  9.01 

  High 

Fiscal Year 2004 
Low 
$  7.55
$  9.69
$ 11.80
$ 12.88

$ 10.78  
$ 13.95  
$ 14.29  
$ 16.70  

The Company has not declared or paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock since the initial 

public offering in October 1992. The Company does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable 
future. Any future determination 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 condition of the Company. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations 
and Financial Condition-Liquidity and Capital Resources” contained in this Form 10-K for fiscal year 
2005. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 

The following table summarizes our selected historical consolidated financial information for each of 
the last five years. The selected financial information under the captions “Income Statement Data,” “Per 
Share Data,” “Balance Sheet Data,” and “Other Data” shown below has been derived from the Company’s 
audited Consolidated Financial Statements. This table should be read in conjunction with other 
consolidated financial information of KEMET, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 
Results of Operations and Financial Condition” and the Consolidated Financial Statements, included 
elsewhere herein. The data set forth below may not be indicative of KEMET’s future financial condition or 
results of operations (see Item 7 “Safe Harbor Statement”). 

2005(1) 

Fiscal Years Ending March 31, 
2004(1) 
2003(1) 
Dollars in thousands except per share data 

2002 

2001 

Income Statement Data: 
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating income (loss). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Per Share Data: 
Net income (loss) per share—basic . . . . .
Net income (loss) per share—diluted. . . .
Weighted-average shares outstanding 

   $ 

425,338 
(174,842) 
(6,295) 
6,511 

$ 

433,882 
(159,014) 
(3,847) 
6,472 

$ 

447,332 
(97,002) 
(3,818) 
6,097 

$ 

508,555  
(40,365 ) 
(9,809 ) 
6,736  

   $  (174,094)  $  (111,975)  $ 

(55,988)  $ 

(27,289 )  $ 

$  1,406,147
566,986
(16,713)
7,507
352,346

   $ 
   $ 

(2.01)  $ 
(2.01)  $ 

(1.30)  $ 
(1.30)  $ 

(0.65)  $ 
(0.65)  $ 

(0.32 )  $ 
(0.32 )  $ 

4.05
4.00

—Basic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—Diluted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

86,518,923 
86,518,923 

86,412,281 
86,412,281 

86,167,563 
86,167,563 

85,773,763  
85,773,763  

86,930,965
88,181,118

Balance Sheet Data: 
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Working capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-current obligations. . . . . . . . . .
Stockholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Data: 
Cash flow provided by (used in) 

   $ 

   $ 

758,097 
184,579 
100,000 
48,951 
515,203 

$ 

$ 

971,046 
313,731 
100,000 
61,623 
684,478 

$  1,101,010 
463,535 
100,000 
57,617 
793,275 

$ 

$  1,171,714  
454,776  
100,000  
48,926  
855,045  

$ 

$  1,366,530
460,055
100,000
51,084
886,176

$ 

operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Research and development . . . . . . . . . . . .

   $ 

   $ 

(12,752)  $ 
39,581 
26,639 

$ 

38,452 
25,835 
24,449 

$ 

$ 

43,710 
22,197 
25,268 

$ 

$ 

(34,219 )  $ 
78,546  
26,334  

$ 

392,440
210,559
27,145

(1)—Includes special charges of $122.9 million, $108.9 million, and $75.9 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 

2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively, which are described in Item 7 under Results of Operations. 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND 

FINANCIAL CONDITION 

The following discussion and analysis provides information that the Company believes is useful in 

understanding KEMET’s operating results, cash flows, and financial condition for the three years ended 
March 31, 2005. The discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by 
reference to, the consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this report. 
Except for the historical information contained here, the discussions in this document contain 
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 
and involve risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those 
discussed here. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, 
those discussed under the “Safe Harbor Statement” and, from time to time, in the Company’s other filings 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

Overview 

KEMET is a leading manufacturer of tantalum capacitors, multilayer ceramic capacitors, and solid 
aluminum capacitors. Capacitors are electronic components that store, filter, and regulate electrical energy 
and current flow and are one of the essential passive components used on circuit boards. Virtually all 
electronic applications and products contain capacitors, including communication systems, data processing 
equipment, personal computers, cellular phones, automotive electronic systems, military and aerospace 
systems, and consumer electronics. 

The Company’s business strategy is to generate revenues by being the preferred capacitor supplier to 

the world’s most successful electronics original equipment manufacturers, electronics manufacturing 
services providers, and electronics distributors. The Company reaches these customers through a direct, 
salaried sales force that calls on customer locations around the world. In fiscal year 2005, total net sales 
were broken down geographically as follows: North American sales were approximately 46.6%, Asian sales 
were approximately 33.1%, and European sales were approximately 20.3%. 

The Company manufactures capacitors in the United States, Mexico, and China. Commodity 

manufacturing in the United States is being relocated (see “Enhanced Strategic Plan”) to the Company’s 
lower-cost manufacturing facilities in Mexico and China. Production that remains in the U.S. will focus 
primarily on early-stage manufacturing of new products and other specialty products for which customers 
are predominantly located in North America. 

The market for tantalum, ceramic, and aluminum capacitors is highly competitive. The capacitor 
industry is characterized by, among other factors, a long-term trend toward lower prices for capacitors, low 
transportation costs, and few import barriers. Competitive factors that influence the market for the 
Company’s products include product quality, customer service, technical innovation, pricing, and timely 
delivery. The Company believes that it competes favorably on the basis of each of these factors. 

15 

Electronic products are in a long-term growth phase as evidenced by the proliferation of cellular 
phones, personal computers, and consumer electronics. The growth of the capacitor industry, however, has 
been cyclical, and lower average selling prices for capacitors have corresponded with the long-term growth 
in units. The following is an illustration (it does not represent an actual time period, actual quantities, 
actual prices, etc.) of the dynamics within the capacitor industry: 

Long-term
Average
Capacitor Unit
Growth

U
n
i
t
s

Average
Selling Prices

Capacitor
Unit Sales

Time

Average Selling Prices (“ASPs”)—Capacitor average selling prices have trended down over the long-
term growth period. KEMET estimates the historical average annual decrease in ASPs to be approximately 
5% to 6%. This, in turn, requires the Company to effectively manage costs to remain competitive. An 
example of this is the Company’s decision to move the manufacture of commodity manufacturing to low-
cost locations. (See “Enhanced Strategic Plan.”) 

Cyclicality—Periods of significant expansion and correction have marked the long-term growth of 

the capacitor market. 

Expansion periods—Expansion periods usually offer the opportunity for the Company to exercise 

more control over ASPs as industry capacity utilization is high. Customer demand often exceeds the 
available supply. Firm or higher pricing combined with higher volumes cause this to be the most 
profitable part of the cycle for the industry, and the industry generally adds capacity during this 
period. 

Correction periods—Correction periods usually offer the opportunity for the customer to exercise 
more control over ASPs as industry capacity exceeds customer demand. Lower pricing combined with 
lower volumes during this period cause this to be the least profitable part of the cycle for the industry. 

The fiscal year ended March 31, 2001 represented a cyclical peak, and the Company reported record 
revenues and profits of $1.4 billion and $352.3 million, respectively. During such an expansion period, the 
Company is challenged with meeting demand and not over expanding capacity, which it may not be able to 
bring on line until after the expansion. The increase in demand requires maintaining higher raw material 
inventory levels at higher prices, which challenges the Company to increase inventory turnover as well as 
manage inventory at a reasonable level to reduce issues such as obsolescence, particularly when the 
expansion ends. 

16 

 
The four fiscal years following fiscal year 2001, fiscal years 2002 through 2005, represent what the 
Company considers an unprecedented correction phase of the long-term growth trend. Demand decreased 
markedly, and the quarterly decline in ASPs was often in excess of the historical average annual decrease. 
During such a correction period, the Company is challenged with aligning costs with the reduced stream of 
revenues. The Company must remain financially sound with sufficient financial liquidity to not only 
operate effectively during the correction phase but also have the financial wherewithal to react when the 
next expansion cycle begins. During this correction phase, the Company initiated a number of initiatives 
(see Fiscal Year 2005 Special Charges, Fiscal Year 2004 Special Charges, and Fiscal Year 2003 Special 
Charges) to meet these challenges. 

At March 31, 2005, the Company had $219.5 million of cash and short and long-term investments. 
KEMET intends to satisfy both its short-term and long-term liquidity requirements primarily with existing 
cash and cash equivalents and cash provided by operations. 

Enhanced Strategic Plan 

On July 2, 2003, KEMET announced its Enhanced Strategic Plan (“Plan”) to enhance the Company’s 

position as a global leader in passive electronic technologies. KEMET believes that there have been 
profound changes in the competitive landscape of the electronics industry over the past several years. The 
Company listened carefully to its customers’ description of their future directions, and is aligning 
KEMET’s future plans closely with their plans. Building on the Company’s foundation of success in being 
the preferred supplier to the world’s most successful electronics manufacturers and distributors, KEMET 
is adapting so as to continue to succeed in the new global environment. 

KEMET’s strategy has three foundations: 

•  Enhancing the Company’s position as the market leader in quality, delivery, and service through 

outstanding execution; 

•  Having a global mindset, with an increased emphasis on growing KEMET’s presence in Asia; and 

•  Accelerating the pace of innovations to broaden the Company’s product portfolio. 

To execute the Plan, KEMET is reorganizing its operations around the world. Over the next nine 

months, several KEMET facilities will be relocated based on access to key customers, access to key 
technical resources and knowledge, and availability of low-cost resources. KEMET estimates it will incur 
special charges of approximately $39 million (of which $32 million had been spent through March 31, 
2005) over the period of the reorganization related to movement of manufacturing operations. This will 
yield an approximate one-year payback based on unit volumes at the time of the announcement, and a 
$50-60 million savings with volume recovery by fiscal year 2006, if unit growth continues as it has in recent 
quarters. In addition, there will be special charges reflecting the change in status of the facilities that will 
be vacated through this move. The timing of the special charges is dependent on the timing of operational 
decisions, some of which have not yet been finalized, and on operational activities yet to occur. See Fiscal 
Year 2005 Special Charges and Fiscal Year 2004 Special Charges under Results of Operations. 

KEMET in the United States 

KEMET’s corporate headquarters will remain in Greenville, South Carolina, though individual 

functions will evolve to support global activities in Asia, Europe, and North America, either from 
Greenville, South Carolina or through locations in appropriate parts of the world. 

Commodity manufacturing currently in the United States will be relocated to the Company’s lower-

cost manufacturing facilities in Mexico and China. Approximately 500 production-related jobs in the 
United States will be impacted by this relocation over the next nine months. Production that remains in the 

17 

U.S. will focus primarily on early-stage manufacturing of new products and other specialty products for 
which customers are predominantly located in North America. 

To accelerate the pace of innovations, the KEMET Innovation Center was created. The primary 
objectives of the Innovation Center are to ensure the flow of new products and robust manufacturing 
processes that will keep the Company at the forefront of its customers’ product designs, while enabling 
these products to be transferred rapidly to the most appropriate KEMET manufacturing location in the 
world for low-cost, high-volume production. The main campus of the KEMET Innovation Center is 
located in Greenville, South Carolina. 

KEMET in Mexico 

KEMET believes its Mexican operations are among the most cost efficient in the world, and they will 

continue to be the Company’s primary production facilities supporting North American and European 
customers. One of the strengths of KEMET Mexico is that it is truly a Mexican operation, including 
Mexican management and workers. These facilities will be responsible for maintaining KEMET’s 
traditional excellence in quality, service, and delivery, while driving costs down. The facilities in Victoria 
and Matamoros will remain focused primarily on tantalum capacitors, and the facilities in Monterrey will 
continue to focus on ceramic capacitors. 

KEMET in China 

In recent years, low production costs and proximity to large, growing markets have caused many of 

KEMET’s key customers to relocate production facilities to Asia, particularly China. KEMET has a well-
established sales and logistics network in Asia to support its customers’ Asian operations. The Company’s 
initial China production facilities in Suzhou near Shanghai commenced shipments in October 2003. 
Manufacturing operations in China will continue to grow, and KEMET anticipates that production 
capacity in China may be equivalent to Mexico within two to three years, with most of the equipment to 
support these operations being transferred from existing capacity in the United States or Mexico. Like 
KEMET Mexico, the vision for KEMET China is to be a Chinese operation, with Chinese management 
and workers, to help achieve KEMET’s objective of being a global company. These facilities will be 
responsible for maintaining KEMET’s traditional excellence in quality, service, and delivery, while 
accelerating cost-reduction efforts and supporting efforts to grow the Company’s customer base in Asia. 

KEMET in Europe 

KEMET will maintain and enhance its strong European sales and customer service infrastructure, 

allowing KEMET to continue to meet the local preferences of European customers who remain an 
important focus for KEMET going forward. 

Global Sales and Logistics 

In recent years, it has become more complex to do business in the electronics industry. Market-leading 

electronics manufacturers have spread their facilities more globally. The growth of the electronics 
manufacturing services (EMS) industry has resulted in a more challenging supply chain. New Asian 
electronics manufacturers are emerging rapidly. The most successful business models in the electronics 
industry are based on tightly integrated supply chain logistics to drive down costs. KEMET’s direct salaried 
sales force worldwide and a well-developed global logistics infrastructure distinguish it in the marketplace 
and will remain a hallmark of KEMET in meeting the needs of its global customers. 

All components of the plan are within their cost estimates and are expected to be completed within six 

months of the date of this filing. 

18 

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 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. 

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. 

INVENTORIES.  Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined under 

the first-in, first-out method and market based upon net realizable value. The valuation of inventories 
requires management to make estimates. The Company must assess the prices at which it believes the 
finished goods inventory can be sold compared to its cost. A sharp decrease in unit demand could 
adversely impact earnings as the cost of finished goods may exceed what the market will bear. 

The net realizable value of raw materials purchased under long-term supply contracts also requires 
significant judgments by management. In fiscal years 2004 and 2003, the Company recorded losses totaling 
$53.2 million related to tantalum raw material. In fiscal year 2004, the Company wrote down approximately 
$12.4 million under a tantalum supply agreement. In fiscal year 2003, the Company wrote down 
approximately $16.4 million in on-hand inventory of tantalum powder and wire and approximately 
$24.4 million related to contractual commitments to purchase tantalum powder and wire at prices above 
market through calendar year 2006. This was done because the current market prices of tantalum were 
substantially below the prices carried in tantalum raw materials inventory, and the Company was 
committed to purchase tantalum in the future under a long-term contract. These actions involved 
significant judgments on the part of the Company, including determining the amount of losses, their 
timing, and their amount. 

The determination was made after management concluded that the substantial decline in the demand 

for tantalum capacitors was likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Combining this assessment with 
the worldwide overcapacity in tantalum production, KEMET could not foresee when tantalum prices 
might recover from their depressed levels. This determination was made after it was apparent that 
customers’ inventory levels had dropped without any effect on the demand or pricing for tantalum 
capacitors and after the settlement of tantalum pricing litigation as described in Note 10: Commitments. 
Although the Company believes that the losses as well as their timing were appropriate under the 
circumstances, visibility for future demand and pricing is limited, and the judgments made by management 
necessarily involved subjective assessments. 

The net realizable value of current tantalum inventory and the losses with respect to future tantalum 

commitments were calculated based on current market prices for tantalum. There is no established market 
on which tantalum raw materials are regularly traded and quoted. The Company based its determination 
of current market price on quotations from suppliers of these materials. In quantifying the charges that 
were recorded against future purchase commitments, the Company assumed, for lack of another 
benchmark, the current market prices would continue through calendar year 2006, when KEMET’s 
purchase commitments were scheduled to end. Had other assumptions on current and future prices for 

19 

tantalum been made, the amount of the inventory losses against purchase commitments would have been 
different. 

If tantalum prices were to recover in the future, the Company would not reverse the write-downs 
recorded on raw materials inventory or the charges that were recorded against the purchase commitments, 
so that the cost of materials will continue to reflect these losses regardless of future price increases in 
tantalum. This could have the effect of increasing earnings in future periods from what they would have 
been had KEMET not taken these actions until future raw material prices were known with certainty. If 
tantalum prices experience further declines, as they did in fiscal years 2004 and 2003, the Company could 
also be required to incur further losses. 

During fiscal year 2005, the Company renegotiated the contract with Cabot Corporation associated 
with the tantalum purchase commitment. As a result of the contract renegotiation, a portion of the 2004 
and 2003 purchase commitment losses were reversed. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, the 
Company decreased its purchase commitment liability by recognizing a gain of $11.8 million. 

Commencing in fiscal year 2003, KEMET included depreciation and amortization as a component of 

its cost of inventories, as required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. When KEMET 
Electronics Corporation was formed as a separate entity in 1987, it continued the Union Carbide practice 
of expensing depreciation and amortization costs in the current period, rather than including such costs as 
a component of inventories and expensing them through cost of goods sold over time. The Company has 
considered the effect of this change in policy on fiscal year 2004 and prior consolidated financial 
statements and confirmed that had the Company adopted this policy previously, it would not have resulted 
in any material changes to those consolidated financial statements. 

ASSET IMPAIRMENT—GOODWILL and LONG-LIVED-ASSETS.  KEMET adopted 

SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” on April 1, 2002. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill, 
which represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired, and intangible assets 
with indefinite useful lives are no longer amortized but are to be tested for impairment at least on an 
annual basis in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142. 

The Company’s goodwill is tested for impairment at least on an annual basis. The impairment test 
involves a comparison of the fair value of its reporting unit, as defined under SFAS No. 142, with carrying 
amounts. If the reporting unit’s aggregated carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then an indication exists 
that the reporting unit’s goodwill may be impaired. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the 
amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit being measured exceeds its fair value, up to the 
total amount of its assets. The Company determined fair value based on a market approach which 
incorporates quoted market prices of the Company’s common stock and the premiums offered to obtain 
controlling interest for companies in the electronics industry. Downward movement in either stock prices 
or premiums paid for controlling interest in the electronics industry could have a material effect on the fair 
value of goodwill in future measurement periods. On an ongoing basis, KEMET expects to perform its 
impairment tests during the first quarter of each fiscal year and when otherwise warranted. In accordance 
with SFAS No. 142, KEMET completed its annual goodwill impairment test in the first quarter of fiscal 
years 2005, 2004, and 2003, none of which indicated impairment. During the fiscal fourth quarter 2005, 
KEMET completed another goodwill impairment test due to the asset impairment the Company recorded 
in fiscal fourth quarter 2005. See below for a discussion on the fiscal fourth quarter 2005 Asset 
Impairment. This test yielded no goodwill impairment. In addition, KEMET also performs its annual 
impairment test on the goodwill related to the acquired The Forest Electric Company (“FELCO”) each 
year in the fiscal third quarter. No impairment was noted during that test. 

As of March 31, 2005, KEMET had unamortized goodwill in the amount of $30.5 million. 

For the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, KEMET follows the guidance as prescribed in 
SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” In accordance with 

20 

SFAS No. 144, long-lived assets and intangible assets subject to amortization would be reviewed for 
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived 
asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. A long-lived asset classified as held for sale is initially 
measured and reported at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Long-lived assets 
to be disposed of other than by sale are classified as held and used until the long-lived asset is disposed of. 

Tests for the recoverability of a long-lived asset to be held and used are measured by comparing the 

carrying amount of the long-lived asset to the sum of the estimated future undiscounted cash flows 
expected to be generated by the asset. In estimating the future undiscounted cash flows, the Company uses 
future projections of cash flows directly associated with, and which are expected to arise as a direct result 
of, the use and eventual disposition of the assets. These assumptions include, among other estimates, 
periods of operation, projections of sales, cost of good sold, and capital spending. Changes in any of these 
estimates could have a material effect on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be 
generated by the asset. If it is determined that a long-lived asset is not recoverable, an impairment loss 
would be calculated equal to the excess of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset over its fair value. 
The fair value is calculated as the discounted cash flows of the underlying assets on a pre-tax basis. 

Using the factors above, a test for recoverability of the Company’s tantalum and ceramic assets was 

performed as of March 31, 2005. The results of the test for recoverability indicated that the carrying 
amount of the long-lived assets exceeded the estimated future undiscounted cash flows. As a result, 
KEMET calculated the excess of the carrying amount of the long-lived assets over its fair value on a 
pre-tax discounted cash flow basis using the factors above. The discount rate used was an estimation of 
KEMET’s pretax, weighted-average cost of capital. The Company had to make certain assumptions as to the 
future cash flows to be generated by the underlying assets. Those items included the amount of volume 
increases, average selling prices decreases, anticipated cost reductions, and the estimated remaining useful 
life of the equipment. Fair market value was based on the discounted cash flows that the equipment will 
generate over the remaining useful lives. The Company, accordingly, recognized a non-cash impairment 
charge of $100.2 million ($44.2 million for tantalum products and $56.0 million for ceramic products). The 
Company believes that it is appropriate to record these impairments due to: 

•  a decrease in the Company’s (as well as its competitors’ as a whole) market capitalization; 
•  continuing average selling price erosion; and 
•  the continued operating losses the Company has recently incurred. 

For further discussion of the impairment charge, see Fiscal Year 2005 Special Charges. 

Future changes in assumptions may negatively impact future valuations. In future tests for 

recoverability, adverse changes in undiscounted cash flow assumptions could result in an impairment of 
certain long-lived assets that would require a non-cash charge to the Consolidated Statements of 
Operations and may have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition and operating results. 

REVENUE RECOGNITION.  Revenue is recognized from sales when a product is shipped and 
title has transferred. The Company recognizes revenue only when all of the following criteria are met: 
(1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, 
(3) the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured. 

A portion of sales is related to products designed to meet customer specific requirements. These 
products typically have stricter tolerances making them useful to the specific customer requesting the 
product and to customers with similar or less stringent requirements. Products with customer specific 
requirements are tested and approved by the customer before the Company mass produces and ships the 
product. The Company recognizes revenue at shipment as the sales terms for products produced with 
customer specific requirements do not contain a final customer acceptance provision or other provisions 
that are unique and would otherwise allow the customer different acceptance rights. 

21 

A portion of sales is made to distributors under agreements allowing certain rights of return and price 

protection on unsold merchandise held by distributors. The Company’s distributor policy includes 
inventory price protection and “ship-from-stock and debit” (“SFSD”) programs common in the industry. 

The price protection policy protects the value of the distributors’ inventory in the event the Company 

reduces its published selling price to distributors. This program allows the distributor to debit the 
Company for the difference between KEMET’s list price and the lower authorized price for specific parts. 
The Company establishes price protection reserves on specific parts residing in distributors’ inventories in 
the period that the price protection is formally authorized by the Company’s management. The distributors 
also have the right to return to KEMET a certain portion of the purchased inventory, which will not exceed 
5% of the overall purchases. KEMET estimates future returns based on historical patterns of the 
distributors and records an allowance on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

The SFSD program provides a mechanism for the distributor to meet a competitive price after 

obtaining authorization from the local Company sales office. This program allows the distributor to ship its 
higher-priced inventory and debit the Company for the difference between KEMET’s list price and the 
lower authorized price for that specific transaction. The Company establishes reserves for its SFSD 
program based primarily on the actual inventory levels of certain distributor customers. The actual 
inventory levels at these distributors comprise 91% to 95% of the total global distributor inventory. The 
remaining 5% to 9% is estimated based on actual distributor customer inventory and current sales trends. 
Management analyzes historical SFSD activity to determine the SFSD exposure on the global distributor 
inventory at the balance sheet date. Should the distributors increase inventory levels, the estimation of the 
inventory at the distributors for the remaining 5% to 9% could be estimated at an incorrect amount. 
However, the Company believes that the difference between the estimate and the ultimate actual amount 
would be immaterial. 

The establishment of these reserves is recognized as a component of the line item Net sales on the 

Consolidated Statements of Operations, while the associated reserves are included in the line item 
Accounts receivable on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS.  KEMET’s management, along with the assistance of an 

actuarial firm, performs an actuarial valuation of its postretirement plans’ benefit obligations. 
Management makes certain assumptions that have a significant effect on the obligations such as the: 

•  weighted-average discount rate—used to arrive at the net present value of the obligation; 

•  salary increases—used to calculate the impact future pay increases will have on postretirement 

obligations; and 

•  medical cost inflation—used to calculate the impact future medical costs will have on 

postretirement obligations. 

Management understands that these assumptions directly impact the actuarial valuation of the 
obligations recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the income or expense that flows through 
the Consolidated Statements 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 Statements of Operations. 

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 

(“the Act”) became law in the United States. The Act introduces a prescription drug benefit under 
Medicare as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care plans that provide a benefit that is 
at least actuarially equivalent to the Medicare benefit. In accordance with FASB Staff Position 
SFAS No. 106-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, 

22 

Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003,” the Company determined its plan is not actuarially 
equivalent to the Medicare prescription drug benefit and there was no impact or benefit from the Act. 

The measurement date used to determine postretirement benefits is March 31. 

The Company froze accrual of benefits of its domestic non-contributory pension plan on June 30, 

2003. Prior to the end of fiscal year 2004, KEMET terminated and liquidated its defined benefit pension 
plan and, as a result, recognized $50.4 million in pension settlement charges. During fiscal year 2005, 
KEMET recognized $0.6 million of additional costs relating to the final settlement of its defined benefit 
pension plan. The termination of the pension plan is anticipated to result in future savings of 
approximately $6 million per year. KEMET continues to provide other defined contribution retirement 
plans to its employees. 

INCOME TAXES.  Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method, as 

prescribed by SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income 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. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be 
recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are recognized to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that 
is more likely than not to be realized. 

Management believes that is more likely than not that the net deferred taxes for the U.S., Switzerland, 

China and Australia will not be realized, based on the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, the 
recent history of cumulative losses, and the insufficient evidence of projected future taxable income to 
overcome the loss history. Management has provided a valuation allowance related to any benefits from 
income taxes resulting from the application of a statutory tax rate to the deferred tax assets. KEMET 
continues to have small net deferred tax assets (future tax benefits) in several other countries which the 
Company expects to realize assuming, based on certain estimates and assumptions, sufficient taxable 
income in certain foreign tax jurisdictions to utilize these deferred tax benefits. If these estimates and 
related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to reduce the value of the 
deferred tax assets resulting in additional tax expense. 

Results of Operations 

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain of the Company’s financial data as a 

percentage of revenue: 

Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Operating costs and expenses: 

Fiscal Years ended March 31, 
2003 
2004 
2005 
 100 %  
100%  
100% 

Cost of goods sold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Gain)/loss on long-term supply contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling, general and administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . .
Research and development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pension settlement charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restructuring and impairment charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

95% 
−3% 
12% 
6% 
0% 
31% 

95%  
3%  
12%  
6%  
12%  
9%  

  88 %  
  9 %  
  12 %  
  6 %  
  0 %  
  7 %  

Operating loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

−41% 

−37%  

 −22 %  

Other (income) and expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax (benefit)/expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

−1% 
−40% 
1% 
−41% 

0%  
−37%  
−11%  
−26%  

  −2 %  
 −20 %  
  −7 %  
 −13 %  

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the % increase/(decrease) from the preceding 

fiscal year of certain items of the Company’s financial data: 

Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

Operating costs and expenses: 

Cost of goods sold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
(Gain)/loss on long-term supply contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Selling, general and administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Research and development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Pension settlement charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Restructuring and impairment charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

Operating loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

Other (income) and expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Loss before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Income tax (benefit)/expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Net loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

  Fiscal Years ended March 31,
        2005                    2004        
−3%   

−2 %   

−3 %   
−195 %   
1 %   
9 %   
−99 %   
221 %   

10 %   

284 %   
9 %   
−104 %   
55 %   

6%   
−70%   
−6%   
−3%   
0%   
28%   

64%   

−93%   
80%   
45%   
100%   

Comparison of Fiscal Year 2005 to Fiscal Year 2004 

Net sales: 

Net sales for fiscal year 2005 were $425.3 million, which represented a 2.0% decrease from fiscal year 

2004 net sales of $433.9 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily attributable to a 3.7% decline in 
capacitor average selling prices (“ASPs” or “ASP”) with the balance being product mix. Unit volumes 
increased 24.0% to approximately 33.6 billion units from approximately 27.1 billion units in fiscal year 
2004. ASPs historically decreased approximately 5% to 6% annually. During fiscal year 2005, ASPs 
decreased at a level approximating historical values. 

Cost of goods sold: 

Cost of goods sold for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, was $403.0 million as compared to 
$414.0 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, a 2.7% decrease. The decrease in cost of goods 
sold occurred even though there was an increase in unit volumes, which increased 24.0% in fiscal year 2005 
versus fiscal year 2004. The Company believes many of the actions it initiated or carried out during fiscal 
years 2005, 2004, and 2003 (see Fiscal Year 2005 Special Charges, Fiscal Year 2004 Special Charges, and 
Fiscal Year 2003 Special Charges) resulted in lower costs and more efficient operations and accounted for 
the relatively low percentage decrease in cost of goods sold versus the higher increase in volumes. In 
addition, manufacturing throughput increased in fiscal year 2005 as higher volumes resulted in the 
absorption of fixed costs over more units versus fiscal year 2004. 

Research and development: 

Research and development expenses were $26.6 million for fiscal year 2005, compared to 
$24.4 million for fiscal year 2004. These costs reflect the Company’s continuing commitment to the 
development and introduction of new products, such as the launch of its commercial grade high-voltage 
ceramic surface mount capacitor product line in May 2004, along with the improvement of product 
performance and production efficiencies. While these advancements extend our leading position in certain 
capacitor technology, the new products did not have a material impact on our revenues or cost of goods 
sold in either fiscal year 2005 or 2004. 

24 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Special charges: 

Special charges for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, were $122.9 million as compared to 
$108.9 million for the prior fiscal year. The following table reflects the charges in both fiscal years 
(in millions): 

Manufacturing relocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Reduction in workforce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Equipment write-offs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Lamina investment write-off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Long-term asset impairment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Previous restructuring adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Restructuring and impairment charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

Pension plan settlement charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Gain/(loss) on long-term supply contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Cost of goods sold charges, primarily inventory charges . . . . . . . .  
Accelerated depreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Total special charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 

   2005   
$  7.8 
11.5 
8.5 
2.4 
100.2 
(0.4) 
$ 130.0 

$  0.6 
(11.8) 
— 
4.1 
$ 122.9 

   2004    
$  5.5 
18.7 
— 
— 
16.3 
— 
$  40.5 

$  50.4 
12.4 
5.6 
— 
$ 108.9 

   Change   
 $  2.3 
(7.2)
8.5 
2.4 
  83.9 
(0.4)
 $  89.5 

 $ (49.8)
  (24.2)
(5.6)
4.1 
 $  14.0 

The charges are explained in detail by quarter for both fiscal year 2005 and 2004 later in this section. 

Operating loss: 

The operating loss for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, was $174.8 million compared to $159.0 

million in the prior year. The increase in operating loss from the prior year was principally from a 
combination of the aforementioned lower sales levels and increased special charges, offset by cost 
reductions in cost of goods sold. 

Other income: 

Other income increased in fiscal year 2005 compared to fiscal year 2004 partially as the result of more 

interest income during fiscal year 2005. Upon the death of a former executive officer of the Company 
during fiscal year 2005, the Company received $5.3 million in proceeds from an insurance policy on which 
KEMET was the beneficiary, of which $5.0 million was included in Other income in fiscal year 2005. 

Income taxes: 

The effective tax rate for fiscal year 2005 was (1.1%), resulting in tax expense of $1.9 million. This 
compares to an effective tax rate of 29.3% for fiscal year 2004 that resulted in a tax benefit of $46.4 million. 
Even though the Company had a worldwide loss for fiscal year 2005, income tax expense is still being 
incurred in various foreign jurisdictions. No tax benefit is recognized for the domestic tax loss for fiscal 
year 2005 due to the establishment of a valuation allowance during fiscal year 2004. Future fluctuations in 
the valuation allowance are expected to result in a tax rate below the 30% to 36% historical average. 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal Year 2005 Special Charges 

A summary of the special charges incurred in fiscal year 2005 is as follows (in millions): 

Manufacturing relocation costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Reduction in workforce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Equipment write-offs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Lamina investment write-off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Long-term asset impairment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Previous restructuring adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Restructuring and impairment charges(1) . . . . . . .  

Pension plan settlement charges(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Gain on long-term supply contract(2) . . . . . . . . . . .  
Accelerated depreciation(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Total 2005 special charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

$ 2.6  
—  
—  
—  

—  
$ 2.6  

$ —  
—  
—  
$ 2.6  

  30-Jun   30-Sep  

Quarter Ended 
 31-Dec 
$  1.6  
5.8  
8.5  
2.4  

$  1.7 
— 
— 
— 

  31-Mar 
$  1.9 
5.7 
— 
— 
100.2 
(0.4) 
$ 107.4 

  Total 
$  7.8
11.5
8.5
2.4
100.2
(0.4)
$ 130.0

$  0.4 
(0.7) 
2.1 
$ 109.2 

$  0.6
(11.8)
4.1
$ 122.9

— 
$  1.7 

—  
$ 18.3  

$  0.2 
(11.1) 
— 

$  —  
—  
2.0  
$  (9.2)  $ 20.3  

(1)—Restructuring and impairment charges—These costs are included as a separate line item on the 

Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

(2)—Pension plan settlement charges and Gain on long-term supply contract are both shown as separate 

items on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

(3)—Accelerated depreciation is a component of cost of goods sold. 

The Company reports a measure entitled Special Charges.  These charges are considered items 
outside of normal operations, and it is the intent of KEMET to provide more information to explain the 
operating results. Since some of the items are not considered restructuring charges as defined by U.S. 
generally accepted accounting principles, the Company has provided the breakout of U.S. generally 
accepted accounting principles restructuring and impairment charges and those other charges and 
adjustments separately. 

Manufacturing relocation and employee termination costs—During fiscal year 2005, the Company 
recognized $7.8 million in costs relating to the Plan (discussed below under Fiscal Year ended March 31, 
2004). As of March 31, 2005, the Company had recorded cumulative charges of $32.0 million relating to 
the Plan. The balance of the $39 million is expected to be realized ratably over the next three quarters. The 
timing and amounts of the charges are dependent on the timing of operational decisions, some of which 
have not been finalized, and on operational activities yet to occur. The Company also announced 
additional restructuring programs in fiscal third quarter 2005 of $5.8 million and in fiscal fourth quarter 
2005 of $5.3 million. These two restructuring charges reduced the Company’s workforce by approximately 
1,120 employees. The Company also recognized a $0.4 million charge relating to the resignation of its 
former Chief Executive Officer. 

Equipment write-offs and impaired assets—During the fiscal fourth quarter 2005, the Company 
assessed the current economic environment of the capacitor industry and estimated results for future 
periods. The Company assessed the net cash flows of certain asset groupings for a period of time in the 
future and compared the results with the net book value of its assets. Accordingly and in compliance with 
SFAS No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the Company recorded 
a fourth quarter non-cash charge of $100.2 million to account for this difference. In fiscal third quarter 
2005, the Company also recorded a charge of $8.5 million relating to the write-off of equipment no longer 
used. 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Write-down of investment in unconsolidated subsidiary—During the fiscal third quarter 2005, the 
Company wrote down an investment in an unconsolidated subsidiary (Lamina Ceramics, Inc.) due to the 
underlying value being less than our share of the book value resulting in a $2.4 million charge. 

Previous restructuring adjustments—During fiscal fourth quarter 2005, KEMET analyzed its previous 
restructuring accruals and determined that a portion of the previous restructurings would not be utilized. 
Accordingly, the Company reversed $0.4 million in accruals related to previous restructuring charges. 

Pension plan settlement charges—In the fiscal second quarter 2005 and in the fiscal fourth quarter 
2005, the Company recognized additional costs relating to the settlement of the Company’s pension plan. 
The Company does not anticipate any additional costs relating to the defined benefit plan in the future. As 
noted above, the item has been shown as a separate component on the Consolidated Statements of 
Operations and is further discussed in note 5. 

Gain on long-term supply contract—During the fiscal second quarter 2005 and fiscal fourth quarter 

2005, the Company recognized a gain on a long-term supply contract. This gain was the result of contract 
modifications made. This gain offset prior losses taken in fiscal years 2004 and 2003 for the difference 
between the contractual price and the Company’s estimate of future prices through calendar year 2006. 
This item has been shown as a separate component on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and is 
discussed further in note 10. 

Accelerated depreciation—KEMET recognized accelerated depreciation of $4.1 million ($2 million in 

fiscal third quarter 2005 and $2.1 million in fiscal fourth quarter 2005, respectively) related to the 
anticipated shut-down of a manufacturing facility by mid calendar year 2005. 

Fiscal Year 2004 Special Charges 

A summary of the special charges incurred in fiscal year 2004 is as follows (in millions): 

30-Jun  

Manufacturing relocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ —  
Reduction in workforce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
0.3  
Impaired long-lived assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   —  
Restructuring and impairment charges(1) . . . . . .   $ 0.3  

Pension plan settlement charges(2) . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ —  
Loss on long-term supply contract(2) . . . . . . . . . .   —  
Cost of goods sold, primarily inventory 

Quarters Ended 

 30-Sep 
$  2.3  
8.4  
17.9  
$ 28.6  

$  —  
12.4  

 31-Dec 
$  1.5  
8.9  
(1.6) 
$  8.8  

$  —  
—  

 31-Mar  
 $  1.7    
  1.1    
  —    
 $  2.8    

  Total 
$  5.5
18.7
16.3
$  40.5

 $ 50.4    
  —    

$  50.4
12.4

charges(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   —  
Total 2004 special charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 0.3  

5.6  
$ 46.6  

—  
$  8.8  

  —    
 $ 53.2    

5.6
$ 108.9

(1)—Restructuring and impairment charges—These costs are included as a separate line item on the 

Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

(2)—Pension plan settlement charges and Loss on long-term supply contract are both shown as separate 

items on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

(3)—Item shown as a component of Cost of goods sold on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

The Company reports a measure entitled Special Charges.  These charges are considered items 
outside of normal operations, and it is the intent of KEMET to provide more information to explain the 
operating results. Since some of the items are not considered restructuring charges as defined by U.S. 
generally accepted accounting principles, the Company has provided the breakout of U.S. generally 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
accepted accounting principles restructuring and impairment charges and those other charges and 
adjustments separately. 

Impaired long-lived assets—In 1999, the Company entered into the market for solid aluminum 

capacitors and has since made significant technology advances in both high-capacitance multilayer ceramic 
capacitors and organic tantalum capacitors, limiting the applications of solid aluminum capacitors. As a 
result, KEMET reorganized its solid aluminum capacitor product line. The Company recognized a 
$17.9 million non-cash charge in fiscal second quarter 2004 related to the impairment of equipment and 
facilities. In fiscal third quarter 2004 the Company recognized proceeds from equipment disposals relating 
to the reorganization of the solid aluminum product line generating $1.6 million more in cash than 
anticipated. 

Reduction in workforce and Manufacturing relocation costs—The Plan included moving manufacturing 

operations to low-cost facilities in Mexico and China. Approximately $18.7 million and $5.5 million of 
reductions in workforce and manufacturing relocation costs, respectively, were incurred in fiscal year 2004. 

Loss on long-term supply contract—During fiscal second quarter 2004, the Company recorded an 
additional loss of $12.4 million related to the tantalum supply agreement with Cabot Corporation that 
extends through calendar year 2006. (See Fiscal Year 2003 Special Charges for a further discussion on this 
subject). 

Pension plan settlement charges—The Company froze the accrual of benefits of its domestic non-
contributory pension plan on June 30, 2003. Prior to the end of fiscal year 2004, KEMET terminated and 
liquidated its defined benefit pension plan and, as a result, recognized $50.4 million in non-recurring 
pension plan settlement charges during the fiscal fourth quarter 2004. 

Cost of goods sold, primarily inventory charges—Inventory charges represent inventory obsoleted or 
scrapped associated with the aforementioned impairment of the solid aluminum capacitor product line. A 
charge of $5.6 million was recorded in fiscal second quarter 2004. 

Comparison of Fiscal Year 2004 to Fiscal Year 2003 

Net sales: 

Net sales for fiscal year 2004 were $433.9 million, of which $2.4 million resulted from acquisitions 
made during fiscal year 2004. Fiscal year 2004 net sales less the acquisitions were $431.5 million, which 
represented a 4% decrease from fiscal year 2003 net sales of $447.3 million. The decrease in net sales was 
primarily attributable to a 35% decline in capacitor ASPs with the balance being product mix. Unit 
volumes increased 54% to approximately 27.1 billion units from approximately 17.6 billion units in fiscal 
year 2003. ASPs historically decrease approximately 5% to 6% annually. During fiscal year 2003 and the 
first half of 2004, ASP decreases significantly exceeded their historical averages. During the last six months 
of fiscal year 2004, ASPs moderated or slightly increased. 

Cost of goods sold: 

Cost of goods sold for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004 less $3.6 million resulting from 

acquisitions made during fiscal year 2004, was $410.4 million as compared to $392.1 million for the year 
ended March 31, 2003. This represents a 4.7% increase year over year. The increase in cost of goods sold 
was not commensurate with the increase in unit volumes, which increased 54% in fiscal year 2004 versus 
fiscal year 2003. The Company believes many of the actions it initiated or carried out during fiscal years 
2004 and 2003 (see Fiscal Year 2004 Special Charges and Fiscal Year 2003 Special Charges) resulted in 
lower costs and more efficient operations and account for the relatively low percentage increase in cost of 
goods sold versus the higher increase in volumes. In addition, manufacturing throughput increased in fiscal 
year 2004 as higher volumes resulted in the absorption of fixed costs over more units versus fiscal 
year 2003. 

28 

Research and development: 

Research and development expenses were $24.4 million for fiscal year 2004, compared to 
$25.3 million for fiscal year 2003. These costs reflect the Company’s continuing commitment to the 
development and introduction of new products along with the improvement of product performance and 
production efficiencies such as 67 tantalum parts announced in March 2004 along with the improvement of 
product performance and production efficiencies. None of these items, on a separate or aggregate basis, 
had a material impact to Net sales or Cost of goods sold during fiscal year 2004 or 2003. 

Special charges: 

Special charges for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, were $108.9 million as compared to 

$75.9 million for the prior fiscal year. The following table reflects the charges in each fiscal year 
(in millions): 

Manufacturing relocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Reduction in workforce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Impaired long-lived assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Restructuring and impairment charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

  Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
  Change
$  5.5
(8.4)
11.7
$  8.8

2004 
$  5.5  
18.7  
16.3  
$  40.5  

2003 
$  —  
27.1  
4.6  
$ 31.7  

Pension settlement charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Loss on long-term supply contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Cost of goods sold, primarily inventory charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Total special charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

$  50.4  
12.4  
5.6  
$ 108.9  

$  —  
40.8  
3.4  
$ 75.9  

$  50.4
(28.4)
2.2
$  33.0

The Fiscal Year 2004 Special Charges are explained above. The Fiscal Year 2003 Special Charges are 

explained later in this section. 

Operating loss: 

The Operating loss for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, was $159.0 million compared to 
$97.0 million in the prior year. The increase in Operating loss from the prior year was principally from 
a combination of the aforementioned lower sales levels, corresponding reduction in manufacturing 
margins, and increased special charges. 

Other income: 

Other income decreased in fiscal year 2004 compared to fiscal year 2003 primarily as a result of 

$7.8 million of gains on the termination of swap contracts in fiscal year 2003 versus $4.4 million in 
fiscal year 2004. 

Income taxes: 

The effective tax rate for fiscal year 2004 was 29.3%, resulting in a tax benefit of $46.4 million. This 
compares to an effective tax rate of 36.3% for fiscal year 2003 that resulted in a tax benefit of $31.9 million. 
The decrease in the tax benefit was principally due to the establishment of a valuation allowance in fiscal 
year 2004 related to net operating loss carryforwards. Future fluctuations in the valuation allowance are 
expected to result in a lower effective tax rate. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal Year 2003 Special Charges 

A summary of the special charges incurred in fiscal year 2003 are as follows (in millions): 

Reduction in workforce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impaired long-lived assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restructuring and impairment charges(1) . . . . . . . . . .

Loss on long-term supply contract(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of goods sold, primarily inventory charges(3) . . .
Total 2003 special charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30-Sep 
$  9.1  
4.6  
$ 13.7  

$  —  
—  
$ 13.7  

Quarter Ended 
31-Dec 
$  —  
—  
$  —  

$ 40.8  
1.8  
$ 42.6  

31-Mar 
 $ 18.0    
  —    
 $ 18.0    

 $  —    
  1.6    
 $ 19.6    

Total 
 $ 27.1
  4.6
 $ 31.7

 $ 40.8
  3.4
 $ 75.9

(1)—Restructuring and impairment charges—These costs are included as a separate line item on the 

Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

(2)—Loss on long-term supply contract are both shown as separate items on the Consolidated Statements 

of Operations. 

(3)—Item shown as a component of cost of goods sold on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

The Company reports a measure entitled Special Charges.  These charges are considered items 
outside of normal operations, and it is the intent of KEMET to provide more information to explain the 
operating results. Since some of the items are not considered restructuring charges as defined by U.S. 
generally accepted accounting principles, the Company has provided the breakout of U.S. generally 
accepted accounting principles restructuring and impairment charges and those other charges and 
adjustments separately. 

Special charges represent the closing of one manufacturing facility in Greenwood, South Carolina, 
and one of three manufacturing facilities in Matamoros, Mexico, which was announced in July 2002. These 
actions were part of KEMET’s cost saving initiatives in response to the prolonged downturn in the 
electronics industry. A description of the charges expensed during fiscal year 2003 follows: 

Impaired long-lived assets—The impaired assets consisted of certain long-lived assets associated with 

the closing of a manufacturing facility in Greenwood, South Carolina. 

Employee termination costs—The Company made manufacturing and support personnel reductions of 
approximately 185 and 240 employees in the U.S. and Mexico, respectively during the fiscal second quarter 
2003. In fiscal fourth quarter 2003, workforce reductions, primarily from U.S. facilities, totaled 
approximately 280 employees, with approximately 170 being from voluntary early retirements and the 
remainder being from a reduction in workforce. In addition to normal retirement benefits, the early 
retirement program included a special retirement bonus based on length of service to encourage 
participation. Severance benefits based on years of service were provided to other employees affected by 
the reduction in force. 

Inventory and related supply agreement—In fiscal third quarter 2003, the Company announced that it 
agreed to an extension of the term of its tantalum supply agreement with Cabot Corporation (“Cabot”). 
The Company records inventory at the lower of cost or market and estimated losses associated with 
inventory received under the extended supply agreement were approximately $16.4 million. In addition, 
the Company’s estimated future losses for the commitment to purchase tantalum at above-market prices 
were approximately $24.4 million. Accordingly, a $40.8 million charge was recorded in fiscal third 
quarter 2003. 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold, primarily inventory charges—Inventory charges consisted of the sale of excess 
palladium at a loss of $1.8 million during fiscal third quarter 2003. In the fiscal fourth quarter 2003, the 
Company terminated palladium forward contracts at a loss of $1.6 million. 

Quarterly Results of Operations 

The following table sets forth certain quarterly information for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005 

and 2004. This information, 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. 

First 
Quarter 

Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating income (loss)(1) . . .
Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net loss per share (basic). . . . .
Net loss per share (diluted) . . .
Weighted-average shares 

   $ 
   $ 
   $ 
   $ 
   $ 

$ 
122,383 
$ 
534 
(1,851)  $ 
(0.02)  $ 
(0.02)  $ 

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2005 
Fourth 
Third 
Second 
Quarter 
Quarter 
Quarter 
Dollars in thousands except per share data 
106,022 

$ 

$ 
(7,178)  $ 
(7,465)  $ 
(0.09)  $ 
(0.09)  $ 

$ 

425,338
101,430  
95,503 
(38,154)  $  (130,044 )  $  (174,842)
(38,861)  $  (125,917 )  $  (174,094)
(2.01)
(2.01)

(0.45)  $ 
(0.45)  $ 

(1.45 )  $ 
(1.45 )  $ 

Total 

outstanding (basic) . . . . . . . .

86,494,650 

86,506,738 

86,525,730 

86,548,572  

86,518,923

Weighted-average shares 

outstanding (diluted) . . . . . .

86,494,650 

86,506,738 

86,525,730 

86,548,572  

86,518,923

First 
Quarter 

Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating loss(1). . . . . . . . . . . .
Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net loss per share (basic). . . . .
Net loss per share (diluted) . . .
Weighted-average shares 

   $ 
   $ 
   $ 
   $ 
   $ 

$ 
105,362 
(10,436)  $ 
(3,571)  $ 
(0.04)  $ 
(0.04)  $ 

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2004 
Fourth 
Third 
Second 
Quarter 
Quarter 
Quarter 
Dollars in thousands except per share data 
$ 
100,084 
(72,257)  $ 
(43,280)  $ 
(0.50)  $ 
(0.50)  $ 

$ 
111,335 
(19,275)  $ 
(13,072)  $ 
(0.15)  $ 
(0.15)  $ 

433,882
$ 
117,101  
(57,046 )  $  (159,014)
(52,052 )  $  (111,975)
(1.30)
(1.30)

(0.60 )  $ 
(0.60 )  $ 

Total 

outstanding (basic) . . . . . . . .

86,349,086 

86,403,086 

86,434,209 

86,462,742  

86,412,281

Weighted-average shares 

outstanding (diluted) . . . . . .

86,349,086 

86,403,086 

86,434,209 

86,462,742  

86,412,281

(1)—Operating income (loss) as a percentage of net sales fluctuates from quarter to quarter due to a 

number of factors, including net sales fluctuations, restructuring and impairment charges, product 
mix, the timing and expense of moving product lines to lower-cost locations, and the relative mix of 
sales among distributors, original equipment manufacturers, and electronics manufacturing services 
providers. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

The Company’s liquidity needs arise from working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and 

principal and interest payments on its indebtedness. The Company defines working capital to be total 
current assets less total current liabilities as reflected on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company 
intends to satisfy both its short-term and long-term liquidity requirements primarily with existing cash and 
cash equivalents and cash provided by operations. 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
The following table sets forth for the dates indicated the Company’s working capital: 

Working capital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

2005 
$ 184,579 

March 31, 
2004 
$ 313,731  

2003 
$ 463,535  

Fiscal Year 2005 vs. Fiscal Year 2004 Working Capital 

The Company’s working capital decreased by approximately $129.2 million at the end of fiscal year 
2005 compared to the end of fiscal year 2004. The cash and cash equivalents balance decreased to $26.9 
million at March 31, 2005, from $183.5 million at March 31, 2004, or $156.6 million primarily as a result of 
the Company’s investment in long-term U.S. government securities. 

Fiscal year 2005 most significant items: 

Significant uses of cash during fiscal year 2005 included investments of $104.1 million in 
U.S. government securities with maturities greater than one year, $39.6 million used to fund capital 
expenditures, and a net $6.9 million to purchase/sell short-term investments. 

Operations: 

Cash used in operations was $12.8 million in fiscal year 2005. In fiscal year 2005, the $174.1 million net 
loss was primarily offset by $171.1 million in non-cash depreciation, amortization and impairment charges. 
Contributing to the cash used in operations were higher receivables ($0.7 million), higher inventories ($3.0 
million), higher prepaid expenses and other current assets ($0.3 million), lower accrued expenses and 
income taxes payable ($10.0 million), and the non-cash gain on a long-term supply contract ($11.8 million). 
The Company expects the working capital items, listed above, to remain consistent in fiscal year 2006. 

Investing: 

As previously mentioned, the Company increased its investment in property and equipment by 
$13.8 million to $39.6 million in fiscal year 2005 compared to $25.8 million in fiscal year 2004. The capital 
expenditures in fiscal year 2005 principally represented the Company’s efforts to invest in operations around 
the world under the aforementioned Plan as facilities were being relocated based on access to key customers, 
technical resources, and knowledge and availability of low-cost resources. Reorganization activities will 
continue during calendar year 2005 and are targeted to be completed by December 2005. The Company 
estimates its capital expenditures for fiscal year 2006 to be approximately $20.0 million. 

Since the end of fiscal year 2004, the Company has continued to add to its holdings of long-term 

U.S. government marketable securities. As of March 31, 2005, the Company had approximately $157.6 
million invested in long-term U.S. government marketable securities versus a balance at March 31, 2004 of 
$84.6 million. 

Fiscal Year 2004 vs. Fiscal Year 2003 Working Capital 

The Company’s working capital decreased by approximately $149.8 million at the end of fiscal year 

2004 compared to the end of fiscal year 2003. The cash and cash equivalents balance decreased to $183.5 
million at March 31, 2004, from $263.6 million at March 31, 2003. 

Operations: 

Cash provided by operations was $38.5 million in fiscal year 2004. The fiscal year 2004 $112.0 million 
net loss was offset by $89.4 million in non-cash depreciation, amortization and impairment charges and a 
$55.1 million decrease in inventories partially offset by working capital accounts such as accounts receivable, 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
accounts payable, and accrued expenses. The decrease in inventories was made to offset the fiscal year 2003 
build-up of inventory as operations were relocated to foreign locations. 

Investing: 

The Company’s investment in property and equipment in fiscal year 2004 was $25.8 million, which was 

$3.6 million higher than fiscal year 2003’s capital expenditures of $22.2 million. Capital expenditures in 
fiscal year 2003 principally reflect completion of projects initiated during and prior to fiscal year 2002, a 
period in which demand was substantially higher. The capital expenditures in fiscal year 2004 represented the 
Company’s efforts to invest in operations relating to the aforementioned Plan of relocating facilities to low-
cost geographies, and the Company’s commitment to improve product quality, expand into new products, and 
improve manufacturing efficiencies. 

Other areas: 

The Board of Directors had previously authorized programs to purchase up to 8.0 million shares of its 

common stock on the open market. Through March 31, 2005, the Company had made purchases of 
2.1 million shares for $38.7 million, none of which was repurchased in fiscal year 2005. The Company does 
not anticipate any further stock purchases under this authorization. Approximately 615,000 treasury stock 
shares were subsequently reissued for the exercise of employee stock options. At March 31, 2005, the 
Company held approximately 1,460,455 treasury shares at a cost of $26.9 million. 

In May 1998, the Company sold $100.0 million of its Senior Notes pursuant to the terms of a Note 
Purchase Agreement dated as of May 1, 1998, between the Company and the eleven purchasers of the 
Senior Notes. These Senior Notes have a final maturity date of May 4, 2010, with annual required $20.0 
million principal repayments beginning 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 terms of the Note Purchase 
Agreement include various restrictive covenants typical of transactions of this type, and require the 
Company to meet certain financial tests including a minimum net worth test and a maximum ratio of debt 
to total capitalization. The net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes were used to repay existing 
indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. The Company was in compliance with its covenants at 
March 31, 2005, and at the time of this filing. Borrowings are secured by guarantees of certain of the 
Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. 

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 the Company to request 
borrowings 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 has no 
borrowings under this agreement at the time of this filing. 

As discussed in Item 3 and note 12 to the consolidated financial statements, 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 work place safety cases and environmental issues, some of which 
involve claims of substantial damages. Although there can be no assurance, based upon information known 
to the Company, the Company does not believe that any liability which might result from an adverse 
determination of such lawsuits would have a material adverse effect on the Company. 

The Company believes its financial position will permit the financing of its business needs and 

opportunities. 

33 

Long-term Supply Agreement 

In fiscal third quarter 2003, the Company announced that it agreed to an extension of the term of its 
tantalum supply agreement with Cabot Corporation (“Cabot”). The extended agreement relates to both 
tantalum powder and tantalum wire products and calls for reduced prices, higher volumes, and a term 
through 2006. The Company purchased approximately $17.7 million, $22.2 million, and $38.1 million of 
material from Cabot in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. The additional 
commitment totals $23.4 million; $11.8 million for calendar year 2005 and $11.6 million for calendar year 
2006. If the Company’s demand for tantalum exceeds the amount supplied under the contract, Cabot has 
the option to sell additional product to the Company at prices approximating market throughout the term. 

The Company records inventories at the lower of cost or market. In the period ended March 31, 2003, 

estimated losses associated with inventory received under the extended supply agreement were $16.4 
million, and the Company’s estimated future losses for the commitment to purchase tantalum at above-
market prices were approximately $24.4 million. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, the Company 
estimated that future losses for the commitment to purchase tantalum at above-market prices were 
approximately $12.4 million. Accordingly, $12.4 million and $40.8 million in charges were recorded in the 
fiscal years ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, the 
Company renegotiated the tantalum supply agreement which resulted in a reduction of the future liability 
of KEMET. As a result of the renegotiations, the Company recorded a gain of $11.8 million in fiscal 
year 2005. 

Commitments 

As of March 31, 2005, 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), debt (see 
note 3 to the consolidated financial statements), and interest payments relating to the Senior Notes 
as follows: 

Description   
Operating leases . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tantalum supply agreement . .
Debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest payments . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

  Thereafter   

Total 

  $  3,331  $  2,392  $  1,856  $  1,136  $ 

612   $  1,866   $  11,193
23,400
—  
100,000
20,000  
23,310
666  
  $ 24,591  $ 37,186  $ 26,518  $ 24,466  $ 22,610   $  22,532   $ 157,903

—  
20,000  
1,998  

— 
20,000 
3,330 

— 
20,000 
4,662 

8,800 
20,000 
5,994 

14,600 
— 
6,660 

In order to hedge forecasted cash flows related to manufacturing facilities in Mexico, management 
purchased forward contracts to buy Mexican pesos for periods and amounts consistent with the related 
underlying cash flow exposures. At March 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company had outstanding forward 
exchange contracts that mature within approximately one year to purchase Mexican pesos with notional 
amounts of $60.9 million and $57.7 million, respectively. The fair values of the contracts at March 31, 2005 
and 2004, resulted in $3.1 million and $0.3 million of derivative assets, respectively. 

Acquisitions 

In fiscal first quarter 2004, the Company acquired certain assets from Wilson Greatbatch 

Technologies, Inc (“GTI”). The $2.3 million cash purchase included the non-medical, high-voltage and 
high-temperature ceramic capacitor and EMI filter product lines of GTI’s Greatbatch-Sierra, Inc. 
subsidiary. The product lines were acquired as part of the Company’s strategic objective to broaden its 
high-performance capacitor solutions to support customers’ increasing technical requirements. 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In fiscal second quarter 2004, the Company announced it purchased an equity position of $2.5 million 

in Lamina Ceramics, Inc. (“Lamina Ceramics”), and entered into a business agreement with Lamina 
Ceramics to develop and commercialize high-performance, low-temperature co-fired ceramic-on-metal 
(“LTCC-M”) solutions for advanced electronic systems. Lamina Ceramics is a manufacturer of multilayer 
ceramic electronic packages, boards, and components using proprietary LTCC-M technology. As of 
March 31, 2005, the Company and Lamina Ceramics have no products under development and therefore, 
the Company has no liability relating to this business agreement. The Company wrote down its investment 
in Lamina Ceramics by $2.4 million in fiscal year 2005. 

In fiscal third quarter 2004, the Company announced it had acquired The Forest Electric Company 
(“FELCO”) of Melrose Park, Illinois. FELCO manufactures and sells industry-leading custom magnetic 
solutions. This $2.4 million acquisition broadens KEMET's product portfolio, leveraging KEMET's 
industry-leading capabilities in quality, delivery, and service to further penetrate customers in the military, 
aerospace, and industrial market segments. Approximately $2.1 million of goodwill was recorded as part of 
the transaction. 

Adoption of Accounting Standards 

In May 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150, “Accounting for 

Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equities” (“SFAS No. 150”). 
SFAS No. 150 requires issuers to classify as liabilities (or assets in some circumstances) three classes of 
freestanding financial instruments that embody obligations for the issuer. Generally, SFAS No. 150 is 
effective for financial instruments entered or modified after May 31, 2003, and is otherwise effective at the 
beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not 
significantly impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

In May 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP FAS”) 106-2, “Accounting and Disclosure 

Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003”, 
which provides guidance on the accounting for the effects of the Medicare Prescription Drug, 
Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Act”) for employers that sponsor postretirement 
health care plans that provide prescription drug benefits. The Act introduced a prescription drug benefit 
under Medicare (Medicare Part D), as well as, a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit 
plans that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. FSP FAS 106-2 states 
that under the guidance provided by the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, 
“Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions”, health care coverage provided 
by Medicare shall be taken into account in measuring the employer’s postretirement health care obligation 
and that currently enacted changes in relevant laws should be considered in current period measurements 
of net periodic postretirement benefit cost and the accumulated pension benefit obligation. FSP FAS 106-2 
is effective in the first reporting period beginning after June 15, 2004. The adoption of FSP FAS 106-2 in 
the quarter ended September 30, 2004 did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs”. This statement amends 
Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing,” and removes the “so 
abnormal” criterion that under certain circumstances could have led to the capitalization of these items. 
SFAS No. 151 requires that idle facility expense, excess spoilage, double freight and re-handling costs be 
recognized as current period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of “so abnormal” as 
defined in ARB No. 43. SFAS No. 151 also requires that allocation of fixed production overhead expenses 
to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS No. 151 is 
effective for all fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005 (fiscal year 2007). The Company is currently 
evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 151 will have on its consolidated financial statements. 

35 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” 
(“SFAS No. 123(R)”). SFAS No. 123(R) will require companies to measure all employee stock-based 
compensation awards using a fair value method and record such expense in its financial statements. In 
addition, the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) requires additional accounting and disclosure related to the 
income tax and cash flow effects resulting from share-based payment arrangements. SFAS No. 123(R) is 
effective beginning as of the first annual reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005 (fiscal year 2007). 
The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will have on its 
consolidated financial statements. The cumulative effect of adoption, if any, will be measured and 
recognized in the consolidated statements of operations on the date of adoption. 

In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47. FASB Interpretation No. 47 clarifies 

the term “asset retirement obligation” as used in SFAS No. 143 “Accounting for Asset Retirement 
Obligations.” This guidance requires an entity to record a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset 
retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Since this is an 
interpretation, the effective date is immediate. This interpretation does not have an impact on the 
consolidated financial statements of the Company. 

In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. 109-1. FSP No. 109-1 provides 
guidance on the application of SFAS No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes” as it relates to the provision 
within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 which allows a tax deduction on qualified production 
activities. The Company considered this FSP during our fiscal year-end preparation of the tax accrual and 
notes that it did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. 

In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. 109-2. FSP No. 109-2 addresses 

the special one-time dividends received deduction on repatriation of certain foreign earnings to a U.S. 
taxpayer created by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. As of March 31, 2005, unremitted earnings of 
the subsidiaries outside the United States were deemed to be permanently invested. No current plans are 
expected for repatriation under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. No deferred tax liability was 
recognized with regard to such earnings. It is not practicable to estimate the income tax liability that might 
be incurred if such earnings were remitted to the United States. 

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” 
information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The 
Company’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. 
The cautionary statements set forth herein under the heading Safe Harbor Statement identify 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 on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of 
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 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 necessarily 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 important factors, among others, in some 

cases have affected, and in the future could affect, KEMET’s actual results and could cause KEMET’s 

36 

actual consolidated results for the fiscal first quarter 2006 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: 

A moderating growth rate in end-use products that incorporate the Company’s products and the 

effects of a downturn in the general 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 and China, 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 continue to meet rising demand for surface-mount capacitors; 

Occurrences affecting the slope or speed of decline of the pricing curve for the Company’s 

products, or affecting KEMET’s ability to reduce product and other costs, and to increase 
productivity; the effect of changes in the mix of products sold and the resulting effects on gross 
margins; 

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, particularly 
tantalum powder and ceramic dielectric materials; the effects of significant price increases for 
tantalum, palladium, or silver or an inability to obtain adequate supplies of tantalum from the limited 
number of suppliers; 

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

and the impact of unusual items resulting from KEMET’s ongoing evaluation of its business 
strategies, asset valuations, and organizational structure; 

The acquisition of fixed assets and other assets, including inventories and accounts receivable; the 

making or incurring of any expenditures and expenses, including, but not limited to, depreciation and 
research and development expenses; and the amount of and any changes to tax rates; or 

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 fluctuations; 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 governments and legal systems; intergovernmental disputes; the costs and 
other effects of legal and administrative cases and proceedings (whether civil, such as environmental 
and product-related, or criminal); settlements, investigations, claims, and changes in those items; 
lawsuits, 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; the amount, type, and 
cost of the financing which the Company has and any changes to that financing; the effects of severe 
weather 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 
communications 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 fiscal years except as noted in the following discussion in Commodity Price Risk. 

37 

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk 

A portion of the Company’s sales to its customers and operating costs in Europe are denominated in 

the euro, thereby creating an exposure to foreign currency exchange rates. Also, a portion of the 
Company’s costs in its Mexican operations are denominated in Mexican pesos, creating an exposure to 
foreign currency exchange rates. In order to minimize its exposure, the Company will periodically enter 
into forward foreign exchange contracts in which the future cash flows in the euro or Mexican peso are 
hedged against the U.S. dollar. At March 31, 2005, the Company had open foreign exchange contracts to 
purchase Mexican pesos with a notional amount of $60.9 million and a fair value of $3.1 million. The 
Company did not have any euro foreign exchange contracts outstanding at March 31, 2005. See note 15 to 
the consolidated financial statements. 

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 
if there is no underlying business transaction supporting or related to the derivative financial instrument. 

Commodity Price Risk 

The Company purchases various precious metals used in the manufacture of capacitors and is 
therefore exposed to certain commodity price risks. These precious metals consist primarily of palladium 
and tantalum. 

Palladium is a precious metal used in the manufacture of multilayer ceramic capacitors and is mined 

primarily in Russia and South Africa. Currently, the Company uses forward contracts and spot buys to 
secure the acquisition of palladium and manage the price volatility in the market. The Company is also 
aggressively pursuing ways to reduce palladium usage in ceramic capacitors and minimize the price risk. 

Tantalum powder is a metal used in the manufacture of tantalum capacitors. Management believes 

the tantalum needed has generally been available in sufficient quantities to meet manufacturing 
requirements. However, the 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. Limited 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. As a 
result of the fluctuations in tantalum prices and the need to assure a supply of tantalum powder, the 
Company entered into a long-term supply agreement for tantalum powder at the then-prevailing market 
rate. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company recorded $12.4 million and 
$40.8 million, respectively, of charges related to a tantalum inventory purchase commitment that exceeded 
market prices. In addition, due to the renegotiation of a tantalum inventory purchase agreement, the 
Company recorded a gain on the purchase commitment of $11.8 million during fiscal year 2005. See 
Critical Accounting Policies and Long-Term Supply Agreement. Also, see notes 10 and 15 to the 
consolidated financial statements. 

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 

The response to this item is submitted as a separate section of this Form 10-K. See Item 16. 

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND 

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 

None. 

38 

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

(a).  The Company’s management evaluated, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and 

Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of 
March 31, 2005. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have 
concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2005, 
which is the end of the period covered by this report. 

(b).  During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2005, there were no changes in the Company’s internal 

control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, 
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. 

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

Refer to “Report of Management” and “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” 

on pages 48, 49, and 50 of KEMET’s Fiscal Year 2005 Form 10-K. There has been no change in the 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal fourth quarter 2005 that 
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to material affect, the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting. 

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION 

None. 

39 

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CERTAIN KEY EMPLOYEES OF THE 

REGISTRANT 

PART III 

Name  
Per-Olof Loof(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James P. McClintock . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
David E. Gable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
J. Kelly Vogt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Larry C. McAdams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Daniel E. LaMorte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dr. Philip M. Lessner . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  Age  

Position 

54   Chief Executive Officer and Director 
49   President and Chief Operating Officer 
45   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
43   Vice President, Sales and Marketing 
53   Vice President, Human Resources 
59   Vice President and Chief Information Officer  
Vice President, Tantalum Technology & 
46

Technical Marketing 

Guy T. Williams, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James A. Bruorton III . . . . . . . . . . . . .
John E. Schneider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
John R. Warner III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

52   Vice President, Engineering and Facilities 
56   Vice President, Global Distribution Sales 
50   Vice President, Sales—Asia 
Vice President, Strategy and 
45

Donald R. Aldworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Joseph S. Porter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Michael W. Boone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

56   Vice President, Quality 
48   Vice President, Sales—Americas 
54

Treasurer, Senior Director of Finance and 

Communications 

Secretary 

Frank G. Brandenberg . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maureen E. Grzelakowski . . . . . . . . . .
E. Erwin Maddrey, II . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
David E. Maguire(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Joseph D. Swann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charles E. Volpe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

58   Chairman of the Board of Directors 
51   Director 
64   Director 
70   Former Chairman of the Board of Directors 
63   Director 
67   Director 

Years with 
  Company(1)

0
26
8
22
22
1

9
26
32
21

5
20
25

18
0
0
0
44
0
30

(1)—Includes service with UCC. 

(2)—Mr. Loof joined the Company on April 4, 2005. 

(3)—Mr. Maguire retired as Chairman of the Company and as a Director on March 31, 2005. 

Directors and Executive Officers 

Per-Olof Loof, Chief Executive Officer and Director, was named such in April 2005. Mr. Loof was 

previously the Managing Partner of QuanStar Group LLC, a management consulting firm. Prior thereto, 
he served as Chief Executive Officer of Sensormatic Electronics Corporation and in various management 
roles with Andersen Consulting, Digital Equipment Corporation, AT&T and NCR. Mr. Loof serves as a 
board member of Global Options Inc., and Devcon International Corporation. He received a “civilekonom 
examen” degree in economics and business administration from the Stockholm School of Economics. 

James P. McClintock, President and Chief Operating Officer, was named such in November 2003. 
Previously, he served as Vice President, Global Manufacturing, and led the start-up of the Company’s 
newest facility located in Suzhou, China. He has been employed with UCC/KEMET for 26 years with prior 
assignments in engineering, technology, and manufacturing. Mr. McClintock holds a B.S. in Mechanical 
Engineering from North Carolina State University. 

David E. Gable, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, joined KEMET in 1998 in the position of 

Corporate Controller. He served in that capacity until he was appointed to his current position in 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 2003. Prior to joining KEMET, Mr. Gable held numerous financial positions with Michelin 
North America. He has also had previous experience in public accounting and is a Certified Public 
Accountant (“CPA”). Mr. Gable received an MBA from Clemson University and a BS in Accounting and 
Mathematics from Anderson University. 

J. Kelly Vogt, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, joined UCC/KEMET in 1984 as a Production 

Supervisor in tantalum manufacturing. In 1986, he joined Field Sales as a Sales Representative in 
Schaumburg, Illinois. Subsequent assignments included District Sales Manager (Mid-Atlantic), Global 
Account Manager (General Motors), and Director of Sales. In 1998, he returned to Greenville, SC, as 
Director of Ceramic Marketing, and was later appointed Vice President, Sales Worldwide in 2003. He 
assumed his current position in 2004. Mr. Vogt received his B.S. degree from Tusculum College. 

Larry C. McAdams, Vice President, Human Resources, joined UCC/KEMET in 1983. He previously 

served as the site Human Resources Manager at the Columbus, GA; Shelby, NC; and Fountain Inn, SC, 
plants. Since 1991, he has been assigned to the corporate HR staff, where he was appointed a Director in 
1999, Senior Director in 2002, and Vice President in 2003. Mr. McAdams received a B.A. in Political 
Science from Clemson University and attended the University of South Carolina School of Law. 

Daniel E. LaMorte, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, joined KEMET as such in 

May 2004. Prior to joining KEMET, Mr. LaMorte held numerous Information Technology positions with 
Keycorp, Elf Acquitaine, Fisher Scientific and U.S. Steel Corp. Mr. LaMorte had previously served a Vice 
President of Worldwide Marketing and Sales for Chemcut, a manufacturer of capital equipment and 
chemicals in the electronics industry. Prior to Keycorp, Mr. LaMorte served as Chief Information Officer 
at Submit Order, an E-commerce start-up in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. LaMorte holds a B.S. degree from the 
University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. 

Frank G. Brandenberg, Chairman and Director, was named such in October 2003. Before his 
retirement in 2003, Mr. Brandenberg was a Corporate Vice President and Sector President of Northrop 
Grumman Corporation. Prior to joining Northrop, he previously spent 28 years at Unisys where his last 
position was Corporate Vice President and President, Client/Server Systems, and then later served as the 
President and Chief Executive Officer of EA Industries, Inc. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in 
Industrial Engineering and a Masters of Science degree in Operations Research from Wayne State 
University and completed the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School. 

Maureen E. Grzelakowski, Director, was named such in November 2004. Ms. Grzelakowski is a 
technology industry consultant and is a senior advisor to Investor Growth Capital. Ms. Grzelakowski 
previously held management positions with AT&T and Motorola, and was most recently the Senior Vice 
President responsible for Wireless Activity at Dell Computer Co. Ms. Grzelakowski serves as a board 
member of Vallent Corporation. She received a Masters of Science degree in Computer Science, a Masters 
of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science/electrical 
engineering from Northwestern University. 

E. Erwin Maddrey, II, Director, was named such in May 1992. Mr. Maddrey is President of Maddrey 
and Associates. Mr. Maddrey was President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director of Delta Woodside 
Industries, a textile manufacturer, from 1984 through June 2000. Prior thereto, Mr. Maddrey served as 
President, Chief Operating Officer, and Director of Riegel Textile Corporation. Mr. Maddrey also serves 
on the board of directors for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of South Carolina; Delta Woodside Industries, Inc.; 
Delta Apparel Company; and Renfro Corp. 

David E. Maguire served as Chairman from August 1992 until his retirement in March 2005 and as 
Chief Executive Officer and Director from December 1990 until January 2002. Mr. Maguire also served as 
President from November 1997 until June 1999 and from December 1990 until October 1996. Previously, 
Mr. Maguire served as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of KEMET Electronics 

41 

Corporation from April 1987 until December 1990. He also served in a number of capacities with the 
KEMET capacitor business of Union Carbide, most recently as Vice President from June 1978 until 
April 1987. 

Joseph D. Swann, Director, was named such in October 2003. Mr. Swann is the President of Rockwell 
Automation Power Systems and a Senior Vice President of Rockwell Automation. Mr. Swann also serves 
on the board of directors for Velocys Corporation and Axiom Automotive Technologies. He earned a 
Bachelor of Science degree in Ceramic Engineering from Clemson University and a Masters of Business 
Administration degree from Case Western Reserve University. 

Charles E. Volpe, Director, was named such in December 1990. Prior to his retirement from KEMET 

Corporation in March 1996, Mr. Volpe served as President and Chief Operating Officer (October 1995- 
March 1996), Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (October 1992-October 1995), 
Executive Vice President (December 1990-October 1992), and Executive Vice President and Director of 
KEMET Electronics Corporation (April 1987-December 1990). Between August 1966 and April 1987, he 
served in a number of capacities with the KEMET capacitor business of Union Carbide, most recently as 
General Manager. 

Other Key Employees 

Dr. Philip M. Lessner, Vice President, Tantalum Technology & Technical Marketing, was named such 

in August 2004. He joined KEMET in 1996 and previously served as Director of Technical Marketing 
Services and Director of Business Identification since May 2003. Dr. Lessner received a Ph.D. in Chemical 
Engineering with a focus in Electrochemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and a 
Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Cooper Union. 

Guy T. Williams, Jr., Vice President, Engineering and Facilities, joined UCC/KEMET in 1979 as 
Maintenance Superintendent in the Simpsonville Plant. Subsequent assignments have included five years 
as Production Superintendent for the Shelby Plant and, since 1988, various positions in the Equipment 
Engineering Department including Process Equipment Manager, Ceramic Equipment Manager, and most 
recently, Ceramic Equipment Engineering Director. Mr. Williams holds a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical 
Engineering from Clemson University. 

James A. Bruorton III, Vice President, Global Distribution Sales, was named such in 2005. He joined 

UCC/KEMET in 1973 in the Human Resources Department. In 1974, he transferred to the marketing 
administration and sales organization and has held a number of different management positions. These 
included Manager, Marketing Administration Group; South Central District Sales Manager; Senior 
Director, Global Distribution Sales; and most recently Vice President, Global Channel Sales. 
Mr. Bruorton received his B.S. in Industrial Education from Clemson University. 

John E. Schneider, Vice President Sales—Asia, joined UCC/KEMET in 1984 as a Sales 

Representative in San Diego, California. In 1985, he was promoted to District Manager and later Area 
Manager covering Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. In 1994, Mr. Schneider was transferred 
to Singapore to be Director of S.E. Asia Operations to expand KEMET’s sales and warehousing 
capabilities. In 1998, he returned to California to become Senior Director, Western Area, which included 
the establishment of sales and warehousing operations in Latin America. In 2003, Mr. Schneider was 
appointed Vice President, Sales-America, prior to accepting his current assignment in 2004. He received 
his B.S. degree in Selling and Sales Management from Bowling Green State University. 

John R. Warner III, Vice President, Strategy and Communications, joined KEMET in 2000 as 
Director of Investor and Public Relations. Prior to joining KEMET, he was President of Capital Insights, 
LLC, a venture capital firm, and previously he was a CPA with KPMG LLP, leaving as Senior Manager. 

42 

Mr. Warner received a Masters of Accountancy from the University of Georgia and B.S. in Accounting 
from Clemson University. 

Donald R. Aldworth, Vice President, Quality, was appointed such in February 2004. He joined the 
Company in 1985 and was responsible for the production scheduling and quality function for the newly 
formed tantalum chip startup operation at the Mauldin Plant. He has worked in a variety of manufacturing 
and quality positions, including Director of Operations of the Matamoros Plants from 1999 to 2002. Prior 
to joining KEMET, he worked for Westinghouse Electric and Century Motors. Mr. Aldworth holds a 
B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. 

Joseph S. Porter, Vice President, Sales—Americas, joined KEMET in 1980 as a Customer 
Specifications Analyst in Simpsonville, SC. Since 1983, he has held numerous positions in the sales 
organization including account management, global market segment management, and geographical 
management covering the Southeastern and most recently the Midwestern U.S. States and Canada. 
Mr. Porter holds a B.A. degree in Biology from Erskine College. 

Michael W. Boone, Treasurer, Senior Director of Finance and Secretary, was named Senior Director 
of Finance in 2004, Secretary in April 2001, and Treasurer in August 2000. Mr. Boone joined KEMET in 
June 1987 as Manager of Credit and Cash Management. Mr. Boone holds a B.B.A. in Banking and 
Finance from the University of Georgia. 

Audit Committee 

KEMET has an Audit Committee made up of the following independent, non-management directors: 

E. Erwin Maddrey, II (Chairman of Audit Committee), Frank G. Brandenberg, and Maureen E. 
Grzelakowski. Mr. Maddrey is KEMET’s “Audit Committee Financial Expert;” however, 
Mr. Brandenberg and Ms. Grzelakowski both have prior financial statement experience. All three have 
served on audit committees with other companies. The Charter for KEMET’s Audit Committee (the 
“Charter”) can be found in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its annual stockholders’ meeting 
to be held on July 20, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Charter can also be 
downloaded, free of charge, from KEMET’s website at http://www.kemet.com. 

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 

The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive 
proxy statement for its annual stockholders’ meeting to be held on July 20, 2005. The information specified 
in Item 402(k) and (1) of Regulation S-K and set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 
annual stockholders’ meeting to be held on July 20, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference. 

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT 

The information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive 

proxy statement for its annual stockholders’ meeting to be held on July 20, 2005. 

43 

Equity Compensation Plan Disclosure 

The following table summarizes equity compensation plans approved by security holders and equity 

compensation plans that were not approved by security holders as of March 31, 2005: 

(a) 

(b) 

Number of 
securities to 
be issued upon
exercise of 
outstanding 
options, warrants,
and rights 

Weighted-average
exercise price 
of outstanding
options, warrants,
and rights 

(c) 
Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity 
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in 
column (a)) 

Plan category   
Equity compensation plans approved by 

stockholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

2,853,915 

$ 11.88 

 4,109,320 

Equity compensation plans not 

approved by stockholders . . . . . . . . . . .  
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

1,590,855 
4,444,770 

$ 13.61 
$ 12.50 

  236,245 
 4,345,565 

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS 

The information required by Item 13 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive 

proxy statement for its annual stockholders’ meeting to be held on July 20, 2005. 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES 

PART IV 

Information regarding the fees and services of KEMET’s principal accountants is incorporated by 
reference to the material under the heading “Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting 
Firm” in the Company definitive proxy statement for its annual stockholders’ meeting to be held on 
July 20, 2005. 

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 

(a)  (1)  Financial Statements 

The following financial statements are filed as a part of this report: 

Managements’ Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm On Managements’ Assessment of 

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Financial Statements: 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2005 and 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended 

March 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003. . . . .
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

48

49
51

52
53

54
55
56

(a)  (2)  Financial Statement Schedules 

Financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or because the required 

information is included in the financial statements or notes. 

(a)  (3)  List of Exhibits 

The following exhibits are filed herewith or are incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed 

with the Commission. 

3.1 

3.2 

4.1 

10.1 

10.2 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant, as amended to date (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter 
ended December 31, 1992). 

By-laws of the registrant, as amended to date (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the 
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended December 31, 1992). 

Certificate representing shares of Common Stock of the registrant (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Reg. No. 33-48056]). 

Registration Agreement, dated as of December 21, 1990, by and among the registrant and each 
of the investors and executives listed on the schedule of investors and executives attached thereto 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement of Form S-1 
[Reg. No. 33-48056]). 

Form of Amendment No. 1 to Registration Agreement, dated as of April 28, 1993 (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Reg. 
No. 33-61898]). 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.3 

10.4 

10.5 

10.6 

10.7 

10.8 

10.9 

10.10 

10.11 

10.12 

10.13 

10.14 

10.15 

10.16 

10.17 

Services Agreement, dated as of December 21, 1990, as amended as of March 30, 1992, by and 
between the registrant and KEMET Electronics Corporation (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Reg. No. 33-48056]). 

1992 Executive Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s 
Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Reg. No. 33-48056]). 

Form of Grant of Nonqualified Stock Option, dated April 6, 1992, by and between the registrant 
and each of the executives listed on the schedule attached thereto (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.12.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Reg. No. 33-48056]). 

Form of KEMET Electronics Corporation Distributor Agreement (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Reg. No. 33-48056]). 

Form of KEMET Electronics Corporation Standard Order Acknowledgment, Quotation, and 
Volume Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s 
Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Reg. No. 33-48056]). 

Form of KEMET Electronics Corporation Product Warranty (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Reg. No. 33-48056]). 

Amendment No. 1 to Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of December 21, 1990. The 
registrant agrees to furnish supplementally to the Commission a copy of any omitted schedule or 
exhibit to the Agreement upon Request by the Commission (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.20.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Reg. No. 33-48056]). 

Form of Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Managers effective as of January 1, 1995 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
the year ended March 31, 1995). 

Form of Collateral Assignment and Split Dollar Insurance (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Annual Report of Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 
1995). 

1995 Executive Stock Option Plan by and between the registrant and each of the executives listed 
on the schedule attached hereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1996). 

Executive Bonus Plan by and between the registrant and each of the executives listed on the 
schedule attached hereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1996). 

Amendment No. 2 to Services Agreement by and between the registrant and KEMET 
Electronics Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4.1 to the Company’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1996). 

Amendment No. 3 to Services Agreement dated as of January 1, 1996, by and between the 
registrant and KEMET Electronics Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4.2 to 
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1996). 

Amendment No. 4 to Services Agreement dated as of March 1, 1996, by and between the 
registrant and KEMET Electronics Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4.3 to 
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1996). 

Amendment No. 1 to KEMET Corporation 1992 Key Employee Stock Option Plan effective 
October 23, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report 
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2000). 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.18 

2004 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the 
Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 [Reg. No. 333-123308]). 

10.19   KEMET’s Code of Business Integrity and Ethics 

21.1    Subsidiaries of KEMET Corporation 

23.1    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

31.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 

31.2    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 

32.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 

32.2    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 

47 

 
 
Managements’ Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

KEMET Corporation and Subsidiaries 

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

Responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of the financial information presented in this Annual 

Report rests with KEMET’s management. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, applying certain estimates and judgments 
as required. 

KEMET maintains an effective internal control structure. It consists, in part, of organizational 
arrangements with clearly defined lines of responsibility and delegation of authority, and comprehensive 
systems and control procedures. An important element of the control environment is an ongoing internal 
audit program. Our system contains self-monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct 
deficiencies as they are identified. 

To assure the effective administration of internal controls, we carefully select and train our 

employees, develop and disseminate written policies and procedures, provide appropriate communication 
channels, and foster an environment conducive to the effective functioning of controls. We believe that it is 
essential for the Company to conduct its business affairs in accordance with the highest ethical standards. 

KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, is retained to audit KEMET’s 
consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s 
internal control over financial reporting.  Its accompanying report is based on audits conducted in 
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is composed solely of independent, non-management 
directors, and is responsible for recommending to the Board the independent registered public accounting 
firm to be retained for the coming year, subject to stockholder ratification. The Audit Committee meets 
periodically and privately with the independent registered public accounting firm, with the Company’s 
internal auditors, as well as with KEMET management, to review accounting, auditing, internal control 
structure and financial reporting matters. 

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial 

reporting of the Company. 

Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting 

based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded 
that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2005. 
Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting 
as of March 31, 2005 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, 
as stated in their report which is included herein. 

/s/ PER-OLOF LOOF   
Per-Olof Loof 
Chief Executive Officer 

/s/ DAVID E. GABLE   
David E. Gable 
Chief Financial and Accounting Officer 

48 

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders 
KEMET Corporation: 

We have audited managements’ assessment, included in the accompanying Managements’ Report on 

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that KEMET Corporation maintained effective internal 
control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control—
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission (COSO). KEMET Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective 
internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over 
financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on managements’ assessment and an 
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting 
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain 
reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in 
all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial 
reporting, evaluating managements’ assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating 
effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the 
circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable 
assurance regarding the reliability of the financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for 
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal 
control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance 
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the 
assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to 
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, 
and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations 
of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention 
or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have 
a material effect on the financial statements. 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect 
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk 
that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance 
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 

In our opinion, managements’ assessment that KEMET Corporation maintained effective internal 

control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2005, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on 
criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also, in our opinion, KEMET Corporation 
maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2005, 
based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). 

49 

 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight 

Board (United States), the Consolidated Balance Sheets of KEMET Corporation and subsidiaries as of 
March 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statement of operations, stockholders’ equity and 
comprehensive loss, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2005 
and our report dated June 14, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial 
statements. 

Greenville, South Carolina 
June 14, 2005 

/s/ KPMG LLP 
KPMG LLP 

50 

 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

The Board of Directors 
KEMET Corporation: 

We have audited the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets of KEMET Corporation and 

subsidiaries as of March 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations, 
stockholders’ equity and comprehensive loss, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period 
ended March 31, 2005. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s 
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based 
on our audits. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting 
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain 
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit 
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial 
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made 
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our 
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material 
respects, the financial position of KEMET Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2005 and 2004, 
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended 
March 31, 2005, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight 
Board (United States), the effectiveness of KEMET Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting 
as of March 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by 
the Committee on Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated 
June 14, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of, and the effective 
operation of, internal control over financial reporting. 

Greenville, South Carolina 
June 14, 2005 

/s/ KPMG LLP 
KPMG LLP 

51 

 
 
KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Consolidated Balance Sheets 

Dollars in thousands except per share data 

ASSETS 
Current assets: 

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Accounts receivable, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Inventories: 

Raw materials and supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Work in process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Finished goods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Total inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Property and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Property held for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Investments in U.S. government marketable securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Investments in affiliates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Intangible assets, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
Current liabilities: 

Accounts payable, trade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Income taxes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Total current liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Postretirement benefits and other non-current obligations. . . . . . . . . . . .  
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Total liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

Stockholders’ equity: 

Common stock, par value $0.01, authorized 300,000,000 shares issued 

88,023,605 and 87,953,720 shares at March 31, 2005 and 2004, 
respectively. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Treasury stock, at cost (1,460,455 and 1,485,455 shares at March 31, 

  March 31, 2005 

  March 31, 2004

$  26,898  
34,992  
59,228  

47,534  
41,862  
44,539  
133,935  
9,571  
5,945  
270,569  
279,626  
2,326  
157,576  
682  
30,471  
13,512  
3,335  
$ 758,097  

$  38,943  
34,617  
12,430  
85,990  
100,000  
48,951  
7,953  
242,894  

 $ 183,528 
3,172 
  58,541 

  59,751 
  41,250 
  28,015 
  129,016 
6,979 
  29,046 
  410,282 
  421,835 
2,326 
  84,584 
3,610 
  30,471 
  14,617 
3,321 
 $ 971,046 

 $  38,268 
  42,420 
  15,863 
  96,551 
  100,000 
  61,623 
  28,394 
  286,568 

880  
317,728  
220,846  
2,669  

879 
  317,497 
  394,940 
(1,457)

2005 and 2004, respectively) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Total stockholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

(26,920 )   
515,203  

  (27,381)
  684,478 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

$ 758,097  

 $ 971,046 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

52 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Consolidated Statements of Operations 

Dollars in thousands except per share data 

Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

$ 

Fiscal years ended March 31, 
2004 
433,882  

2005 
425,338 

$ 

$ 

Operating costs and expenses: 

Cost of goods sold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
(Gain)/loss on long-term supply contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Selling, general and administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Research and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Pension plan settlement charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Restructuring and impairment charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Total operating costs and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Operating loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

Other (income) and expense: 

Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Other expense/(income) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Loss before income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Income tax (benefit)/expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

Net loss per share: 

402,974 
(11,767) 
51,734 
26,639 
618 
129,982 
600,180 
(174,842) 

(6,295) 
6,511 
(2,849) 
(172,209) 
1,885 

413,980  
12,355  
51,246  
24,449  
50,398  
40,468  
592,896  
(159,014 ) 

(3,847 ) 
6,472  
(3,311 ) 
(158,328 ) 
(46,353 ) 

$  (174,094)  $  (111,975 )  $ 

2003 
447,332

392,143
40,833
54,390
25,268
—
31,700
544,334
(97,002)

(3,818)
6,097
(11,387)
(87,894)
(31,906)
(55,988)

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

$ 
$ 

(2.01)  $ 
(2.01)  $ 

(1.30 )  $ 
(1.30 )  $ 

(0.65)
(0.65)

Weighted-average shares outstanding: 

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

86,518,923 
86,518,923 

86,412,281  
86,412,281  

86,167,563
86,167,563

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Loss 

Dollars in thousands except share amounts 

Balance at March 31, 2002 . . . . . . .

Comprehensive income (loss): 

Net loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrealized loss on foreign 

exchange contracts, net $3,547 
tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrealized securities loss, net $283 
tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign currency translation gain   

Total comprehensive loss . . . . . . . .
Exercise of stock options. . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit on exercise of stock 

options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Purchases of stock by employee 

savings plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Put options proceeds. . . . . . . . . . . .
Put options settlement . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at March 31, 2003 . . . . . . .

Comprehensive income (loss): 

Net loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrealized gain on foreign 

exchange contracts, net $875 tax  

Unrealized securities gain, net 

$709 tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign currency translation loss.
Total comprehensive loss . . . . . . . .
Exercise of stock options. . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit on exercise of stock 

options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Purchases of stock by employee 

savings plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Put options settlement . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at March 31, 2004 . . . . . . .

Comprehensive income (loss): 

Net loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrealized gain on foreign 

exchange contracts, net $120 tax  

Unrealized securities gain, net $0 
tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign currency translation gain   

Total comprehensive loss . . . . . . . .
Exercise of stock options. . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit on exercise of stock 

options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Purchases of stock by employee 

savings plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at March 31, 2005 . . . . . . .

Common Stock 

Outstanding
Shares 
85,923,365  

  Amount
$ 878   

  Additional
Paid-In
Capital 
$ 321,734  

Retained
Earnings
$  562,903 

  Accumulated 

Other 
Comprehensive 
Income (Loss) 
$  3,808 

Total 
Stock 
holders’
Equity 
$  855,045 

Treasury 
Stock 
$ (34,278 ) 

—  

—   

—  

(55,988) 

— 

—  

(55,988)

—  

—  
—  

228,430  

—  

87,671  
—  
—  
86,239,466  

—  

—  

—  
—  

145,810  

—  

82,989  
—  
86,468,265  

—  

—  

—  
—  

25,000  

—  

—   

—   
—   

—   

—   

1   
—   
—   
879   

—   

—   

—   
—   

—   

—   

—   
—   
879   

—   

—   

—   
—   

—   

—   

—  

—  
—  

(1,486) 

728  

1,070  
225  
(3,726) 
318,545  

—  

—  

—  
—  

(1,876) 

212  

841  
(225) 
317,497  

—  

—  

—  
—  

(314) 

(212) 

— 

— 
— 

— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
506,915 

(111,975) 

— 

— 
— 

— 

— 

— 
— 
394,940 

(174,094) 

— 

— 
— 

— 

— 

(6,451) 

(620) 
267 

— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
(2,996) 

— 

1,047 

538 
(46) 

— 

— 

— 
— 
(1,457) 

— 

3,685 

361 
80 

— 

— 

—  

—  
—  

4,210  

(6,451)

(620)
267 
(62,792)
2,724 

—  

728 

—  
—  
—  
(30,068 ) 

—  

—  

—  
—  

2,687  

1,071 
225 
(3,726)
793,275 

(111,975)

1,047 

538 
(46)
(110,436)
811 

—  

212 

—  
—  
(27,381 ) 

841 
(225)
684,478 

—  

—  

—  
—  

461  

—  

(174,094)

3,685 

361 
80 
(169,968)
147 

(212)

69,885  
86,563,150  

1   
$ 880   

757  
$ 317,728  

— 
$  220,846 

— 
$  2,669 

—  
$ (26,920 ) 

758 
$  515,203 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
   
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
   
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
   
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 

Dollars in thousands 

Fiscal Years ended March 31, 
2004 

       2003       

2005 

Sources (uses) of cash and cash equivalents 

Operating activities: 

Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ (174,094)  $ (111,975 ) 
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by 

 $ (55,988)

(used in) operating activities: 
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges. . . . . . . . . . .  
Loss/(gain) on long-term supply contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Other non-current obligations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Gain/(loss) on investments and interest rate swaps . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Loss/(gain) 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/(expense) of stock options exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities . . . . . . . . . .  

Investing activities: 

Purchases of short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Additions to property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Investment in affiliates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Product line acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Proceeds from termination of interest rate swaps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Investment in U.S. government marketable securities. . . . . . . . . . . .  
Proceeds from U.S. government marketable securities called . . . . .  
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Net cash used in investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

171,087 
(11,767) 
(612) 
3,135 
10,307 
2,552 
78 

(687) 
(2,963) 
(310) 
711 
(9,977) 
(212) 
(12,752) 

(20,049) 
13,177 
(39,581) 
— 
— 
660 
(104,071) 
5,000 
81 
(144,783) 

89,403  
12,355  
4,006  
(360 ) 
(1,451 ) 
(42,863 ) 
11,107  

(11,885 ) 
55,058  
(859 ) 
(10,903 ) 
46,607  
212  
38,452  

(32,402 ) 
29,230  
(25,835 ) 
(4,850 ) 
(2,130 ) 
1,406  
(109,983 ) 
25,000  
(598 ) 
(120,162 ) 

Financing activities: 

758 
Proceeds from sale of common stock to employee savings plan . . . .  
147 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
— 
Put option settlement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
— 
Proceeds from put options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
905 
Net cash provided by financing activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
(156,630) 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . .  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of fiscal year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
183,528 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $  26,898 

842  
811  
—  
—  
1,653  
(80,057 ) 
263,585  
$  183,528  

  75,391
  40,833
8,691
(6,317)
1,162
  30,648
  (55,333)

  (23,317)
  75,318
4,670
  (23,886)
  (28,890)
728
  43,710

  (14,959)
  14,959
  (22,197)
(113)
—
6,317
—
—
952
  (15,041)

1,071
2,724
(3,726)
225
294
  28,963
  234,622
 $ 263,585

Supplemental Cash Flow Statement Information: 

Interest paid, including capitalized interest of $136, $132, and $246 

respectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 
Income taxes (received) paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 

6,660 
2,801 

$ 
6,660  
$  (45,216 ) 

 $  6,660
 $ (32,785)

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

Note 1:  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies 

Nature of Business and Organization 

KEMET Corporation which together with its subsidiaries is referred to herein as “KEMET” or the 

“Company” is a leading manufacturer of tantalum capacitors, multilayer ceramic capacitors, and solid 
aluminum capacitors. The Company is headquartered in Simpsonville, South Carolina, and has 
manufacturing plants located in South Carolina, North Carolina, Mexico and China. Additionally, the 
Company has wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries which primarily provide sales support for KEMET’s 
products in foreign markets. 

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, of $17.5 million and $129.1 million at March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, consist 
of direct obligations of the U.S. government, U.S. government agencies, and investment-grade commercial 
paper with an initial term of less than three months. For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash 
Flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months 
or less to be cash equivalents. 

Investments 

Investments consist of debt securities as well as equity securities of public and privately-held 

companies. The debt securities, which consist of U.S. government marketable securities, are classified as 
held-to-maturity securities, mature in excess of three months, and are carried at amortized cost. The effect 
of amortizing these securities is recorded in current income/(loss) as interest income. 

The Company’s equity investments in public companies are classified as available-for-sale securities 

and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses net of tax, reported as a separate component 
of other comprehensive income (loss) until realized. The available-for-sale securities are intended to be 
held for an indefinite period but may be sold in response to unexpected future events. The Company has 
an equity investment with less than 20% ownership interest in a privately-held company. The Company 
does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over this company, and the investment is 
accounted for under the cost method. All of the aforementioned investments are included in “Short-term 
investments,” “Investments in U.S. government marketable securities,” or “Investments in affiliates” on 
the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

A decline in market value of any available-for-sale or held-to-maturity security below cost that is 

deemed to be other-than-temporary results in a reduction in carrying amount to fair value. The 
impairment is charged to income/(loss) and a new cost basis for the security is established. To determine 
whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, the Company considers whether it has the ability and 
intent to hold the investment until a market price recovery and considers whether evidence indicating the 
cost of the investment is recoverable outweighs evidence to the contrary. 

56 

KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 1:  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) 

Derivative Financial Instruments 

Derivative financial instruments are utilized by the Company to reduce exposures to volatility of 
foreign currencies and commodities impacting the cost of its products and to convert its fixed rate debt to a 
floating rate basis. 

The Company accounts for derivatives and hedging activities in accordance with Statement of 
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 (“SFAS No. 133”), “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and 
Hedging Activities,” as amended. SFAS 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 Sheets and 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 derivative financial instruments not designated as a hedge, 
changes in fair value are recognized in income/ (loss). For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, to 
the extent effective, changes in fair value are recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive 
income/(loss) until the hedged item is recognized in income/(loss). Ineffectiveness is recognized 
immediately in income/(loss). For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in fair value are 
recognized in income/(loss). 

Inventories 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of inventories is determined by the 

“first-in, first-out” (FIFO) method. The Company has consigned inventory at certain customer locations 
totaling $3.5 million and $2.6 million at March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. 

Commencing in fiscal year 2003, KEMET included depreciation and amortization as a component of its 
cost of inventories, as required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. When KEMET Electronics 
Corporation was formed as a separate entity in 1987, it continued the Union Carbide practice of expensing 
depreciation and amortization costs in the current period, rather than including such costs as a component of 
inventories and expensing them through cost of goods sold over time. Due to the significant decrease in 
inventories during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, cost in cost of goods sold was reduced by $9.3 million 
compared to the amount the Company would have realized during the fiscal year related to depreciation not 
previously capitalized had the Company previously capitalized depreciation and amortization. The Company 
has considered the effect of this change in policy on fiscal year 2004 and prior consolidated financial 
statements and confirmed that had the Company adopted this policy previously, it would not have resulted in 
any material changes to those consolidated financial statements. 

Property and Equipment 

Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is calculated 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 shorter 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 equipment, the related  

57 

KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 1:  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) 

cost and accumulated depreciation are removed and any gain or loss is recognized. In October 2001, the 
FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or 
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (SFAS No. 144). SFAS No. 144 requires entities to test long-lived assets, 
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 able to recover the carrying value of such 
assets. An impairment loss would be recognized for an asset that is assessed as being impaired. 
SFAS No. 144 was adopted by the Company effective April 1, 2002. Reviews are regularly performed to 
determine whether facts and circumstances exist which indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not 
be recoverable. The Company assesses the recoverability of its assets by comparing the projected 
undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their remaining lives 
against their respective carrying amounts. Impairment, if any, is based on the excess of the carrying amount 
over the fair value of those assets. The Company has to make certain assumptions as to the future cash 
flows to be generated by the underlying assets. Those items include the amount of volume increases, 
average selling prices decreases, anticipated cost reductions, and the estimated remaining useful life of the 
equipment. Fair market value is based on the discounted cash flows that the equipment will generate over 
the remaining useful lives. The Company recorded $108.7 million, $16.3 million, and $4.6 million in 
impairment losses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. See note 13 for a 
further discussion on these impairment losses. 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets 

The Company adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” on April 1, 2002. 
Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill, which represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets 
acquired, and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are no longer amortized but will be tested for 
impairment at least on an annual basis in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142. See Note 2, 
“Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for a discussion of the adoption of SFAS 142 and the annual goodwill 
and other identifiable intangible assets impairment tests. 

The Company’s goodwill is tested for impairment at least on an annual basis. The impairment test 
involves a comparison of the fair value of its reporting unit as defined under SFAS No. 142, with carrying 
amounts. If the reporting unit’s aggregated carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then an indication exists 
that the reporting unit’s goodwill may be impaired. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the 
amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit being measured exceeds its fair value, up to the 
total amount of its assets. The Company determined fair value based on a market approach which 
incorporates quoted market prices of the Company’s common stock and the premiums offered to obtain 
controlling interest for companies in the electronics industry. KEMET performs its impairment tests 
during the first quarter of each fiscal year and when otherwise warranted. In addition, KEMET also 
performs its annual impairment test on the goodwill related to the acquired The Forest Electric Company 
(“FELCO”) each year in the fiscal third quarter. No impairment was noted during that test. 

The Company also tests impairment of other identifiable intangible assets including indefinite-lived 
trademarks, as well as patents and technology that have definite lives and will continue to be amortized. 
For purposes of determining the fair value of its trademarks, the Company uses a discounted cash flow 
model that considers the costs of royalties in the absence of trademarks owned by the Company. 

58 

KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 1:  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) 

Other Assets 

Other assets consist principally of the cash surrender value of life insurance policies and deferred 

compensation assets. 

Deferred Income Taxes 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. 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. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to 
apply to taxable income in the fiscal years in which those temporary differences are expected to be 
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized 
in income in the period that includes the enactment date. 

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 
interpretations 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 SFAS 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. 

Had compensation costs for the Company’s three stock option plans been determined based on the 
fair value at the grant date for awards in fiscal years 2005, 2004, and 2003, consistent with the provisions of 
Statement No. 123, the Company’s net loss and loss per share would have been increased to the pro forma 
amounts indicated below (dollars in thousands except per share data): 

Fiscal Years ended March 31, 
2004 

2005 

2003 

Net loss as reported  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ (174,094)  $ (111,975 )  $ (55,988) 

Less stock-based compensation expense determined under fair-

value-based methods, net of related tax effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

(3,601) 
Pro forma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ (179,300)  $ (115,563 )  $ (59,589) 

(3,588 ) 

(5,206) 

Net loss per share: 
Basic  

Diluted  

As reported  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 
Pro forma  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 
As reported  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 
Pro forma  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 

(2.01)  $ 
(2.07)  $ 
(2.01)  $ 
(2.07)  $ 

(1.30 )  $ 
(1.34 )  $ 
(1.30 )  $ 
(1.34 )  $ 

(0.65) 
(0.69) 
(0.65) 
(0.69) 

The pro forma amounts indicated above recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over 

the vesting period of the grant. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using 
the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: expected life of 
5 years for 2005, 2004, and 2003; a risk-free interest rate of 2.2% for fiscal year 2005, 1.0% for fiscal year  

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 1:  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) 

2004, and 2.8% for fiscal year 2003; expected volatility of 35.3% for fiscal year 2005, 54.1% for fiscal year 
2004, and 54.8% for fiscal year 2003; and a dividend yield of 0.0% for all three fiscal years. 

Concentrations of Credit and Other Risks 

The Company sells to customers located throughout the United States and the world. Credit 

evaluations of its customers’ financial conditions are performed periodically, and the Company generally 
does not require collateral from its customers. Two customers each accounted for more than 10% of net 
sales in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003. There were no customers’ accounts 
receivable balances exceeding 10% of the total at March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. 

The Company, as well as the industry, utilizes electronics distributors for a large percentage of its 

sales. Electronics distributors are an effective means to distribute the products to the end-users. For the 
fiscal years ending March 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, net sales to electronics distributors accounted for 52%, 
51%, and 43%, respectively, of the Company’s total net sales. 

The Company has the majority of its manufacturing being performed in Mexico where 77% of the 

Company’s employees work. Of this 77%, approximately 68% of these employees are unionized as 
required by Mexican law. 

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 Operations. 

Translation of other foreign operations to U.S. dollars occurs using the current exchange rate for 

balance sheet accounts and an average exchange rate for results of operations. Such translation gains or 
losses are recognized as a component of equity in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss). 

Comprehensive Income/(Loss) 

Comprehensive income/(loss) consists of net income/(losses), foreign currency translation 

gains/(losses), unrealized gains/(losses) from available-for-sale securities, and unrealized gains/(losses) 
from cash flow hedges and is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and 
Comprehensive Loss. 

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) contained in the stockholders’ equity section of the 

Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of the following: 

Currency forward contract gains/(losses), net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Currency translation gains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrealized securities losses, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

March 31, 

2005 
$ 3,018  
128  
(477 ) 

2004 
$  (667)
48 
(838)

Total accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 2,669  

$ (1,457)

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 1:  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) 

The currency forward contract losses were net of income tax (benefit)/expense of $112 and $(8) at 

March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. There was no income tax impact on unrealized securities losses at 
March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. 

Revenue Recognition 

Revenue is recognized from sales when a product is shipped and title has transferred. The Company 

recognizes revenue only when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an 
arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the seller’s price to the 
buyer is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured. 

A portion of sales is related to products designed to meet customer specific requirements. These 
products typically have stricter tolerances making them useful to the specific customer requesting the 
product and to customers with similar or less stringent requirements. Products with customer specific 
requirements are tested and approved by the customer before the Company mass produces and ships the 
product. The Company recognizes revenue at shipment as the sales terms for products produced with 
customer specific requirements do not contain a final customer acceptance provision or other provisions 
that are unique and would otherwise allow the customer different acceptance rights. 

A portion of sales is made to distributors under agreements allowing certain rights of return and price 

protection on unsold merchandise held by distributors. The Company’s distributor policy includes 
inventory price protection and “ship-from-stock and debit” (“SFSD”) programs common in the industry. 

The price protection policy protects the value of the distributors’ inventory in the event the Company 

reduces its published selling price to distributors. This program allows the distributor to debit the 
Company for the difference between KEMET’s list price and the lower authorized price for specific parts. 
The Company establishes price protection reserves on specific parts residing in distributors’ inventories in 
the period that the price protection is formally authorized by management. The distributors also have the 
right to return to KEMET a certain portion of the purchased inventory, which will not exceed 5% of the 
overall purchases. KEMET estimates future returns based on historical patterns of the distributors and 
records an allowance on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

The SFSD program provides a mechanism for the distributor to meet a competitive price after 

obtaining authorization from the local Company sales office. This program allows the distributor to ship its 
higher-priced inventory and debit the Company for the difference between KEMET’s list price and the 
lower authorized price for that specific transaction. The Company establishes reserves for its SFSD 
program based primarily on the actual inventory levels of certain distributor customers. The actual 
inventory levels at these distributors comprise 91% to 95% of the total global distributor inventory. The 
remaining 5% to 9% is estimated based on actual distributor customer inventory and current sales trends. 
Management analyzes historical SFSD activity to determine the SFSD exposure on the global distributor 
inventory at the balance sheet date. Should the distributors increase inventory levels, the estimation of the 
inventory at the distributors for the remaining 5% to 9% could be estimated at an incorrect amount. 
However, the Company believes that the difference between the estimate and the ultimate actual amount 
would be immaterial. 

61 

KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 1:  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) 

The establishment of these allowances is recognized as a component of the line item Net sales on the 

Consolidated Statements of Operations, while the associated reserves are included in the line item 
Accounts receivable on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

The following table shows the reserve and allowance balances as a component of Accounts receivable 

at March 31, 2005 and 2004: 

Ship from stock and debit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Sales returns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Price protections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Allowance for SFSD, customer returns, price protections, and other . . . .  
Allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Total account receivable allowances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

March 31, 

2005 
$ 11,098  
2,338  
604  
144  
14,184  
250  
$ 14,434  

2004 
$ 11,389
5,340
162
243
17,134
663
$ 17,797

The Company provides a limited warranty to its customers that the products meet certain 

specifications. The warranty period is generally limited to one year, and the Company’s liability under the 
warranty is generally limited to a replacement of the product or refund of the purchase price of the 
product. Warranty costs as a percentage of Net sales were less than 1% for March 31, 2005, 2004, and 
2003, respectively. The Company recognizes warranty costs when identified. 

Shipping and Handling Costs 

The Company’s shipping and handling costs are reflected in Cost of goods sold in the Consolidated 

Statements of Operations. Shipping and handling costs were $9.3 million, $8.4 million, and $6.9 million in 
the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. 

Exit Costs 

The Company adopted SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal 
Activities” on January 1, 2003. SFAS No. 146 addresses financial accounting for costs associated with exit 
or disposal activities and nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 94-3 (Issue No. 94-3), “Liability 
Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including 
Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring).” SFAS No. 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated 
with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability, as defined in FASB Concepts Statement 
No. 6, “Elements of Financial Statements”, is incurred. Under Issue No. 94-3, a liability for an exit cost was 
recognized at the date of a commitment to an exit plan. SFAS No. 146 was effective for exit or disposal 
activities that were initiated after December 31, 2002. 

Income/(Loss) per Share 

The Company calculates income/(loss) per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per 

Share.” Basic income/(loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares 
outstanding. Diluted income/(loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares  

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 1:  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) 

outstanding adjusted for the incremental shares attributed to outstanding options to purchase common 
stock and for put options issued by the Company, if such effects are dilutive. 

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 

The Company has determined, using the criteria in SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an 

Enterprise and Related 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 attachment (surface-mount or leaded), and are sold to original equipment 
manufacturers, electronics manufacturing services providers, and electronics distributors. Geographic 
information is included in note 9. The following chart discloses our net sales by method of attachment for 
the fiscal years ending March 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003: 

Fiscal Years ended March 31, 
2004 

2005 

2003 

Net sales by method of attachment: 

Surface-mount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leaded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 342,040 
80,400 
2,898 
$ 425,338 

$ 350,042  
82,909  
931  
$ 433,882  

$ 362,259
85,073
—
$ 447,332

Use of Estimates 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted 
accounting principles requires management to make a number of 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. Significant items subject to such estimates 
and assumptions include the carrying amount of property and equipment, intangibles and goodwill; 
valuation allowances for accounts receivables, price protection and customers’ returns, and deferred 
income taxes; environmental liabilities; valuation of derivative instruments and assets and obligations 
related to employee benefits. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. 

Reclassification 

Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform to fiscal year 2005 presentation. These 

reclassifications had no impact on previously reported net losses or stockholders’ equity. 

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 1:  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) 

Other 

All dollar amounts are presented in thousands unless otherwise noted. 

Note 2:  Goodwill and Intangible Assets 

In July 2001, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, “Business 
Combinations” (SFAS No. 141), and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and 
Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS No. 142). Statement No. 141 requires that the purchase method of 
accounting be used for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. SFAS No. 141 also specifies 
criteria that intangible assets acquired in a purchase method business combination must meet in order to 
be recognized and reported apart from goodwill. SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill and intangible assets 
with indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead be tested for impairment. In addition, any 
unamortized negative goodwill must be written off at the date of adoption. SFAS No. 142 is effective for 
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001, and was adopted by the Company effective April 1, 2002. 

In connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company completed impairment tests of its 
goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets including indefinite-lived trademarks, as well as patents 
and technology that have definite lives and will continue to be amortized. No impairment of goodwill or 
intangible assets was noted. 

For purposes of determining the fair value of its trademarks, the Company utilizes a discounted cash 

flow model which considers the costs of royalties in the absence of trademarks owned by the Company. 
Based upon the Company’s analysis of legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive and economic factors, the 
Company deemed that trademarks, which consist of the KEMET trade name and logo, have an indefinite 
useful life because they are expected to contribute to cash flows indefinitely. 

The Company’s goodwill is tested for impairment at least on an annual basis. The impairment test 
involves a comparison of the fair value of its reporting unit as defined under SFAS No. 142, with carrying 
amounts. If the reporting unit’s aggregated carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then an indication exists 
that the reporting unit’s goodwill may be impaired. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the 
amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit being measured exceeds its fair value, up to the 
total amount of its assets. The Company determined fair value based on a market approach which 
incorporates quoted market prices of the Company’s common stock and the premiums offered to obtain 
controlling interest for companies in the electronics industry. 

KEMET performs its impairment test during the first quarter of each fiscal year and when otherwise 

warranted. KEMET performed this impairment test in the quarters’ ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 and 
concluded no goodwill impairment existed. Due to the asset impairment that the Company recorded in 
March 2005, the Company also performed a goodwill impairment test as of March 31, 2005. No 
impairment existed. 

On June 30, 2003, the Company acquired certain assets from Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc 
(“GTI”). The $2.3 million cash purchase included the non-medical, high-temperature ceramic capacitor 
and EMI filter product lines of GTI’s Greatbatch-Sierra, Inc. subsidiary. The product lines were acquired 
as part of the Company’s strategic objective to broaden its high-performance capacitor solutions to support  

64 

KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 2:  Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Continued) 

customers’ increasing technical requirements. No goodwill was recorded as part of the transaction. 
Approximately $2.1 million of patents and technology were recorded as part of the transaction. 

On December 17, 2003, the Company announced it had acquired The Forest Electric Company 
(“FELCO”) of Melrose Park, Illinois. Approximately $2.1 million of goodwill and $0.5 million of patents 
and technology, which have an amortization period of seven years, were recorded as part of the 
transaction. The Company performs the test of goodwill on an annual basis in the third fiscal quarter or 
from time to time when necessary. The Company estimates the discounted cash flows that this business will 
generate over a specified time period and compares that amount to the carrying amount of the goodwill 
associated with FELCO. At March 31, 2005, there was no impairment on the FELCO goodwill. 

March 31, 2005 

March 31, 2004 

  Carrying   Accumulated   Carrying 
  Amortization   Amount 
  Amount

  Accumulated
  Amortization

Unamortized Intangibles: 

Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unamortized intangibles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 30,471 
7,181 
37,652 

Amortized Intangibles: 

Patents and technology—5-25 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other—8-10 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortized intangibles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14,655 
914 
15,569 

8,549 
689 
9,238 

$ 30,471  
7,181  
37,652  

14,655  
914  
15,569  

$ 53,221 

$ 9,238 

$ 53,221  

  7,549 
584 
  8,133 

 $ 8,133 

Amortization Expense 

Patents and technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

  Fiscal Years ended March 31,
  2003
$ 800
157
$ 957

2005 
$ 1,001  
104  
$ 1,105  

2004 
$ 1,138  
108  
$ 1,246  

The expected amortization expense for the fiscal years ending March 31, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 

2010 is $1,005, $974, $943, $588, and $475 respectively. 

Note 3:  Debt 

In May 1998, the Company sold $100,000 of its Senior Notes pursuant to the terms of a Note Purchase 

Agreement dated May 1, 1998, between the Company and eleven purchasers of the Senior Notes. 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 subsequent to March 31, 2005, follow: 2007, $20,000; 2008, 
$20,000; 2009, $20,000; 2010, $20,000; and 2011, $20,000. The Company had interest payable, included in 
Accrued expenses, on its Consolidated Balance Sheets of $2.7 million and $2.7 million at March 31, 2005 
and 2004, respectively. 

The Company is subject to restrictive covenants under its Note Purchase Agreement which, among others, 
restrict its ability to make loans or advances or to make investments and require it to meet financial tests related  

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 3:  Debt (Continued) 

principally to funded debt and net worth. At March 31, 2005, the Company was in compliance with such 
covenants. Borrowings are secured by guarantees of certain of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. 

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 the Company to request 
borrowings 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. As of March 31, 2005 
and 2004, the Company had no borrowings under this arrangement. 

Note 4:  Other Non-Current Obligations 

Non-current obligations are summarized as follows: 

Deferred compensation (note 5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued postretirement medical plan liability (note 6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss on inventory supply agreement (note 10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Environmental liabilities and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

March 31, 

2005 
$  1,374  
43,358  
2,829  
1,390  

2004 
$  1,489 
43,036 
15,575 
1,523 

Other non-current obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 48,951  

$ 61,623 

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 5:  Employee Pension and Savings Plans 

Until March 1, 2004, the Company had a non-contributory pension plan (“Plan”) which covered 
substantially all employees in the United States who met age and service requirements. The Plan provided 
defined benefits that were based on years of credited service, average compensation (as defined), and the 
primary social security benefit. The effective date of the Plan was April 1, 1987. Effective March 1, 2004, 
the Company terminated the Plan through a combination of lump-sum payments to participants and the 
purchase of non-participating annuity contracts. As a result of the termination and settlement, the 
Company has no Plan-related assets or liabilities at March 31, 2005. The measurement date used to 
determine Plan benefits was March 31. 

The cost of pension benefits under the Plan was determined by management using the “projected unit 

credit” actuarial cost method. 

Components of net periodic pension cost include the following: 

Service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected return on assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of: 

Transition asset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prior service cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Curtailment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Settlement charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special termination benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2004 

Fiscal Years ended March 31, 
2003 
$  3,681
8,877
(7,448)

795 
7,927 
(8,205) 

  2005
$  — 
— 
— 

$ 

— 
— 
— 
— 
618 
— 

— 
(5) 
1,359 
187 
50,398 
— 

—
(23)
1,054
1,668
—
3,638

Total net periodic pension cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 618 

$ 52,456 

$ 11,447

The special termination benefits and curtailment were the result of personnel reductions occurring 

within fiscal years 2003 and 2002. The settlement charge was a result of the termination of the Plan, 
effective March 1, 2004. 

The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the projected benefit obligation 

at the measurement date and the net periodic cost for the Plan: 

Fiscal Years ended March 31, 
   2004    

   2003   

   2005   

Projected benefit obligation: 

Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rate of compensation increase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

N/A   N/A  
N/A   N/A  

 6.50% 
 4.00% 

Net periodic benefit cost: 

Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rate of compensation increase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected return on Plan assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

N/A  
N/A  
N/A  

6.50 %  
4.00 %  
7.00 %  

 6.75% 
 4.00% 
 7.00% 

67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 5:  Employee Pension and Savings Plans (Continued) 

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

status is as follows: 

Accumulated benefit obligation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 

—  

$ 

— 

March 31, 

 2005  

2004 

Projected benefit obligation: 

Net obligation at beginning of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 
Service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Interest cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Actuarial gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Gross benefits paid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Curtailment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Special termination benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Net benefit obligation at end of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 

Fair value of Plan assets: 

Fair value of Plan assets at beginning of fiscal year . . . . . . . .   $ 
Actual return on Plan assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Employer contributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Gross benefits paid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Settlement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Fair value of Plan assets at end of fiscal year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 

Funding status: 

Funded status at end of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 
Unrecognized net actuarial loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Unrecognized prior service cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Net prepaid asset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 

—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  

—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  

—  
—  
—  
—  

$  144,671 
795 
7,927 
33,700 
(9,731)
(26,247)
(151,115)
— 
— 

$ 

$  119,535 
12,243 
29,068 
(9,731)
(151,115)
— 

$ 

$ 

$ 

— 
— 
— 
— 

The Company sponsored an unfunded deferred compensation plan for key managers until July 1, 2003 

when the plan was curtailed. This plan was non-qualified and provided certain key employees defined 
pension benefits which would equal those provided by the Company’s non-contributory pension plan if the 
plan were not limited by the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code. 
Expenses related to the deferred compensation plan totaled $0 in fiscal year 2005, $277 in fiscal year 2004, 
and $529 in fiscal year 2003. Total benefits accrued under this plan were $0 and $123 at March 31, 2005 
and 2004, respectively. The plan was terminated on June 30, 2004, and all participants received a one-time, 
cash settlement payment representing the value of their vested benefit on that date. 

The Company also sponsors a deferred compensation plan for highly compensated employees. The 

plan is non-qualified and allows employees to contribute to the plan. Expenses related to the deferred 
compensation plan totaled $887 in fiscal year 2005, $1,111 in fiscal year 2004, and $0 in 2003. Total benefits 
accrued under this plan were $1,374 in fiscal year 2005 and $1,366 in fiscal year 2004. 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 5:  Employee Pension and Savings Plans (Continued) 

In addition, the Company has a defined contribution plan (the “Savings Plan”) in which all U.S. 

employees who meet certain eligibility requirements may participate. A participant may direct the Company 
to contribute amounts, based on a percentage of the participant’s compensation, 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 up to six percent of 
the employee’s salary. The Company contributed $2,614 in fiscal year 2005, $2,245 in fiscal year 2004, and 
$1,685 in fiscal year 2003. As part of the Savings Plan, employees may elect to purchase KEMET stock. For 
fiscal years 2005, 2004 and 2003, the Savings Plan purchased 69,885, 82,989 and 87,671 shares, respectively. 

Note 6:  Postretirement 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 postretirement 
medical and life insurance benefits are as follows: 

Service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Amortization of actuarial loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Expected loss on assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Curtailment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Special termination benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Total net periodic benefits cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

  Fiscal Years ended March 31,
2003 
$ 1,128
3,148
119
(172)
1,926
1,033
$ 7,182

2004 
$ 1,063 
3,384 
387 
(121) 
— 
— 
$ 4,713 

2005 
$  975 
3,062 
269 
— 
— 
— 
$ 4,306 

The special termination benefits and curtailment were the result of personnel reductions occurring 

within fiscal year 2003. 

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 6:  Postretirement Medical and Life Insurance Plans (Continued) 

A reconciliation of the postretirement medical and life insurance plans’ projected benefit obligation, 

fair value of plan assets, and funding status is as follows: 

March 31, 

2005 

2004 

Projected benefit obligation: 

Net obligation at beginning of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Interest cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Actuarial (gain)/loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Gross benefits paid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Net benefit obligation at end of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

$  56,309 
975 
3,062 
(2,806) 
(3,984) 
$  53,556 

$  50,050 
1,063 
3,384 
5,740 
(3,928) 
$  56,309 

Fair value of plan assets: 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of fiscal year . . . . . . . . .  
Employer contributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Refund to plan sponsor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Actual return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Gross benefits paid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Fair value of plan assets at end of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

$  — 
3,984 
— 
— 
(3,984) 
$  — 

$  3,981 
— 
(478) 
425 
(3,928) 
$  — 

Funding status: 

Funded status at end of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Unrecognized net actuarial loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Net accrued benefit liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

$ (53,556)  $ (56,309) 
13,273 
$ (43,358)  $ (43,036) 

10,198 

The Company expects to make no contributions to fund Plan assets in fiscal year 2006 as the 

Company’s policy is to pay benefits as costs are incurred. 

Beginning in May 2005, the Company increased the required premiums requirements for the retirees 

due to the continuing health care cost increases. This has been factored into the following benefit 
payments schedule for the next five years.  

The Company expects to have benefit payments in the future as follows: 

Expected benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 4,474  $ 4,451  $ 4,416  $ 4,321  $ 4,268  

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

   Thereafter 
 $ 19,907

70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 6:  Postretirement Medical and Life Insurance Plans (Continued) 

The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the projected benefit obligation 
at the measurement date and the net periodic cost for the postretirement medical and life insurance plan: 

         2005         

Fiscal Years ended March 31, 
         2004          

         2003         

Projected benefit obligation: 

Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rate of compensation increase . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net periodic benefit cost: 

Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rate of compensation increase . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected return on Plan assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Health care cost trend on covered charges. . . . . .

Sensitivity of retiree welfare results 

Effect of a one percentage point increase in 

assumed health care cost trend: 
—On total service and interest costs 

5.75% 
4.00% 

6.00% 
4.00% 
0.00% 
9.50% 

6.00 %  
4.00 %  

6.50 %  
4.00 %  
7.00 %  
10.00 %  

6.50% 
4.00% 

6.75% 
4.00% 
7.00% 
  10.50% 

decreasing
to ultimate
trend of 5%
in 2013 

decreasing 
to ultimate 
trend of 5% 
in 2013 

decreasing
to ultimate
trend of 5%
in 2013 

components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—On post-retirement benefits obligation . .

$  263 
$  2,758 

$  327  
$  3,265  

 $  295 
 $  2,627 

Effect of a one percentage point decrease in 

assumed health care cost trend: 
—On total service and interest costs 

components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—On post-retirement benefits obligation . .

$  (231)   
$ (2,466)   

$  (285 )   
$ (2,911 )   

 $  (257)   
 $ (2,338)   

The measurement date used to determine postretirement benefits is March 31. 

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 

(“the Act”) became law in the United States. The Act introduces a prescription drug benefit under 
Medicare as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care plans that provide a benefit that is 
at least actuarially equivalent to the Medicare benefit. In accordance with FASB Staff Position 
SFAS No. 106-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, 
Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003,” the Company believes its Plan is not actuarially equivalent 
to the Medicare prescription drug benefit and any impact or benefit from the Act was not significant. 

71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 7:  Income Taxes 

The components of income/(loss) before income taxes consist of: 

Domestic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2005 

Fiscal Years ended March 31, 
2004 
  $ (181,366) $  (170,152 )  $  (98,182)
10,288

11,824  

9,157 

2003 

  $ (172,209) $  (158,328 )  $  (87,894)

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

Current: 

Fiscal Years ended March 31, 
2003 
2004 

2005 

Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ (2,872)  $  (7,683)  $ (64,239)
(1,627)
State and local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
3,312
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
  $  (667)  $  (3,490)  $ (62,554)

(1,069) 
3,274 

(824) 
5,017 

Deferred: 

Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $  2,403  $ (38,265)  $  29,035
1,865
State and local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
(252)
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
  $  2,552  $ (42,863)  $  30,648

(4,112) 
(486) 

— 
149 

Provision/(benefit) for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $  1,885  $ (46,353)  $ (31,906)

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate is as follows: 

Statutory federal income tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
State income taxes, net of federal taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Effect of foreign operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Change in valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

Fiscal Years ended March 31, 
2004 
−35.0 %  
−2.0 %  
1.1 %  
12.6 %  
−6.0 %  

2005 
−35.0% 
−4.8% 
−0.6% 
50.9% 
−9.4% 

2003 
 −35.0%
  0.2%
  0.0%
  0.0%
  −1.5%

Effective income tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

1.1% 

−29.3 %  

 −36.3%

72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 7:  Income Taxes (Continued) 

The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: 

Deferred Tax Assets: 
Net operating loss carryforwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Medical benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Sales and inventories allowances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Gross deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

March 31, 

2005 

2004 

$  94,637 
18,614 
11,729 
6,156 
131,136 

$  39,444
18,782
22,220
10,826
91,272

Less valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Net deferred tax assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

(106,580) 
$  24,556 

(20,015)
$  71,257

Deferred Tax Liabilities: 
Depreciation and differences in basis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Tax effect of hedging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Amortization of intangibles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Non-amortized intangibles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Pension benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

$  (21,012)  $ (63,772)
—
(1,918)
(2,516)
(674)
(1,725)
$  (26,564)  $ (70,605)

(1,093) 
(832) 
(2,516) 
(433) 
(678) 

Net deferred income tax asset (liability) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

$ 

(2,008)  $ 

652

As of March 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company’s gross deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation 
allowance of $106,580 and $20,015, respectively, due to evidence indicating that a valuation allowance is 
required under SFAS No.109. The valuation allowance increased $86,565 during the fiscal year ended 
March 31, 2005, principally due to net operating loss carryforwards and asset impairments. 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely 
than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization 
of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in 
which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of 
deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this 
assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income 
over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely 
than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the existing 
valuation allowances as of March 31, 2005. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable, 
however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the 
carryforward period are reduced. 

The net deferred income tax asset/(liability) is reflected in the accompanying fiscal year 2005 and 2004 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as a $5,945 and $29,046 current asset and a $7,953 and $28,394 non-current 
liability, respectively. 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 7:  Income Taxes (Continued) 

As of March 31, 2005, the Company has U.S. net operating loss carryforwards for federal and state 
income tax purposes of approximately $227 million and $333 million, respectively. These net operating 
losses are available to offset future federal and state taxable income, if any, through 2025. Certain of the 
Company’s foreign subsidiaries in Switzerland, China and Australia have deferred tax assets for tax net 
operating losses and capital loss carryforwards totaling $3.6 million. There is a greater likelihood of not 
realizing the future tax benefits of these deferred tax assets and accordingly, the Company has recorded 
valuation allowances related to the net deferred tax assets in these jurisdictions. 

At March 31, 2005, $0.3 million of the $94.6 million deferred tax asset for net operating losses 
represented losses generated by stock option deductions in excess of book expense. The valuation 
allowance related to the $0.3 million deferred tax asset generated by stock option deductions would be 
credited to equity when recognized. 

The Company has outstanding U.S. Federal income tax refunds of approximately $11.9 million 
currently under review by the Internal Revenue Service related to fiscal years 1997 through 2002. These 
reviews may alter the timing or amount of taxable income or deduction or the allocation of income among 
tax jurisdictions. The amount ultimately paid upon resolution of issues may differ from the amount 
accrued. Management anticipates final resolution by mid calendar year 2005, and if successful, collection 
would be in calendar year 2005. If the refunds are realized, the Company anticipates a tax benefit to be 
recognized which relates to prior tax contingencies which were not realized. 

Deferred tax (benefit)/expense of $120, $1,584, and $(3,830) was attributed to other comprehensive 

income/(loss) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. 

At March 31, 2005, unremitted earnings of the subsidiaries outside the United States were deemed to 
be permanently invested. The Company has approximately $38 million of unremitted foreign earnings. No 
current plans are expected for repatriation under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. No deferred tax 
liability was recognized with regard to such earnings. It is not practicable to estimate the income tax 
liability that might be incurred if such earnings were remitted to the United States. 

Note 8:  Stock Option Plans 

The Company has three option plans that reserve shares of common stock for issuance to executives 

and key employees. The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial 
Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS No. 123). On July 1, 
2000, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 44, “Accounting for Certain 
Transactions Involving Stock Compensation,” which require variable accounting treatment on certain re-
priced options. This requires that any increase in the stock price above the July 1, 2000, adoption date 
stock price be recognized immediately as compensation expense. For fiscal years 2005, 2004, and 2003, no 
compensation cost has been recognized for the stock option plans. 

In May 1992, the Company’s stockholders approved the 1992 Key Employee Stock Option Plan, which 

authorizes the granting of options to purchase 2,310,000 shares of common stock. The Key Employee 
Stock Option Plan was amended in October 2000 by the Board of Directors to provide for the issuance of 
options to purchase an additional 2,000,000 shares of common stock. In addition, stockholders approved 
the 1995 Executive Stock Option Plan at the 1996 Annual Meeting. This plan provides for the issuance of 
options to purchase 3,800,000 shares of common stock to certain executives of the Company. The  

74 

KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 8:  Stock Option Plans (Continued) 

stockholders also approved the 2004 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan at the 2004 Annual Meeting. This 
plan provides for the issuance of common stock to directors and certain employees of the Company. 

These plans provide that shares granted come from the Company’s authorized but unissued common 
stock or treasury stock. The prices of the options granted thus far pursuant to these plans are no less than 
100% of the value of the shares on the date of grant. Also, the options may not be exercised within one to 
two years from the date of grant and no options will be exercisable after ten years from the date of grant 
(depends on individual grant). 

A summary of the status of the Company’s three current stock option plans as of March 31, 2005, 

2004, and 2003, and changes during the fiscal years ended on those dates is presented below: 

Fixed Options   
Options outstanding at beginning of 

  Shares 

2005 
  Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise 
Price 

March 31, 
2004 
  Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise 
Price 

  Shares 

2003 
  Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise 
Price 

  Shares 

fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    4,466,215 
771,750 
(25,000) 
(768,195) 

Option granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   
Options exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   
Options cancelled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   
Options outstanding at end of fiscal 

$ 

$ 

13.46 
7.97 
5.85 
13.76 

3,848,025 
1,072,625 
(145,810) 
(308,625) 

$ 

13.41 
12.76 
5.56 
14.18 

3,355,455  
839,500  
(228,430 ) 
(118,500 ) 

year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    4,444,770 

$ 

12.50 

4,466,215 

$ 

13.46 

3,848,025  

$ 

14.42
9.11
11.92
13.42

13.41

Option price range end of fiscal year . .   
Option price range for exercised  

shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   

Options available for grant end of 

fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   
Options exercisable end of fiscal year. .   
Options weighted-average fair value 

granted during the fiscal year . . . . . .   

Weighted-average exercise price of 

options exercisable at end of fiscal 
year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   

$ 5.00 to $19.80 

$ 5.00 to $19.80 

$ 5.00 to $19.80

$  5.00 to $9.03 

$  5.00 to $6.75 

$ 2.50 to $14.50

4,345,565 
2,959,895 

2.82 

13.42 

$ 

$ 

349,120 
2,730,840 

5.97 

14.90 

$ 

$ 

1,105,620
2,290,525

4.51

13.82

$ 

$ 

75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 8:  Stock Option Plans (Continued) 

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at March 31, 2005: 

Options Outstanding 
Number 
  Outstanding 
at 3/31/05 

Remaining 

  Contractual Life

  Weighted-Average   Weighted-Average

  Weighted-Average

Range of 
Exercise 
Prices 
$3.96 to $5.94 . . . . . . . . .
$5.95 to $7.92 . . . . . . . . .
$7.93 to $9.90 . . . . . . . . .
$9.91 to $11.88 . . . . . . . .
$11.89 to $13.86 . . . . . . .
$13.87 to $15.84 . . . . . . .
$15.85 to $17.82 . . . . . . .
$17.83 to $19.80 . . . . . . .

218,845  
681,500  
702,250  
29,000  
820,125  
769,300  
1,187,750  
36,000  
4,444,770  

2.1 years 
8.8 years 
4.8 years 
7.4 years 
8.5 years 
3.4 years 
4.1 years 
2.9 years 
5.5 years 

Options Exercisable 
  Number 
  Exercisable 
at 3/31/05 
218,845  
60,000  
696,000  
10,000  
—  
751,300  
1,187,750  
36,000  
2,959,895  

Exercise 
Price 
$  5.41 
$  7.61 
$  9.03 
$ 11.24 
$ 12.77 
$ 14.51 
$ 17.00 
$ 19.15 
$ 12.50 

Exercise 
Price 
 $  5.41 
 $  6.00 
 $  9.03 
 $ 11.50 
 $  — 
 $ 14.50 
 $ 17.00 
 $ 19.15 
 $ 13.42 

Note 9:  Geographic Information: 

The following highlights our net sales by geographic location: 

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
China. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Asia Pacific(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Germany. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Singapore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other countries(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fiscal Years ended March 31,(1) 
2003 
2004 
2005 
$ 196,268 
$ 189,367  
$ 172,707 
44,125 
69,595  
74,834 
40,132 
40,043  
40,171 
29,254 
34,461  
36,147 
34,540 
28,653  
26,313 
39,045 
17,538  
19,336 
63,968 
54,225  
55,830 

$ 425,338 

$ 433,882  

$ 447,332 

(1)—Revenues are attributed to countries or regions based on the location of the customer. The Company 

sold $66,494 and $57,300 to two customers, each of which accounted for more than 10% of net sales 
in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. The Company sold $76,264 and $58,942 to two customers, 
each of which accounted for more than 10% of net sales in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004. The 
Company sold $48,677 and $45,024 to two customers, each of which accounted for more than 10% of 
net sales in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. 

(2)—Only Malaysia exceeded 5% of consolidated net sales in 2005 ($21.3 million). For fiscal years 2004 
and 2003, no country considered part of Asia Pacific exceeded 5% of consolidated net sales. 

(3)—No country included in this caption exceeded 5% of consolidated net sales for 2005, 2004, and 2003. 

76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 9:  Geographic Information: (Continued) 

The following geographic information includes long-lived assets, including property held for sale, 

based on physical location: 

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
China. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

March 31, 

2005 
$ 102,050  
162,937  
16,627  
338  

2004 
$ 172,344
243,396
7,831
590

$ 281,952  

$ 424,161

Note 10:  Commitments 

(a)  The Company has agreements with distributors and certain other customers that, under certain 

conditions, allow for returns of overstocked inventory 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 for anticipated 
returns and price protection changes based on historical experience. Charges against sales in fiscal year 
2005, fiscal year 2004, and fiscal year 2003 were $68,821, $71,410, and $52,375, respectively. Actual 
applications against the allowances in fiscal year 2005, fiscal year 2004, and fiscal year 2003 were $71,771, 
$66,325, and $60,865, respectively. 

(b)  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 for fiscal years 2005 and 2004, and $0.2 million for fiscal year 2003 and were accounted for as 
Additional paid-in capital. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, the Company paid approximately 
$3.7 million to settle put options. The Company does not anticipate any further stock purchases under this 
authorization, and the last outstanding put options matured unexercised in July 2003. On July 1, 2003, the 
Company was required to adopt Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150, “Accounting for 
Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equities” (SFAS No. 150). The 
adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not significantly impact its financial results. 

77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued) 

Note 10:  Commitments (Continued) 

(c)  On December 10, 2002, the Company announced that it agreed to an extension of the term of its 

tantalum supply agreement with Cabot Corporation (“Cabot”). The extended agreement relates to both 
tantalum powder and tantalum wire products and calls for reduced prices, higher volumes, and a term 
through calendar 2006. As the prices of tantalum powder and tantalum wire products decreased, the 
Company recorded purchase commitment losses as well as inventory losses (if the inventory was on hand). 
In fiscal year 2004 and fiscal year 2003, KEMET recorded losses of $12,355 and $40,833, respectively. In 
fiscal year 2005, the Company renegotiated the agreement with Cabot and accordingly reversed $11,767 of 
the previously recorded commitment losses. The following reconciliation of the beginning and ending 
balances included in the liabilities section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets is as follows: 

Beginning of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Costs charged to expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Liability reduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Costs paid or settled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
End of fiscal year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

March 31, 

2005 
$  24,275  
—  
(11,767 ) 
(7,025 ) 
$  5,483  

2004 
$  24,310 
12,355 
— 
(12,390)
$  24,275 

The remaining purchase commitments for this agreement are $11.8 million for calendar year 2005 and 

$11.6 million for calendar year 2006. 

Finally, in fiscal year 2005, the Company cancelled silver and palladium purchase commitments with 
other suppliers totaling $6.6 million. No gain or loss was recognized as a result of these cancellations. The 
Company has no future commitments for these raw materials. 

(d)  The Company’s leases are primarily for distribution facilities or sales offices that expire 
principally between 2006 and 2009. 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 
expenses for operating leases were included in results of operations and were approximately $4,157 in 
fiscal year 2005, $3,180 in fiscal year 2004, and $2,796 in fiscal year 2003. 

78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (Continued) 

Note 10:  Commitments (Continued) 

During fiscal year 2005, the Company subleased to an outside company a 60,000 square foot facility 
and has leased back 5,000 square feet of this facility. Annual rental income from the sublease was included 
in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and was $30 for fiscal year 2005. The sublease rental 
expense for fiscal year 2005 was $20. 

Future minimum lease payments over the next five fiscal years and thereafter under non-cancelable 

operating leases at March 31, 2005, are as follows: 

2010 
Minimum lease payments . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 3,331  $ 2,392  $ 1,856  $ 1,136  $  612  
Sublease rental income. . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $  (213)  $  (229)  $  (230)  $  (237)  $ (238 ) 
Net minimum lease payments . . . . . . . .   $ 3,118  $ 2,163  $ 1,626  $  899  $  374  

2007 

2008 

2006 

2009 

  Thereafter 

Total 

 $  1,866     $ 11,193
 $ (1,265 )   $ (2,412)
 $  601     $  8,781

Note 11:  Supplemental Balance Sheets and Statements of Operations Detail: 

Accounts receivable: 

Trade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Less: 

Allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Allowance for price protection and customer returns (note 10).

March 31, 

2005 

2004 

  $  64,126   $  68,972
7,366
76,338

9,536  
73,662  

250  
14,184  

663
17,134

Net accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  $  59,228   $  58,541

  Useful life 

Property and equipment:  

Land and land improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Buildings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Machinery and equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Furniture and fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction in progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  20-40 years 
10 years 
4-10 years 
— 

20 years  $  13,036   $  11,727
116,505
118,041  
735,243
649,134  
48,646
44,940  
32,130  
20,566
932,687
857,281  
(510,852)
(577,655 ) 

Net property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  $  279,626   $  421,835

Accrued expenses: 

Salaries, wages, and related employee costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vacation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventory supply agreement (note 10). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other including restructuring (note 13) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  $  11,615   $  10,012
5,647
8,700
2,267
15,794

4,625  
2,061  
1,863  
14,453  

  $  34,617   $  42,420

79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (Continued) 

Note 11:  Supplemental Balance Sheets and Statements of Operations Detail: (Continued) 

Other (income) expense: 

Fiscal Years ended March 31, 

2005 

2004 

2003 

Interest rate swaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $  980   $ (4,434 )  $  (7,815)
—
Loss on write down of equity investment to market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
32
Accounts receivable discounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
(1,415)
Unrealized foreign currency exchange (gains)/losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
—
Life insurance proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
(2,189)
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
  $ (2,849 )  $ (3,311 )  $ (11,387)

945  
—  
300  
(5,000 ) 
(74 ) 

1,046  
—  
(300 ) 
—  
377  

Note 12:  Legal Proceedings 

The Company has periodically incurred, and may continue to incur, liability under the Comprehensive 

Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”) and 
analogous state laws with respect to sites used for off-site management or disposal of Company-derived 
wastes. The Company has been named as a potentially responsible party (“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 (“UCC”) is a PRP at certain sites relating to the off-site disposal of wastes from properties 
presently owned by the Company. The Company is participating in coordination with UCC in 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. In connection with the acquisition in 1990, UCC agreed, subject 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 work place safety cases, some of which involve 
claims for substantial damages. Although there can be no assurance, based upon information known to the 
Company, the Company does not believe that any liability which might result from an adverse 
determination of such lawsuits would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition 
or results of operations. 

In January 2005, the Company filed a lawsuit against AVX Corporation (“AVX”) to protect trade 

secrets relating to the development and manufacture of tantalum polymer capacitors. KEMET has been 
manufacturing these advanced components since 1999, and they now constitute the fastest growing 
segment of the tantalum capacitor market. KEMET was seeking judgment against AVX for actual and 
exemplary damages, attorney’s fees, and injunctive relief to eliminate any commercial advantage that 
otherwise would be derived by AVX from the misappropriation of KEMET trade secrets. While the 
Company still believes in the merits of the case, the lawsuit was dismissed by the Company in order to 
allow management to be able to focus on the important business challenges it currently faces. 

80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (Continued) 

Note 13:  Restructuring and Impairment Charges 

Since the end of fiscal year 2002, the Company has initiated several restructuring programs in 
order to reduce costs, to remove excess capacity, and to make the Company more competitive on a 
world-wide basis. Since the beginning of fiscal year 2003, the Company has initiated five different 
restructuring initiatives. Since the goals of each of these restructuring programs fall into one of the 
rationales listed above, the Company has elected to disclose the impacts on a yearly basis as opposed 
to by restructuring program. 

A summary of the expenses aggregated in the Consolidated Statements of Operations line 

Restructuring and impairment charges expensed in the periods ended March 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, 
were as follows (in millions): 

  2005  
Manufacturing relocation and employee termination costs . . . . . . .   $  18.9 
108.7 
Impaired long-lived assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Writedown in investment in unconsolidated subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . .  
2.4 
Restructuring and impairment charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 130.0 

      2004            2003    
 $ 27.1
  4.6
  —
 $ 31.7

 $ 24.2    
  16.3    
  —    
 $ 40.5    

Fiscal Years ended March 31, 

Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2005 

Restructuring and impairment charges incurred during fiscal year 2005 included pre-tax charges 
totaling $130.0 million, of which $18.9 million were charges for manufacturing relocation and personnel 
reductions, $108.7 million were charges for impaired long-lived assets, and $2.4 million were charges for 
the write-down of investment in unconsolidated subsidiary. 

Manufacturing relocation and employee termination costs—During fiscal year 2005, the Company 
recognized $7.8 million relating to the Plan (discussed below under fiscal year ended March 31, 2004). As 
of March 31, 2005, the Company had recorded cumulative charges of $32.0 million relating to the Plan. 
The balance of the $39 million is expected to be realized ratably over the next two quarters. The timing and 
amounts of the charges are dependent on the timing of operational decisions, some of which have not been 
finalized, and on operational activities yet to occur. The Company also announced additional restructuring 
programs in fiscal third quarter 2005 of $5.8 million and in fiscal fourth quarter 2005 of $5.3 million. These 
two restructuring charges reduced the Company’s workforce by approximately 1,120 employees. 

Impaired assets—During the fiscal fourth quarter 2005, the Company assessed the current economic 

environment of the capacitors industry and estimated results for future periods. The Company considered 
the following: 

•  a decrease in the Company’s (as well as its competitors’ as a whole) market capitalization; 

•  continuing average selling price erosion; and 

•  the continued operating losses the Company has recently incurred. 

Based on these factors, the Company assessed the net cash flows of its tantalum and ceramics 

assets for a period of time in the future and compared the results with the net book value of the 
assets. Accordingly and in compliance with SFAS No. 144 “Impairment of Long-term Assets”, the 
Company recorded a fourth quarter non-cash charge of $100.2 million to account for this difference.  

81 

 
 
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (Continued) 

Note 13:  Restructuring and Impairment Charges (Continued) 

In fiscal third quarter 2005, the Company also recorded a charge of $8.5 million relating to the write-
off of equipment no longer used. Refer to note 1 for the process in which the Company used to 
determine the impairment charge. 

Write-down of investment in unconsolidated subsidiary—During the fiscal third quarter 2005, the 
Company wrote down its investment in an unconsolidated subsidiary (Lamina Ceramics, Inc.) in the 
amount of $2.4 million due to the underlying value being less than the Company’s share of the book value. 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2004 

Restructuring and impairment charges incurred during fiscal year 2004 included pre-tax charges 
totaling $40.5 million, of which $24.2 million and $16.3 million were charges for manufacturing relocation 
and personnel reductions long-lived asset impairments, respectively. 

Manufacturing relocation and employee termination costs—These charges were incurred as part of the 

Enhanced Strategic Plan announced in July 2003 that included moving manufacturing operations from the 
U.S. to low-cost facilities in Mexico and China. The Company estimates that it will incur approximately 
$39.0 million in total charges related to the Enhanced Strategic Plan, which is targeted for completion in 
mid calendar year 2005. Employee termination costs were approximately $18.7 million and include charges 
related to the eventual relocation of approximately 650 production-related jobs from domestic operations 
as well as charges, primarily revisions in the contract with the Matamoros employee union, impacting 
approximately 1,250 employees in Mexico. Equipment relocation costs of $5.5 million accounted the 
balance of the charges. 

Impaired assets—In 1999, the Company entered into the market for solid aluminum capacitors and has 

since made significant technology advances in both high-capacitance multilayer ceramic capacitors and 
organic tantalum capacitors, limiting the applications of solid aluminum capacitors. As a result, KEMET 
reorganized its solid aluminum capacitor business line. The Company recognized a $16.3 million non-cash 
charge related to the impairment of aluminum equipment and facilities and, currently, does not anticipate 
additional charges related to this product line. 

Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2003 

Restructuring and impairment charges incurred during fiscal year 2003 included pre-tax charges 
totaling $31.7 million, of which $27.1 million and $4.6 million were charges for personnel reductions and 
long-lived asset impairment, respectively. These charges were part of an ongoing effort by the Company to 
reduce costs after demand substantially decreased in fiscal year 2002. 

Manufacturing relocation and employee termination costs—During the quarter ended September 30, 

2002, the Company incurred charges of $9.1 million for manufacturing and support personnel reductions 
associated with closing manufacturing facilities in Greenwood, South Carolina, and Matamoros, Mexico, of 
approximately 185 and 240 employees, respectively. During the quarter ended March 31, 2003, the 
Company announced a cost-saving initiative that resulted in charges of $18.0 million associated with 
personnel reductions of approximately 255 and 183 in the U.S. and Mexico, respectively. All charges related 
to these personnel reductions were paid by March 31, 2003. 

82 

KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (Continued) 

Note 13:  Restructuring and Impairment Charges (Continued) 

Impaired long-lived assets—The impaired assets consisted of certain long-lived assets associated with 

the closing of a manufacturing facility in Greenwood, South Carolina. 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability balances for restructuring charges (which 

represents severance related costs only) included in accrued expenses and other non-current obligations on 
the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in millions): 

Beginning of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Costs charged to expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Costs paid or settled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
End of fiscal year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

  Fiscal Years ended

March 31, 

2005 
$  7.2  
11.1  
(11.5 ) 
$  6.8  

2004 
$  0.8
18.7
(12.3)
$  7.2

Note 14:  Loss Per Share 

Basic and diluted loss per share are calculated as follows (share amounts and per share data not in 

thousands): 

Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Weighted-average shares outstanding (basic) . . . . .  
Stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Weighted-average shares outstanding (diluted) . . .  

Fiscal Years ended March 31, 
2004 

2005 

$  (174,094)  $  (111,975 )  $ 

86,518,923 
— 
86,518,923 

86,412,281  
—  
86,412,281  

2003 
(55,988)
86,167,563
—
86,167,563

Basic loss per share. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Diluted loss per share. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

$ 
$ 

(2.01)  $ 
(2.01)  $ 

(1.30 )  $ 
(1.30 )  $ 

(0.65)
(0.65)

The fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, excluded potentially dilutive securities of 
2,960,000, 2,731,000, and 2,623,000, respectively, in the computation of diluted loss per share because the 
effect would have been anti-dilutive. 

83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (Continued) 

Note 15:  Derivatives, Hedging, and Other Financial Instruments 

The Company uses certain derivative instruments (i.e., forward currency contracts) to reduce 
exposures to the volatility of foreign currencies and commodities impacting revenues and the costs of its 
products. Unrealized gains and losses associated with the change in value of these financial instruments are 
recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss). The after-tax impact on AOCI/(L) related to 
the change in value of these financial instruments is as follows (in millions): 

Beginning of fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Current fiscal year unrealized gains related to the change in value of the 

Fiscal years ended
March 31, 

   2005    
 $ (0.7 )  

   2004   
 $ (1.7)

financial instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

  3.1    

  0.4

Plus prior fiscal year unrealized losses in AOCI/(L) that were recognized 

in the current fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Net change in AOCI/(L) related to financial instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
End of fiscal year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

  0.6    
  3.7    
 $  3.0    

  0.6
  1.0
 $ (0.7)

The $3.0 million gain remaining in AOCI/(L) at March 31, 2005 (see note 1: Comprehensive 

Income/(Loss) table), is expected to be reclassified to income during the next twelve months as the hedged 
items affect earnings. 

Hedging Foreign Currencies 

Certain operating expenses at the Company’s Mexican facilities are paid in Mexican pesos. In order to 

hedge these forecasted cash flows, management purchases forward contracts to buy Mexican pesos for 
periods and amounts consistent with the related underlying cash flow exposures. These contracts are 
designated as cash flow hedges at inception and monitored for effectiveness on a routine basis. At 
March 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company had outstanding forward exchange contracts that mature within 
approximately one year to purchase Mexican pesos with notional amounts of $60.9 million and 
$57.7 million, respectively. The fair values of these contracts at March 31, 2005 and 2004, totaled 
$3.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and were recorded as a derivative asset, respectively, on the 
Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets under Prepaid expenses and other current assets. During the next 
twelve months, it is estimated that approximately $3.1 million of the gain on these contracts would be 
recorded to cost of goods sold. The changes in fair value of these contracts resulted in other 
comprehensive gain, net of taxes, of $2.8 million and $1.9 million for the twelve month periods ended 
March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The ineffectiveness of these contracts was determined to be 
immaterial and was not recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

Certain sales are made in euros. In order to hedge these forecasted cash flows, management 

purchases forward contracts to sell euros for periods and amounts consistent with the related underlying 
cash flow exposures. These contracts are designated as hedges at inception and monitored for effectiveness 
on a routine basis. There were no euro contracts outstanding at March 31, 2005. At March 31, 2004, the 
Company had outstanding forward exchange contracts that matured within approximately six months to 
sell euros with notional amounts of $17.3 million. The fair values of these contracts at March 31, 2004, 
totaled $1.0 million, which is recorded as a derivative liability on the Company’s Consolidated Balance  

84 

 
 
 
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (Continued) 

Note 15:  Derivatives, Hedging, and Other Financial Instruments (Continued) 

Sheets under Accrued expenses. No such forward contracts were outstanding at the end of fiscal year 2005. 
The changes in fair value of these contracts resulted in other comprehensive income/(loss), net of taxes, of 
$0.9 million and $(0.9) million for the twelve month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. 

Changes in the derivatives’ fair values are deferred and recorded as a component of AOCI/(L) until 

the underlying transaction is recorded. When the hedged item affects income, gains or losses are 
reclassified from AOCI/(L) to the Consolidated Statements of Operations as cost of goods sold for forward 
contracts to purchase Mexican pesos and as Net sales for forward contracts to sell euros. Any 
ineffectiveness, if material, in the Company’s hedging relationships is recognized immediately in loss. 

The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, 

as well as risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions. 

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 derivatives are recorded on the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as derivative assets or liabilities and the change in fair values is recorded as a 
component of Cost of goods sold. At March 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company had no such derivative assets 
or liabilities. All other contracts to purchase raw materials qualify for the normal purchases exclusion and 
are not accounted for as derivatives. 

Interest Rate Swaps 

In August 2003, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract (the “Swap”) which 
effectively converted its $100 million aggregate principal amount of 6.66% senior notes to floating rate 
debt adjusted semi-annually based on six-month LIBOR plus 3.35%. In October 2004, this contract was 
terminated for a $0.1 million gain and was recognized in other income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 
2005. The fair value of the Swap, based upon market estimates provided by the counterparties, was 
approximately $2.5 million at March 31, 2004, and was recorded as a derivative asset on the Company’s 
Consolidated Balance Sheets under Prepaid expenses and other current assets. The change in fair value of 
this derivative instrument resulted in Other (income)/expense of $1.2 million and $(3.0) million for the 
twelve-month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. 

The Company entered into two interest rate swap contracts in April 2003 that effectively converted its 

$100 million aggregate principal amount of 6.66% senior notes to floating-rate debt, both of which were 
terminated for a $1.4 million gain, reflected in other income in May 2003 for the fiscal year ended 
March 31, 2004. 

In the quarter ended March 31, 2003, the Company terminated two interest rate swap contracts it 

initiated in November 2002. The contracts effectively converted its $100 million aggregate principal 
amount of 6.66% senior notes to floating-rate debt. These derivative instruments resulted in other income 
of $1.0 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. 

85 

KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (Continued) 

Note 15:  Derivatives, Hedging, and Other Financial Instruments (Continued) 

Other Financial Instruments 

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable 
approximate their fair values. The fair value of the Company’s debt outstanding at March 31, 2005 and 
2004 was $101.4 million and $105.6 million, respectively, which was determined based on the 5-Year 
Treasury Note Yield compared to its carrying value of $100.0 million. 

Note 16:  Common Stock 

The Board of Directors authorized programs to purchase up to 8.0 million shares of its common stock 
on the open market. Through March 31, 2005, the Company had made purchases of 2.1 million shares for 
$38.7 million. The Company does not anticipate any further stock purchases under this authorization. 
Approximately 615,000 shares were subsequently reissued for the exercise of employee stock options. At 
March 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company held 1,460,455 and 1,485,455 treasury shares at a cost of $26.9 million 
and $27.4 million, respectively. 

Note 17:  Investments 

Investments consist of debt securities as well as equity securities of public and privately-held 

companies. The debt securities, which consist of U.S. government marketable securities, are classified as 
held-to-maturity securities, mature in one month to five years, and are carried at amortized cost. The effect 
of amortizing these securities is recorded in current loss as interest income. 

The Company’s equity investments in public companies are classified as available-for-sale securities 
and are carried at fair value net of tax in stockholders’ equity. The available-for-sale securities are intended 
to be held for an indefinite period but may be sold in response to unexpected future events. The Company 
also has an equity investment with less than 20% ownership interest in a privately-held company. The 
Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over this company, and the investment 
is accounted for under the cost method. 

On a periodic basis, the Company reviews the market values of its equity investments classified as 
available-for-sale securities and the carrying value of its equity investments carried at cost for the purpose 
of identifying “other-than-temporary” declines in market value and carrying value, respectively as defined 
in EITF 03-1. The Company’s management has concluded this review and determined that an available-
for-sale equity investment in a publicly-held company had an “other-than-temporary” decline in market 
value. The majority of the market decline occurred between the months of September 2003 and June 2004. 
The Company considers the impairment “other-than-temporary” based on the duration of this market 
value decline and the lack of evidence that the market value will increase. The Company has recognized a 
$0.9 million loss equal to the difference between the investment’s cost and its fair market value at 
September 30, 2004. The amount is included in Other expense/(income) on the Consolidated Statements 
of Operations. Based on the Company’s review for the quarters ending December 31, 2004 and March 31, 
2005, the Company determined that a further “other-than-temporary” decline did not exist. The Company 
will continue to monitor the available-for-sale equity investment for potential future impairments. 

In fiscal third quarter 2005, the Company recorded a $2.4 million write-down associated with its equity 
investment in Lamina Ceramics, Inc., the Company’s equity investment carried at cost. At March 31, 2005, 
the Company determined that the remaining investment balance approximated fair value. 

86 

KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (Continued) 

Note 17:  Investments (Continued) 

A summary of the components and carrying values of “Investments” in the Consolidated Balance 

Sheets is as follows: 

Short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Equity investments: 

Available-for-sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
U.S. government marketable securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

March 31, 

2005 
$  34,992  

2004 
$  3,172

563  
119  
157,576  
$ 193,250  

1,130
2,480
84,584
$ 91,366

Non-equity investments of $35.0 million and $157.6 million mature within three months to one year 

and one to five years, respectively. 

Short-term investments consist primarily of U.S. government securities. The unrealized pretax loss on 

available-for-sale securities was $0.5 million and $0.8 million at March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. 

The recorded values approximate fair value at March 31, 2005 and 2004. 

Note 18:  Acquisitions 

On June 30, 2003, the Company acquired certain assets from Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc 
(“GTI”). The $2.3 million cash purchase included the non-medical, high-voltage and high-temperature 
ceramic capacitor and EMI filter product lines of GTI’s Greatbatch-Sierra, Inc. subsidiary. The product 
lines were acquired as part of the Company’s strategic objective to broaden its high-performance capacitor 
solutions to support customers’ increasing technical requirements. 

On September 2, 2003, the Company announced it purchased an equity position of $2.5 million in 

Lamina Ceramics, Inc. (“Lamina Ceramics”), and entered into a business agreement with Lamina 
Ceramics to develop and commercialize high-performance, low-temperature co-fired ceramic-on-
metal (“LTCC-M”) solutions for advanced electronic systems. Lamina Ceramics is a manufacturer of 
multilayer ceramic electronic packages, boards, and components using proprietary LTCC-M 
technology. In fiscal third quarter 2005, the Company wrote down its investment in Lamina Ceramics 
by $2.4 million. On a fully-diluted basis, the Company’s interest in Lamina Ceramics was less than 
10% at March 31, 2005 and 2004. 

On December 17, 2003, the Company announced it had acquired The Forest Electric Company 
(“FELCO”) of Melrose Park, Illinois. FELCO manufactures and sells industry-leading custom magnetic 
solutions. This $2.4 million acquisition broadens KEMET’s product portfolio, leveraging KEMET’s 
industry-leading capabilities in quality, delivery, and service to further penetrate customers in the military, 
aerospace, and industrial market segments. Approximately $2.1 million, not considered material to the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets, of goodwill was recorded as part of the transaction. 

Pro forma information is not presented herein as the acquisitions did not materially impact the 

Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. 

87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
KENET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (Continued) 

Note 19:  Property Held for Sale 

As a result of moving manufacturing operations from the U.S. to low-cost facilities in Mexico and 

China, one of the manufacturing facilities located in the U.S. is no longer in use and is held for sale 
according to SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”  The 
carrying value of this facility at March 31, 2005 and 2004 is $2.3 million and is separately presented in the 
Property held for sale line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the twelve months ended 
March 31, 2005, no gains or losses were recognized on this facility as the fair value is believed to 
approximate carrying value based on an external appraisal. The Company does not anticipate any 
remediation costs in selling the property. On a quarterly basis, management will review this value for 
indications of impairment. For the fiscal fourth quarter 2005, KEMET does not believe that there was any 
such impairment. 

88 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 

registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly 
authorized. 

SIGNATURES 

Date: June 14, 2005 

KEMET CORPORATION 
(Registrant) 

/s/ DAVID E. GABLE 
David E. Gable 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed 
below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. 

Date: June 14, 2005 

Date: June 14, 2005 

Date: June 14, 2005 

Date: June 14, 2005 

Date: June 14, 2005 

Date: June 14, 2005 

Date: June 14, 2005 

/s/ PER-OLOF LOOF 
Per-Olof Loof 
Chief Executive Officer and Director 
(Principal Executive Officer) 

/s/ DAVID E. GABLE 
David E. Gable 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) 

/s/ FRANK G. BRANDENBERG 
Frank G. Brandenberg 
Chairman and Director 

/s/ MAUREEN E. GRZELAKOWSKI 
Maureen E. Grzelakowski 
Director 

/s/ E. ERWIN MADDREY, II 
E. Erwin Maddrey, II 
Director 

/s/ JOSEPH D. SWANN 
Joseph D. Swann 
Director 

/s/ CHARLES E. VOLPE 
Charles E. Volpe 
Director 

89 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KEMET Corporation 

Code of Business Integrity and Ethics 

Exhibit 10.19 

Governing Principle 

The fundamental principle governing corporate actions of KEMET Corporation and its subsidiaries 
(collectively, “KEMET” or the “Company”) and the actions of employees and officers of the Company is 
that ethics and business are inseparable at KEMET, that no business objective can be achieved without 
following the highest ethical standards and complying with all the local and national laws and regulations 
that pertain to our operations. 

Conflict of Interest 

No officer or employee of the Company may have a personal, financial or family interest that could in 

any way keep the individual from acting in the best interest of the Company. Any actual or potential 
conflict of interest must be reported to corporate management as soon as recognized. 

Business Relationships 

The use of the funds or assets of the Company for any unlawful purpose or to influence others 

through bribes is strictly prohibited, i.e., there shall be no reward, gift, or favor bestowed or promised with 
a view to perverting the judgment or corrupting the conduct of a person in a position of trust. 

Offering or accepting properly recorded business meals, entertainment, or token gifts intended and 

understood as simple courtesies meant to foster understanding and communication with suppliers, 
customers, and public officials is allowed. 

Token tips or minor payments to government, institutional, vendor, or customer service personnel 
that simply facilitate service, are traditional in the country or locality, nominal in amount, do not involve a 
perversion of judgement or corruption of conduct, and are properly recorded are acceptable. Minor 
payments meet this test only if, through the generation of goodwill, and not by any other means, they 
encourage timely performance of an act which the recipient already has a duty to perform because of some 
legal requirement or job responsibility. 

Memberships 

Memberships should serve legitimate business needs. They are appropriate only in organizations 

whose objectives and activities are lawful and ethical, and fit within the framework of broadly accepted 
social values. 

Financial Integrity 

No unrecorded fund will be established for any purpose. All assets of the Company will be recorded 
on the books of the Company at all times unless specifically exempted by corporate procedures which are 
consistent with generally accepted accounting principles. 

No false entry or entry that obscures the purposes of the underlying transaction shall be made in the 

books and records of the Company for any reason. 

No payment on behalf of the Company shall be authorized or made with the intention or 

understanding that any part of such payment is to be used for a purpose other than that described by the 
documents supporting the payment. 

 
Each employee is responsible for the protection of the Company’s assets from loss, damage, misuse or 
theft. Company assets, such as funds, products, or computers, may only be used for business purposes and 
other purposes approved by management. Company assets may never be used for illegal purposes. 

The Company requires honest and accurate recording and reporting of information in order to make 
responsible business decisions. This includes such data as quality, safety, and personnel records, as well as 
all financial records. All financial books, records and accounts must accurately reflect transactions and 
events, and conform both to required accounting principles and to the Company’s system of internal 
controls. No false or artificial entries may be made, and no undisclosed or unrecorded funds or assets may 
be maintained for any purpose. When a payment is made, it can only be used for the purpose spelled out in 
the supporting document. 

Corporate Opportunities 

Employees are prohibited from (i) taking for themselves personally any opportunities that are 
discovered through the use of Company property, information or position; (ii) using corporate property, 
information or position for personal gain; and (iii) competing with the Company. Employees have a duty to 
the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises. 

Confidential Information 

Each employee will safeguard all confidential information by marking such information accordingly, 

keeping it secure, and limiting access to those who have a need to know in order to do their jobs. 
Confidential information includes any information that is not generally known to the public and is helpful 
to the Company, or would be helpful to competitors. It also includes information that suppliers and 
customers have entrusted to the Company. The obligation to preserve confidential information continues 
even after employment ends. 

Inside Information and Securities Trading 

Company employees are not allowed to trade in securities or any other kind of property based on 
knowledge that comes from their jobs, if that information has not been reported publicly. It is against the 
laws of many countries, including the U.S., to trade or to “tip” others who might make an investment 
decision based on inside information. For example, using non-public information to buy or sell Company 
stock, options in Company stock or the stock of a Company supplier, customer or competitor is prohibited. 

Compliance with the Law 

Company employees are required to comply with all applicable laws and regulations wherever the 
Company does business. Perceived pressures from supervisors or demands due to business conditions are 
not excuses for violating the law. 

Fair Competition and Antitrust 

The Company and all employees are required to comply with the antitrust and unfair competition laws 

of the many countries in which the Company does business. These laws are complex and vary considerably 
from country to country. They generally concern agreements with competitors that harm customers, 
including price fixing and allocations of customers or contracts, agreements that unduly limit a customer’s 
ability to sell a product, including establishing the resale price of a product or service, or conditioning the 
sale of products on an agreement to buy other Company products and services, and attempts to 
monopolize, including pricing a product below cost in order to eliminate competition. In the event that an 
employee is uncertain or has a question regarding such compliance, he or she should contact their 
immediate supervisor for clarification. 

 
Reporting of Behavior 

Each employee shall promptly bring to the attention of the Audit Committee of the Board of 

Directors any information he or she may have concerning evidence of a material violation of the securities 
or other laws, rules or regulations applicable to the Company or its employees or agents. Each employee 
shall promptly bring to the attention of the Audit Committee any information he or she may have 
concerning any violation of this Code of Business Integrity and Ethics. The Board of Directors may 
determine, or designate appropriate persons to determine, appropriate additional disciplinary or other 
actions to be taken in the event of violations of this Code of Business Integrity and Ethics and a procedure 
for granting any waivers of this Code of Business Integrity and Ethics. 

 
Exhibit 21.1 

21.1 List of Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2005 

Name of Subsidiary 
KEMET Electronics Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Services Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Electronics, S.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Electronics GMBH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Electronics SARL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Electronics Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Electronics Asia Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Electronics Marketing (S) Pte Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Electronics (Canada) Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KRC Trade Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET International, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Electronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Electronics Pty Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Tantalum Pty Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Electronics Greater China Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Electronics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEMET Electronics Japan Co., Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Forest Electric Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Jurisdiction of Incorporation 

  Delaware 
  Delaware 
  Switzerland 
  Germany 
  France 
  United Kingdom 
  Hong Kong 
  Singapore 
  Mexico 
  Canada 
  Delaware 
  Barbados 
  Singapore 
  Australia 
  Australia 
  People’s Republic of China 
  Hong Kong 
  People’s Republic of China 
  Japan 
  Illinois 

93 

 
 
 
23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

Exhibit 23.1 

The Board of Directors 
KEMET Corporation: 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (No. 333-107411, 

333-92963, 33-98912, and 33-93092) on Form S-3; and (333-123308, 333-67849, and 33-96226) on Form S-8, 
of KEMET Corporation of our reports dated June 14, 2005, with respect to the Consolidated Balance 
Sheets of KEMET Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related 
Consolidated Statements of Operations, Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Loss, and Cash Flows 
for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2005, management’s assessment of the 
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2005, and the effectiveness of 
internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2005, which reports appear in the March 31, 2005 
annual report on Form 10-K of KEMET Corporation. 

/s/ KPMG LLP 
KPMG LLP 

Greenville, South Carolina 
June 14, 2005 

94 

 
 
I, Per-Olof Loof, certify that: 

Exhibit 31.1 

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of KEMET Corporation; 

2.  Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material 
fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the 
circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period 
covered by this annual report; 

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this 
annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, 
and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report; 

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining 

disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) 
for the registrant and we have: 

a)  designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and 
procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information 
relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by 
others with those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being 
prepared; and 

b)  designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over 

financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for 
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and 

c) 

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and 
presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls 
and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; 
and 

d)  disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting 

that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal 
quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to 
materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; 

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent 

evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of 
directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): 

a) 

b) 

all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal 
control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the 
registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and 

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have 
a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting. 

Date: June 14, 2005 

/s/ PER-OLOF LOOF 
Per-Olof Loof 
Chief Executive Officer and Director 

95 

 
 
 
 
 
I, David E. Gable, certify that: 

Exhibit 31.2 

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of KEMET Corporation; 

2.  Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material 
fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the 
circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period 
covered by this annual report; 

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this 
annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, 
and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report; 

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining 

disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) 
for the registrant and we have: 

a)  designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and 
procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information 
relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by 
others with those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being 
prepared; and 

b)  designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over 

financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for 
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and 

c) 

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and 
presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls 
and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; 
and 

d)  disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting 

that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal 
quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to 
materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; 

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent 

evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of 
directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): 

a) 

b) 

all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal 
control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the 
registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and 

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have 
a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.  

Date: June 14, 2005 

/s/ DAVID E. GABLE 
David E. Gable 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

96 

 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 32.1 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER  
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 ADOPTED  
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002. 

I, Per-Olof Loof, hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 adopted pursuant to Section 906 

of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that, to my knowledge: 

The accompanying Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005, fully complies 

with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as 
amended; and 

The information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial 

condition and results of operations of KEMET Corporation. 

Date: June 14, 2005 

/s/ PER-OLOF LOOF 
Per-Olof Loof 
Chief Executive Officer and Director 

The foregoing certifications are being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and are not 

being filed as part of this report or as a separate disclosure document. 

97 

 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 32.2 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER  
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 ADOPTED  
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002. 

I, David E. Gable, hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 adopted pursuant to Section 906 

of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that, to my knowledge: 

The accompanying Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005, fully complies 

with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as 
amended; and 

The information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial 

condition and results of operations of KEMET Corporation. 

Date: June 14, 2005 

/s/ DAVID E. GABLE 
David E. Gable 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

The foregoing certifications are being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and are not 

being filed as part of this report or as a separate disclosure document. 

 
 
 
 
 
Dear Fellow Shareholders

Fiscal 2005 was a year of transition for KEMET. In March 2005, Dave Maguire retired from the KEMET board after 
a 43-year career with the company. Dave is highly respected at KEMET as well as throughout the entire electronics
industry. All of KEMET is grateful for his many contributions over the years and wish him the best in his retirement.
He’s earned it.

I joined KEMET as Chief Executive Officer in April 2005. KEMET is a team on a mission: to be a successful company,
which means that we have to be profitable. Being profitable in the short-term is important to employees as well as
shareholders and other stakeholders.

I will not try to gloss-over or defend the FY2005 results. I have said that our number one priority is “The math must
work,” and it clearly was not working. We did make progress on many fronts. However, our financial performance
was unacceptable, and it will improve. Your company is taking immediate action on numerous fronts to bring the
company to the performance levels you want and expect.

We have taken immediate actions to adjust our cost/expense to revenue ratio. We are reaching the conclusion of
the reorganization of our global operations, announced in July 2003. Over 90% of our production workforce is now
in low-cost locations. Our first production facility in Suzhou, China, is performing well, and our second should be
on-line as you read this. These facilities manufacture products close to the major customers that are consuming them.

I am realigning the company to a more flatly structured organization with accountability and responsibility lower 
in the organization. I want the people who are close to the action — and close to the customer — to have the
responsibility and authority to make the correct decisions to satisfy our customers and improve profitability.
Additionally, I am establishing three sales/field units to focus on specific geographies and all customers within those
geographies. The leaders of these field units will report directly to me. I intend to be close to our customers and
make sure their needs are our priorities.

There are two pillars of success for any company in this industry — customer focus and technology leadership. In my
early visits with customers, I have clearly received the message that they enjoy doing business with KEMET. Our Easy-
To-Buy-From model is working. Customers want us to succeed. This is a strong foundation on which we can grow.

I have also been impressed with KEMET’s dedication to providing leading-edge technology that meets the needs of
our customers. We had numerous new product introductions during the year. We are seeing increases in shipments
of our innovative organic tantalum-polymer products, which we call KO-CAPs. We are also making advances in new
high-capacitance, multilayer ceramic capacitors. All these new parts are environmentally friendly, in accordance
with new environmental legislation around the world.

I have arrived at KEMET at a challenging time for the company, in particular, and the electronics industry, in general.
I appreciate the depth of experience of KEMET’s employees, many of whom have decades of knowledge about the
electronics industry. We will tap into and leverage that knowledge as we chart a course for KEMET’s future. We will
seek ways to sell more to our existing customers and to find new customers for our products, while continuing to
reduce costs.

Further details of our forward course are still being determined as I write this, but I can assure you I came to
KEMET to help our team win. I look forward to reporting back to you on our progress toward success in the future.

Thank you for your continued support of KEMET.

Sincerely,

Per-Olof Loof
Chief Executive Officer

Corporate Profile

KEMET Corporation is one of the world’s
leading suppliers of tantalum, multilayer
ceramic and solid aluminum electronic
capacitors. Our vision is to be the preferred
supplier of standardized components
among customers demanding the highest
standards of quality, delivery and service.

Board of Directors

Officers

Key Subsidiaries

Frank G. Brandenberg
Chairman
Former Corporate Vice President 
and Sector President of Northrop 
Grumman Corporation

Maureen E. Grzelakowski
Technology Industry Consultant

Per-Olof Loof
Chief Executive Officer of 
KEMET Corporation

E. Erwin Maddrey, II
President
Maddrey and Associates,
an investment and consulting firm

Joseph D. Swann
President of Rockwell Automation
Power Systems and
Senior Vice President of 
Rockwell Automation

Charles E. Volpe
Former President and 
Chief Operating Officer of
KEMET Corporation

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.
30 Canton Road, Room 1512 
Silver Cord Tower II
Tsimshatshui Kowloon
Hong Kong

KEMET Electronics Marketing (S) Pte Ltd.
101 Thompson Road
#23-03 United Square
Singapore 307591

KEMET Electronics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
Block 8, Suchun Industrial Square
Suchun Road, Suzhou Industrial Park
Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021
People’s Republic of China

Per-Olof Loof
CEO

James P. McClintock
President and COO

David E. Gable
VP and CFO

Larry C. McAdams
VP Human Resources

J. Kelly Vogt
VP Sales and Marketing

Daniel E. LaMorte
VP and CIO

Dr. Philip M. Lessner
VP Tantalum Technology and
Technical Marketing

Guy T. Williams
VP Engineering and Facilities

James A. Bruorton III
VP Global Distribution Sales

John E. Schneider
VP Sales — Asia

John R. Warner III
VP Strategy and Communications

Donald R. Aldworth
VP Quality

Joseph S. Porter
VP Sales — Americas

Michael W. Boone
Treasurer, Senior Director of Finance 
and Secretary

KEMET Electronics Corporation
World Sales Headquarters
P.O. Box 5928
Greenville, SC 29606
Phone: 864.963.6300
Fax: 864.963.6521
www.kemet.com

KEMET Electronics S.A.
1-3, Avenue de la Paix
P.O. Box 76
Ch-1211
Geneva 20, Switzerland
Phone: 41.22.715.0100
Fax: 41.22.715.0170

KEMET Electronics Marketing (S) Pte Ltd.
101 Thompson Road
#23-03 United Square
Singapore 307591
Phone: 65.353.6636
Fax: 65.353.6656

ANNUAL REPORT 2005

Highlights of Fiscal 2005

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

2003

2004

2005

Net sales

Net loss

Net loss per share, diluted

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$447,332

$  433,882

$  425,338

$(55,988)

$(111,975)

$(174,094)

$   (0.65)

$     (1.30)

$

(2.01)

$  43,710

$    38,452

$  (12,752)

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and investments in marketable securities

$263,585

$  271,284

$  219,466

Stockholders’ equity

$793,275

$  684,478

$  515,203

Net Sales (In Millions)

Earnings (Loss) Per Share — Diluted

Stockholders’ Equity (In Millions)

$1,500

1,200

900

600

300

0

’00

’01

’02

’03

’04

’05

$5

4

3

2

1

0

-1

-2

-3

’00

’01

’02

’03

’04

’05

$900

675

450

225

0

’00

’01

’02

’03

’04

’05