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Quanex Building Products Corporation
Annual Report 2012

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FY2012 Annual Report · Quanex Building Products Corporation
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________________ 
FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2012
or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 1-33913
 _______________________________
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

1900 West Loop South, Suite 1500, Houston, Texas
(Address of principal executive offices)

26-1561397
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

77027
(Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 961-4600

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

Title of each class
Common Stock, $0.01 par value

Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     Yes  

    No  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  

    No  

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  

    No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive 

Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter 
period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  

    No  

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be 

contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this 
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting 

company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange 
Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of April 30, 2012, computed by 

    No  

reference to the closing price for the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. on that date, was $672,023,844. Such calculation 
assumes only the registrant’s current officers and directors were affiliates of the registrant.

At December 14, 2012, there were outstanding 37,037,341 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value.

 _______________________________
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Commission 

within 120 days of October 31, 2012 are incorporated herein by reference in Part III of this Annual Report.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Item 1.

Business

General

Business Developments

Manufacturing Processes, Markets, and Product Sales by Business Segment

Strategy

Raw Materials and Supplies

Competition

Sales, Marketing, and Distribution

Seasonal Nature of Business

Working Capital

Service Marks, Trademarks, Trade Names and Patents

Research and Development

Environmental and Employee Safety Matters
Employees

Financial Information about Geographic Areas

Communication with the Company

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

Item 2.

Item 3.

Item 5.

Item 6.

Item 7.

Properties

Legal Proceedings

PART II

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 
Equity Securities

Selected Financial Data

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

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Item 8.

Item 9.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Change in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

Item 10.

Item 11.

Item 12.

Item 13.

Item 14.

PART III

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Executive Compensation

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 
Matters

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

PART IV

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Page

3

3

3

4

5

5

5

6

6

6

6

7

7
8

8

9

10

17

17

18

19

22

25

42

44

87

87

89

89

89

89

89

90

 
 
 
Item 1. 

Business

General

PART I

Quanex  was  organized  in  1927  as  a  Michigan  corporation  under  the  name  Michigan  Seamless  Tube  Company.  It 
reincorporated  in  Delaware  in  1968  under  the  same  name  and  then  changed  its  name  to  Quanex  Corporation  in  1977.  On 
December 12, 2007, Quanex Building Products Corporation was incorporated in the state of Delaware as a subsidiary of Quanex 
Corporation  to  facilitate  the  separation  of  Quanex  Corporation’s  vehicular  products  and  building  products  businesses.  The 
separation occurred on April 23, 2008, through the spin-off of Quanex Corporation’s building products business to its shareholders, 
immediately followed by the merger of Quanex Corporation (consisting principally of the Vehicular Products business and all 
non-building products related corporate accounts) with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gerdau S.A. (Gerdau). This transaction is 
hereafter referred to as the “Separation”. The Company’s executive offices are located at 1900 West Loop South, Suite 1500, 
Houston, Texas 77027. For purposes of describing the events related to the Separation as well as other events, transactions and 
financial results of Quanex Building Products Corporation and its subsidiaries related to periods prior to April 23, 2008, the terms 
“Quanex” or the “Company” also refer to Quanex Building Products Corporation’s accounting predecessor, Quanex Corporation.

The Company’s manufacturing businesses are managed on a decentralized basis and operate in two reportable business 
segments:  Engineered  Products  and Aluminum  Sheet  Products.  Each  business  has  administrative,  operating  and  marketing 
functions. The Company measures each business’ earnings, cash flow and return on investment and seeks to reward superior 
performance  with  incentive  compensation,  which  is  a  significant  portion  of  total  compensation  for  salaried  employees. 
Intercompany sales are conducted on an arms-length basis and appropriate eliminating entries are performed.  The Engineered 
Products segment has a unified sales and marketing group, which is tasked with selling and marketing Engineered Products' 
complete range of components, products and systems.  Operational activities and policies are managed by corporate officers and 
key division executives. Also, a small corporate staff provides corporate accounting, financial and treasury management, tax, legal, 
internal audit, information technology, payroll and human resource services to the operating divisions.

Quanex is a technological leader in the production of extruded vinyl profiles, flexible insulating glass (IG) spacer systems, 
solar panel sealants, aluminum flat-rolled sheet and metal and wood products that primarily serve the North American residential 
new construction and remodeling markets. The Company uses low-cost production processes, and engineering and metallurgical 
expertise, to provide customers with specialized products for their specific window and door applications. Quanex believes these 
capabilities  also  provide  the  Company  with  unique  competitive  advantages.  The  Company’s  growth  strategy  is  focused  on 
developing its Engineered Products businesses, introducing innovative products and components, and pursuing expansion through 
organic growth and the acquisition of companies that produce complementary products and serve similar building products markets.

Business Developments

The Company has grown primarily through the strategic acquisition of residential-related building products businesses 
that complement its fenestration (door and window) product base. The following business developments occurred in the past five 
years.

On March 31, 2011, the Company acquired Edgetech, I.G. Inc. and its German subsidiary, adding three manufacturing 
facilities (U.S., U.K. and Germany) that produce and market a full line of flexible insulating glass spacer systems for window and 
door customers in North America and abroad. In March 2011, the Company also acquired JELD-WEN’s vinyl extrusion assets in 
Yakima, Washington. In January 2011, management closed its finished window screen facility located in The Dalles, Oregon. In 
November 2011, management committed to a plan to consolidate its Truseal and U.S. Edgetech facilities. The consolidation plan, 
in part, called for the permanent closing of the Company’s Barbourville, Kentucky facility, and relocation of the equipment used 
to manufacture the single seal, warm edge spacer system  to the Company’s Cambridge, Ohio facility. The Company believes this 
consolidation will allow it to better serve customers through streamlined operations. The consolidation of operations and the 
subsequent closure of the Barbourville facility were completed in August 2012 with residual cash payments and minor program 
costs expected to continue into fiscal 2013.  All equipment to be retained has been relocated with the main outstanding activities 
only related to selling remaining equipment and the Barbourville facility itself.

In February 2010, the Company bought production assets in Shawano, Wisconsin for manufacturing engineered wood 
flooring. In 2010, management closed its start-up facility in China due to the contraction of demand and the Company’s ability to 
serve the overseas thin film solar panel market from its North American operations. Accordingly, the China assets and liabilities, 
results of operations and cash flows are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

3

Manufacturing Processes, Markets, and Product Sales by Business Segment

The Company has 19 manufacturing facilities in 9 states in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.  These 
facilities feature efficient plant design and flexible manufacturing processes, enabling the Company to produce a wide variety of 
custom engineered products and components primarily focused on the residential building products markets.  The Company is 
able to maintain minimal levels of finished goods inventories at most locations because it typically manufactures products upon 
order to customer specifications. Payments for purchases and collections from customers are generally consistent with industry 
practices which are based on average 30 day terms for Engineered Products and 30 to 60 day terms for Aluminum Sheet Products. 
 The majority of the Company’s products are sold into the residential building products markets. Residential remodeling activity 
and housing starts are its primary market drivers.

For financial information regarding each of the Company’s reportable business segments, see “Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” herein and Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. For 
net sales of the Company by major product lines see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  For the years ended 
October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, no single customer represented 10% or more of the consolidated net sales of the Company, 
respectively. 

Quanex operates in two reportable business segments: Engineered Products and Aluminum Sheet Products.

Engineered Products

The Engineered Products segment is comprised of four polyvinyl chloride (vinyl) extrusion facilities, four fabricated 
metal components operations, two facilities producing wood fenestration (door and window) components, one facility producing 
engineered wood flooring and three flexible IG (insulating glass) spacer facilities.  The segment’s operations produce window 
and  door  components  for  Original  Equipment  Manufacturers  (OEMs)  that  primarily  serve  the  residential  new  construction, 
commercial construction, and residential remodeling markets. Products include vinyl window and door profiles,  IG spacer systems, 
window and patio door screens, aluminum cladding and other roll formed metal window components, door components such as 
thresholds and astragals, patio doors and custom window grilles, trim and architectural moldings in a variety of woods, thin film 
solar panel sealants, and engineered wood flooring.

Engineered Products’ extrusion operations use highly automated production facilities to manufacture vinyl and composite 
profiles,  the  framing  material  used  by  fenestration  OEMs  in  the  assembly  of  vinyl  windows  and  patio  doors.   Value-added 
capabilities include compound blending, window system design, tooling design and fabrication, in-line weatherstrip installation 
and miter cutting, and the application of painted and co-extruded integrated weather-resistant coatings.  Metal fabrication operations 
include roll forming, stamping, and end-product assembly to produce a variety of fenestration products.  The IG systems business 
uses compound-extrusion and laminating technology to produce highly engineered window spacer products produced from butyl, 
EPDM, and silicone-based raw materials. These window spacer products are used to separate two or three panes of glass in an IG 
unit to improve its thermal performance. Engineered Products customers’ end-use applications include windows and window 
components, entry and patio door systems, custom hardwood architectural moldings and flooring, and thin film solar panels. 
Engineered Products' key success factors include design expertise, engineering support, quality audit support, marketing support, 
industry and governmental advocacy, new technology development, flexible, world-class quality manufacturing capability, unique 
patented products, customer service, and just-in-time delivery.

Aluminum Sheet Products

The Aluminum Sheet Products segment is comprised of an aluminum mini-mill operation and three stand-alone aluminum 
sheet finishing operations. Aluminum sheet finishing capabilities include reducing reroll coil (hot-rolled aluminum sheet) to specific 
gauge, annealing, slitting and custom coating. Customer end-use applications of the finished sheet include residential windows 
and screens, patio doors, exterior home trim, siding, fascias, roof edgings, soffits, downspouts and gutters. A secondary market 
includes transportation (truck trailer, RV and mobile home).

The segment’s aluminum mini-mill can produce approximately 360 million annualized finished pounds using an in-line 
casting process. The mini-mill converts aluminum scrap to reroll through melting, continuous casting, and in-line hot rolling 
processes.  It also has scrap shredding and blending capabilities, as well as specialized equipment such as two rotary barrel melting 
furnaces, a delacquering furnace and a dross recovery system that broaden the mini-mill’s use of raw materials, allowing it to 
utilize a broader range of scrap while improving raw material yields.  Scrap is blended using computerized processes to most 
economically achieve the desired aluminum alloy composition.  Management believes its production capabilities result in both 
cost advantages and savings from reduced raw material costs, optimized scrap utilization, reduced unit energy cost and lower labor 
costs.

4

For financial information related to each segment, see Note 12 of the Financial Statements contained in this Annual Report 

on Form 10-K.

Strategy

Management’s vision is to be the preferred supplier in every market we serve. Execution of the following strategies will 

be essential for attainment of this vision:

•  Achieve robust organic growth, both within our current customer base and through new market opportunities with 
national and regional customers, fueled by a robust system of quality and unmatched customer service, new product 
introduction, a systems approach and development of superior product attributes, particularly thermal efficiency, 
enhanced functionality, weatherability, appearance and best-in-class quality for Engineered Products;

•  Realize  improved Aluminum  Sheet  profitability  through  a  strong  preventive  maintenance  program  and  through 
investments focused on furthering our best-in-class processes, including the specialized ability to process low grades 
of scrap aluminum, while increasing capacity through internal advancements and expanding sales of value added 
products;

•  Lead the Company’s industry in safety, the reduction of accidents and education of the Company’s work force in 

safety practices;

•  Offer logistic solutions that provide our customers with just-in-time service that reduces their processing costs;

•  Enhance our profitability through continued efforts to adopt, promulgate and formalize Lean Manufacturing practices 
within our current businesses and future acquisitions, including eliminating waste, minimizing scrap, optimizing 
work flow and improving productivity;

•  Attract  and  retain  outstanding  leadership  and  facilitate  broad-based  employee  development  through  open 

communication, active feedback, meaningful goal setting and well-designed incentives; and

• 

Pursue an active acquisition program to grow the existing fenestration footprint into clear leadership positions through 
expansion of components and systems the Company offers and markets it serves.

Raw Materials and Supplies

The Engineered Products businesses purchase a diverse range of raw materials, which include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), 
epoxy resin, butyl, desiccant powder, silicone and EPDM rubber compounds, coated and uncoated aluminum sheet and wood 
(both hardwood and softwood).  In most cases, the raw materials are available from several suppliers at market prices. Aluminum 
sheet is generally purchased from the Aluminum Sheet Products business at prices based upon arms-length transactions. Sole 
sourcing arrangements are entered into from time to time if beneficial savings can be realized and only when it is determined that 
a vendor can reliably supply all of the business’ raw material requirements.

The Aluminum Sheet Products business’ most significant raw material is aluminum scrap that is purchased on the open 
market, where availability and delivery can be adversely affected by, among other things, extreme weather conditions. Firm fixed 
price forward purchases matched to firm fixed price forward sales are used on a limited basis to hedge against fluctuations in the 
price of aluminum scrap required to manufacture products for fixed-price sales contracts.  To a lesser extent, aluminum ingot 
futures contracts are bought and sold on the London Metal Exchange to hedge aluminum scrap requirements.

Although the Company has material sole sourcing arrangements, its agreements have clauses that allow for termination. 

In addition, there are several other qualified suppliers from which the Company could purchase raw materials and supplies.

Competition

The  Company’s  products  are  sold  under  highly  competitive  conditions.  The  Company  competes  with  a  number  of 
companies,  some  of  which  have  greater  financial  resources  than  Quanex.  Competitive  factors  include  product  quality,  price, 
delivery, and the ability to manufacture to customer specifications. The volume of aluminum sheet products and engineered building 
products that the Company manufactures represent a small percentage of annual domestic consumption.

Engineered Products competes against a range of small and midsize metal, vinyl and wood products suppliers and wood 
molding companies. The Company also competes against IG spacer manufacturing firms. IG systems are used in numerous end 
markets including residential housing, commercial, appliances and transportation vehicles, but the Company primarily serves the 
residential housing market. Competition is primarily based on regional presence, custom engineering, product development, quality, 
5

service and price. The business also competes with in-house operations of vertically integrated fenestration OEMs. Some of the 
primary  competitors  of  the  Engineered  Products  business  include  Royal  Group, Veka,  Deceuninck, Vision  Extrusions,  GED 
Integrated Solutions, Technoform, Swiss Spacer, Thermix, Allmetal and Endura.

The Aluminum Sheet Products business competes with small to large aluminum sheet manufacturers such as Aleris, 
Jupiter,  and JW Aluminum, some of which are divisions or subsidiaries of major corporations with substantially greater resources 
than the Company. The Company competes in common alloy coil-coated and mill finished products, primarily on the basis of the 
breadth of product lines, the quality and responsiveness of its services, and price.

Sales, Marketing, and Distribution

The Company has sales representatives whose territories essentially cover all of the United States, Canada, much of 
Europe, and to a lesser extent, the Middle East, Latin and South America, Australia and Asia as the Company sells into numerous 
countries worldwide.  Engineered Products segment sales are primarily to window and door OEMs through a direct sales force, 
along with the limited use of distributors and independent sales agents.  In 2010, its three standalone sales and marketing groups 
(one group for each of its three divisions) were combined into one unified group, which is tasked with selling and marketing 
Engineered Products' complete range of components, products and systems to national and regional OEMs. The Edgetech sales 
and marketing resources were integrated into this unified group during 2011 and 2012.  Aluminum Sheet Products segment sales 
are to OEM and distribution customers through both direct and indirect sales representatives.

Seasonal Nature of Business

Sales of Engineered Products and Aluminum Sheet Products businesses are seasonal. Winter weather typically reduces 
homebuilding and home improvement activity. The Company typically experiences its lowest sales during the first half of its fiscal 
year. Profits tend to be lower in quarters with lower sales because a high percentage of manufacturing overhead and operating 
expense is due to labor and other costs that are generally semi-variable throughout the year.

Working Capital

The Company funds operations through a combination of available cash and equivalents, short-term investments, and 
cash flow generated from operations. In addition, the Company’s revolving credit facility is available for working capital needs. 
The Company extends credit to its domestic customers in the ordinary course of business generally for 30 to 60 day terms and its 
international customers varying from cash advance to 90 day terms. Inventory of raw materials are carried in quantities deemed 
necessary to ensure a smooth production process, some of which are governed by consignment agreements with suppliers. The 
Company maintains minimal finished goods inventories sufficient to manage customer needs.

Service Marks, Trademarks, Trade Names, and Patents

The Company’s federally registered trademarks or service marks include QUANEX, QUANEX and design, "Q" design, 
TRUSEAL  TECHNOLOGIES,  DURASEAL,  DURALITE,  SOLARGAIN  EDGE  TAPE,  ENVIROSEALED  WINDOWS, 
EDGETHERM, COLONIAL CRAFT, EDGETECH, ECOBLEND, SUPER SPACER, TSS, TRUE WARM, E & Design, QUIET 
EDGE,  HEALTH  SMART  WINDOWS,  ENERGY  WISE  WINDOWS,  DESI-ROPE,  360  and  design,  INTELLICLIP, 
SUSTAINAVIEW, MIKRON, MIKRONWOOD, MIKRONBLEND, MIKRON BLEND and design, ENERGYCORE, FUSION 
INSULATED SYSTEM, AIRCELL, SUPERCOAT, SUPERCAP, STYLELOCK, STYLELOCK and design, K2 MIKRON and 
design, HOMESHIELD, HOMESHIELD and design, and STORM SEAL. The trade name Nichols Aluminum is used in connection 
with the sale of our aluminum mill sheet products. The HOMESHIELD, COLONIAL CRAFT, TRUSEAL TECHNOLOGIES, 
EDGETECH, MIKRON and QUANEX word and design marks and associated trade names are considered valuable in the conduct 
of business. The Company’s business generally does not depend upon patent protection, but patents obtained at its vinyl extrusion, 
fabricated metal component operations and window sealant business units remain critical in providing a competitive advantage 
over other building products manufacturers. The Company’s vinyl extrusion business unit obtains patent protection for various 
dies and other tooling created in connection with its production of customer-specific designs and extrusions. The Company’s 
fabricated metal components business obtains patent protection for its thresholds, which gives it an advantage in the threshold 
markets. The Company’s window sealant business unit relies on patents to protect the design of several of its window spacer 
products. Although the Company holds numerous patents, the proprietary process technology that has been developed is also the 
source of considerable competitive advantage.

6

Research and Development

 Although not technically defined as research and development for accounting purposes, a significant amount of time, 
effort and expense is devoted to (a) custom engineering which qualifies products for specific customer applications, (b) developing 
superior, proprietary process technology and (c) partnering with customers to develop new products.

Environmental and Employee Safety Matters

The Company is subject to extensive laws and regulations concerning the discharge of materials into the environment, 
the remediation of chemical contamination and worker safety. To satisfy such requirements, the Company must make capital and 
other expenditures on an ongoing basis. The cost of environmental matters and worker safety has not had a material adverse effect 
on the Company’s operations or financial condition in the past, and management is not currently aware of any existing conditions 
that it believes are likely to have a material adverse effect on its operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

Worker Safety

The Company for many years has maintained effective compliance policies that have helped to minimize liabilities and 
other financial impacts related to worker safety and environmental issues. These policies include extensive employee training and 
education, as well as internal policies embodied in the Company’s Code of Conduct and elsewhere. The Company has a Quanex-
wide Safety Council, comprised of leaders from across the organization, which meets regularly to discuss safety issues and drive 
safety improvements. In addition, the Company hired its first company-wide Director of Environmental, Health and Safety during 
2012.  The Company plans to continue these practices in the future and believes that they are a vital component of the Company’s 
improving performance. 

Remediation

Under applicable state and federal laws, the Company may be responsible for, among other things, all or part of the costs 
required to remove or remediate wastes or hazardous substances at locations it has owned or operated at any time. The Company 
currently is engaged in material environmental remediation activities at only one of its plant sites.

From time to time, the Company also has been alleged to be liable for all or part of the costs incurred to clean up third-
party sites where it is alleged to have arranged for disposal of hazardous substances. At present, the Company is not involved in 
any such matters.

Total environmental reserves and corresponding recovery as of October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011 were as follows:

Current(1)
Non-current

Total environmental reserves
Receivable for recovery of remediation costs(2)

October 31,
2012

October 31,
2011

(In thousands)

$

$
$

1,700

9,827

11,527
11,195

$

$
$

1,965

11,221

13,186
12,304

(1) 

(2) 

Reported in Accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets
The current portion reported in Accounts receivable and non-current portion reported in Other assets on the Consolidated 
Balance Sheets

The  Company  currently  is  engaged  in  ongoing  remediation  activities  at  one  of  its  subsidiaries,  Nichols Aluminum-
Alabama, LLC (NAA). NAA operates a plant in Decatur, Alabama that is subject to an Alabama Hazardous Wastes Management 
and Minimization Act Post-Closure Permit. Among other things, the permit requires NAA to remediate, as directed by the state, 
historical environmental releases of wastes and waste constituents. Consistent with the permit, NAA has undertaken various studies 
of site conditions and, during the first quarter of 2006, started a phased program to treat in-place free product petroleum that had 
been released underneath the plant. During the second quarter 2010, NAA submitted to the state the first component of its proposed 
workplan for implementing a site-wide remedy. The full workplan was submitted to the state during the third quarter 2010, revised 
during the second quarter 2011 to reflect both additional sampling data and responses to state comments, and revised again in the 
fourth quarter 2011 in response to another round of state comments. Based on those plans, which remain subject to further comment, 
revision, and state approval, the Company’s remediation reserve at NAA’s Decatur plant is $11.5 million as of October 31, 2012. 

7

 
 
 
Approximately $1.1 million of the October 31, 2012 reserve represents administrative costs; the balance of $10.4 million represents 
estimated costs for investigation, studies, cleanup, and treatment. The reserve has not been discounted. 

NAA was acquired through a stock purchase in which the sellers agreed to indemnify Quanex and NAA for identified 
environmental matters related to the business and based on conditions initially created or events initially occurring prior to the 
acquisition. Environmental conditions are presumed to relate to the period prior to the acquisition unless proved to relate to releases 
occurring entirely after closing. The limit on indemnification is $21.5 million excluding legal fees. While the Company’s current 
estimates indicate it will not reach this limit, changing circumstances could result in additional costs or expense that are not foreseen 
at this time. In accordance with the indemnification, the indemnitors paid the first $1.5 million of response costs and have been 
paying 90% of ongoing costs. Based on its experience to date, its estimated cleanup costs going forward, and costs incurred to 
date as of October 31, 2012, the Company expects to recover from the sellers’ shareholders an additional $11.2 million which has 
not been discounted. Of that, $10.4 million is recorded in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the balance is 
reflected in Accounts receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The undiscounted recovery from indemnitors as of October 31, 
2011, was $12.3 million. Of that, $11.6 million is recorded in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the balance 
is reflected in Accounts receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company’s final remediation costs and the timing of those expenditures will depend on such factors as the nature 
and extent of contamination, the cleanup technologies employed, the effectiveness of the cleanup measures that are employed, 
and regulatory concurrences. While actual remediation costs may be more or less than amounts accrued, the Company believes 
it has established adequate reserves for all probable and reasonably estimable remediation liabilities. It is not possible at this point 
to reasonably estimate the amount of any obligation for remediation in excess of current accruals because of uncertainties as to 
the extent of environmental impact, cleanup technologies, and concurrence of governmental authorities. The Company currently 
expects to pay the accrued remediation reserve through at least fiscal 2034, although some of the same factors discussed earlier 
could accelerate or extend the timing.

Compliance

Quanex incurred expenses of approximately $1.8 million during fiscal 2012  to comply with existing environmental 
regulations. This compares to $1.5 million of expense incurred during fiscal 2011. For fiscal 2013, the Company estimates expenses 
at its facilities will be approximately $1.5 million for continuing environmental compliance. There were no capital expenditures 
for environmental matters during fiscal 2012 or fiscal 2011 and no environmental capital expenditures are expected for fiscal 2013. 
Future expenditures relating to environmental matters will depend upon the application to the Company and its facilities of future 
regulations and government decisions. The Company will continue to have expenditures beyond fiscal 2013 in connection with 
environmental matters, including control of air emissions, control of water discharges and plant decommissioning costs. It is not 
possible at this time to reasonably estimate the amount of those expenditures, except as discussed above, due to uncertainties about 
emission levels, control technologies, the positions of governmental authorities and the application of requirements to the Company. 
Based upon its experience to date, the Company does not believe that its compliance with environmental requirements will have 
a material adverse effect on its operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

Employees

The Company had 2,228 employees at October 31, 2012. Of the total employed, approximately 19% are covered by 

collective bargaining agreements. Following is a table of collective bargaining agreements currently in place:

Facility

Expires

Union

Nichols Aluminum–Lincolnshire

Jan. 2013

International Association of Machinists
and Aerospace Workers

Nichols Aluminum–Alabama

Nov. 2014

United Steelworkers of America

Nichols Aluminum–Davenport/Casting

Nov. 2017

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Financial Information about Geographic Areas

Covered
Employees
at 10/31/12

85

88

247

For financial information on the Company’s foreign and domestic operations, see Note 12 of the Financial Statements 

contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

8

 
  
  
  
  
 
Communication with the Company

The Company’s website is www.quanex.com. Inquiries to the Company and its Board of Directors are invited. Interested 

persons may contact the appropriate individual or department by choosing one of the options below.

General

Investor Information:

For Investor Relations matters or to obtain a printed copy of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, 
Corporate Governance Guidelines or charters for the Audit, Compensation and Management Development, and Nominating and 
Corporate  Governance  Committees  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  send  a  request  to  the  Company’s  principal  address  below  or 
inquiry@quanex.com. This material may also be obtained from the Company website at www.quanex.com/investor-relations/
corporate-governance.

The Company’s required regulatory filings such as annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current 
reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports are available free of charge through the Company’s website, as soon as 
reasonably practicable after they have been filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pursuant 
to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the 1934 Act). Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed with respect to equity 
securities under Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act are also available on the Company’s website. All of these materials are located at 
the “Investor Relations” link under SEC filings. They can also be obtained free of charge upon request to inquiry@quanex.com 
or to the Company’s principal address below.

Communications with the Company’s Board of Directors:

Persons wishing to communicate to the Company’s Board of Directors or specified individual directors may do so by 
sending them in care of The Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Company’s principal address below or by sending an email 
to chairman@quanex.com.

Alert Line

Accounting Issues:

Persons who have questions or concerns regarding potential questionable accounting, internal accounting controls or 
auditing matters may submit them to the Senior Vice President – Finance & Chief Financial Officer at the Company’s principal 
address or online by visiting the Company’s Alert Line located at  https://quanex.alertline.com. The Audit Committee will be 
informed of the call or report and the Company’s response.

Such communications will be kept confidential to the fullest extent possible. If the individual is not satisfied with the 
response, they may contact the Audit Committee or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors 
of the Company. If concerns or complaints require confidentiality, then this confidentiality will be protected, subject to applicable 
laws.

9

Reporting Potential Illegal or Unethical Behavior:

Employees, officers and directors who suspect or know of violations of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and 
Ethics, or illegal or unethical business or workplace conduct by employees, officers or directors, have an obligation to report it. 
If the individuals to whom such information is conveyed are not responsive, or if there is reason to believe that reporting to such 
individuals is inappropriate in particular cases, then the employee, officer or director may contact the Chief Compliance Officer, 
Chief  Financial Officer,  Director of  Internal Audit,  or any  corporate officer  in person,  by  telephone, letter to  the Company’s 
principal address or e-mail below. Quanex Building Products also encourages persons who are not affiliated with the Company 
to report any suspected illegal or unethical behavior. The Audit and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committees will be 
informed.

1)

In Person or By Letter

Quanex Building Products Corporation

1900 West Loop South, Suite 1500

Houston, Texas 77027

2)

By United States Telephone

Direct Telephone

Toll Free Telephone

Toll Free Anonymous Alert Line

3)

By UK Telephone

Direct Telephone

Anonymous Alert Line

4)

By German Telephone

Direct Telephone

Anonymous Alert Line

5)

Electronically

https://quanex.alertline.com

Or

https://quanexeu.alertline.com

(713) 877-5349
(800) 231-8176

(888) 475-0633

+44 (0) 8700.566844, ext. 6726

0808.234.8922

+49 (0) 2452.96491.15

+49 (0) 8883.934356

Such communications will be kept confidential to the fullest extent possible, and all communications received in Germany 
and the United Kingdom will be treated in accordance with all applicable privacy laws. If the individual is not satisfied with the 
response, he or she may contact the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company 
at  the  Company’s  principal  address  above.  If  concerns  or  complaints  require  confidentiality,  then  this  confidentiality  will  be 
protected, subject to applicable laws.

Item 1A. 

Risk Factors

In addition to the factors discussed elsewhere in this report and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations, the following are some of the potential risk factors that could cause the Company’s actual 
results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. These factors, as well as the other information 
contained in this document, should be carefully considered when evaluating an investment in the Company’s securities. Any of 
the following risks could have material adverse effects on the Company’s financial condition, operating results and cash flow. The 
below list of important factors is not all-inclusive or necessarily in order of importance.

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The Company is subject to business risks and general economic factors that are largely out of its control, any of which 
could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

The primary drivers of the Company’s business are residential remodeling activities and housing starts. The building and 
construction industry is cyclical and seasonal, and product demand is based on numerous factors such as interest rates, general 
economic  conditions,  consumer  confidence  and  other  factors  beyond  the  Company’s  control.  Declines  in  housing  starts  and 
remodeling activities due to such factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations 
and financial condition. The downturn in the housing market has had an adverse effect on the operating results of the Company’s 
building products business. Further deterioration or prolonged depressed states in industry conditions or in the broader economic 
conditions of the markets where the Company operates could further decrease demand and pricing for its products and have 
additional adverse effects on its operations and financial results.

The  Company’s  business  is  subject  to  a  number  of  general  economic  factors  that  may  adversely  affect  its  business, 
financial condition and results of operations, many of which are largely out of its control. These factors include domestic and 
international recessionary economic cycles, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, and downturns in customers’ business 
cycles and changes in their business practices, particularly in market segments and industries where the Company has a significant 
concentration of customers. There could be a number of follow-on effects on the Company’s business, including insolvency of 
key suppliers resulting in product delays, inability of customers to obtain credit to finance purchases of the Company’s products, 
an inability of customers to pay accounts receivable owed to the Company, or delays in the payment of such receivables. Additionally, 
if these economic conditions persist, the Company’s assets may become further impaired.

The price of our common stock has historically been volatile and could continue to fluctuate in the future.

The market price of the Company’s common stock has fluctuated significantly and is likely to continue to fluctuate in 
the future. Announcements by the Company or others regarding the receipt of customer orders, quarterly variations in operating 
results, acquisitions or divestitures, additional equity or debt financings, litigation, product developments, patent or proprietary 
rights, government regulation and general market conditions may have a significant impact on the market price of the Company’s 
common stock.

If  the  Company’s  raw  materials  or  energy  were  to  significantly  increase  in  price  or  raw  materials  were  to  become 
unavailable, the Company might not be able to timely produce products for its customers or maintain its profit levels.

Quanex requires significant amounts of raw materials, such as butyl, TiO2, and resin.  Substantially all of these materials 
are purchased from outside sources.  The Company does not have long-term contracts for the supply of most of its raw materials. 
The availability and prices of raw materials may be subject to curtailment or change due to new laws or regulations, suppliers’ 
allocations to other purchasers, or interruptions in production by suppliers. In addition, the operation of the Company’s facilities 
requires substantial amounts of electric power and natural gas. Any change in the supply of, or price for, these raw materials could 
affect its ability to timely produce products for its customers.

The Company depends on supplier relationships, insurance providers, and other vendors, and any disruption in these 
relationships may cause damage to its customer relationships or delays to its business.

There can be no assurance that the Company’s suppliers will be able to meet the Company’s future requirements for 
products and components in a timely fashion. In addition, the availability of many of these components is dependent in part on 
the Company’s ability to provide its suppliers with accurate forecasts of the Company’s future requirements. Delays or lost sales 
could be caused by other factors beyond the Company’s control, including late deliveries by vendors. If the Company were required 
to identify alternative suppliers for any of its required components, qualification and pre-production periods could be lengthy and 
may cause an increase in component costs and delays in providing products to customers. Any extended interruption in the supply 
of any of the key components currently obtained from limited sources could disrupt the Company’s operations and have a material 
adverse effect on customer relationships and profitability.

The Company is subject to various environmental requirements and is currently engaged in remediation activities at one 
location. Compliance with, or liabilities under, existing or future environmental laws and regulations could significantly 
increase the Company's costs of doing business. 

The Company is subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning the discharge of materials 
into the environment and the remediation of chemical contamination. To satisfy such requirements, the Company must make 
capital  and  other  expenditures  on  an  ongoing  basis.  For  example,  environmental  agencies  continue  to  develop  regulations 
implementing the Federal Clean Air Act. Depending on the nature of the regulations adopted, the Company may be required to 
incur additional capital and other expenditures in the next several years for air pollution control equipment, to maintain or obtain 
operating permits and approvals, and to address other air emission-related issues. Future expenditures relating to environmental 

11

matters  will  necessarily  depend  upon  the  application  to  the  Company  and  its  facilities  of  future  regulations  and  government 
decisions.  It  is  likely  that  the  Company  will  be  subject  to  increasingly  stringent  environmental  standards  and  the  additional 
expenditures related to compliance with such standards. Furthermore, if the Company fails to comply with applicable environmental 
regulations, the Company could be subject to substantial fines or penalties and to civil and criminal liability. In addition, the 
Company continues to engage in remediation efforts at its facility in Decatur, Alabama, for which a third party is indemnifying 
us for 90% of costs. The limit on indemnification is $21.5 million excluding legal fees.  The work plan related to the Company's 
ongoing remediation efforts at its Decatur, Alabama facility remains subject to further comment, revision and state approval.  If 
these remediation efforts are not successful or prove more expensive than our current estimates, or if the company currently 
indemnifying us fails to continue doing so, then our remediation costs could significantly increase. During fiscal 2012, the Company 
spent approximately $3.1 million on environmental compliance, including mandatory remediation activities.

The Company may not be able to successfully identify, manage or integrate future acquisitions, and if it is unable to do so, 
the Company’s rate of growth and profitability could be adversely affected.

The Company cannot provide any assurance that it will be able to identify appropriate acquisition candidates or, if it 
does, that it will be able to successfully negotiate the terms of an acquisition, finance the acquisition, or integrate the acquired 
business  effectively  and  profitably  into  its  existing  operations.   Integration  of  future  acquired  businesses  could  disrupt  the 
Company’s  business  by  diverting  management’s  attention  away  from  day-to-day  operations.   Further,  failure  to  successfully 
integrate any acquisition may cause significant operating inefficiencies and could adversely affect the Company’s profitability. 
Consummating an acquisition could require the Company to raise additional funds through additional equity or debt financing. 
 Additional  equity  financing  could  depress  the  market  price  of  the  Company’s  common  stock.   In  addition,  we  are  currently 
continuing with the process of integrating Edgetech into our Insulating Glass division.  If this integration effort fails or does not 
meet our cost, timing, or expected benefit assumptions, then our profitability could be adversely affected.

If the Company’s information technology systems fail, or if the Company experiences an interruption in their operation, 
then the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

The efficient operation of the Company’s business is dependent on its information technology systems. The Company 
relies on those systems generally to manage the day-to-day operation of its business, manage relationships with its customers, 
fulfill customer orders, and maintain its financial and accounting records. In fiscal 2011, the Company launched a multi-year, 
company-wide program to transform certain business processes, including the transition to a single enterprise resource planning 
(ERP)  software  system  to  perform  various  functions.  The  new  system  is  expected  to  improve  access  to  and  consistency  of 
information, enable standardization of business activities, help deliver business process improvements and support business growth. 
The implementation of an ERP system entails certain risks, including difficulties with changes in business processes that could 
disrupt the Company’s operations, such as its ability to process orders and timely ship products, project inventory requirements, 
provide services and customer support, send invoices and track payments, fulfill contractual obligations, and aggregate financial 
and operational data. The ERP implementation project will likely consume significant business resources, including personnel 
and financial resources. The failure of the Company’s information technology systems, its inability to successfully maintain, 
enhance and/or replace its information technology systems, or a significant compromise of the integrity or security of the data that 
is generated from information technology systems, could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, disrupt business 
and make the Company unable, or severely limit the Company’s ability, to respond to customer demands. In addition, the Company’s 
information technology systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

earthquake, fire, flood and other natural disasters;

employee or other theft;

attacks by computer viruses or hackers;

power outages; and

computer systems, internet, telecommunications or data network failure.

A significant interruption of the Company’s information technology systems could result in decreased revenue, increased 
expenses, increased capital expenditures, customer dissatisfaction and potential lawsuits, which could have a material adverse 
effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

The Company operates in competitive markets, and its business will suffer if it is unable to adequately address potential 
downward pricing pressures and other factors that may reduce operating margins.

The principal markets that the Company serves are highly competitive. Competition is based primarily on the precision 
and range of achievable tolerances, quality, price and the ability to meet delivery schedules dictated by customers. The Company’s 
12

competition in the markets in which it participates comes from companies of various sizes, some of which have greater financial 
and other resources than the Company does and some of which have more established brand names in the markets the Company 
serves. Any of these competitors may foresee the course of market development more accurately than the Company does, develop 
products that are superior to the Company’s products, have the ability to produce similar products at a lower cost than the Company 
can, or adapt more quickly than the Company to new technologies or evolving customer requirements. Increased competition 
could force the Company to lower its prices or to offer additional services at a higher cost to the Company, which could reduce 
its gross profit and net income.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have significant pricing leverage over suppliers and may be able to achieve 
price reductions over time, which could reduce the Company’s profits.

The Company’s products are sold primarily to OEMs, and to a much lesser extent, sold through distributors and independent 
representative agents. There is substantial and continuing pressure from OEMs in all industries to reduce the prices they pay to 
suppliers. The Company attempts to manage such downward pricing pressure, while trying to preserve its business relationships 
with its OEM customers, by seeking to reduce its production costs through various measures, including purchasing raw materials 
and components at lower prices and implementing cost-effective process improvements. However, the Company’s suppliers may 
resist pressure to lower their prices and may seek to impose price increases. If the Company is unable to offset OEM price reductions 
through these measures, its gross margins and profitability could be adversely affected. In addition, OEMs have substantial leverage 
in setting purchasing and payment terms, including the terms of accelerated payment programs under which payments are made 
prior to the account due date in return for an early payment discount.

Loss or financial weakness of any of the Company’s largest customers could adversely affect our financial results.

The Company has certain product lines associated with some of the Company’s larger customers. Although the Company 
has an extensive customer base, loss of or material financial weakness of its largest customers could adversely affect the Company’s 
financial condition and results of operations until such business is replaced and no assurances can be made that the Company 
would be able to regain or replace any lost customers.

The Company could lose customers and the related revenues due to customers 1) vertically integrating,   2) transferring 
their manufacturing capacity out of the United States to lower-cost regions of the world or 3) diversifying their supplier 
base.  In addition, new competitors could enter the market and diminish our market share.

The  Company  produces  products  primarily  for  OEMs. These  customers  may  choose  to  vertically  integrate  or  bring 
production in-house decreasing their demand for the Company’s products. In addition, new competitors could enter our markets 
which could also lead to a loss of customers and revenues if the customer no longer purchases products from the Company.

In addition, U.S. manufacturers have migrated production to other regions of the world that offer lower cost labor forces. 
The combined effect is that U.S. manufacturers can reduce product costs by manufacturing and assembling in other regions of the 
world and then importing those products to the United States. Some of the Company’s customers have shifted production to other 
regions of the world and there can be no assurance that this trend will not continue. The Company may lose customers and revenues 
if its customers locate in areas that the Company chooses not to serve or cannot economically serve.

If the Company’s relationship with its employees were to deteriorate, the Company could be faced with labor shortages, 
disruptions or stoppages, which could shut down certain of its operations, reducing revenue, net earnings, and cash flows.

The Company’s operations rely heavily on its employees, and any labor shortage, disruption or stoppage caused by poor 
relations with its employees and/or renegotiation of labor contracts could shut down certain of its operations. Approximately 19% 
of the Company’s employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements which expire between 2013 and 2017. It is possible 
that the Company could become subject to additional work rules imposed by agreements with labor unions, or that work stoppages 
or other labor disturbances could occur in the future, any of which could impact financial results. Similarly, any failure to negotiate 
a new labor agreement when required might result in a work stoppage that could reduce the Company’s operating margins and 
income.

Changes in regulatory requirements or new technologies may render the Company’s products obsolete or less competitive.

Changes in legislative, regulatory or industry requirements or in competitive technologies may render certain of the 
Company’s products obsolete or less competitive, preventing the Company from selling them at profitable prices, or at all. The 
Company’s ability to anticipate changes in technology and regulatory standards and to successfully develop and introduce new 
and enhanced products on a timely and cost-efficient basis will be a significant factor in its ability to remain competitive. The 
Company’s business may, therefore, require significant ongoing and recurring additional capital expenditures and investments in 
research  and  development. The  Company  may  not  be  able  to  achieve  the  technological  advances  necessary  for  it  to  remain 

13

competitive or certain of its products may become obsolete. The Company is also subject to the risks generally associated with 
new product introductions and applications, including lack of market acceptance, certification issues, delays in product development 
and failure of products to operate properly. Any such delays or cost overruns or the inability to obtain such certifications could 
negatively affect the returns from any proposed or new products.

Equipment failures, delays in deliveries or catastrophic loss at any of the Company’s manufacturing facilities could lead 
to production curtailments or shutdowns that prevent the Company from producing its products.

An interruption in production capabilities at any of the Company’s facilities as a result of equipment failure or other 
reasons could result in the Company’s inability to produce its products, which would reduce its sales and earnings for the affected 
period. In addition, the Company generally manufactures its products only after receiving the order from the customer and thus 
does not hold large inventories. If there is a stoppage in production at any of the Company’s manufacturing facilities, even if only 
temporarily, or if the Company experiences delays as a result of events that are beyond its control, delivery times could be severely 
affected. Any significant delay in deliveries to the Company’s customers could lead to increased returns or cancellations and cause 
the Company to lose future sales. The Company’s manufacturing facilities are also subject to the risk of catastrophic loss due to 
unanticipated events such as fires, explosions or violent weather conditions. The Company has in the past and may in the future 
experience plant shutdowns or periods of reduced production as a result of equipment failure, delays in deliveries or catastrophic 
loss, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition. The Company may 
not have adequate insurance to compensate it for all losses that result from any of these events.

Product liability claims and product replacements could harm the Company’s reputation, sales and financial condition.

The Company designs and manufactures most of its products and expects to continue to do so. The Company has, on 
occasion, found flaws and deficiencies in the manufacturing, design, testing and installation of its products. Some deficiencies 
may not become apparent until after the products are installed by customers.

The Company may need to replace products, and it may be liable for any costs necessary to retrofit the affected structures. 
Any such replacement or retrofit could entail substantial costs and adversely affect the Company’s reputation, sales and financial 
condition. The Company generally does not carry insurance against product replacement costs or the adverse business effect of a 
product replacement, and its product liability insurance may not cover retrofit costs.

The Company’s business involves complex manufacturing processes that may result in costly accidents or other disruptions 
of its operations.

The Company’s business involves complex manufacturing processes. Some of these processes involve high pressures, 
temperatures, hot metal and other hazards that present certain safety risks to workers employed at the Company’s manufacturing 
facilities. The potential exists for accidents involving death or serious injury. The potential liability resulting from any such accident, 
to the extent not covered by insurance, could cause the Company to incur unexpected cash expenditures, thereby reducing the 
cash available to operate its business. Such an accident could disrupt operations at any of the Company’s facilities, which could 
adversely affect its ability to deliver product to its customers on a timely basis and to retain its current business.

Flaws in the design or manufacture of the Company’s products could cause future product liability or warranty claims for 
which it does not have adequate insurance or affect its reputation among customers.

The Company’s products are essential components in buildings and other applications where problems in the design or 
manufacture of its products could result in property damage, personal injury or death. While the Company believes that its liability 
insurance is adequate to protect it from future product liability and warranty liabilities, its insurance may not cover all liabilities 
or be available in the future at a cost acceptable to the Company. In addition, if any of the Company’s products prove to be defective, 
it may be required in the future to participate in a recall involving such products. A successful claim brought against the Company 
in excess of available insurance coverage, if any, or a requirement to participate in any product recall, could significantly reduce 
the Company’s profits or negatively affect its reputation with customers. In addition, flaws in the Company’s products could lead 
to customer complaints, weaken its relationships with its customers, affect its reputation in the industry and lead to lost revenues 
or customers.

The Company’s credit facility contains restrictions on the Company’s ability to implement its acquisition program.

The Company’s credit facility contains certain restrictions on the Company’s ability to enter into acquisitions, including:

• 

the Company must comply with all terms and conditions of the credit facility on a pro forma basis based on the 
combined operating results of the acquisition target and the Company;

14

• 

if the Company’s leverage ratio is greater than 2.50x, acquisitions are limited to 15% of the Company’s net worth 
per transaction; and

• 

the Company is restricted from incurring certain additional indebtedness.

The above restrictions may impede the Company’s ability to carry out an active acquisition program, which is an important 
component of the Company’s future growth strategy. The Company’s failure to comply with the terms and covenants in its credit 
facility could lead to a default under the terms of those documents, which would entitle the lenders to accelerate the indebtedness 
and declare all amounts owed due and payable.

The Company’s credit facility contains certain financial covenants that limit the aggregate availability of funds.

The availability of funds under the credit facility is a function of both the facility amount utilized and meeting covenant 
requirements. The aggregate availability under the Credit Facility is limited by the Consolidated Leverage Ratio which is based 
on EBITDA. These restrictions on fund availability could:

• 

• 

• 

limit the Company’s ability to plan for or react to market conditions or meet capital needs

restrict activities or business plans

adversely affect the Company’s ability to fund operations, or engage in other business activities that would be in the 
Company’s interest.

An inability to access capital could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition and ultimately 
adversely affect liquidity.

The Company's access to external sources of financing, as well as the cost of such financing, is dependent on various 
factors,  including  perceptions  of  the  Company's  financial  strength.   The  perceptions  of  the  Company's  financial  strength  are 
influenced by numerous factors, either in absolute terms or relative to our peer group, such as financial leverage, balance sheet 
strength, and capital structure and earnings trends.  We are currently in negotiations to renew our revolving credit facility, which 
is scheduled to expire on April 23, 2013.  If we are not able to continue accessing the capital markets on favorable terms or at all, 
our business and future growth prospects could be adversely affected.

Failure to obtain alternative financing created by a potential breach of the lender’s funding commitment could negatively 
impact the Company’s growth strategy.

The turmoil affecting the banking system and financial markets during the prior years has resulted in a tightening in the 
credit markets, a low level of liquidity in many financial markets, and extreme volatility in fixed income, credit, currency and 
equity markets. There is no assurance that the Company’s lenders will provide any future funding under the credit facility. If the 
Company’s lenders were unable or unwilling to fulfill their lending commitment, the Company would be required to seek alternative 
funding sources in order to conduct operations. Alternative funding could result in higher interest rates. However, there can be no 
assurance that alternative financial resources will be available promptly, on favorable terms or at all. Failure to obtain necessary 
funding could adversely affect the Company’s short-term liquidity and ability to make investment in research and development 
to fund new product initiatives, continue to upgrade process technology and manufacturing capabilities, and actively seek out 
potential acquisition candidates and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

The  Company’s  corporate  governance  documents  as  well  as  Delaware  law  may  delay  or  prevent  an  acquisition  that 
stockholders may consider favorable, which could decrease the value of the Company’s shares.

The Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions that could make it more 
difficult for a third party to acquire the Company without the consent of its board of directors. These provisions include restrictions 
on the ability of the Company’s stockholders to remove directors and supermajority voting requirements for stockholders to amend 
the Company’s organizational documents, a classified board of directors and limitations on action by the Company’s stockholders 
by written consent. In addition, the Company’s board of directors has the right to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval, 
which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer. Delaware law also imposes some restrictions on 
mergers and other business combinations between any holder of 15% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock and 
the Company. Although the Company believes these provisions protect its stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover 
tactics and thereby provide for an opportunity to receive a higher bid by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with its board 
of directors, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders.

15

The Company’s operations outside the United States require it to comply with a number of United States and international 
regulations, violations of which could have a material adverse effect on its consolidated results of operations and consolidated 
financial condition.

The Company’s operations outside the United States require it to comply with a number of United States and international 
regulations. For example, its operations in countries outside the United States are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 
(FCPA), which prohibits United States companies or their agents and employees from providing anything of value to a foreign 
official for the purposes of influencing any act or decision of these individuals in their official capacity to help obtain or retain 
business, direct business to any person or corporate entity, or obtain any unfair advantage. The Company’s activities create the 
risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by one of its employees or agents that could be in violation of the FCPA, 
even though these parties are not always subject to its control. The Company has internal control policies and procedures and has 
implemented training and compliance programs for its employees and agents with respect to the FCPA. However, the Company 
cannot assure that its policies, procedures and programs always will protect it from reckless or criminal acts committed by its 
employees or agents. Allegations of violations of applicable anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA, may result in internal, 
independent, or government investigations. Violations of the FCPA may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, and the Company 
may be subject to other liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, consolidated results of operations 
and consolidated financial condition. In addition, investigations by governmental authorities as well as legal, social, economic, 
and political issues in these countries could have a material adverse effect on its business and consolidated results of operations. 
The Company is also subject to the risk that its employees and agents outside of the United States may fail to comply with other 
applicable laws.

The Company’s expansion plans outside the United States may not succeed.

Any expansion to markets outside the United States will present different and successive risks, expenses and difficulties 
with regard to applying or modifying our business model to different countries and regions of the world. There can be no assurance 
that any of the Company’s efforts to expand outside the United States will prove successful, that it will not incur operating losses 
in the future as a result of these efforts or that such efforts will not have a material adverse impact.

The Company may not have the right infrastructure (people, systems, and processes) in place to achieve its growth initiatives.

If the Company does not effectively develop and implement its organic growth strategies, or if there are delays or difficulties 
in enhancing business processes, it may not realize anticipated productivity improvements or cost efficiencies, and may experience 
operational difficulties, increased costs, manufacturing interruptions or delays, quality issues, increased product time-to-market, 
and/or inefficient allocation of human resources, any or all of which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, 
financial condition and results of operations.

The Company’s success depends upon its ability to develop new products and services, integrate acquired products and 
services and enhance its existing products and services through product development initiatives and technological advances.

The Company has continuing programs designed to develop new products and to enhance and improve its products. The 
Company is expending resources for the development of new products in all aspects of its business, including products that can 
reach a broader customer base. Some of these new products must be developed due to changes in legislative, regulatory or industry 
requirements or in competitive technologies that render certain of the Company’s products obsolete or less  competitive. The 
successful development of the Company’s products and product enhancements are subject to numerous risks, both known and 
unknown, including unanticipated delays, access to significant capital, budget overruns, technical problems and other difficulties 
that could result in the abandonment or substantial change in the design, development and commercialization of these new products.

Given the uncertainties inherent with product development and introduction, including lack of market acceptance, the 
Company cannot provide assurance that any of its product development efforts will be successful on a timely basis or within 
budget, if at all. Failure to develop new products and product enhancements on a timely basis or within budget could harm the 
Company’s business and prospects. In addition, the Company may not be able to achieve the technological advances necessary 
for it to remain competitive.

The Company’s goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets may become impaired and result in a charge to income.

The Company’s management must use judgment in making estimates of future operating results and appropriate residual 
values to allocate the purchase price paid for acquisitions to the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets. 
Future operating results and residual values could reasonably differ from the estimates and could require a provision for impairment 
in a future period which would result in a charge to income from operations in the year of the impairment with a resulting decrease 
in the Company’s recorded net worth.

16

The Company may not be able to protect its intellectual property.

A significant amount of time, effort and expense is devoted to custom engineering which qualifies the Company’s products 
for specific customer applications and developing superior, proprietary process technology. The Company relies on a combination 
of copyright, patent, trade secrets, confidentiality procedures and contractual commitments to protect its proprietary information. 
Despite the Company’s efforts, these measures can only provide limited protection. Unauthorized third parties may try to copy or 
reverse engineer portions of the Company’s products or otherwise obtain and use its intellectual property. Any patents the Company 
owns may be invalidated, circumvented or challenged. Any of the Company’s pending or future patent applications, whether or 
not being currently challenged, may not be issued with the scope of the claims it seeks, if at all. If the Company cannot protect its 
proprietary information against unauthorized use, it may not remain competitive, which would have a material adverse effect on 
the Company’s results of operations.

The Company has the ability to issue additional equity securities, which would lead to dilution of its issued and outstanding 
common stock.

The issuance of additional equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities would result in dilution of 
existing  stockholders’  equity  interests  in  the  Company.  The  Company  is  authorized  to  issue,  without  stockholder  approval, 
1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value, in one or more series, which may give other stockholders dividend, conversion, 
voting, and liquidation rights, among other rights, which may be superior to the rights of holders of the Company’s common stock. 
The Company’s board of directors has no present intention of issuing any such preferred shares, but reserves the right to do so in 
the future. In addition, the Company is authorized, by prior stockholder approval, to issue up to 125,000,000 shares of common 
stock, $0.01 par value per share. The Company is authorized to issue, without stockholder approval, securities convertible into 
either common stock or preferred stock.

The Company’s insurance providers may be unable to perform under their obligations.

The Company purchases insurance as part of its risk management strategy.  An insurer's insolvency or refusal to make 
payments under the terms of its agreements with the Company could have an adverse effect on our results of operations or liquidity.  
One of the Company's insurance carriers recently entered rehabilitation proceedings, which could affect our ability to recover 
amounts due for outstanding claims or to pursue recoveries for future claims.  However, the Company's exposure to the carrier is 
not significant at this time, and we do not currently expect it to have a material effect on our future operating results.

The  Company  is  subject  to  various  existing  and  contemplated  laws,  regulations  and  government  initiatives  that  may 
materially impact its demand, profitability, or costs of doing business. 

The Company's business may be materially impacted by various governmental laws, regulations and initiatives that may 
artificially create, deflate, accelerate, or decelerate consumer demand for its products. For example, when the government issues 
tax credits designed to encourage increased homebuilding or energy efficient window purchases, the credits may create a spike 
in demand that would not otherwise have occurred and our production capabilities may not be able to keep pace, which could 
materially impact our profitability. Likewise, when such laws, regulations or initiatives expire, our business may experience a 
material loss in sales volume or an increase in production costs as a result of the decline in consumer demand that follows such 
expiration. 

If aluminum prices on the London Metals Exchange (LME) were to decline quickly and significantly, the Company's 
profitability could be adversely affected. 

At the Company's Aluminum Sheet Products segment, profitability in part depends on the market price of aluminum ingot as 
compared to the market price of aluminum scrap. If aluminum ingot prices experience a rapid and significant decline, then the 
Company's aluminum business could experience a corresponding decline in spread (sales less material costs), which could adversely 
affect its profitability. 

Item 1B. 

Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. 

Properties

The following table lists  the Company’s principal properties together with their locations, general character and the 
industry segment which uses the facility. Listed facilities are owned by the Company, unless indicated otherwise. See Item 1, 
“Business,” for discussion of the capacity of various facilities.

17

 
Location
Engineered Products Segment
Rice Lake, Wisconsin

Chatsworth, Illinois

Richmond, Indiana

Solon, Ohio

Leased (expires 2017)

Luck, Wisconsin

Richmond, Kentucky

Winnebago, Illinois

Mounds View, Minnesota

Leased (expires 2016)

Kent, Washington

Leased (expires 2015)

Yakima, Washington

Leased (expires 2015)

Dubuque, Iowa

Leased (expires Dec. 2012) (2)

Shawano, Wisconsin

Leased (expires 2015)

Cambridge, Ohio

Leased (expires 2021)

Coventry, United Kingdom

Heinsberg, Germany

Leased (expires 2025)

Aluminum Sheet Products Segment

Lincolnshire, Illinois

Davenport, Iowa

Decatur, Alabama

Owned and leased (expires 2018)

Executive Offices

Houston, Texas

Two Leases (expiring 2013 and 2023)(1)

Principal Products

Fenestration products

Fenestration products

Fenestration products

Flexible spacer and adhesive research & sales

Fenestration products

   Vinyl and composite extrusions

   Vinyl extrusions

Fenestration products

   Vinyl and composite extrusions

   Vinyl extrusions

Fenestration products

Fenestration products

Flexible spacer/solar adhesives

Flexible spacer

Flexible spacer

Finishing

   Mini-mill and finishing/painting (two plants)

Finishing/painting

Corporate Office

(1) 

(2) 

The corporate executive offices will be relocating to a newly leased location in Houston, TX in fiscal 2013.  The lease 
on this new location expires in 2023.  The current lease will terminate upon vacating.
The Dubuque, Iowa lease expires in December of 2012.  The Company is currently in negotiations to renew the lease.

The Company believes that its operating properties are generally in good condition, are well maintained, and are generally 
suitable and adequate to carry on the Company’s business. In fiscal 2012, the Company’s facilities operated at approximately 57% 
of capacity.

Item 3. 

Legal Proceedings

The Company believes there are no material legal proceedings to which Quanex, its subsidiaries, or their property is 
subject. For discussion of environmental issues, see Item 1 of this Form 10-K, Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, 
located in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

18

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
PART II

Item 5. 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Quanex Building Products’ common stock, $0.01 par value, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, under the ticker 
symbol NX. The following tables present the quarterly common stock cash dividends and the high and low prices for the Company’s 
common stock during each fiscal quarter within the two most recent fiscal years.

Quarterly Common Stock Cash Dividends

Paid for the Quarter Ended
January
April
July
October
Total

Quarterly Common Stock Sales Price (High & Low Sales Price)

Quarter Ended
January

April

July

October

2012

2011

$

$

0.04
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.16

$

$

0.04
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.16

2012

2011

$

17.58

$

12.71

18.78

14.89

19.10

14.98

20.36

16.48

20.96

16.17

21.62

18.28

21.02

14.09

16.04

10.01

The  terms  of  Quanex’s  revolving  credit  agreement  do  not  specifically  limit  the  total  amount  of  dividends  or  other 
distributions to its shareholders. Dividends and other distributions are permitted so long as after giving effect to such dividend or 
stock repurchase, there is no event of default.

There were approximately 4,015 holders of Quanex Building Product’s common stock (excluding individual participants 

in securities positions listings) on record as of December 14, 2012.

19

 
 
 
The following graph compares the performance of the Company’s common stock to the performance of the Standard & 

Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500), the Russell 2000 Index, and the Company’s peer group.

Company Name / Index
Quanex

S&P 500 Index

Russell 2000 Index

Peer Group

Base
Period

INDEXED RETURNS
Years Ending

4/23/2008

10/31/2008

10/31/2009

10/31/2010

10/31/2011

10/31/2012

100

100

100

100

61.21

71.01

76.49

68.95

100.55

77.97

81.43

81.66

122.85

90.85

103.07

87.15

101.59

98.20

109.99

86.40

137.44

113.13

122.43

143.64

Quanex Building Products Corporation was initially listed and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on April 24, 
2008. The graph assumes $100 invested on April 23, 2008 in Quanex Building Products Corporation common stock, in the S&P 
500, Russell 2000 Index and in the Industry Peer Group. The companies included in the Industry Peer Group are: American 
Woodmark Corp, Apogee Enterprises Inc, Builders Firstsource, Drew Industries Inc, Eagle Materials Inc, Gibraltar Industries Inc, 
Griffon Corp, Louisiana-Pacific Corp, Simpson Manufacturing Inc, Trex Co Inc, and Universal Forest Products Inc.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The  following  table  summarizes  as  of  October 31,  2012  certain  information  regarding  equity  compensation  to  the 

Company’s employees, officers, directors and other persons under equity compensation plans.

20

 
Equity Compensation Plan Information

Plan Category

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

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

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

(a)

(b)

(c)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

2,473,250

$

14.57

1,985,973

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On  May 27,  2010,  the  Board  of  Directors  approved  a  stock  repurchase  program  that  authorized  the  repurchase  of 
1.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock, and on August 25, 2011, the Board of Directors authorized an additional 
1.0 million shares to the program. The program does not have a dollar limit or an expiration date. There were no repurchases of 
shares during the quarter ended October 31, 2012 and there were 905,663 shares remaining in the program at October 31, 2012.

21

 
  
Item 6. 

Selected Financial Data

The following selected consolidated financial data for the years ended October 31, 2008 through October 31, 2012 is 
derived from the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements. Unless otherwise noted, all information in the table below 
reflects only continuing operations. The data set forth should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial 
Statements and accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. The historical 
information is not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future.

Glossary of Terms

The  exact  definitions  of  commonly  used  financial  terms  and  ratios  vary  somewhat  among  different  companies  and 

investment analysts. The following list gives the definition of certain financial terms that are used in this report:

Asset turnover (continuing): Net sales divided by the average of beginning of year and end of year total assets excluding 

discontinued operations’ assets.

Conversion capital: Accounts receivable plus inventory less accounts payable.

Working capital (continuing): Current assets less current liabilities (both excluding discontinued operations).

Current ratio (continuing): Current assets divided by current liabilities (both excluding discontinued operations).

Continuing  return  on  common  stockholders’  equity:  Income  from  continuing  operations  attributable  to  common 

stockholders divided by the average of beginning of year and end of year common stockholders’ equity.

Continuing return on investment: The sum  of income from  continuing operations and the after-tax effect of interest 
expense less capitalized interest divided by the sum of the beginning of year and end of year averages for short and long-term debt 
and stockholders’ equity.

22

Selected Financial Data 2008 – 2012 

Selected Operating Results Data:
Net sales
Operating income (loss)(4)(7)(8)(9)
Income (loss) from continuing 

operations

Percent of net sales

Income (loss) from discontinued 
operations, net of tax(4)(7)(8)(9)

Net income (loss) (4)(7)(8)(9)
Diluted Earnings Per Share Data:
Income (loss) from continuing 

operations

Net income (loss)
Cash dividends declared(5)
Financial Position—Year End:

(16,534)

(2.0)%

—

$

(16,534)

$
$

$

(0.45)
(0.45)

0.16

Total assets, including discontinued 

operations(6)

$

589,538

Asset turnover (continuing)

Conversion capital

Working capital (continuing)

Current ratio (continuing)

Total debt

Stockholders’ equity

Total capitalization

Depreciation and amortization

Capital expenditures, net
Other Data:
Continuing return on investment–percent

Continuing return on common 
stockholders’ equity–percent

Average number of employees

Net sales per average employee

1.4

70,563

123,058

2.0 to 1

1,401

421,827

423,228

37,596

42,871

(3.8)%

(3.8)%

2,201

377

$

$

$

Fiscal years ended October 31,

2012

(1)(2)

2011

(1) (3)

2010

(1)

2009

(1)

2008

(In thousands, except per share data and employees)

$

828,976

$

848,294

$

798,314

$

585,010

$

868,933

(24,953)

16,478

37,297

(179,098)

21,100

$

$
$

$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

$

9,078

1.1%

(12)
9,066

0.24
0.24

0.16

584,929

1.4

71,472

140,324

2.3 to 1

1,666

437,226

438,892

33,932

25,312

2.1%

2.1%

2,104

$403

$

$
$

$

$

$

$

24,201

(136,079)

3.0%

(23.3)%

(1,103)
23,098

(1,012)

$ (137,091)

0.64
0.61

0.14

$
$

$

(3.64)
(3.67)

0.12

591,250

$

543,600

1.4

61,221

223,401

2.9 to 1

1,943

441,432

443,375

28,214

14,720

$

$

1.0

59,676

178,320

2.8 to 1

2,266

422,526

424,792

32,453

15,696

5.6%

(27.8)%

5.6%

1,947

$410

(28.0)%

1,961

$298

15,993

1.8%

5,586

21,579

0.42
0.56

0.34

680,847

1.4

85,547

130,882

2.1 to 1

2,551

547,828

550,379

35,068

15,020

2.3%

2.2%

2,373

$366

(1) 

(2) 

In 2010, management closed its start-up facility in China due to the contraction of demand and the Company’s ability to 
serve the overseas thin film solar panel market from its North American operations. During the second quarter of 2008, 
the Company spun off Quanex Corporation’s Building Products business immediately followed by the merger of Quanex 
Corporation (consisting primarily of the Vehicular Products business and all non-Building Products related corporate 
accounts) with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gerdau. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the start-up facility in 
China,  the  Vehicular  Products  business  and  all  non-Building  Products  related  corporate  accounts  are  reported  as 
discontinued operations in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for all periods presented, and their operating results are 
reported as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income for all periods presented.
On March 31, 2011, the Company acquired Edgetech, I.G. Inc. and its German subsidiary. Headquartered in Cambridge, 
Ohio, Edgetech has three manufacturing facilities (U.S., U.K. and Germany) that produce and market a full line of warm 
edge insulating glass spacer systems for window and door customers in North America and abroad. In March 2011, the 
Company also acquired JELD-WEN’s vinyl extrusion assets in Yakima, Washington. Accordingly, the estimated fair 

23

 
 
 
 
 
(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

value of assets acquired in the acquisition and the results of operations are included in the Company’s Consolidated 
Financial Statements as of the effective date of the acquisition.
In February 2010, the Company completed a small acquisition which was effected through an asset purchase through a 
receivership proceeding and no liabilities were assumed. Accordingly, the estimated fair value of assets acquired in the 
acquisition and the results of operations are included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of the 
effective date of the acquisition.
Includes effects in fiscal 2009 of the Company’s $182.6 million (pretax) and $141.4 million (after-tax) asset impairment 
charge in accordance with ASC Topic 350 and ASC Topic 360.
The quarterly common stock cash dividends prior to April 23, 2008 reflect dividends of Quanex Corporation prior to the 
Separation, while dividends after April 23, 2008 reflect dividends of Quanex Building Products, the accounting successor 
to Quanex Corporation.
Total assets include assets of discontinued operations of $0.5 million, $1.8 million and $1.4 million at October 31, 2010, 
2009, and 2008, respectively.
In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at two of Nichols' Davenport, Iowa facilities which had a negative 
impact on operating income of approximately $11.1 million (pretax) and $7.3 million (after tax), including the reduction 
in sales volume as well as incremental direct costs.
In  November  2011,  the  Company  announced  a  consolidation  program  for  its  IG  spacer  manufacturing  facility  in 
Barbourville, Kentucky into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ohio.  The facility consolidation was 
completed ahead of schedule in August 2012 and the Barbourville facility is permanently closed.  The Company recorded 
expenses related to this plant closure in fiscal 2012 of $9.0 million (pretax) and $5.9 million (after-tax).
During fiscal 2011, the Company recognized an expense of $1.9 million (pretax) or $1.1 million (after-tax) to increase 
the warranty reserve associated with a discontinued legacy product and claims.

24

Item 7. 

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

General

The discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction 

with the Selected Financial Data and the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the accompanying notes.

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

Certain of the statements contained in this document and in documents incorporated by reference herein, including those 
made under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” are “forward-
looking” statements as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Generally, the words “expect,” “believe,” 
“intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally 
are not historical in nature. All statements which address future operating performance, events or developments that the Company 
expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including statements relating to volume, sales, operating income and earnings per 
share, and statements expressing general outlook about future operating results, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking 
statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s 
historical experience and the present projections or expectations. As and when made, management believes that these forward-
looking statements are reasonable. However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking 
statements since such statements speak only as of the date when made and there can be no assurance that such forward-looking 
statements will occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether 
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Factors exist that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the expected results described in or 
underlying  the  Company’s  forward-looking  statements.  Such  factors  include  domestic  and  international  economic  activity, 
prevailing prices of aluminum scrap and other raw material costs, the rate of change in prices for aluminum scrap, fluctuations in 
foreign currency exchange rates, energy costs, interest rates, construction delays, market conditions, particularly in the home 
building and remodeling markets, any material changes in purchases by the Company’s principal customers, labor supply and 
relations, environmental regulations, changes in estimates of costs for known environmental remediation projects and situations, 
world-wide political stability and economic growth, warranty obligations, the Company’s successful implementation of its internal 
operating plans, acquisition strategies and integration, performance issues with key customers, suppliers and subcontractors, and 
regulatory changes and legal proceedings. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained 
herein will occur or that objectives will be achieved. All written and verbal forward-looking statements attributable to the Company 
or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by such factors. For more information, please see Item 1A, 
“Risk Factors.”

About Third-Party Information

In this report, the Company relies on and refers to information regarding industry data obtained from market research, 
publicly available information, industry publications, U.S. government sources and other third parties. Although the Company 
believes the information is reliable, it cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and has not independently 
verified it.

Description of Business

The Company operates two businesses: Engineered Products and Aluminum Sheet Products.  The Engineered Products 
segment  produces  engineered  systems,  products  and  components  primarily  serving  the  window  and  door  industry,  while  the 
Aluminum Sheet Products segment produces mill finished and coated aluminum sheet serving the broader building products 
markets and secondary markets such as transportation.

On March 31, 2011, the Company acquired Edgetech for $104.4 million in an all cash transaction (net of cash acquired). 
Headquartered in Cambridge, Ohio, Edgetech added three manufacturing facilities located in the United States, the United Kingdom 
and Germany that produce a full line of warm-edge, dual seal insulating glass spacer systems for window and door customers in 
North America and abroad. Edgetech’s products separate and seal double and triple pane glass within a window and act as a thermal 
barrier that enhances the window’s energy efficiency. Edgetech was integrated into the Engineered Products segment.  Acquiring 
Edgetech allows the Company to better serve its growing base of national and regional customers and will further accelerate its 
international growth as Edgetech has a solid market presence overseas.  In March 2011, the Company also acquired JELD-WEN’s 
vinyl extrusion assets in Yakima, Washington. In January 2011, management closed its finished window screen facility located in 
The Dalles, Oregon.  In November 2011, management committed to a plan to consolidate its Truseal and U.S. Edgetech operations. 

25

 The consolidation plan, in part, called for the permanent closing of the Company’s Barbourville, Kentucky facility with the 
equipment used to manufacture the single seal spacer system relocated to the Company’s Cambridge, Ohio facility.  The Company 
believes this consolidation will allow it to better serve customers through streamlined operations.  The consolidation of operations 
and the subsequent closure of the Barbourville facility were completed in August 2012 with minor residual cash payments expected 
in fiscal 2013.  All equipment to be retained has been relocated, with the main outstanding activities only related to selling remaining 
equipment and the facility itself.

In 2010, management closed its start-up facility in China due to the contraction of demand and the Company’s ability to 
serve the overseas thin film solar panel market from its North American operations. Accordingly, the China assets and liabilities, 
results of operations and cash flows are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.  Unless otherwise noted, all 
disclosures in the notes accompanying the Consolidated Financial Statements as well as all discussion in Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations reflect only continuing operations.

Results of Operations

Summary Information as % of Sales

Years Ended October 31,

(1)

(Dollars in millions)

2012

2011

2010

Dollar
Amount

% of
Sales

Dollar
Amount

% of
Sales

Dollar
Amount

% of
Sales

Net sales

$

Cost of sales(2)
Selling, general and 
administrative
Asset impairment charges

Depreciation and amortization

Operating income (loss)

Interest expense

Other, net

Income tax (expense) benefit

829.0

703.8

111.6

0.9

37.7

(25.0)

(0.4)

0.2

8.7

100 % $

85

13

—

5

(3)

—

—

1

Income from continuing operations

$

(16.5)

(2)% $

848.3

712.1

84.0

1.8

33.9

16.5
(0.4)
(0.5)
(6.5)
9.1

100% $

84

10

—

4

2

—

—
(1)
1% $

798.3

660.8

72.0

—

28.2

37.3
(0.4)
2.6
(15.3)
24.2

100%

83

9

—

4

4

—

—
(2)
2%

(1) 

(2) 

All periods  presented exclude the operations of Truseal China, the vehicular products business  and all non-building 
products related corporate accounts which are included in discontinued operations.
Exclusive of items shown separately below.

Overview

During fiscal 2012, the Company saw positive signs in the residential new construction market, including rising home 
starts, falling home inventory levels, and improving trends in home prices.  Performance of the Company's end markets varied as 
new construction continued on a path towards recovery while the repair and replacement ("R&R") segment retreated, a result of 
weakness in consumer confidence, unemployment and reduced availability of home equity lines of credit.  Quanex believes the 
best indicator of the strength of its end markets is U.S. window shipments as reported by Ducker Worldwide ("Ducker"), a market 
intelligence firm.  For the twelve months ended September 30, 2012, Ducker reported new construction window shipments increased 
21% while repair and replacement window shipments declined approximately 7%.  In total, Ducker reported overall window 
shipments increased approximately 1%.  This is challenging as Quanex estimates about two-thirds of its Engineered Products 
segment sales are related to the residential R&R window market.  Quanex is focused more on the repair and replacement segment 
due to it being a higher-end product mix and a better fit for the Company's value-added products and services.  The lag in the 
repair and replacement segment is likely to continue as long as consumer confidence remains low, home equity loans are difficult 
to obtain and unemployment remains a concern.  The encouraging news is that the recent favorable trend in home prices is a clear 
positive sign that is needed for a recovery to begin in the repair and replacement segment.

The decline in Quanex Net sales for fiscal 2012 compared to the year ago period was entirely driven by reduced aluminum 
shipments and lower aluminum prices within the Aluminum Sheet Products segment whose Net sales declined by $78.2 million 

26

 
 
 
 
during fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011.  The segment experienced a strike at two of Nichols' Davenport, Iowa facilities (see 
further discussion in Aluminum Sheet Products) which had a significant negative impact on shipments.  Ducker reported that total 
U.S. window shipments for the twelve months ended September 30, 2012 increased 1.4% while the Company's Engineered Products 
segment experienced a 6% increase in same store sales predominately related to higher vinyl extrusion sales.  Same store sales 
reflect the Net sales of Edgetech, acquired on March 31, 2011, for only comparable months of the last twelve month period.  
Operating income declined for fiscal 2012 by $41.4 million, compared to prior year, with the majority of the decrease at the 
Aluminum Sheet Products segment.  Fiscal 2012 was negatively impacted by the strike which resulted in direct strike related 
losses coupled with additional strike related inefficiencies, lower aluminum shipments and lower aluminum prices.  Additionally, 
Quanex incurred an increase in facility related consolidation expenses of $5.3 million and higher ERP implementation costs of 
$5.4 million during fiscal 2012 compared to 2011. 

Quanex outperformed in the face of difficult end markets in fiscal 2011.  Prime window demand dropped to new lows 
in 2011 to an estimated 38.7 million units as measured by Ducker for the twelve months ended September 30, 2011.  While the 
first quarter of 2011 experienced demand pull-forward in advance of the $1,500 window tax credit that expired on December 31, 
2010, demand was lackluster for the remainder of the fiscal year as the building and construction market did not experience a 
meaningful spring bounce as is typical as the year progresses.  The 2011 figures include financial results from the Edgetech 
acquisition beginning in April 2011.  Net sales increased in 2011 by $50.0 million compared to the same period of last year of 
which $53.4 million was driven by the Edgetech acquisition.  Despite weak end markets, same store 2011 revenues from Engineered 
Products were slightly higher compared to 2010, supported by price increases and surcharges.  Operating income for 2011 was 
$20.8 million lower than 2010 due to lower aluminum sheet shipments, higher maintenance costs at Aluminum Sheet Products, 
coupled with higher costs at Engineered Products associated with rationalizing operations, incremental sales and marketing costs 
as the Company invested in long-term organic growth initiatives, acquisition related costs, higher raw material costs and warranty 
expense.

Window shipments have declined significantly in recent years from record highs in 2005 of 70.5 million units to an 
estimated 39.6 million in calendar 2012.  The following table sets forth the annual calendar year market information from the 
2005 peak to the current 2012 estimates:

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012E

Housing Starts

(1)

Window Shipments

(2)

Starts
(millions)

%
Change

Shipments
(millions)

%
Change

2.1

1.8

1.3

0.9

0.6

0.6

0.6

0.8

(12.6)%

(25.9)%

(32.9)%

(38.7)%

6.2 %

4.4 %

27.1 %

70.5

66.7

59.1

48.4

38.9

41.6

37.9

39.6

(5.4)%

(11.4)%

(18.1)%

(19.6)%

6.9 %

(8.9)%

4.5 %

(1) 

(2) 

As published by the National Association of Home Builders.
As published by Ducker Worldwide.

While fiscal 2012 presented several challenges, in 2013 Quanex is expecting improved operational performance at its  
Aluminum Sheet Products business as the new management team pushes lean process initiatives and investments in equipment, 
maintenance reliability, and throughput.  Quanex continues to drive productivity improvements, lower costs, customer service and 
growth in its regional customer base.  The Company believes that consumer demand for more energy efficient products and its 
ability to provide innovative window and door systems in addition to stand-alone components will fuel long-term organic growth 
incremental  to  the  housing  market  recovery.   The  integration  of  Edgetech  into  the  Engineered  Products  sales  and  marketing 
organization was completed in September 2011 and it is clear that Quanex is already a stronger, more customer-focused organization 
as a result.  While Quanex is cautious on the near-term repair and remodel market, the Company remains bullish long-term as the 
existing housing stock ages and demographics for long-term housing demand in the U.S. remain favorable when factoring the 
projected population increase and continuing immigration.  The Company believes taking a disciplined approach to the way it 
seeks new business opportunities will make it a more successful company and a stronger competitor by offering a broader range 
of customers a more robust slate of systems, products, services and solutions, while intensely focusing on continuously improving 
customer service.  Additionally, the Company continues to elevate its programs to develop more energy efficient products.  These 

27

 
 
 
 
programs and initiatives, coupled with an eventual return to a more normal new home construction market and R&R market, will 
benefit Quanex over the long term.

Business Segments

Business segments are reported in accordance with ASC Topic 280 “Segment Reporting” (ASC 280). ASC 280 requires 
that the Company disclose certain information about its operating segments, where operating segments are defined as “components 
of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision 
maker (CODM) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.”  Generally, financial information is required 
to be reported on the basis that it is used internally for evaluating segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources to 
segments.

Quanex has two reportable segments: Engineered Products and Aluminum Sheet Products. The Engineered Products 
segment produces systems, finished products, and components serving the OEM residential window and door industry, while the 
Aluminum Sheet Products segment produces mill finished and coated aluminum sheet serving the broader residential building 
and construction markets.  The primary market drivers of both segments are residential repair and remodel (R&R) activity and 
new home construction.

For financial reporting purposes, three of the Company's four operating segments, Engineered Components, Insulating 
Glass (IG) and Window & Door Systems, have been aggregated into the Engineered Products reportable segment.  The remaining 
operating segment, Aluminum Sheet Products (Nichols Aluminum), is reported as a separate reportable segment. Corporate & 
Other is comprised of corporate office expenses and certain inter-division eliminations.  The sale of products between segments 
is recognized at market prices.  The financial performance of the operations is based upon operating income.  The segments follow 
the accounting principles described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Principles, see Item 8, Note 1.  The two reportable 
segments value inventory on a FIFO or weighted-average basis while the LIFO reserve relating to those operations accounted for 
under the LIFO method of inventory valuation is computed on a consolidated basis in a single pool and treated as a corporate item.

Engineered Products – Three Years Ended October 31, 2012 

The following table sets forth selected operating data for the Engineered Products segment:

Net sales

Cost of sales(1)
Selling, general and administrative

Asset impairment charges

Depreciation and amortization

Operating income (loss)
Operating income (loss) margin

Years Ended October 31,

(Dollars in millions)

2012

2011

2010

$

$

478.6

355.5

65.6

0.9

28.1
28.5

$

$

420.3

314.9

48.0

1.8

25.3
30.3

$

$

361.1

267.7

39.3

—

19.8
34.3

6.0%

7.2%

9.5%

% Change

2012 vs.
2011

2011 vs.
2010

13.9 %

16.4 %

12.9

36.7

(50.0)

11.1
(5.9)%
(1.2)%

17.6

22.1

0

27.8
(11.7)%
(2.3)%

(1) 

Exclusive of items shown separately below.

Engineered Products is focused on providing window and door OEM customers with fenestration components, products 

and systems.  Key end markets are residential R&R and new home construction.  

Engineered Products finished the year with sales up $58.3 million or 14% for fiscal 2012 compared to 2011.  Results 
include twelve months of Edgetech sales in 2012 compared to seven months in 2011 as Edgetech was acquired on March 31, 2011 
representing approximately $32 million of the year over year increase.  Considering Edgetech's partial year contribution, comparable 
Net sales for year ended October 31, 2012 were 6% higher than 2011.  The comparable increase  was primarily from higher vinyl 
fenestration extrusion sales  as well as growth in international spacer sales.  A major OEM customer that produces mid to high-
end wood and vinyl windows, gained significant market share this year at the big box stores by displacing a competitor that did 
not buy Quanex extrusions, benefiting sales in 2012.  International spacer sales for the second half of fiscal 2012 exceeded the 
same prior year period by 25% as demand for warm-edge spacer products is rising in European markets due to codes and standards. 
 The beginning of fiscal 2011 benefited from a pull-forward of demand as a result of a $1,500 energy efficient window tax credit 
program that expired on December 31, 2010.  There were no similar tax credits in fiscal 2012.  The 6% increase in comparable 
Net sales exceeded industry performance as measured by Ducker which reported overall U.S. window shipments up only 1.4% 
28

 
 
 
for the twelve months ended September 30, 2012 and window shipments associated with the repair and remodel window market 
down 6.6%.  There were favorable signs in new home construction in fiscal 2012, and indications are that a new recovery is 
underway.  U.S. residential replacement window shipments, which drive an estimated two-thirds of Engineered Products' sales, 
were down in 2012 and a long-term recovery is likely to take better hold once housing prices, credit availability and consumer 
confidence turn more positive.

Net sales for fiscal 2011 exceeded the prior year 2010 period by $59.2 million due to the March 2011 acquisition of 
Edgetech.  Edgetech contributed $53.4 million in Net Sales in fiscal 2011. Engineered Products' same store Net sales were essentially 
flat in fiscal 2011 despite difficult end markets.  For the twelve months ended October 31, 2011, Engineered Products' Net sales 
before contributions from acquisitions were up 0.3% compared to the previous twelve months, versus U.S. window shipments as 
reported by Ducker that were down approximately 8%.  

Net sales less Cost of sales (Contribution margin) at Engineered Products for fiscal 2012 compared to last year improved 
by $17.8 million.  The increase in contribution margin for 2012 over 2011 is predominately due to the higher vinyl extrusion sales 
in 2012.  Approximately half of the improvement in contribution margin for fiscal 2012 compared to the fiscal 2011 is from the 
rise in vinyl extrusion sales while approximately one-third of the increase is related to a full year of Edgetech sales in 2012 
compared to seven months of Edgetech business during the same 2011 period.  Net sales less Cost of sales as a percent of Net 
sales for the year ended October 31, 2012 is higher than 2011 even with the weak market and pressure on volume.  Increased 
revenues,  combined  with  pricing  initiatives,  cost  controls,  productivity  improvements,  warranty  benefits  and  2011  purchase 
accounting costs strengthened margins.  One such pricing initiative was the oil-based raw material surcharge initiated May 1, 2011 
at Truseal, one of the Company's insulating glass spacer operations.  The surcharge helped Truseal offset the higher cost of butyl, 
a key raw material of the business that is highly correlated to the price of oil.  Fiscal 2012 margins were negatively impacted by 
customer mix and additional freight costs incurred to ship spacer product overseas to support the increase in international demand.  
In 2011, Quanex consolidated buildings in Kent, Washington and closed a facility in The Dalles, Oregon.  Of the $2.8 million in 
2011 plant consolidation costs, $1.3 million is recognized in Cost of sales benefiting the margin comparison.  Fiscal year 2012 
includes a warranty benefit of $0.8 million from a change in warranty estimate for pre-existing warranties due to a decline in 
claims experience.  The year ended October 31, 2011 reflects a $1.9 million charge to increase the warranty reserve estimate 
associated with a legacy product that Quanex discontinued some years ago, which also contributed to the year over year improvement 
in margins.  Because the establishment of the warranty reserve is an inherently uncertain process involving estimates of the number 
of future claims and the cost to settle claims, the Company's ultimate losses may differ from the warranty reserve and future 
adjustments to the reserve may be necessary.  Finally, 2011 results were negatively impacted by $1.9 million of additional non-
cash Cost of goods sold during 2011 due to the increased value of inventory sold from applying purchase accounting to the Edgetech 
inventory acquired.  

Net  sales  less  Cost  of  sales  (Contribution  margin)  at  Engineered  Products  for  2011  compared  to  2010  improved  by 
$11.9 million including Edgetech's contribution of $13.4 million.  Net sales less Cost of sales as a percent of Net sales for the year 
ended October 31, 2011 are slightly below the same 2010 period due to higher raw material costs and temporary increases in labor 
expense as the Company used overtime to meet a hike in orders in November and December; additionally, the first fiscal quarter 
of 2010 benefited from hourly labor savings associated with the strike at the segment's Barbourville, Kentucky facility in mid-
December 2009.  Although Engineered Products experienced higher raw material costs in 2011, these higher costs were generally 
offset by higher prices, the oil-based raw material surcharge, cost controls and productivity improvements, which strengthened 
margins.  Further reducing contribution margins during 2011 was the aforementioned $1.3 million of plant consolidation costs,  
the $1.9 million warranty expense, and $1.9 million of purchase accounting costs recognized in Cost of sales

Selling, general and administrative costs for the full fiscal year of 2012 were higher than fiscal 2011 due to the IG spacer 
consolidation project, a full twelve months of expense associated with the Edgetech acquisition, and increased incentive wages .  
On November 7, 2011, the Company announced a consolidation program for its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Barbourville, 
Kentucky into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ohio.  The facility consolidation was completed ahead of schedule 
in August 2012, and the Barbourville facility is permanently closed.  Total cash spending associated with the consolidation plan 
was approximately $15.0 million (excludes a pre-tax, non-cash impairment charge of $1.6 million taken in the fourth quarter 
2011).  Of the $15.0 million of cash, total expenses (to be recognized in Selling, general and administrative costs) were $9.0 million 
for the project, comprised of $3.4 million for employee-related costs and $5.6 million for plant closure, equipment moving and 
set up costs, substantially all of which will be charged to Selling, general and administrative expense.  The Company expects an 
estimated annual pre-tax cash savings of $8.0 million to begin in fiscal 2013.  Selling, general and administrative costs increased 
by  $17.6 million  for  fiscal  2012  compared  to  fiscal  2011,  primarily  due  to  more  plant  consolidation  expenses  in  fiscal  2012 
compared to fiscal 2011.  The fiscal year 2012 Selling, general and administrative costs include expenses of $9.0 million associated 
with the Company's IG spacer consolidation program compared to $1.1 million (included in the total $2.8 million discussed above) 
of costs associated with the aforementioned plant consolidations and closing during the first fiscal quarter of 2011.  The majority 
of the $1.1 million represents an estimated liability to terminate a facility operating lease; this estimated liability is net of an 

29

associated sublease benefit.  Also, fiscal 2012 Selling, general and administrative costs are higher than 2011 from the acquisition 
of Edgetech in 2011, which contributed $6.3 million of the higher expenses.  In March 2012, a portion of the roof collapsed at the 
Barbourville, Kentucky facility due to extreme weather.  Customers had minimal service interruption as the clean-up activities 
were well executed and equipment moves to Cambridge were expedited.  The Company did experience inefficiencies from the 
accelerated move and incurred costs of $1.4 million associated with the roof collapse, including business interruption costs.  The 
Company received a $2.4 million insurance recovery resulting in a net gain of $1.0 million primarily associated with insurance 
proceeds received on property and equipment that had been previously depreciated or impaired.  

Selling, general and administrative costs increased by $8.7 million during fiscal 2011 compared to the prior year from 
the 2011 acquisition of Edgetech which reported $9.0 million of Selling, general and administrative costs for 2011.  Additionally, 
the increase in Selling, general and administrative costs for the year were attributable to $1.1 million (included in the total $2.8 
million discussed above) of costs associated with the aforementioned plant consolidations and closing during the first fiscal quarter 
of 2011.  Furthermore, Engineered Products incurred additional sales and marketing expenses of $1.8 million in 2011 associated 
with the roll out of new products and programs and increasing resources necessary to achieve long-term organic growth, with a 
focus  on  expanding  further  into  the  regional  segment  of  the  residential  market.    Benefiting  the  comparative  2011  results  is 
$1.0 million of costs associated with the aforementioned strike in mid December 2009 (partially offset by the direct labor savings 
in Cost of sales) as well as reduced incentives corresponding to lower earnings.

The Company recorded $0.9 million of impairment charges in fiscal 2012 of which $0.6 million relates to the Barbourville 
roof and building.  The Company initially recorded  a $1.6 million non-cash asset impairment charge on its Barbourville, Kentucky 
real property during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 related to its plan to consolidate its insulating glass operations.  

Depreciation and amortization increased for fiscal 2012 compared to 2011 and in 2011 compared to 2010 primarily due 
to the acquisition of Edgetech on March 31, 2011.  In fiscal 2012, Edgetech had a full year of expense and contributed $3.4 million 
higher depreciation and amortization over 2011.  In fiscal 2011, Edgetech incurred $4.8 million (seven months) in deprecation 
and amortization.  Partially offsetting the increase for the year ended ended October 31, 2012 compared to 2011 was $0.3 million 
(included in the $2.8 million discussed above) of accelerated depreciation related to the plant consolidations recognized in the 
first quarter of 2011.  

Engineered Products' fiscal 2012 operating income declined compared to 2011 by $1.8 million.  While the 2012 results 
benefited from the increase in vinyl extrusion sales and favorable changes in warranty estimates, the 2012 reported results and 
margins were negatively impacted by the aforementioned IG spacer consolidation program as well as the Company's start up 
spacer facility in Germany and reduced higher margin non-fenestration IG sales.  Fiscal 2012 saw $9.0 million in IG consolidation 
expense compared to $2.8 million of combined facility consolidation in 2011.  The Company continues to believe that investments 
in growth opportunities like its Germany facility and plant consolidations like the IG consolidation program will have long-term 
benefits that will outweigh these current year costs and lead to revenue growth and margin improvements in future years. 

Operating income for fiscal 2011 was down by $4.0 million of which $0.3 million is attributable to the Edgetech operating 
loss since acquisition in 2011.  Operating income for the remaining Engineered Products businesses for fiscal 2011 was below 
prior year levels primarily due to weak end markets and rising material costs as well as negative impacts from current year costs 
to consolidate facilities, warranty expense associated with legacy products and incremental sales and marketing investment to 
support Engineered Products' organic growth initiatives.  The fiscal 2011 Edgetech operating loss was driven by production start 
up costs at its Germany facility as well as inventory step up expenses from acquisition accounting.

Fiscal 2012 comparable Net sales increased 6%, during fiscal 2012 compared to 2011 from the strong performance of 
vinyl fenestration extrusions and increased international spacer sales.  Engineered Products' long-term organic growth programs 
are focused on driving profitable growth through a single sales and marketing team that is intensely focused on driving continuous 
improvement of customer satisfaction.  The Company believes this will drive profitable growth at Engineered Products by furthering 
the goal of becoming the leading energy efficiency expert in the market by offering customers state-of-the-art engineering, design 
and marketing support.  While the Company believes that it is competitively strong in its energy efficient product offerings, the 
higher price points often associated with these higher-end products may limit sales volumes in these times of tight credit conditions 
and low consumer confidence.  Engineered Products is in the early stages of its long-term organic growth initiatives but believes 
they will have a meaningful impact on its long-term growth and profitability.  

30

Aluminum Sheet Products – Three Years Ended October 31, 2012 

The following table sets forth selected operating data for the Aluminum Sheet Products segment:

Years Ended October 31,

(Dollars in millions)

2012

2011

2010

% Change

2012 vs.
2011

2011 vs.
2010

Net sales

Cost of sales(1)
Selling, general and administrative

Asset impairment charges

Depreciation and amortization

Operating income (loss)

Operating income (loss) margin

Shipped pounds

$

$

362.3

361.6

10.2

—

7.6

$

$

440.5

406.8

8.1

—

8.5

$

(17.1)
(4.7)%

17.1

$

3.9%

252.6

277.3

449.5

401.1

9.9

—

8.3

30.2

6.7%

322.6

(17.8)%

(11.1)

25.9

—

(10.6)

(200.0)%

(8.6)%

(8.9)%

(2.0)%

1.4

(18.2)

—

2.4

(43.4)%

(2.8)%

(14.0)%

(1) 

Exclusive of items shown separately below.

The primary market drivers for the Aluminum Sheet Products segment are residential repair and remodel activity and 
new  home  construction  (together  approximately  77%  of  the  segment’s  sales)  and  transportation  (approximately  7.0%  of  the 
segment’s sales) markets.

Fiscal 2012 was one of the most challenging years in Nichols' history.  The Aluminum Sheet Products segment started 
fiscal 2012 off poorly with quality issues at the Alabama paint facility and weak demand as customers destocked inventory.  Then, 
on January 20, 2012, Nichols Aluminum experienced a strike by about 240 bargaining unit employees at its two facilities located 
in Davenport, Iowa.  During the second quarter, Nichols offered permanent positions to the approximately 100 temporary employees 
it hired since the strike began, and the majority of those employees accepted a full time position.  Shortly after that action, the 
union ended its strike.  A new five-year agreement was eventually ratified in September 2012.   
Fiscal  2012  was  negatively 
impacted by this strike which resulted in direct strike related losses coupled with additional inefficiencies that were experienced 
even after the strike ended in April but prior to the ratification of the new agreement. Another significant contributing factor to 
the operating income decline was the reduced spread realized that was generally the result of lower global London Metal Exchange 
(LME) aluminum prices in fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011.  

The decrease in net sales at the Aluminum Sheet Products segment for fiscal 2012 was the result of an 8.9% decrease in 
shipments and a 9.7% decrease in average selling price compared to fiscal 2011.  Shipments were down 24.6 million pounds in 
2012 from 2011 due to 1) reduced production related to the second quarter strike 2) reliability and quality issues and 3) weaker 
end demand experienced early in the fiscal year from the absence of the window tax credit program compared to the available 
program in 2011.  The Company estimates that approximately one half of the fiscal year's volume decline is attributable to the 
strike.  The Aluminum Association, which tracks aluminum industry shipments of sheet products, reported non-can sheet aluminum 
shipments during fiscal 2012 were up 8.6% from a year ago, while Aluminum Sheet Products' shipments were down. Nichols 
underperformance is primarily attributed to the impact of the strike as well as facility performance issues and relatively weaker 
residential demand, where it has a large presence, compared to relatively stronger distribution and transportation demand, where 
it has a smaller presence.  Average selling price decreased primarily due to lower LME aluminum prices in the comparative periods.  
LME aluminum prices are the most commonly used index for correlating aluminum sheet prices and have averaged around 95 
cents per pound in fiscal 2012 compared to about $1.10 per pound in the prior year.

Net sales were negatively impacted by a decline in shipped pounds of 14.0% for the 2011 year compared to the same 
period of 2010 due to weaker demand for building and construction sheet.  The Aluminum Association reported non-can sheet 
aluminum shipments for year-to-date October up 2% from the prior year, while Aluminum Sheet Products' shipments were down 
14.0%.  Part of the Company's underperformance versus the industry can be attributed to relatively weaker building and construction 
demand compared to stronger distribution and transportation demand.  This decrease in Net sales at the Aluminum Sheet Products 
segment for 2011 was partially offset by a 14.0% increase in average selling price per pound compared to 2010.  Average selling 
price increased primarily due to higher LME aluminum prices in the comparative period.  

Selling, general and administrative costs increased by $2.1 million for fiscal 2012 compared to 2011 primarily due to 
$1.0 million of strike expenses as well as employee related expenses incurred during 2012.  The strike costs are directly associated 
31

 
 
with the negotiating activities themselves and include such items as legal fees and security.  Selling, general and administrative 
costs decreased by $1.8 million for 2011 compared to 2010.  The decrease in expense is primarily due to a $1.0 million expense 
in 2010 associated with the discontinuation of a new Microsoft Dynamics AX enterprise resource planning system for the segment, 
a $0.8 million decline in environmental related expense, and to a lesser extent a decrease in variable pay incentives associated 
with a lower level of earnings in 2011.  For additional information on the environmental reserve, see Note 16, “Contingencies” 
in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Depreciation and amortization has declined for fiscal 2012 compared to the same 2011 period primarily due to equipment 
reaching the end of its depreciable life and accelerated depreciation during the first quarter of fiscal 2011 related to the reduction 
of an asset's remaining useful life.

Operating income decreased at the Aluminum Sheet Products segment for fiscal 2012, compared to the prior year due to 
reduced volume, higher costs associated with purchasing semi-finished aluminum coils from third parties, higher conversion costs 
associated with the processing of semi-finished coils into finished sheet, and the impact of a lower spread (sales less material 
costs)  associated  with  a  general  reduction  in  LME  aluminum  prices.   Additionally,  repair  and  maintenance  expenses  were 
$1.8 million higher in fiscal 2012 than 2011 as the business incurred various equipment outages during the year and also used 
more outside contractors for repairs than in prior years.  While the reduced shipments impacted the results for the year, the decline 
in aluminum spread, which is calculated as the difference between the average sales price and the average raw material cost, 
negatively impacted the year over year results.  Spread declined by 17% in fiscal 2012 compared to 2011.  The segment's operating 
income and margins are impacted by changes in LME aluminum prices as its spread is correlated with aluminum prices over time.  
Declines in aluminum prices generally result in spread compression; however, as aluminum prices rebound, spread and profits 
generally expand.  With LME aluminum prices averaging around 95 cents per pound (a 14% drop from a year ago), and without 
a corresponding decline in aluminum scrap costs, Nichols' spread in 2012 has been dramatically reduced from last year.  This 
means that aluminum scrap costs are expensive relative to the LME price of aluminum.  Also, in an attempt to meet improving 
demand, Nichols purchased semi-finished aluminum coils from third parties to help make up for reduced casting capacity from 
the strike.  Third party coils are expensive relative to Nichols' internal cost of production, and third party coils require additional 
finishing.  Nichols is a high fixed cost business, so as its shipments drop, its ability to substantially reduce operating costs is 
limited.  In fiscal 2012, estimated direct expenses associated with the strike were approximately $7 million and the volume related 
operating income impact in the second quarter 2012 (and impacting fiscal 2012 results) is estimated at about $4 million for total 
strike related expenses of $11 million.  The net direct expenses of $7 million for fiscal 2012 represent the aforementioned costs 
associated with the purchase of semi-finished aluminum coils from third parties and to a lesser extent include outside maintenance, 
legal fees, security costs and incremental expenses associated with the salary workforce that stepped in to continue to keep the 
two facilities operating; estimated labor savings are included as a benefit in the net direct expenses figure.  Although the strike 
hurt the 2012 results, Quanex believes the outcome has improved the competitiveness of the Nichols business and will benefit the 
overall long-term position of the Company.  

Operating income decreased at the Aluminum Sheet Products segment for 2011, compared to prior year due to lower 
shipped pounds and to a lesser extent lower painted sales.  The Aluminum Sheet Products segment is a high fixed cost business, 
so as shipments drop due to weaker demand, its ability to substantially reduce operating costs is limited.  Operating income was 
further impacted by high repair and maintenance expenses and to a lesser extent by higher energy costs and higher freight costs.  
Repair and maintenance expense in 2011 increased by $3.8 million over the same 2010 period in part due to projects that were 
previously deferred in prior years.  This decline in operating income was partially offset by an 8.6% increase in spread (sales price 
less material costs).  The higher spread compared to the previous year was primarily a result of higher aluminum prices that rose 
faster than material costs.  

Corporate and Other – Three Years Ended October 31, 2012 

Years Ended October 31,

(Dollars in millions)

2012

2011

2010

$ Change

2012 vs.
2011

2011 vs.
2010

Net sales

Cost of sales(1)
Selling, general and administrative

Depreciation and amortization

Operating income (loss)

$

$

(11.9) $

(13.3)
35.8

2.0

(36.4) $

(12.5) $
(9.6)
27.9

0.1
(30.9) $

(12.3) $
(8.0)
22.8

0.1
(27.2) $

$

0.6
(3.7)
7.9

1.9
(5.5) $

(0.2)
(1.6)
5.1

—
(3.7)

(1) 

Exclusive of items shown separately below.

32

 
 
 
 
 
Corporate  and  Other  operating  expenses,  which  are  not  in  the  segments  mentioned  above,  include  inter-segment 
eliminations, the consolidated LIFO inventory adjustments (calculated on a combined pool basis), corporate office expenses and 
Quanex-wide program expenses such as a company-wide ERP project.  Net sales amounts represent intersegment eliminations 
between the Engineered Products segment and the Aluminum Sheet Products segment with an equal and offsetting elimination in 
Cost of sales. LIFO adjustments are reported in Corporate Cost of sales.  The Company incurred LIFO income of $1.7 million in 
fiscal 2012 and LIFO expense of $2.3 million and $3.8 million in fiscal 2011 and fiscal year 2010, respectively.  LIFO income 
was incurred in fiscal 2012 primarily due to a fall in pricing of aluminum while LIFO expense was incurred in fiscal 2011 and 
2010 primarily due to a rise in pricing of aluminum based inventory held by the Company at year-end.  Fluctuations associated 
with the LIFO inventory adjustment comprise a majority of the change from year to year in the Corporate and Other Net sales 
less Cost of sales.

Corporate Selling, general and administrative costs increased by $7.9 million for fiscal 2012 compared to 2011.  The 
Company initiated a company-wide ERP project (Project Quest) in 2011 to support the drive for long-term organic growth by 
bringing  the  myriad  of  disparate  systems  currently  existing  throughout  the  Company  together  into  a  single  standard  system 
supported by a common set of processes.  The current plan anticipates the conversion of all of the Company's disparate systems 
to a single system.  Due to a full year of activity in fiscal 2012, expenses associated with the development of Project Quest increased 
by $3.9 million compared to 2011.  Project Quest costs recognized in Selling, general and administrative expenses during fiscal 
2012 and fiscal 2011 were $5.5 million and $1.5 million , respectively.  Project Quest expenses will continue in preparation for 
conversion of the legacy systems.  The initial system conversion is anticipated in fiscal 2013.  While specific project costs will 
decline as Quanex migrates to this single platform over these next few years, the Company has incurred and will incur technology 
infrastructure and support costs.  Mark-to-market expense associated with the Company's deferred compensation plan increased 
by $1.6 million during fiscal 2012 compared to 2011, reflecting an increase in the the Company's stock price as well as the market 
value of other investments held by the deferred compensation plan during fiscal 2012 compared to a decline in 2011.  Approximately 
46% of the deferred compensation plan balance is indexed to the Company's stock price, and the Quanex stock price increased 
by $5.02 per share for fiscal 2012 compared to a decrease of $3.27 per share during 2011.  Corporate general and administrative 
costs also increased in fiscal 2012 due to increased personnel related costs in support of the Company's strategic and operational 
initiatives,  including  an  increase  in  incentives  as  incentive  payments  were  relatively  low  in  2011.   Transaction  related  costs 
associated with the acquisition of Edgetech during fiscal 2011 partially offset the higher Project Quest, mark to market costs, and 
personnel related costs in 2012.  Included in the results for fiscal 2011, were $4.1 million of transaction and related integration 
costs with little costs in 2012.  

Project Quest depreciation expense of $1.5 million was incurred for  fiscal 2012 in conjunction with the 2012 implementation 
of the human capital management module of the ERP system.  As the new ERP system is placed in service (replacing the legacy 
systems) the Company expects depreciation expense to increase.

Selling, general and administrative costs increased by $5.1 million for fiscal 2011 over fiscal 2010.  The single largest 
reason for the increase is $4.1 million of transaction and integration related costs associated with the acquisition of Edgetech 
during fiscal 2011.  Also increasing Selling, general and administrative costs are those costs associated with the development and 
rollout of Project Quest.  During fiscal 2011, the Company recognized $1.5 million of Project Quest expense.  Fiscal 2011 Selling, 
general, and administrative expense includes a $1.0 million increase in estimated workers compensation self-insurance reserves 
partially associated with higher open claims with limited development experience.  Selling, general and administrative costs in 
2011 also reflect various other programs including lean six sigma employee training that the Company believes will result in future 
cost savings.  Partially offsetting these increases was a $1.5 million decline during fiscal 2011 in mark-to-market expense associated 
with the deferred compensation plan reflecting the decrease in the Company's stock price as well as the market value of other 
investments held by the deferred compensation plan during the 2011 period.  As of October 31, 2011, approximately 47% of the 
deferred compensation plan balance was indexed to the Company's stock price, and the Quanex stock price decreased by $3.27 
per share during fiscal 2011 compared to an increase of $3.15 per share during fiscal 2010.  Additionally, Selling, general and 
administrative costs have declined in 2011 from lower estimated variable pay incentive costs corresponding to the Company's 
lower earnings.

Other Items – Three Years Ended October 31, 2012 

Interest expense for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 remained flat at $0.4 million for each year. No amounts were borrowed 
against the revolving credit facility during fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010.  Interest expense could increase slightly in future years 
depending on the terms of the anticipated new Credit Facility.

Other, net typically includes interest income earned on the Company’s cash and equivalents and beginning with the 

acquisition of Edgetech in March 2011 foreign currency transaction gains and losses. 

33

For fiscal 2012, other income increased by $0.7 million,  primarily due to a decline in net foreign currency transaction 
losses of $0.9 million compared to 2011, Other, net for fiscal 2011 was a loss of $0.5 million compared to income of $2.6 million 
in fiscal 2010.  During fiscal 2011, the Company incurred $0.9 million of transaction losses which are included in determining 
net income primarily related to Edgetech's international operations and foreign currency denominated receivables.  There are no 
transaction gains or losses during the fiscal 2010.  Other, net for fiscal 2010 includes the recognition of a $0.9 million gain on 
involuntary conversion of a non-monetary asset related to the May 2009 tornado that struck and damaged  the Company's Mikron 
facility in Richmond, Kentucky.  Additionally, fiscal 2010 included a $1.3 million bargain purchase gain related to an acquisition 
during  the  second  fiscal  quarter  of  2010.    In  February  2010,  the  Company  completed  a  small  acquisition  for  approximately 
$1.6 million in consideration.  The acquisition was effected through an asset purchase through a receivership proceeding and no 
liabilities were assumed.  ASC 805 “Business Combinations” requires that a gain be recorded when the fair value of the net assets 
acquired is greater than the fair value of the consideration transferred.  Though uncommon, bargain purchases can occur because 
of underpayments for the business acquired due to a forced liquidation or distress sale.  As such, the Company obtained the assets 
at a bargain and recognized a gain of approximately $1.3 million in Other, net.

The Company’s annual effective tax rate for fiscal 2012 was 34.3% compared to 41.5% in fiscal 2011 and 38.7% in fiscal 
2010.  The decrease in the 2012 tax rate benefit is primarily attributable to a state valuation allowance and nondeductible employee 
related items in the current year.  The effective rate in 2011 increased primarily due to nondeductible transaction costs in 2011 
and the mix of domestic and foreign results partially offset by general business credits. 

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax was $12 thousand for fiscal 2011 and a loss of $1.1 million  for fiscal 

2010 and represents the results of the Truseal China business.  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Funds

The Company’s principal sources of funds are cash on hand, cash flow from operations, and borrowings under its $270.0 
million Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility (the Credit Facility).  As of October 31, 2012, the Company has a solid liquidity 
position, comprised of cash and equivalents and adequate availability under the Company’s Credit Facility.  The Company has 
$71.3 million of cash and equivalents, $102.6 million of current availability under the revolving credit facility and minimal debt 
of $1.4 million as of October 31, 2012.  Cash equivalents for the year ended October 31, 2012 decreased by $18.4 million to $71.3 
million.  The Company used cash on hand during fiscal 2012 as well as cash flow from operations for planned capital expenditures, 
the planned IG spacer consolidation project and the Nichols strike.  Again in 2012, Quanex has self-funded its activities as the 
Company has never borrowed cash on its Credit Facility even during these challenging economic times and even after spending 
$110.8  million  of  cash  on  acquisitions  in  fiscal  2011.   The  Company’s  strategy  for  cash  uses  is  to  invest  in  organic  growth 
opportunities, its infrastructure and its facilities and to make strategic acquisitions that fit its fenestration vision.  Other uses of 
cash include funding the common stock cash dividend and buying back Quanex stock

The Company’s excess cash and equivalents are invested only in large, overnight money market funds due to the conditions 
of the financial market. The funds are diversified by security type across Treasuries, Government Agencies and Prime Corporate. 
These funds are all AAA-rated, approved by the NAIC and compliant with Rule 2A-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. 
The  Company’s  current  investments  are  diversified  across  multiple  institutions  that  the  Company  believes  to  be  financially 
sound. The Company intends to remain in highly rated money market funds, financial institutions and treasuries following a 
prudent investment philosophy.  From time to time, to prepare for potential disruption in the money markets, the Company may 
temporarily move funds into operating bank accounts of highly-rated financial institutions to meet on-going operational liquidity 
requirements. The Company had no material losses on its cash and marketable securities investments.

The Credit Facility was executed on April 23, 2008 and has a five-year term. Proceeds from the Credit Facility may be 
used to provide availability for acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures, and general corporate purposes.  Borrowings 
under the Credit Facility bear interest at a spread above LIBOR based on a combined leverage and ratings grid.  There are certain 
limitations on additional indebtedness, asset or equity sales, and acquisitions.  Dividends and other distributions are permitted so 
long as after giving effect to such dividend or stock repurchase, there is no event of default. Under the Credit Facility, the Company 
is obligated to comply with certain financial covenants requiring the Company to maintain a Consolidated Leverage Ratio of no 
more  than  3.25 to 1  and  a  Consolidated  Interest  Coverage  Ratio  of  no  less  than  3.00 to 1.   As  defined  by  the  indenture,  the 
Consolidated Leverage Ratio is the ratio of consolidated indebtedness as of such date to consolidated EBITDA (Earnings Before 
Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) for the previous four fiscal quarters, and the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio 
is the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense, in each case for the previous four consecutive fiscal quarters. 
EBITDA is defined by the indenture to include proforma EBITDA of acquisitions and to exclude certain items like goodwill and 
intangible asset impairments and certain other non-cash charges and non-recurring items.  The availability under the Credit Facility 

34

is a function of both the facility amount utilized and meeting covenant requirements. Additionally, the availability of the Credit 
Facility is dependent upon the financial viability of the Company’s lenders.  The Credit Facility is funded by a syndicate of nine 
banks, with three banks comprising over 55% of the commitment.  If any of the banks in the syndicate were unable to perform on 
their commitments to fund the facility, the availability under the Credit Facility could be reduced; however, the Company has no 
reason to believe that such liquidity will be unavailable or decreased.  Quanex is currently in the process of negotiating a new 
Credit Facility, and expects to have finalized terms and conditions by the end of the first quarter.

As of October 31, 2012, the Company had no borrowings under the Credit Facility, and the Company was in compliance 

with all Credit Facility covenants as seen by the table below:

At October 31, 2012
Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio

Consolidated Leverage Ratio

Required

No less than 3.00 to 1   

No more than 3.25 to 1   

Actual

74.52 to 1

0.22 to 1

Although there were no borrowings on the Credit Facility and there was only $5.5 million of outstanding letters of credit 
under the Credit Facility, the aggregate availability under the Credit Facility was limited by the Consolidated Leverage Ratio 
resulting in an availability of $102.6 million at October 31, 2012.  Because the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is based on a rolling 
twelve months of EBITDA, a change in future earnings will impact the amount available under the Credit Facility in future quarters, 
absent any pro-forma EBITDA benefit from any potential acquisitions.  To have access to the full availability of the $270.0 million 
Credit Facility, the Company must have a minimum rolling EBITDA of $84 million for the previous four fiscal quarters. Actual 
rolling EBITDA for the previous four fiscal quarters was $33.8 million as of October 31, 2012.  Increased earnings for any future 
periods could increase availability under the Credit Facility; conversely, reduced earnings for any future periods could adversely 
impact the amount available under the Credit Facility in future quarters, absent any pro-forma EBITDA benefit from any potential 
acquisitions.

The Company believes that it has sufficient funds and adequate financial resources available to meet its anticipated 
liquidity needs.  The Company also believes that cash balances and cash flow from operations will be sufficient in the next twelve 
months and foreseeable future to finance anticipated working capital requirements, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, 
environmental expenditures, and dividends.

The Company’s working capital was $123.1 million on October 31, 2012 compared to $140.3 million on October 31, 
2011. Working capital declined by $17.2 million from a reduction in cash and equivalents primarily related to capital expenditures.  
Conversion capital (accounts receivable plus inventory less accounts payable) of $71million was flat at October 31, 2012 compared 
to prior year.  Within conversion capital, accounts payable increased $14.6 million in support of increased inventory of $10.0 million.

The following table summarizes the Company’s cash flow results from continuing operations for fiscal years 2012, 2011 

and 2010:

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities

2012

$

Years ended October 31,

2011

(In millions)

2010

$

26.5
(41.7)
(3.9)

$

52.9
(135.4)
(14.9)

89.6
(15.9)
(10.0)

Highlights from the Company’s cash flow results for the fiscal years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

Operating Activities – Continuing Operations

Cash provided from operating activities from continuing operations for fiscal 2012 decreased by $26.4 million compared 
to fiscal 2011.  Lower cash provided by operating activities is primarily attributable to reduced earnings in 2012, including strike 
related expenditures; $8.7 million of IG spacer consolidation payments made during fiscal 2012; and a $2.3 million increase in 
pension contributions.  Net conversion capital activity was essentially zero in both fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011.  Quanex remitted 
a total of $3.5 million relating to reorganization taxes assumed in the Edgetech acquisition, of which $2.8 million was paid in 
fiscal 2011 and the remaining $0.7 million was paid during fiscal 2012.  In addition to the Edgetech related tax, the Company paid 

35

 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
$0.5 million in taxes in fiscal 2012,  The Company expects to contribute approximately $3.3 million to its pension plan in fiscal 
2013.  The IG consolidation project is complete and accordingly Quanex does not expect any significant project expenditures in 
fiscal 2013 other than minimal residual payments.  Despite the continued weak condition of the Company's primary end markets, 
the Nichols strike and the planned IG spacer consolidation, Quanex generated cash flow from operating activities of $26.5 million 
during fiscal 2012.  

Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations during fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 declined 
by $36.7 million.  This decline is primarily attributable to reduced income in fiscal 2011 due to acquisition related costs, lower 
aluminum sheet shipments, and higher maintenance costs at Aluminum Sheet Product.  Also, the decline resulted from higher 
costs at Engineered Products associated with rationalizing operations, incremental sales and marketing costs as the Company 
invested in long-term organic growth initiatives, and higher raw material costs.  Additionally, during fiscal 2010, the Company 
received a federal income tax refund of $11.4 million.  In fiscal 2011, the Company did not receive a tax refund coupled with the 
remittance of $2.8 million (of the total estimated $3.5 million) associated with reorganization taxes assumed in the Edgetech 
acquisition.  Partially offsetting these cash flow declines is a $3.5 million reduction in pension contributions in fiscal 2011 compared 
to fiscal 2010.  The Company contributed approximately $5.3 million to its pension plan during fiscal 2010 in an effort to target 
a 100% funding threshold while the 2011 contribution amounted to $1.9 million.  

Investing Activities – Continuing Operations

Cash used in investing activities from continuing operations during fiscal 2012, declined $93.7 million compared to fiscal 
2011 while fiscal 2011 spending was $119.5 million over fiscal 2010 levels.  The high investing expenditures in fiscal 2011 and 
resulting variation from year to year is attributable to the Company's acquisition activity in fiscal 2011 whereby Quanex spent 
$104.4 million to acquire Edgetech and $6.4 million to acquire JELD-WEN's vinyl extrusion assets in Yakima, Washington.  

Capital expenditures for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $42.9 million, $25.3 million and $14.7 million, respectively. 
Capital spending increased by $17.6 million during fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011 and increased by $10.6 million in fiscal 
2011 over fiscal 2010.  To date, the Company has spent $19.4 million in capital on the rollout of its company-wide ERP system 
(Project Quest), initiated in March 2011; in fiscal 2012, the Company incurred $14.5 million associated with Project Quest compared 
to $4.9 million during fiscal 2011, with the increase attributable to a full year of project activities in fiscal 2012.  The current plan 
anticipates the conversion of all of the Company’s disparate systems to a single system over a period of at least three years with 
the first conversion anticipated in fiscal 2013.  The Company expects additional Project Quest capital spending through such time 
as its larger operations are converted to the new system.  Additionally, in fiscal 2012, the Company incurred capital expenditures 
of $6.3 million related to its IG spacer consolidation program initiated in fiscal 2012 and completed in the fourth fiscal quarter of 
2012.  The additional increase in spending relates to organic growth initiatives including capital to support new product development 
as well as spending on previously deferred projects.  Fiscal 2011 includes capital spending related to Edgetech of $2.3 million 
which  was  the  first  year  of  Quanex  ownership  while  fiscal  2012  includes  $1.1 million  of  capital  related  insurance  proceeds 
associated with the Barbourville roof collapse.

At October 31, 2012, the Company had commitments of approximately $7.2 million for the purchase or construction of 
capital assets.  The Company plans to fund these capital expenditures through current cash and equivalents.  The Company expects 
2013 capital expenditures to approximate $40 million, which includes spending associated with Project Quest.  While the IG 
consolidation capital expenditures will not continue in 2013, Quanex intends to increase its capital spending in its aluminum sheet 
facilities.  During the fourth quarter, the Company completed installation of a new $1.5 million annealing furnace that will help 
improve throughput at one of the finishing facilities.  In the second fiscal quarter of 2013, Quanex expects to replace the paint 
oven in its Alabama facility.  Over the past five years, capital expenditures at the Aluminum Sheet Products facilities have averaged 
approximately $7 million.   Quanex expects Nichols capital expenditures to increase to a range of $10 million to $13 million over 
the next few years which the Company believes will improve quality and reliability.  The Company plans to fund these capital 
expenditures through cash flow from operations.

On December 17, 2012, the Company announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Alumco, 
Inc. and its subsidiaries in an all cash transaction, expected to close during the first fiscal quarter of 2013.  The assets to be purchased 
include Aluminite, a screen producer for the window and door industry.  This acquisition will not be deemed to involve a significant 
amount of assets, and cash on hand will be used for the purchase price.

Financing Activities – Continuing Operations

Quanex spent $3.9 million, $14.9 million and  $10.0 million in cash from financing activities from continuing operations 
in fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The Company spent $8.8 million less on purchases of Quanex common stock 
in 2012 compared to 2011 and received $2.4 million less from stock option exercises during fiscal 2012 compared to the prior 

36

year.  The $4.9 million increase in cash spending from financing activities during 2011 compared to 2010 was primarily the result 
of the Company’s stock repurchase program and to a lesser extent an increase in the cash dividend in mid fiscal 2010. This increase 
in  spending  was  partially  offset  by  more  proceeds  from  stock  option  exercises  of  $0.6  million.    During  fiscal  2012,  Quanex 
purchased 94,337 shares of common stock compared to 750,000 shares and 250,000 shares during fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, 
respectively.  In fiscal 2012 and 2011 the Company paid quarterly dividends totaling $0.16 per common share compared to fiscal 
2010 dividends at $0.14 per common share, with shares outstanding remaining relatively flat.  The Company increased its quarterly 
cash dividend in May 2010 by 33% to $0.04 per share from $0.03 per share.

Discontinued Operations

Cash flows from discontinued operations represent results related to the Company’s start-up facility in China that was 
closed in fiscal year 2010.  Residual 2011 cash flows represent wind-up activities, including repayment by the China facility 
(discontinued cash outflow) to its Quanex parent (offsetting financing cash inflow in continuing operations).

Debt Structure and Activity

Refer to Item 8, Note 10 “Long-Term Debt and Financing Arrangements” for a discussion of the Company’s debt structure.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

Contractual Obligations

The following tables set forth certain information concerning the Company’s unconditional obligations and commitments 
to make future payments under contracts with remaining terms in excess of one year, such as debt and lease agreements, and under 
contingent commitments.

Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligations

Long-term debt, including interest(1)
Operating leases(2)
Unconditional purchase obligations(3)
Total contractual cash obligations(4)

$

$

$

$

Total

Less than
1 Year

1-3
Years

3-5
Years

(In thousands)

1,430

$

378

$

518

$

220

$

32,117

4,444

5,808

4,148

10,156

296

6,146

—

More
Than
5 Years

314

10,007

—

37,991

$

10,334

$

10,970

$

6,366

$

10,321

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

The debt interest amounts are based on rates as of October 31, 2012.
Operating leases cover a range of items from facilities and fork lift trucks to fax machines and other miscellaneous 
equipment.
The  unconditional  purchase  obligations  are  made  up  of  gas  supply  agreements  and  $4.3  million  of  scrap  aluminum 
purchases.
The above table excludes reserves recorded in accordance with ASC Topic 740 “Income Taxes,” as the Company is unable 
to reasonably estimate the timing of future cash flows related to these reserves. For additional information see Note 9, 
“Income Taxes,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

During fiscal 2013, the Company expects to contribute approximately $3.3 million to the pension plan to continue to 
target  a  100%  funding  threshold  and  meet  minimum  contribution  requirements.  Pension  contributions  beyond  2013  are  not 
determinable since the amount of any contribution is heavily dependent on the future economic environment and investment 
returns on pension plan assets. Obligations to these plans are based on current and projected obligations of the plans, performance 
of  the  plan  assets,  if  applicable,  and  any  participant  contributions.  Refer  to  Note  11  of  Item 8  to  the  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements for further information on these plans. Management believes the effect of the plans on liquidity is not significant to 
the Company’s overall financial condition.

The timing of payments related to the Company’s Supplemental Benefit Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan cannot 
be readily determined due to their uncertainty. The Supplemental Benefit Plan liability of $2.5 million at October 31, 2012 was 
recorded as part of Other (non-current) liabilities. Based on the $5.9 million market value of the Company’s Deferred Compensation 
Plan, payments for fiscal 2013 are estimated to be approximately $0.2 million and are recorded in Accrued liabilities on the 

37

 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining liability balance of $5.7 million is recorded in Other liabilities on the Consolidated 
Balance Sheets.

Other Commercial Commitments

The following table reflects other commercial commitments or potential cash outflows that may result from a contingent 

event, such as a need to borrow short-term funds for liquidity purposes.

Other Commercial Commitments

Amount of Commitment Expiration per Period

Total
Amounts
Committed

Less than
1 Year

1-3
Years

3-5
Years

(In thousands)

More
Than
5  Years

Standby letters of credit

$

5,952

$

5,140

$

— $

— $

812

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as such term is defined in the rules promulgated by the 
Securities and Exchange Commission, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Company’s 
financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or 
capital resources that are material to investors.

Effects of Inflation

Inflation has not had a significant effect on earnings and other financial statement items.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the 
amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying footnotes. Estimates and assumptions about future events and 
their effects cannot be perceived with certainty. Estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as 
additional information becomes available and as the Company’s operating environment changes. Actual results could differ from 
estimates.

The Company believes the following are the most critical accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements as well as the significant judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of these policies.

Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company recognizes revenue when products are shipped and the title has passed to the customer. The following 
factors are considered to determine if title has passed: (a) pervasive evidence that a contractual sales arrangement exists; (b) 
delivery has occurred; (c) the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; (d) collection is reasonably assured. Sales allowances 
and customer incentives are treated as reductions to revenue and are provided for based on historical experience and current 
estimates. The Company has established an allowance for doubtful accounts to estimate  the risk of loss associated with its accounts 
receivable  balances. This  allowance  is  maintained  at  a  level  the  Company  considers  appropriate  based  on  factors  that  affect 
collectability, including: (a) historical trends of write-offs, recoveries and credit losses;(b) the credit quality of the Company's 
customers; and (c) projected economic and market conditions. Different assumptions or changes in economic circumstances could 
result in changes to the allowance.

Inventory

The Company records inventory valued at the lower of cost or market value. Inventories are valued using the first-in 
first-out (FIFO) and last-in first-out (LIFO) methods. The Company uses the dollar-value link chain LIFO method, and the LIFO 
reserve is calculated on a consolidated basis in a single consolidated pool. Acquisitions are integrated into the Company’s operations 
with some valuing inventories on a LIFO basis and others on a FIFO basis. Fixed costs related to excess manufacturing capacity 
have been expensed in the period, and therefore, are not capitalized into inventory. Inventory quantities are regularly reviewed 
and provisions for excess or obsolete inventory are recorded primarily based on the Company’s forecast of future demand and 

38

 
 
market conditions. Significant unanticipated changes to the Company’s forecasts could require a change in the provision for excess 
or obsolete inventory.

Environmental Contingencies

Quanex is subject to extensive laws and regulations concerning the discharge of materials into the environment and the 
remediation of chemical contamination. To satisfy such requirements, Quanex must make capital and other expenditures on an 
ongoing basis. The Company accrues its best estimates of its remediation obligations and adjusts such accruals as further information 
and circumstances develop. Those estimates may change substantially depending on information about the nature and extent of 
contamination,  appropriate  remediation  technologies,  and  regulatory  approvals. In  accruing  for  environmental  remediation 
liabilities, costs of future expenditures are not discounted to their present value, unless the amount and timing of the expenditures 
are fixed or reliably determinable. Legal costs are expensed as incurred except incremental direct costs of the remediation effort 
which are accrued as part of the measurement of the environmental remediation liability. When environmental laws might be 
deemed to impose joint and several liability for the costs of responding to contamination, the Company accrues its allocable share 
of the liability taking into account the number of parties participating, their ability to pay their shares, the volumes and nature of 
the wastes involved, the nature of anticipated response actions, and the nature of the Company’s alleged connections. Recoveries 
of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable. Unanticipated 
changes in circumstances and/or legal requirements could extend the length of time over which the Company pays its remediation 
costs or could increase actual cash expenditures for remediation in any period.

Warranty Obligations

The Company’s estimated obligations for warranty are accrued concurrently with the revenue recognized. The Company 
records a provision for its warranty obligations based on historical costs incurred for such obligations and adjusts, where appropriate, 
for current conditions and factors. The Company's ability to estimate its warranty obligations is subject to significant uncertainties, 
including continuous changes in product designs.

Insurance

The Company manages its costs of workers’ compensation, group medical, property, casualty and other liability exposures 
through a combination of self-insurance retentions and insurance coverage with third-party carriers. Liabilities associated with 
the Company’s portion of these exposures are not discounted and are estimated by considering various factors which may include 
historical claims experience, severity factors, estimated claims incurred but not reported and loss development factors, which are 
estimates on how claims will develop over time until the claims are closed, as appropriate. While the Company considers a number 
of  factors  in  preparing  the  estimates,  sensitive  assumptions  using  significant  judgment  are  made  in  determining  the  amounts 
accrued in the financial statements. Actual claims can differ significantly from estimated liabilities if future claims experience 
differs from historical experience and assumptions used in the Company’s analysis are adjusted. Insurance recoveries are not 
recognized until any contingencies relating to the claim have been resolved.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangibles

The Company makes judgments and estimates in conjunction with the carrying value of property, plant and equipment, 
other intangibles, and other assets, including amounts to be capitalized, depreciation and amortization methods and useful lives. 
Additionally, the carrying values of these assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company determines that the carrying amount is not recoverable if it  exceeds 
the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the carrying value 
exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is recorded in the period in which such review is performed. 
The Company measures the impairment loss as the amount by which the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair 
value as determined by quoted market prices in active markets or by discounted cash flows. This requires the Company to make 
long-term forecasts of its future revenues and costs related to the assets subject to review. Forecasts require assumptions about 
demand for the Company’s products and future market conditions. Future events and unanticipated changes to assumptions could 
require a provision for impairment in a future period.

The Company monitors relevant circumstances, including industry trends, general economic conditions, and the potential 
impact that such circumstances might have on the valuation of its identifiable intangibles. Events and changes in circumstances 
that may cause a triggering event and necessitate such a review include, but are not limited to: a decrease in sales for certain 
customers, improvements or changes in technology, and/or a decision to phase-out a trademark or trade name. Such events could 
39

negatively impact the carrying value of the Company’s identifiable intangibles. It is possible that changes in such circumstances 
or in the numerous variables associated with the judgments, assumptions, and estimates made by the Company in assessing the 
appropriate valuation of its identifiable intangibles could require the Company to further write down a portion of its identifiable 
intangibles and record related non-cash impairment charges in the future.  The Company applies a variety of techniques to establish 
the carrying value of its intangible assets, including the relief from royalty and excess current year earnings methods.

Goodwill

The acquisition method of accounting for business combinations requires the Company to make use of estimates and 
judgments to allocate the purchase price paid for acquisitions to the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets. 
The Company performs a goodwill impairment test annually as of August 31. In addition, goodwill would be tested more frequently 
if  changes  in  circumstances  or  the  occurrence  of  events  indicates  that  a  potential  impairment  exists. The  Company  tests  for 
impairment of its goodwill using a two-step approach as prescribed in ASC Topic 350 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (ASC 
350). The first step of the Company’s goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying 
value including assigned goodwill. The second step of the Company’s goodwill impairment test is required only in situations 
where the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value as determined in the first step. In such instances, the Company 
compares the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying value. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating 
the fair value of a reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business 
combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value 
of a reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss 
is recorded to the extent that the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill. 
The Company uses the present value of future cash flows to determine fair value in combination with the market approach. Future 
cash flows are typically based upon appropriate future periods for the businesses and an estimated residual value. Management 
judgment is required in the estimation of future operating results and to determine the appropriate residual values. The residual 
values are determined by reference to an exchange transaction in an existing market for that asset. Future operating results and 
residual values could reasonably differ from the estimates and could require a provision for impairment in a future period.

Income Taxes

The  Company  records  the  estimated  future  tax  effects  of  temporary  differences  between  the  tax  basis  of  assets  and 
liabilities and the amounts reported in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as net operating losses and tax credit 
carry forwards. The Company evaluates the carrying value of the net deferred tax assets and determines whether it will be able to 
generate sufficient future taxable income to realize its deferred tax assets. This evaluation is based on estimating future taxable 
income using the same forecasts used to test long-lived assets and intangibles for impairment, scheduling out the future reversal 
of existing taxable temporary differences and reviewing the Company’s most recent financial operations. In the event the estimates 
and assumptions indicate the Company will not generate sufficient future taxable income to realize its deferred tax assets, the 
Company records a valuation allowance against a portion of its deferred tax assets. 

Stock–Based Compensation

In accordance with ASC Topic 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation” (ASC 718), the Company determines the fair 
value of share awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Company recognizes the fair value as 
compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award based on awards ultimately expected 
to vest. Under ASC 718, the Company amortizes new option grants to retirement-eligible employees immediately upon grant, 
consistent with the retirement vesting acceleration provisions of these grants. For employees near retirement age, the Company 
amortizes such grants over the period from the grant date to the retirement date if such period is shorter than the standard vesting 
schedule. In accordance with ASC Topic 230-10-45-14 “Statement of Cash Flows – Cash Flows From Financing Activities” (ASC 
230-10-45-14), the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow report the excess tax benefits from the stock-based compensation as 
financing cash inflows. See Note 14 of Item 8 for additional information related to the Company’s stock-based compensation.

The Company’s fair value determination of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing 
model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective 
variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards 
and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behavior. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating 
the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable. Because the Company’s employee 
stock options have certain characteristics that are significantly different from traded options, and because changes in the subjective 
assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, in management’s opinion, the existing valuation models may not provide 

40

an accurate measure of the fair value of the Company’s employee stock options. Accordingly, that value may not be indicative of 
the fair value observed in a willing buyer/willing seller market transaction.

Retirement Plans

The Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan and an unfunded postretirement plan that provides health care and 
life  insurance  benefits  for  eligible  retirees  and  dependents. The  measurement  of  liabilities  related  to  these  plans  is  based  on 
management’s assumptions related to future events, including expected return on plan assets, rate of compensation increases, and 
heath care cost trend rates. The discount rate reflects the rate at which benefits could be effectively settled on the measurement 
date. The Company determines its discount rate based on a pension discount curve, and the rate represents the single rate that, if 
applied to every year of projected benefits payments, would result in the same discounted value as the array of rates that comprise 
the pension discount curve. Actual pension plan asset investment performance, as well as other economic experience such as 
discount rate and demographic experience, will either reduce or increase unamortized pension losses at the end of any fiscal year, 
which ultimately affects future pension costs. Refer to Note 11 of Item 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further 
information on these plans.

The effects of the decrease in selected assumptions, assuming no changes in benefit levels and no amortization of gains 

or losses for the pension plans in fiscal 2012, is shown below:

Assumption

Discount rate

Assumed return on plan assets

Effect on all Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Percentage Point
Change

October 31, 2012

Increase (Decrease)
in Projected
Benefit Obligation

(In thousands)

Increase (Decrease)
in 2012 Pension
Expense

-1.0 pts

-1.0 pts

$

2,658

$

N/A

420

202

As of October 31, 2012, the Company’s projected benefit obligation (PBO) and accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) 
exceed the fair value of the plan assets by $5.8 million and $5.2 million, respectively. As a comparison, the Company’s PBO and 
ABO exceeded the fair value of plan assets by $6.7 million and $5.4 million, respectively, as of October 31, 2011. In 2011, a 
decrease in the discount rate and additional participants from the Edgetech acquisition increased the obligation more than the 
increase in the fair value of the plan assets.  In 2012, the discount rate decreased further, however, contributions more closely 
matched the increase in obligation. During fiscal 2012, the Company contributed $4.2 million to its defined benefit plan. During 
fiscal 2013, the Company expects to contribute approximately $3.3 million to the pension plan to continue to target a 100% funding 
threshold and to meet minimum contribution requirements. Expected contributions are dependent on many variables, including 
the variability of the market value of the assets as compared to the obligation and other market or regulatory conditions. In addition, 
the Company takes into consideration its business investment opportunities and resulting cash requirements. Accordingly, actual 
funding may differ greatly from current estimates.

Accounting guidance applicable to pensions does not require immediate recognition of the effects of a deviation between 
actual and assumed experience and the revision of an estimate. This approach allows the favorable and unfavorable effects that 
fall within an acceptable range to be netted and disclosed as an unrecognized gain or loss. Accumulated other comprehensive 
income as of October 31, 2012 includes pretax net actuarial losses and net prior service costs of $4.8 million. A portion of the loss 
will be amortized in fiscal year 2013. The effect on fiscal years after 2013 will depend on the actual experience of the plans.

Mortality assumptions used to determine the obligations for the Company’s pension plans are related to the experience 

of the plans and to our third-party actuary’s best estimate of expected plan mortality.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 (ASU 2011-05), Presentation of Comprehensive 
Income. This amendment will require companies to present the components of net income and other comprehensive income either 
as one continuous statement or as two consecutive statements. It eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive 
income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amended guidance, which must be applied retroactively, 
is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 (November 1, 2012 for 
the Company), with earlier adoption permitted. ASU 2011-05 impacts presentation only and will have no effect on the Company’s 
financial  condition,  results  of  operations  or  cash  flows.  In  December  2011,  the  FASB  issued Accounting  Standards  Update 
41

 
 
 
No. 2011-12 (ASU 2011-12), “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items 
Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05.” ASU 2011-12 deferred the 
effective date of ASU 2011-05 related to the presentation of reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive 
income. All other requirements of ASU 2011-05 were not affected by ASU 2011-12.

Item 7A. 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The following discussion of the Company and its subsidiaries’ exposure to various market risks contains “forward looking 
statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. These projected results have been prepared utilizing certain assumptions considered 
reasonable in light of information currently available to the Company. Nevertheless, because of the inherent unpredictability of 
interest rates, foreign currency rates and metal commodity prices as well as other factors, actual results could differ materially 
from  those  projected  in  such  forward  looking  information.  The  Company  does  not  use  derivative  financial  instruments  for 
speculative or trading purposes. For a description of the Company’s significant accounting policies associated with these activities, 
see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Commodity Price Risk

Within the Aluminum Sheet Products segment, the Company uses various grades of aluminum scrap as well as minimal 
amounts of prime aluminum as raw materials for its manufacturing processes. The price of this raw material is subject to fluctuations 
due to many factors in the aluminum market. In the normal course of business, Nichols Aluminum enters into firm price sales 
commitments with its customers. In an effort to reduce the risk of fluctuating raw material prices, Nichols Aluminum enters into 
firm price raw material purchase commitments (which are designated as “normal purchases” under ASC Topic 815 “Derivatives 
and Hedging” (ASC 815)) as well as contracts on the London Metal Exchange (LME). The Company’s risk management policy 
as it relates to these LME contracts is to enter into contracts as needed, so that the raw material inventory levels, including both 
fixed price purchase commitments as well as LME contracts match the needs of the Company to meet committed sales orders.  
This is done through the use of both LME forward purchase contracts as well as LME forward sales contracts.

Nichols Aluminum maintains a balanced metals book position which excludes a normal operational inventory level. This 
operating inventory level as a matter of practice is not hedged against material price (LME) movements. This practice reflects that 
over the commodity price cycle, no gain or loss is incurred on this inventory. Through the use of firm price raw material purchase 
commitments and LME contracts, the Company intends to protect cost of sales from the effects of changing prices of aluminum. To 
the extent that the raw material costs factored into the firm price sales commitments are matched with firm price raw material 
purchase commitments, changes in aluminum prices should have no effect.  While the Company considers the LME derivative 
contracts to provide an economic hedge against changes in aluminum prices, the derivatives have not been designated as hedges 
in accordance with ASC 815 for accounting purposes. As such, any mark-to-market net gain or loss was recorded in Cost of sales 
with the offsetting amount reflected as a current asset or liability on the balance sheet. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, the 
Company primarily relied upon firm price raw material purchase commitments to protect cost of sales tied to firm price sales 
commitments. 

The table below indicates the notional volume as well as the fair value of  the open LME forward contracts as of October 31, 

2012 and 2011.  For additional information about these commodity based derivatives, see Note 18 of the financial statements. 

Commodity based derivatives:

Forward purchase aluminum contracts

Forward sales aluminum contracts

Notional in Lbs

Fair Value in $

October 31,

2012

2011

2012

2011

(In thousands)

2,370

—

$

3,417
(5,346)

(164) $
—

(58)
90

Within the Engineered Products segment, polyvinyl resin (PVC) is the significant raw material consumed during the 
manufacture of vinyl extrusions. The Company has a monthly resin adjuster in place with the majority of its customers and resin 
supplier that is adjusted based upon published industry resin prices for the prior month. This adjuster effectively shares the base 
pass-through price changes of PVC with the Company’s customers commensurate with the market at large. The Company’s long-
term exposure to  changes in PVC  prices is  thus significantly reduced due to the  contractual component of the resin  adjuster 
program; however, there is a level of exposure to short-term volatility due to the one month lag.

42

Effective May 1, 2011, IG, the Company’s warm-edge, insulating glass spacer division initiated an oil-based materials 
surcharge on one of its major product lines. The surcharge helps offset the rising cost of butyl and other oil-based raw materials, 
pricing of which are highly correlated to the price of oil. The surcharge is in place with the majority of its customers who purchase 
these products and is adjusted monthly based upon the 90 day average published price for Brent crude. The oil-based raw materials 
purchased by the company are subject to similar pricing schemes. Therefore, the Company’s long-term exposure to changes in 
oil-based raw materials prices is significantly reduced due to the contractual component of the surcharge program.

Foreign Currency Rate Risk

The Company’s international operations have exposure to foreign currency rate risks primarily due to fluctuations in the 
Euro, the British Pound and the Canadian dollar. From time to time, the Company enters into foreign exchange contracts associated 
with its exposures from operations to manage a portion of the foreign currency rate risk.

At  October 31,  2012  and    2011,  the  Company  held  foreign  currency  derivative  contracts  hedging  cross-border 
intercompany  and  commercial  activity  at  IG  Systems. Although  these  derivatives  hedge  exposures  to  fluctuations  in  foreign 
currency rates, the Company elected not to utilize hedge accounting. As a result, the change in the fair value of these foreign 
currency  derivatives  was  recorded  directly  to  other  income  and  expense  ("Other,  net"). To  the  extent  the  gain  or  loss  on  the 
derivatives is offset by the gain or loss from remeasuring the underlying foreign currency transaction or balance, changes in 
exchange rates should have no effect.  The notional and fair market values of these positions at October 31, 2012 and 2011, were 
as follows: 

Notional

Fair Value in $

October 31,

2012

2011

2012

2011

Foreign currency exchange derivatives:

Sell EUR, buy GBP

Sell EUR, buy US dollar

Sell CAD, buy USD

Buy GBP, sell US dollar

Buy US dollar, sell CAD

EUR

EUR

CAD

GBP

CAD

545

7,663

608

1,934

—

(In thousands)

— $

8,500

—

600

894

— $
(23)
1

5

—

—

147

—

2
(15)

For additional information about the Company's use of foreign currency derivatives, see Note 18 - Derivative Instruments 

and Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities.

43

Item 8. 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Quanex Building Products Corporation
Houston, Texas

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Quanex Building Products Corporation and subsidiaries (the 
“Company”) as of October 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash 
flow for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 2012. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule 
listed in the Index at Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of 
the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule 
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, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company 
and subsidiaries as of October 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three 
years in the period ended October 31, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of 
America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial 
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2012, based on the criteria established in Internal Control
—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated 
December 31, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Houston, Texas
December 31, 2012

44

 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Current assets:

Cash and equivalents

ASSETS

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,026 and $1,062, respectively

Inventories, net

Deferred income taxes

Prepaid and other current assets

Total current assets

Property, plant and equipment, net

Deferred income taxes
Goodwill

Intangible assets, net

Other assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

Accrued liabilities

Current maturities of long-term debt

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt

Deferred pension and postretirement benefits

Liability for uncertain tax positions

Non-current environmental reserves

Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 15 and 16)
Stockholders’ equity:

Preferred stock, no par value, shares authorized 1,000,000; issued and outstanding–none

Common stock, $0.01 par value, shares authorized 125,000,000; issued 37,788,804 and 

37,843,134, respectively

Additional paid-in-capital

Retained earnings

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Less treasury stock at cost, 816,302 and 1,035,288 shares, respectively

Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

October 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands, except
share amounts)

$

71,255

$

85,644

65,904

20,439

7,628

250,870

168,877

8,911
68,331

78,380

14,169

89,619

81,969

55,842

11,220

6,423

245,073

158,209

7,669
69,432

87,943

16,603

$

$

$

589,538

$

584,929

80,985

$

46,459

368

127,812

1,033

6,873

6,736

9,827

15,430

167,711

—

378

245,144

193,105
(5,299)
(11,501)
421,827
589,538

$

66,339

38,058

352

104,749

1,314

7,784

8,412

11,221

14,223

147,703

—

378

241,983

213,143
(3,642)
(14,636)
437,226
584,929

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
45

 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Net sales

Cost and expenses:

Cost of sales (exclusive of items shown separately below)

Selling, general and administrative

Depreciation and amortization

Asset impairment charges

Operating income (loss)

Non-operating income (expense):

Interest expense

Other, net

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

Income tax benefit (expense)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

Net income (loss)

Basic earnings per common share:

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

Basic earnings (loss) per share

Diluted earnings per common share:

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic

Diluted

Year ended October 31,

2012

2011

2010

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

$

828,976

$

848,294

$

798,314

703,844

111,577

37,596

912
(24,953)

(454)
222
(25,185)
8,651
(16,534)
—
(16,534) $

(0.45) $
—
(0.45) $

(0.45) $
—
(0.45) $

712,091

83,994

33,932

1,799

16,478

(449)
(514)
15,515
(6,437)
9,078
(12)
9,066

0.24

—

0.24

0.24

—

0.24

$

$

$

$

$

660,849

71,954

28,214

—

37,297

(440)
2,645

39,502
(15,301)
24,201
(1,103)
23,098

0.65
(0.03)
0.62

0.64
(0.03)
0.61

36,622

36,622

37,007

37,537

37,220

37,671

$

$

$

$

$

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
46

 
 
 
 
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8
4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

2012

Years Ended October 31,
2011
(In thousands)

2010

$

(16,534) $
—

$

9,066
12

23,098
1,103

Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)
Loss (income) from discontinued operations
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating 

activities from continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization
(Gain) loss on disposition of property
Asset impairment charges
Gain on bargain purchase
Restructuring charges
Deferred income taxes
Stock-based compensation

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and 

dispositions:

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable
Decrease (increase) in inventory
Decrease (increase) in other current assets
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities
Increase (decrease) in income taxes
Increase (decrease) in deferred pension and postretirement benefits
Other, net

Cash provided by (used for) operating activities from continuing operations
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities from discontinued operations

Cash provided by (used for) operating activities
Investing Activities:

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Capital expenditures
Proceeds from property insurance claim
Proceeds from executive life insurance
Other, net

37,666
(989)
912
—
(122)
(9,843)
5,604

(4,250)
(10,288)
(50)
14,920
9,313
(547)
(693)
1,379
26,478
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26,478

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1,123
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44

34,000
374
1,799
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721
3,361
4,852

13,761
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741
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(493)
2,768
2,813
52,944
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52,876

(110,845)
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—
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107

Cash provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing 

operations

Cash provided by (used for) investing activities from discontinued 

operations

Cash provided by (used for) investing activities
Financing Activities:

Repayments of long-term debt
Purchase of treasury stock
Common stock dividends paid
Issuance of common stock from stock option exercises, including related tax 

benefits
Other, net

(41,704)

(135,367)

—
(41,704)

—
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(264)
(1,284)
(5,891)

3,511
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(10,080)
(5,979)

1,093
392

Cash provided by (used for) financing activities from continuing 

operations

Cash provided by (used for) financing activities from discontinued 

operations

Cash provided by (used for) financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents
Less: (Increase) decrease in cash and equivalents from discontinued operations
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents from continuing operations
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and equivalents at end of period

$

(3,928)

(14,914)

(10,035)

—
(3,928)
790
—
(18,364)
89,619
71,255

$

(392)
(15,306)
(222)
460
(97,559)
187,178
89,619

$

665
(9,370)
27
(325)
63,679
123,499
187,178

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
49

28,283
(677)
—
(1,272)
—
12,294
4,456

(6,365)
3,142
(510)
4,572
9,509
9,599
(1,846)
4,176
89,562
(430)
89,132

(1,590)
(14,720)
392
—
43

(15,875)

90
(15,785)

(323)
(4,274)
(5,275)

502
(665)

 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. 

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Quanex Building Products Corporation and its subsidiaries (Quanex or the Company) are managed on a decentralized 
basis and operate in two business segments: Engineered Products and Aluminum Sheet Products. The Engineered Products segment 
produces engineered systems, products and components primarily serving the window and door industry, while the Aluminum 
Sheet Products segment produces mill finished and coated aluminum sheet serving the broader building products markets and 
secondary markets such as capital goods and transportation. The primary market drivers are remodeling expenditures and residential 
housing starts. Quanex believes it is a technological leader in the production of aluminum sheet products, flexible insulating glass 
spacer systems, extruded vinyl profiles, thin film solar panel sealants, and precision-formed metal and wood products which 
primarily serve the North American building products markets. The Company uses low-cost production processes, and engineering 
and metallurgical expertise to provide customers with specialized products for specific applications.

On December 12, 2007, Quanex Building Products Corporation was incorporated in the state of Delaware as a subsidiary 
of Quanex Corporation to facilitate the separation of Quanex Corporation’s vehicular products and building products businesses. 
The  separation  occurred  on April 23,  2008  through  the  spin-off  of  Quanex  Corporation’s  building  products  business  to  its 
shareholders immediately followed by the merger of Quanex Corporation (consisting principally of the vehicular products business 
and all non-building products related corporate accounts) with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gerdau S.A. (Gerdau). This is hereafter 
referred to as the “Separation.”

In March 2011, the Company acquired Edgetech I.G., Inc. and its German subsidiary. Headquartered in Cambridge, Ohio, 
Edgetech has three manufacturing facilities (U.S., U.K. and Germany) that produce and market a full line of insulating glass (IG) 
spacer systems for window and door customers in North America and abroad. In March 2011, the Company also acquired JELD-
WEN’s vinyl extrusion assets in Yakima, Washington.  In November 2011, management committed to a program to consolidate 
its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Barbourville, Kentucky into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ohio.  The 
facility consolidation was completed in August 2012.  In 2010, management closed its start-up facility in China and accordingly, 
the China assets and liabilities, results of operations and cash flows are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.  
Unless otherwise noted, all disclosures in the notes accompanying the consolidated financial statements reflect only continuing 
operations.  

The  following  are  significant  accounting  policies  used  in  the  preparation  of  the  Company’s  Consolidated  Financial 

Statements as well as the significant judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of these policies.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All 

intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported.  Estimates and assumptions about future 
events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty.  Estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is 
acquired, as additional information becomes available and as the Company's operating environment changes.  Therefore, the 
Company's estimates could differ, perhaps materially, from its estimates.

Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company recognizes revenue when products are shipped and the title has passed to the customer.  The following 
factors are considered to determine if title has passed: (a) pervasive evidence that a contractual sales arrangement exists; (b) 
delivery has occurred; (c) the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; (d) collection is reasonably assured. Sales allowances 
and customer incentives are treated as reductions to revenue and are provided for based on historical experience and current 
estimates. The Company has established an allowance for doubtful accounts to estimate the risk of loss associated with its accounts 
receivable  balances. This  allowance  is  maintained  at  a  level  the  Company  considers  appropriate  based  on  factors  that  affect 
collectability, including: (a)  historical trends of write-offs, recoveries and credit losses; (b) the credit quality of the Company's 
customers; and (c) projected economic and market conditions. Different assumptions or changes in economic circumstances could 
result in changes to the allowance.

50

 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Inventory

The Company records inventory valued at the lower of cost or market value. Inventories are valued using the first-in 
first-out (FIFO) and last-in first-out (LIFO) methods. The Company uses the dollar-value link chain LIFO method, and the LIFO 
reserve is calculated on a consolidated basis in a single consolidated pool. Acquisitions are integrated into the Company’s operations 
with some valuing inventories on a LIFO basis and others on a FIFO basis. Fixed costs related to excess manufacturing capacity 
have been expensed in the period, and therefore, are not capitalized into inventory. Inventory quantities are regularly reviewed 
and provisions for excess or obsolete inventory are recorded primarily based on the Company’s forecast of future demand and 
market conditions. Significant unanticipated changes to the Company’s forecasts could require a change in the provision for excess 
or obsolete inventory.

Environmental Contingencies

Quanex is subject to extensive laws and regulations concerning the discharge of materials into the environment and the 
remediation of chemical contamination. To satisfy such requirements, Quanex must make capital and other expenditures on an 
ongoing basis. The Company accrues its best estimates of its remediation obligations and adjusts such accruals as further information 
and circumstances develop. Those estimates may change substantially depending on information about the nature and extent of 
contamination,  appropriate  remediation  technologies,  and  regulatory  approvals. In  accruing  for  environmental  remediation 
liabilities, costs of future expenditures are not discounted to their present value, unless the amount and timing of the expenditures 
are fixed or reliably determinable. Legal costs are expensed as incurred except incremental direct costs of the remediation effort 
which are accrued as part of the measurement of the environmental remediation liability. When environmental laws might be 
deemed to impose joint and several liability for the costs of responding to contamination, the Company accrues its allocable share 
of the liability taking into account the number of parties participating, their ability to pay their shares, the volumes and nature of 
the wastes involved, the nature of anticipated response actions, and the nature of the Company’s alleged connections. Recoveries 
of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable. Unanticipated 
changes in circumstances and/or legal requirements could extend the length of time over which the Company pays its remediation 
costs or could increase actual cash expenditures for remediation in any period.

Warranty Obligations

The Company’s estimated obligations for warranty are accrued concurrently with the revenue recognized. The Company 
records a provision for its warranty obligations based on historical costs incurred for such obligations and adjusts, where appropriate, 
for current conditions and factors. The Company's ability to estimate its warranty obligations is subject to significant uncertainties, 
including continuous changes in product designs.

Long-Lived Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangibles

The Company makes judgments and estimates in conjunction with the carrying value of property, plant and equipment, 
other intangibles, and other assets, including amounts to be capitalized, depreciation and amortization methods and useful lives. 
Additionally, the carrying values of these assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company determines that the carrying amount is not recoverable if it  exceeds 
the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the carrying value 
exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is recorded in the period in which such review is performed. 
The Company measures the impairment loss as the amount by which the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair 
value as determined by quoted market prices in active markets or by discounted cash flows. This requires the Company to make 
long-term forecasts of its future revenues and costs related to the assets subject to review. Forecasts require assumptions about 
demand for the Company’s products and future market conditions. Future events and unanticipated changes to assumptions could 
require a provision for impairment in a future period.

The Company monitors relevant circumstances, including industry trends, general economic conditions, and the potential 
impact that such circumstances might have on the valuation of its identifiable intangibles. Events and changes in circumstances 
that may cause a triggering event and necessitate such a review include, but are not limited to: a decrease in sales for certain 
customers, improvements or changes in technology, and/or a decision to phase-out a trademark or trade name. Such events could 
negatively impact the carrying value of the Company’s identifiable intangibles. It is possible that changes in such circumstances 

51

QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

or in the numerous variables associated with the judgments, assumptions, and estimates made by the Company in assessing the 
appropriate valuation of its identifiable intangibles could require the Company to further write down a portion of its identifiable 
intangibles and record related non-cash impairment charges in the future.  The Company applies a variety of techniques to establish 
the carrying value of its intangible assets, including the relief from royalty and excess current year earnings methods.

Software development costs, including costs incurred to purchase third-party software, are capitalized when we have 
determined that technology exists to achieve the Company's performance requirements and management has authorized funding 
for the project.  Capitalization of software costs ceases when the software is substantially complete and is ready for its intended 
use, at which time they are amortized over their estimated useful life.  When events or circumstances indicate the carrying value 
of internal use software might not be recoverable, the Company assesses the recoverability of these assets by determining whether 
the amortization of the asset balance over its remaining life can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows.   

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful 

lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives of certain categories are as follows:

Land improvements

Buildings
Building improvements

Leasehold improvements

Machinery and equipment

Years

7 to 25

25 to 40
5 to 20

Over lease term (1)

2 to 15

(1) 

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the term of the lease.

Goodwill

The acquisition method of accounting for business combinations requires the Company to make use of estimates and 
judgments to allocate the purchase price paid for acquisitions to the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets. 
The Company performs a goodwill impairment test annually as of August 31. In addition, goodwill would be tested more frequently 
if  changes  in  circumstances  or  the  occurrence  of  events  indicates  that  a  potential  impairment  exists. The  Company  tests  for 
impairment  of  its  goodwill  using  a  two-step  approach  as  prescribed  in  ASC  Topic  350  “Intangibles  –  Goodwill  and 
Other” (ASC 350). The first step of the Company’s goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of each reporting unit with 
its carrying value including assigned goodwill. The second step of the Company’s goodwill impairment test is required only in 
situations where the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value as determined in the first step. In such instances, 
the Company compares the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying value. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined 
by allocating the fair value of a reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired 
in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The excess of 
the fair value of a reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An 
impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of 
that goodwill. The Company uses the present value of future cash flows to determine fair value in combination with the market 
approach. Future cash flows are typically based upon appropriate future periods for the businesses and an estimated residual value. 
Management judgment is required in the estimation of future operating results and to determine the appropriate residual values. 
The residual values are determined by reference to an exchange transaction in an existing market for that asset. Future operating 
results and residual values could reasonably differ from the estimates and could require a provision for impairment in a future 
period.

Income Taxes

The  Company  records  the  estimated  future  tax  effects  of  temporary  differences  between  the  tax  basis  of  assets  and 
liabilities and the amounts reported in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as net operating losses and tax credit 
carry forwards. The Company evaluates the carrying value of the net deferred tax assets and determines whether it will be able to 
generate sufficient future taxable income to realize its deferred tax assets. This evaluation is based on estimating future taxable 
income using the same forecasts used to test long-lived assets and intangibles for impairment, scheduling out the future reversal 
of existing taxable temporary differences and reviewing the Company’s most recent financial operations. In the event the estimates 

52

 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

and assumptions indicate the Company will not generate sufficient future taxable income to realize its deferred tax assets, the 
Company records a valuation allowance against a portion of its deferred tax assets. 

Insurance

The Company manages its costs of workers’ compensation, group medical, property, casualty and other liability exposures 
through a combination of self-insurance retentions and insurance coverage with third-party carriers. Liabilities associated with 
the Company’s portion of these exposures are not discounted and are estimated by considering various factors which may include 
historical claims experience, severity factors, estimated claims incurred but not reported and loss development factors, which are 
estimates on how claims will develop over time until the claims are closed, as appropriate. While the Company considers a number 
of  factors  in  preparing  the  estimates,  sensitive  assumptions  using  significant  judgment  are  made  in  determining  the  amounts 
accrued in the financial statements. Actual claims can differ significantly from estimated liabilities if future claims experience 
differs from historical experience and assumptions used in the Company’s analysis are adjusted. Insurance recoveries are not 
recognized until any contingencies relating to the claim have been resolved.

Stock–Based Compensation

In accordance with ASC Topic 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation” (ASC 718), the Company determines the fair 
value of share awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Company recognizes the fair value as 
compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award based on awards ultimately expected 
to vest. Under ASC 718, the Company amortizes new option grants to retirement-eligible employees immediately upon grant, 
consistent with the retirement vesting acceleration provisions of these grants. For employees near retirement age, the Company 
amortizes such grants over the period from the grant date to the retirement date if such period is shorter than the standard vesting 
schedule. In accordance with ASC Topic 230-10-45-14 “Statement of Cash Flows – Cash Flows From Financing Activities” (ASC 
230-10-45-14), the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow report the excess tax benefits from the stock-based compensation as 
financing cash inflows. See Note 14 for additional information related to the Company’s stock-based compensation.

The Company’s fair value determination of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing 
model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective 
variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards 
and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behavior. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating 
the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable.

Retirement Plans

The Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan and an unfunded postretirement plan that provides health care and 
life  insurance  benefits  for  eligible  retirees  and  dependents. The  measurement  of  liabilities  related  to  these  plans  is  based  on 
management’s assumptions related to future events, including expected return on plan assets, rate of compensation increases, and 
heath care cost trend rates. The discount rate reflects the rate at which benefits could be effectively settled on the measurement 
date. The Company determines its discount rate based on a pension discount curve, and the rate represents the single rate that, if 
applied to every year of projected benefits payments, would result in the same discounted value as the array of rates that comprise 
the pension discount curve. Actual pension plan asset investment performance, as well as other economic experience such as 
discount rate and demographic experience, will either reduce or increase unamortized pension losses at the end of any fiscal year, 
which ultimately affects future pension costs.

Treasury Stock

The Company records treasury stock purchases under the cost method whereby the entire cost of the acquired stock is 
recorded as treasury stock. The Company uses a moving average method on the subsequent reissuance of shares, and any resulting 
proceeds in excess of cost are credited to additional paid in capital while any deficiency is charged to retained earnings.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company's consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars.  The assets and liabilities of operations 
denominated in other functional currencies are translated to U.S dollars using the exchange rates as of the balance sheet date.  
Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates during the period.  The translation adjustments resulting from 
this process are reflected in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

53

 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Occasionally, an entity will enter into transactions that are denominated in currencies other than its functional currency.  
In these cases, the assets/liabilities and revenues/expenses related to these transactions are translated into the functional currency 
and the resulting gains or losses are recorded as a component of Other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Derivative Instruments

The Company utilizes financial and commodity-based derivative contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in 
foreign currency exchange rates and aluminum prices.  All derivatives are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the 
methodology and classifications are discussed further in  Note 18.  The derivative instruments utilized by the Company have not 
been designated as hedges under ASC Topic 815 "Derivatives and Hedging” (ASC 815) and therefore all gains and losses, both 
realized and unrealized are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  The Company does not enter into derivative 
instruments  for speculative or trading purposes, therefore, they are considered economic hedges which are reflected in the operating 
activities section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow. 

Discontinued Operations

In accordance with ASC Topic 205-20 “Presentation of Financial Statements—Discontinued Operations” (ASC 205-20), 
the Company presents the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of operations that have either been sold or that 
meet the criteria for “held for sale accounting” as discontinued operations. At the time an operation qualifies for held for sale 
accounting, the operation is evaluated to determine whether or not the carrying value exceeds its fair value less cost to sell. Any 
loss as a result of carrying value in excess of fair value less cost to sell is recorded in the period the operation meets held for sale 
accounting. Management judgment is required to (1) assess the criteria required to meet held for sale accounting, and (2) estimate 
fair value. Changes to the operation could cause it to no longer qualify for held for sale accounting and changes to fair value could 
result in an increase to previously recognized losses.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications included within the  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow in prior year financial statements 
have been made to conform to the 2012 presentation. The reclassifications include providing more detail related to Restructuring 
charges as well as (Gain) loss on disposition of property to conform with the current year presentation. Such reclassifications have 
no impact on earnings or cash flows provided by operations.

Earnings per Share Data

Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings 
per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus all potentially dilutive securities that are 
assumed to be converted into common shares at the beginning of the period under the treasury stock method. This method requires 
that the effect of potentially dilutive common stock equivalents (options and restricted stock) be excluded from the calculation of 
diluted earnings per share for the periods in which losses from continuing operations are reported because the effect is anti-dilutive.

Statements of Cash Flows

The Company generally considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less 
to be cash equivalents. Similar investments with original maturities beyond three months are considered short-term investments.

54

 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Supplemental cash flow information is as follows:

Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest

Cash paid for income taxes

Cash received for income tax refunds

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Share value cancelled to satisfy tax withholdings

Reduction of unrecognized tax benefit related to Separation

Capitalized expenditures financed through accounts payable and accrued 

liabilities

2. 

New Accounting Pronouncements

$

$

Years Ended October 31,

2012

2011

2010

(In thousands)

381

$

425

$

1,265

19

3,260

132

645

$

1,066

$

3,571

395

—

2,459

373

5,635

12,280

53

—

3,015

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04 (ASU 2011-04), Fair Value Measurement 
(ASC Topic 820) Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and 
IFRSs. The amended guidance changes the wording used to describe many requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value 
and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. Additionally, the amendments clarify the FASB’s intent about the 
application of existing fair value measurement requirements. The guidance provided in ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and 
annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 (February 1, 2012 for the Company) and is applied prospectively. The adoption 
of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 (ASU 2011-05), Presentation of Comprehensive 
Income. This amendment will require companies to present the components of net income and other comprehensive income either 
as one continuous statement or as two consecutive statements. It eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive 
income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amended guidance, which must be applied retroactively, 
is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 (November 1, 2012 for 
the Company), with earlier adoption permitted. ASU 2011-05 impacts presentation only and will have no effect on the Company’s 
financial  condition,  results  of  operations  or  cash  flows.    In  December  2011,  the  FASB  issued Accounting  Standards  Update 
No. 2011-12 (ASU 2011-12), “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items 
Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05.” ASU 2011-12 deferred the 
effective date of ASU 2011-05 related to the presentation of reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive 
income. All other requirements of ASU 2011-05 were not affected by ASU 2011-12.

In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08 (ASU 2011-08), Testing Goodwill for 
Impairment which amends the guidance in ASC 350-20. The amendments in ASU 2011-08 provide entities with the option of 
performing a qualitative assessment before performing the first step of the two-step impairment test. If entities determine, on the 
basis of qualitative factors, it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, 
then performing the two-step impairment test would be unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required 
to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test by calculating the fair value of the reporting unit and comparing the fair 
value with the carrying amount of the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then the 
entity is required to perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. 
ASU 2011-08 also provides entities with the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and 
proceed  directly  to  the  first  step  of  the  two-step  impairment  test. ASU  2011-08  is  effective  for  annual  and  interim  goodwill 
impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, although early adoption is permitted (November 
1, 2012 for the Company).  The provisions of ASU 2011-08 will not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial 
statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-11 (ASU 2011-11), Disclosures about Offsetting 
Assets and Liabilities, where entities are required to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments 

55

 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement 
similar to a master netting arrangement.   ASU 2011-11 is effective for the Company on November 1, 2013. The Company currently 
discloses gross and net information for transactions within the scope of this statement.

3. 

Acquisitions

On March 31, 2011, Quanex completed its acquisition of Edgetech I.G., Inc., an Ohio corporation (Edgetech I.G.), the 
United Kingdom division of Edgetech (Edgetech UK), and Edgetech Europe GmbH, a German company (Edgetech Germany). 
These entities are hereafter referred to as “Edgetech.” Headquartered in Cambridge, Ohio, Edgetech has three manufacturing 
facilities located in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany that produce a full line of warm-edge, dual seal insulating 
glass spacer systems for window and door customers in North America and abroad. Edgetech’s products separate and seal double 
and triple paned glass within a window and act as a thermal barrier that enhances the window’s energy efficiency.

Quanex acquired Edgetech by merging its wholly-owned subsidiary, QSB Inc., a Delaware corporation (QSB), with and 
into Lauren International, Inc. formerly known as Lauren Holdco Inc., an Ohio corporation and parent of the Edgetech Entities 
(Holdco), pursuant to the terms and conditions of the previously filed Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement), 
dated as of January 31, 2011, among the Company, QSB, Lauren International Ltd. fka Lauren International Inc., a privately-held 
Ohio  corporation  (Lauren),  Holdco  and  Kevin  E.  Gray,  as  agent  for  the  shareholders  of  Holdco  (Agent).  Holdco  is  now  the 
Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary. As consideration for the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital shares of 
Holdco, Quanex paid $104.4 million in cash, net of $0.8 million of cash acquired. Of the cash paid, $7.0 million was placed into 
an escrow fund to satisfy certain indemnity obligations under the Merger Agreement. Of the $7.0 million escrow, $3.5 million has 
been released in accordance with the terms of the agreement and $3.5 million remains as of October 31, 2012.  Additionally, 
Quanex is responsible for and has paid the tax liability resulting from the pre-closing reorganization of Lauren and its subsidiaries 
of $3.5 million.

Edgetech has been integrated into the Engineered Products segment. The acquisition of Edgetech complements Quanex’s 
ongoing efforts to provide its customers with the broadest range of high quality components, products, systems and services the 
fenestration industry has to offer. The vast majority of windows manufactured today feature double or triple pane insulating glass, 
and with window production set to rise as the housing and R&R markets recover, Quanex believes that the long-term outlook for 
the business is excellent. The acquisition of Edgetech allows the Company to better serve its growing base of national and regional 
customers and further accelerate its international growth as Edgetech has a solid market presence overseas.

The Edgetech acquisition was  accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting under 
which the total purchase price consideration is allocated to assets and liabilities assumed based upon their fair values. Fair value 
measurements have been applied based on assumptions that market participants would use in the pricing of the asset or liability. 
The excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned to tangible or intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed is 
recognized as goodwill. The following table summarizes the fair values assigned to the assets and liabilities acquired as of the 
March 31, 2011 acquisition date:

56

 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Current assets:

Cash and equivalents

Accounts receivable

Inventories

Prepaid and other current assets

Total current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Goodwill

Intangible assets

Other assets

Total assets

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

Accrued liabilities

Income taxes payable

Deferred income taxes

Current maturities of long-term debt

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt

Deferred income taxes

Total liabilities

Investment

Total liabilities and equity

As of Date of
Opening Balance
Sheet

(In thousands)

$

$

$

$

828

9,181

10,123

2,023

22,155

21,086

44,623

48,750

1,377

137,991

6,905

1,315

3,780

322

24

12,346

40

20,374

32,760

105,231

137,991

The purchase price allocation resulted in goodwill of $44.6 million, which is not deductible for income tax purposes. 
Goodwill consists of the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the acquired assets and represents the estimated economic 
value attributable to future operations. The other intangible assets are being amortized over periods which reflect the pattern in 
which the economic benefits of the assets are expected to be realized. Specifically, the trademarks and trade names are being 
amortized over an average estimated useful life of 7 years, patents and other developed technology is being amortized over an 
average life of 10 years and customer relationships are being amortized over an average of 11 years. The weighted average useful 
life of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, created as a result of the acquisition is 10 years. No residual value is estimated for 
the intangible assets. The Company did not record any material adjustments to the original purchase price allocation during the 
year ended October 31, 2012.

The  Company  recorded  $2.5  million  of  transaction-related  costs  in  connection  with  the  Edgetech acquisition  within 

Selling, general and administrative expense in its Consolidated Statement of Income during the year ended October 31, 2011.

The Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended October 31, 2011, include seven months of financial results 
of Edgetech. For the seven months ended October 31, 2011, Edgetech net sales and operating loss are $53.4 million and $0.3 
million,  respectively.  In  connection  with  applying  the  provisions  of  purchase  accounting  to  state  inventory  at  fair  value,  the 
Company increased Edgetech’s inventory value by $2.0 million, which negatively impacts Quanex’s Cost of sales following the 
acquisition. The Edgetech results were negatively impacted by $1.9 million  of additional non-cash Cost of goods sold during the 
year ended October 31, 2011 due to the increased value of inventory sold from applying purchase accounting to the Edgetech 
inventory acquired. Additionally, Edgetech results include $3.0 million  in amortization expense from the acquired intangibles for 
the year ended October 31, 2011.

The following table provides unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations for the combined entity for years 

ended  October 31, 2011 and 2010 as if Edgetech had been acquired as of the first day of the Company’s fiscal 2010 period.

57

 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Net sales

Operating income (loss)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations

Unaudited Pro forma

Year Ended October 31,

2011

2010

(In thousands, except
per share amounts)

$ 878,291

$ 872,691

20,530

11,496

0.31

$

$

33,706

21,256

0.56

$

$

The unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations were prepared using the acquisition method of accounting 
and are based on the historical financial information of the Company and Edgetech. The unaudited pro forma financial information 
does not purport to reflect the results the combined company may achieve in future periods or the results that would have been 
obtained had Quanex acquired Edgetech on the first day of its fiscal 2010 period. The unaudited pro forma financial information 
does not include any operating efficiencies or cost savings that may be achieved or any integration expenses. Additionally, the 
historical Edgetech financial information has not been adjusted to remove expenses that will cease under Quanex’s ownership, 
such as the prior parent company allocation, or to add incremental anticipated stand-alone expenses going forward. Generally, the 
pro forma financial information reflects the allocation of the purchase price to the appropriate assets and liabilities based upon 
their fair values, and related changes in depreciation and amortization expense. Accordingly, such amounts are not necessarily 
indicative of the results that would have occurred if the acquisition had occurred on the dates indicated or that may result in the 
future. The unaudited pro forma information reflects primarily the following unaudited pro forma adjustments:

•  Amortization expense related to the fair value of identifiable intangible assets acquired;

•  Additional depreciation expense related to the fair value adjustment to property, plant and equipment acquired;

•  Additional facility rental expense;

•  Additional cost of goods sold of $2.0 million in the year ended October 31, 2010 to reflect the increased value of 
inventory sold as a result of applying purchase accounting, and a partially offsetting benefit in cost of goods sold of 
$1.8 million in the year ended October 31, 2011;

•  Additional expense of $2.5 million in the year ended October 31, 2010  to reflect the transaction-related costs incurred, 

and an offsetting reduction of expense of $2.5 million in the year ended October 31, 2011;

•  The Edgetech historical results and all of the above adjustments were adjusted for the applicable tax impact.

In March 2011, the Company also acquired JELD-WEN’s vinyl extrusion assets in Yakima, Washington (Yakima) for 
$6.4 million in cash consideration. This acquisition was effected through an asset purchase of vinyl extrusion related equipment 
and certain other assets. Yakima was integrated into one of the Company’s existing Engineered Products businesses, and the net 
assets acquired primarily included $5.0 million of property, plant and equipment and $1.4 million of intangible assets. There was 
no goodwill recognized in connection with the Yakima acquisition.

On December 17, 2012, the Company announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Alumco, 
Inc. and its subsidiaries in an all cash transaction, expected to close during the first fiscal quarter of 2013.  The assets to be purchased 
include Aluminite, a screen producer for the window and door industry.  This acquisition will not be deemed to involve a significant 
amount of assets, and cash on hand will be used for the purchase price.

58

 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

4. 

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets

Goodwill

All  of  the  Company’s  goodwill  relates  to  the  Engineered  Products  segment. The  changes  in  the  carrying  amount  of 

goodwill for the years ended October 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

Balance at October 31, 2010

Acquisition

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Balance at October 31, 2011

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Balance at October 31, 2012

Engineered
Products Goodwill

$

$

$

25,189

44,623
(380)
69,432
(1,101)
68,331

In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” a detailed determination of the fair value 
of the reporting unit may be carried forward from one year to the next if all of the following conditions are met: a) assets and 
liabilities that make up the reporting unit have not changed since the previous year's fair value determination, b) the most recent 
fair value determination resulted in an amount that exceeded the carrying amount of the reporting unit by a substantial margin, c) 
based on analysis of events that have occurred and circumstances that have changed since the most recent fair value determination, 
the likelihood that a current fair value determination would be less than the current carrying amount of the reporting unit is remote. 
Based on the Company’s analysis of the above criteria, the Company carried forward the fiscal 2009 detailed determination of the 
fair value of its reporting units to fiscal 2010. As the fair value of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying amount, 
no impairment of goodwill was incurred at August 31, 2010.

Pursuant to the policy described in Note 2, the Company tested the recoverability of its goodwill balances as of August 

31, 2012 and 2011 and concluded that they were not impaired at either date.

Acquired Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

Patents and other technology

Trademarks and trade names

Customer relationships

Other

Total

As of October 31, 2012

As of October 31, 2011

Gross
Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

Gross
Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

$

24,773

$

44,519

43,737

1,392

$

114,421

$

(9,382) $
(14,520)
(11,675)
(464)
(36,041) $

25,300

$

44,857

44,260

1,392

115,809

$

(7,552)
(11,540)
(8,588)
(186)
(27,866)

The intangible assets are being amortized over the period they are expected to contribute to the future cash flows of the 

Company. No residual value is estimated for the intangible assets.

59

 
 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The aggregate amortization expense for intangibles for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 is $8.2 million, 
$6.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years for existing intangibles follows 
(in thousands):

Fiscal Years Ending
October 31,
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017

$

Estimated
Amortization

8,124
8,015
7,887
7,682
7,590

The Company did not recognize any material impairments to its intangible assets during the years ended October 31, 

2012, 2011 or 2010.

5. 

Earnings per Share

The Company incurred a loss from continuing operations during the year ended October 31, 2012.  As such, common 
stock equivalents, which included 0.1 million restricted shares and 0.4 million options, were excluded from the calculation of 
diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive.  Therefore, the basic and diluted earnings per share presented 
on the Consolidated Statements of Income are the same. 

 The tables below set forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended October 31, 2011 

and 2010.

Basic earnings and earnings per share
Effect of dilutive securities:

Common stock equivalents arising from stock options
Restricted stock

Diluted earnings and earnings per share

Basic earnings and earnings per share

Effect of dilutive securities:

Common stock equivalents arising from stock options

Restricted stock

Diluted earnings and earnings per share

For the Year Ended October 31, 2011

Numerator
(Income)

Denominator
(Shares)

Per Share
Amount

9,078

—
—
9,078

37,007

$

0.24

328
202
37,537

$

0.24

For the Year Ended October 31, 2010

Numerator
(Income)

Denominator
(Shares)

Per Share
Amount

24,201

37,220

$

0.65

—

—

261

190

24,201

37,671

$

0.64

$

$

$

$

For the years ended October 31, 2012,  2011 and  2010, the Company had 0.8 million, 0.7 million and 0.3 million of 
stock options, respectively, that are potentially dilutive in future earnings per share calculations. Such dilution will be dependent 
on the excess of the market price of the Company’s stock over the exercise price and other components of the treasury stock 
method.

6. 

Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

60

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Raw materials

Finished goods and work in process

Supplies and other

Total

October 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands)

30,400

$

32,937

2,567

65,904

$

27,862

24,988

2,992

55,842

$

$

Fixed costs related to excess manufacturing capacity, if any, have been expensed in the period, and therefore, are not 

capitalized into inventory.  The values of inventories are based on the following accounting methods:

LIFO

FIFO

Total

October 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands)

$

$

28,224

37,680
65,904

$

$

18,782

37,060
55,842

With respect to inventories valued using the LIFO method, replacement cost exceeded the LIFO value by approximately 
$10.7 million and $12.3 million at October 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. During fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, there were LIFO 
liquidations that resulted in a reduction of the LIFO reserve (credit to cost of sales) of approximately $0.9 million and $1.2 million, 
respectively. The LIFO liquidations increased the amount of income recognized in the respective years compared to what would 
have been recognized had there been no liquidations.  There were no LIFO liquidations during fiscal 2012.

LIFO reserve adjustments are treated as corporate expenses as this matches how management reviews the businesses. 
The LIFO reserve adjustments are calculated on a consolidated basis in a single consolidated pool using the dollar-value link chain 
method. Upon completion of the consolidated calculation, the resulting reserve that is recorded to reflect inventories at their LIFO 
values is not allocated to the segments. Management believes LIFO reserves to be a corporate item and thus performs all reviews 
of segment operations on a FIFO or weighted-average basis.

Acquisitions are integrated into the Company’s operations with some valuing inventory on a LIFO basis and others on 
a FIFO basis. The selection of the inventory valuation treatment of each acquisition depends on the facts and circumstances that 
existed at the time of the acquisition, including expected inventory levels and pricing expected in the foreseeable future; this 
evaluation is applied on each transaction individually. As discussed above, management reviews all of the businesses on a FIFO 
or weighted-average basis for comparability, with the LIFO reserve treated as a corporate item.

7. 

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

Land and land improvements

Buildings and building improvements

Machinery and equipment

Construction in progress

Property, plant and equipment, gross

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

Property, plant and equipment, net

61

October 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands)

$

9,553

$

76,810

391,897
24,515

502,775
(333,898)
168,877

$

$

9,608

71,170

374,733
14,983

470,494
(312,285)
158,209

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

As of October 31, 2012 and 2011, Construction in progress included approximately $15.8 million and $8.2 million of 
capitalized software costs related to the Company's implementation of an enterprise resource planning system that had not yet 
been placed in service. 

Depreciation expense for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was $29.4 million, $27.6 million, and $25.1 
million, respectively.  During 2012 and 2011, the Company recognized impairments of  $0.7 million and $1.6 million, primarily  
related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to market for sale during fiscal 2013.  Please refer to Note 20 for additional details.  
The Company had commitments for the purchase or construction of capital assets amounting to approximately $7.2 million at 
October 31, 2012.

8. 

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the following:

Payroll, payroll taxes and employee benefits
Accrued insurance and workers compensation

Sales allowances

Accrued capital expenditures

Deferred revenue

Environmental

Warranties

Audit, legal, and other miscellaneous professional fees

Accrued rent

Other

Accrued liabilities

9. 

Income Taxes

October 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands)

$

$

21,458
4,212

13,877
6,337

5,509

1,242

2,353

1,700

2,045

2,847

1,076

4,017

3,572

2,576

2,593

1,965

1,671

1,380

1,267

2,820

$

46,459

$

38,058

Income taxes are provided on taxable income at the statutory rates applicable to such income.  Components of income 

taxes excluding discontinued operations are as follows:

Income / (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (in 

thousands)

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Total

Year Ended October 31,

2012

2011

2010

$

$

(24,858) $
(327)
(25,185) $

17,610
(2,095)
15,515

$

$

39,602
(100)
39,502

62

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Income tax expense / (benefit) (in thousands)
Current

Year Ended October 31,

2012

2011

2010

$

$

Federal

State and local

Non-U.S.

Total current

Deferred

Federal

State and local

Non-U.S.

Total deferred

Total

Reconciliation of effective tax rate

U.S. tax at statutory rate

State and local income tax

Non-U.S. income tax

Employee related items

Transaction costs

General business credits

Valuation allowance
Other

Effective tax rate

257

320

615

1,192

(9,060)
(213)
(570)
(9,843)
(8,651) $

$

1,949

$

390

737

3,076

3,964

596
(1,199)
3,361

6,437

$

2,729

386
(108)
3,007

10,806

1,450

38

12,294

15,301

Year Ended October 31,

2012

2011

2010

35.0%

35.0%

35.0%

3.9
(0.5)
(2.1)
—

1.1
(4.4)
1.3

34.3%

4.4

1.1

—

4.7
(2.6)
—
(1.1)
41.5%

3.0

—

—

—

—

—

0.7

38.7%

Prepaid and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets include an income tax receivable of $1.3 million 

and $0.2 million as of October 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

63

 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets are as follows:

Deferred tax assets:

Employee benefit obligations
Goodwill and intangibles
Accrued liabilities and reserves
Pension and other benefit obligations
Inventory
Loss and tax credit carry forwards
Other

Total gross deferred tax assets
Less: valuation allowance
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance

Deferred tax liabilities:

Property, plant and equipment

Net deferred tax assets

Deferred income tax assets, non-current
Deferred income tax assets, current

Net deferred tax assets

October 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands)

$

$

$

$

14,948
3,055
4,349
3,720
3,858
13,168
291
43,389
(1,694)
41,695

3,322
38,373

17,934
20,439
38,373

$

$

$

$

11,224
6,580
4,122
3,694
3,277
2,505
373
31,775
—
31,775

2,256
29,519

18,299
11,220
29,519

Operating loss carry forwards for tax purposes, mostly comprised of federal and state, were $69.0 million at October 31, 
2012. Most of these losses begin to expire in 2025. Tax credits available to offset future tax liabilities are $0.6 million and are not 
expected to be utilized within the next twelve months. Tax benefits of operating losses and tax credit carry forwards are evaluated 
on an ongoing basis, including a review of historical and projected future operation results, the eligible carry forward period and 
other circumstances.   The Company recorded a state operating loss valuation allowance, net of federal taxes, of $1.1 million in 
2012.  In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considers both positive and negative evidence related to the 
likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets.  

A reconciliation of the change in the unrecognized income tax benefit balance from November 1, 2009 to October 31, 

2012 is as follows (in thousands):

Balance at November 1, 2009

Additions for tax positions related to the current year

Additions for tax positions related to the prior year

Balance at October 31, 2010

Additions for tax positions related to the current year

Additions for tax positions related to the prior year

Balance at October 31, 2011

Additions for tax positions related to the current year

Additions for tax positions related to the prior year

Lapse in statute of limitations

Balance at October 31, 2012

64

Accrued
Interest  and
Penalties

Unrecognized
Income Tax
Benefits

209

$

18,332

—

227

436

—

301

737
—

266
(440)
563

$

$

$

13

270

18,615

13

414

19,042
12

276
(3,571)
15,759

$

$

$

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The table below indicates where the unrecognized tax benefit (UTB) is reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Amounts Reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Liability for uncertain tax positions

Deferred income taxes (non-current assets)

Total unrecognized tax benefit

October 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands)

$

$

6,736

9,023

15,759

$

$

8,412

10,630

19,042

The Company’s UTB is related to the Separation as discussed in Note 1 and state tax items regarding the interpretations 
of tax laws and regulations. The UTB includes $14.7 million for which the disallowance of such items would not affect the annual 
effective tax rate.  In  2012, the Company reduced the liability for uncertain tax positions related to the Separation by $3.6 million 
as a result of a lapse in the statute of limitations.  This resulted in a non-cash increase to retained earnings in stockholders' equity 
of $2.9 million and a decrease in income tax expense of $0.7 million.  For the years ended October 31, 2012,  2011 and 2010 the 
Company recognized $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively in interest and penalties, which are reported as 
Income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income consistent with past practice.

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions as well as in 
the U.K., Germany and Canada. The Company is not currently under a tax examination, but in certain jurisdictions the statute of 
limitations has not yet expired. The Company generally remains subject to examination of its U.S. federal income tax returns for 
2009 and subsequent years. The Company generally remains subject to examination of its various state income tax returns for a 
period of four to five years from the date the return was filed. The state impact of any federal changes remains subject to examination 
by various states for a period of up to one year after formal notification to the state of the federal change.

Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s 
financial statements or income tax returns. The final outcome of the future tax consequences of legal proceedings, if any, as well 
as the outcome of competent authority proceedings, changes in regulatory tax laws, or interpretation of those tax laws could impact 
the Company’s financial statements. The Company is subject to the effects of these matters occurring in various jurisdictions. The 
Company believes that it is reasonably possible that a decrease of approximately $2.7 million in the UTB may be recognized 
within the next twelve months as a result of a lapse in the statute of limitations.

10. 

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Long-term debt consists of the following:

Revolving Credit Facility

City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds

Scott County, Iowa Industrial Waste Recycling Revenue Bonds

Capital lease obligations and other

Total debt

Less: maturities due within one year included in current liabilities

Long-term debt

Credit Facility

October 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands)

— $

800

400

201

1,401

368

1,033

$

$

—

900

600

166

1,666

352

1,314

$

$

$

The Company’s $270.0 million Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility (the Credit Facility) was executed on April 23, 
2008. The Credit Facility has a five-year term and is unsecured. The Credit Facility expires April 23, 2013 and provides for up to 
$50.0 million for standby letters of credit, limited to the undrawn amount available under the Credit Facility. Borrowings under 

65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

the Credit Facility bear interest at a spread above LIBOR based on a combined leverage and ratings grid. Proceeds from the Credit 
Facility may be used to provide availability for acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes.

Under the Credit Facility, the Company is obligated to comply with certain financial covenants requiring the Company 
to maintain a Consolidated Leverage Ratio of no more than 3.25 to 1 and a Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of no less than 
3.00 to 1. As defined by the Credit Facility’s indenture, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is the ratio of consolidated indebtedness 
as of such date to consolidated EBITDA  and the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio is the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to 
consolidated interest expense, in each case for the previous four consecutive fiscal quarters. EBITDA is defined by the indenture 
to include proforma EBITDA of acquisitions and to exclude certain items like non-cash charges. Additionally, the Credit Facility 
contains certain limitations on additional indebtedness, asset or equity sales, and acquisitions. Dividends and other distributions 
are permitted so long as after giving effect to such dividend or stock repurchase, there is no event of default.

As of October 31, 2012, the Company had no borrowings under the Credit Facility, and the Company was in compliance 
with all Credit Facility financial covenants. The availability under the Credit Facility is a function of both the facility amount 
utilized and meeting covenant requirements. Although there were no borrowings on the Credit Facility and only $5.5 million of 
outstanding  letters  of  credit  under  the  Credit  Facility,  the  aggregate  availability  under  the  Credit  Facility  was  limited  by  the 
Consolidated Leverage Ratio resulting in an availability of $102.6 million at October 31, 2012.  Quanex is currently in the process 
of negotiating a new Credit Facility, and expects to have finalized terms and conditions by the end of the first quarter.

Other Debt Instruments

The City of Richmond, Kentucky Industrial Building Revenue Bonds are due in annual installments through October 2020. 
Interest is payable monthly at a variable rate. The average rate during fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 was 0.6% and 0.6%, respectively. 
The Company has pledged the land, building and certain equipment of a facility located in Richmond, Kentucky. In addition, a 
$0.8 million letter of credit under the Credit Facility serves as a conduit for making the scheduled payments.

In June 1999, the Company borrowed $3.0 million through Scott County, Iowa Variable Rate Demand Industrial Waste 
Recycling Revenue Bonds Series 1999. The bonds require 15 annual principal payments of $200,000 beginning on July 1, 2000. 
The variable interest rate is established by the remarketing agent based on the lowest weekly rate of interest that would permit the 
sale of the bonds at par, on the basis of prevailing financial market conditions. Interest is payable on the first business day of each 
calendar month. Interest rates on these bonds during fiscal 2012 have ranged from 0.5% to 1.6%. These bonds are secured by a 
Letter of Credit.

Additional Debt Disclosures

The Company’s consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 1.0% and 1.2% as of October 31, 2012 and 
October 31, 2011, respectively. Approximately 86% and 90% of the total debt had a variable interest rate at October 31, 2012 and 
2011, respectively. As of October 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s debt of $1.4 million and $1.7 million approximates fair value 
as nearly all the Company’s debt is at a variable interest rate. As of October 31, 2012, the Company has $6.0 million in letters of 
credit, of which $5.5 million in letters of credit fall under the Credit Facility sublimit.

Aggregate maturities of long-term debt at October 31, 2012, are as follows (in thousands):

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Thereafter

Total

$

$

368

352

154

108

107

312
1,401

66

 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

11. 

Retirement Plans

The Company has a number of retirement plans covering substantially all employees. The Company provides both defined 
benefit and defined contribution plans. In general, the plant or location of his/her employment determines an employee’s coverage 
for retirement benefits.

Pension Plan

The Company has a non-contributory, single employer defined benefit pension plan that covers substantially all non-
union employees. Effective January 1, 2007, the Company amended this defined benefit pension plan to include a new cash balance 
formula for all new salaried employees hired on or after January 1, 2007 and for any non-union employees who were not participating 
in a defined benefit plan prior to January 1, 2007. All new salaried employees are eligible to receive credits equivalent to 4% of 
their annual eligible wages, while some of the employees at the time of the amendment were “grandfathered” and are eligible to 
receive credits ranging up to 6.5% based upon a percentage they received in the defined contribution plan prior to the amendment 
of the pension plan. Additionally, every year the participants will receive an interest related credit on their respective balance 
equivalent to the prevailing 30-year Treasury rate. Benefits for participants in this plan prior to January 1, 2007 continue to be 
based on a more traditional formula for retirement benefits where the plan pays benefits to employees upon retirement, using a 
formula based upon years of service and pensionable compensation prior to retirement. Of the Company’s participants, 99% are 
under the cash balance formula.

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 was signed into law on December 8, 
2003. This Act introduces a Medicare prescription-drug benefit beginning in 2006 as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree 
health care plans that provide a benefit at least “actuarially equivalent” to the Medicare benefit. Management has concluded that 
the Company’s plans are at least “actuarially equivalent” to the Medicare benefit. The Company has not included the federal 
subsidy from the Act for those eligible. The impact to net periodic benefit cost and to benefits paid did not have a material impact 
on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Funded Status and Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The funded status of the defined benefit pension plan at the respective year-ends was as follows:

Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year(1)

Service cost

Interest cost
Actuarial loss (gain)

Benefits paid

Administrative expenses
Benefit obligation at end of year(1) 
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

Actual return on plan assets

Employer contributions

Benefits paid

Administrative expenses

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

Funded Status

(1) 

The benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation.

67

October 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands)

$

20,662

$

15,615

3,652

815

731
(1,183)
(270)
24,407

14,004

1,811

4,200
(1,183)
(270)
18,562

$

$

$

3,794

795

1,760
(994)
(308)
20,662

12,950

474

1,882
(994)
(308)
14,004

(5,845) $

(6,658)

$

$

$

$

 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Deferred pension and postretirement benefits

Net amount recognized

Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (pretax):
Net actuarial (gain) loss

Net prior service cost (credit)

Net transition obligation (asset)

Total

October 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands)

(5,845) $
(5,845) $

(6,658)
(6,658)

October 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands)

4,771

$

4,837

—

—

—

—

4,771

$

4,837

$

$

$

$

The accumulated benefit obligation is the present value of pension benefits (whether vested or unvested) attributed to 
employee service rendered before the measurement date and based on employee service and compensation prior to that date. The 
accumulated  benefit  obligation  differs  from  the  projected  benefit  obligation  in  that  it  includes  no  assumption  about  future 
compensation levels. The accumulated benefit obligations of the Company’s pension plans as of the measurement dates in 2012 
and 2011 were $23.7 million and $19.4 million, respectively. The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and 
fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were:

Projected benefit obligation

Accumulated benefit obligation

Fair value of plan assets

October 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands)

$

24,407

$

23,749

18,562

20,662

19,395

14,004

68

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The net periodic benefit cost and other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive 

loss (income) (pretax) for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were:

Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Service cost

Interest cost

Expected return on plan assets

Amortization of net loss

Net periodic benefit cost

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in 

other comprehensive loss (income) (pretax):

Net loss (gain) arising during the period

Prior service cost (credit) arising during the period
Amortization of gain (loss)

Amortization of prior service (cost) credit

Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive 

loss (income)

2012

October 31,

2011

(In thousands)

2010

3,652

$

3,794

$

3,357

815
(1,161)
147

795
(986)
134

661
(754)
146

3,453

$

3,737

$

3,410

81

$

—
(147)
—
(66) $

2,271

$

—
(134)
—

2,137

$

(998)
—
(146)
—
(1,144)

3,387

$

5,874

$

2,266

$

$

$

$

$

The decrease in net pension cost from 2011 to 2012 is primarily attributable to a decrease in the expected return on plan 
assets. The increase in net pension cost from 2010 to 2011 is primarily attributable to a decrease in the discount rate which effectively 
increases pension costs and an increase in participants from the Edgetech acquisition.

The amount of prior service cost and net actuarial loss for the defined benefit pension plans that is expected to be amortized 
from accumulated other comprehensive income and reported as a component of net periodic benefit cost during fiscal 2012 is $0 
and $249 thousand, respectively.

Measurement Date and Assumptions

The Company uses an October 31 measurement date for its defined benefit plans. The Company generally determines 
its actuarial assumptions on an annual basis. The assumptions for the pension benefit calculations for the years ended October 31, 
are as follows:

Weighted average assumptions to determine benefit obligation at year-

end:

Discount rate

Rate of compensation increase
Weighted average assumptions to determine net periodic benefit costs:
Discount rate

Expected return on plan assets

Rate of compensation increase

69

Pension Benefits

October 31,

2011

2012

2010

3.29%

2.50%

4.40%

7.25%

4.00%

4.40%

4.00%

5.15%

7.25%

4.00%

5.15%

4.00%

5.65%

8.00%

4.00%

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The discount rate is used to calculate the present value of the projected benefit obligation for pension benefits. The rate 
reflects the rate at which benefits could be effectively settled on the measurement date. For 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company 
determined its discount rate based on a pension discount curve; and the rate represents the single rate that, if applied to every year 
of projected benefits payments, would result in the same discounted value as the array of rates that comprise the pension discount 
curve.

The expected return on plan assets is used to determine net periodic pension expense. The rate of return assumptions are 
based on projected long-term market returns for the various asset classes in which the plans are invested, weighted by the target 
asset allocations. The return assumption is reviewed at least annually. The rate of compensation increase represents the long-term 
assumption for expected increases to salaries.

Plan Assets

The Company’s target allocation for the year ending October 31, 2012 and actual asset allocation by asset category and 

fair value measurements as of October 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

Equity securities
Fixed income

Large capitalization

Small capitalization

International equity

Other

Equity securities

High-quality core bond

High-quality government bond

High-yield bond

Fixed income

Total securities(1)

Target
Allocation

60.0%
40.0%

Actual Allocation at

October 31,

2012

2011

60.0%
40.0%

59.0%
41.0%

Fair Value
Measurements at
October 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands)

5,918

$

2,218

1,993

929

11,058

3,645

1,831

1,861

7,337

18,395

$

$

$

$

4,426

1,679

1,499

592

8,196

2,807

1,434

1,463

5,704

13,900

$

$

$

$

$

(1) 

Quoted fair value prices are as of October 31, 2012 and 2011 and are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets 
(Level 1).

Inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets vary according to the type of security being 
valued. All of the equity and debt securities held directly by the plans are actively traded and fair values are determined based on 
quoted market prices.

The  Company’s  investment  objective  for  defined  benefit  plan  assets  is  to  meet  the  plans’  benefit  obligations,  while 
minimizing  the  potential  for  future  required  Company  plan  contributions.  The  investment  strategies  focus  on  asset  class 
diversification, liquidity to meet benefit payments and an appropriate balance of long-term investment return and risk. Target 
ranges for asset allocations are determined by matching the actuarial projections of the plans’ future liabilities and benefit payments 
with expected long-term rates of return on the assets, taking into account investment return volatility and correlations across asset 
classes. Plan assets are diversified across several investment managers and are generally invested in liquid funds that are selected 
to track broad market equity and bond indices. Investment risk is carefully controlled with plan assets rebalanced to target allocations 

70

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

on a periodic basis and continual monitoring of investment managers performance relative to the investment guidelines established 
with each investment manager.

Expected Benefit Payments and Funding

The  Company’s  pension  funding  policy  generally  has  been  to  make  the  minimum  annual  contributions  required  by 
applicable regulations while considering targeted funded percentages. In fiscal 2010, the Company decided to modify its funding 
strategy and accelerate contributions to target a 100% funding threshold. Additionally, the Company will consider funding fiscal 
year requirements early in the fiscal year to potentially maximize returns on assets. During the third quarter 2010, the Company 
contributed $2.7 million in addition to minimum funding requirements to achieve a 100% funded threshold. In fiscal 2012 and 
2011, the Company made total pension contributions of $4.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

During fiscal 2013, the Company expects to contribute approximately $3.3 million to the pension plan to reach targeted 
funding  levels  and  meet  minimum  contribution  requirements.  For  the  pension  benefit  plan,  this  is  comprised  of  expected 
contributions to the plan. Expected contributions are dependent on many variables, including the variability of the market value 
of  the  assets  as  compared  to  the  obligation  and  other  market  or  regulatory  conditions.  In  addition,  the  Company  takes  into 
consideration its business investment opportunities and resulting cash requirements. Accordingly, actual funding may differ greatly 
from current estimates.

Total benefit payments expected to be paid to participants, which include payments funded from the Company’s assets, 

as discussed above, as well as payments paid from the plan are as follows:

Years Ended October 31,

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018- 2022

Postretirement Benefit Plan

Pension
Benefits

(In thousands)

$

1,773

1,823

2,051

2,214

2,331

13,785

The Company provides certain healthcare and life insurance benefits for a small number of eligible retired employees 
employed prior to January 1, 1993. Certain employees may become eligible for those benefits if they reach normal retirement age 
while working for the Company. The Company continues to fund benefit costs on a pay-as-you-go basis. The table below indicates 
the amount and where the liability is recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Accrued liabilities

Deferred pension and postretirement benefits

Total

October 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands)

$

$

74

1,035

1,109

$

$

80

1,127

1,207

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company also has defined contribution plans to which both employees and the Company make contributions. Effective 
April 1, 2009, the Company temporarily suspended its matching contributions to the Quanex Building Products Salaried and Non-
Union Employee 401(k) Plan as part of its efforts to reduce controllable spending. Effective February 1, 2010, these matching 
contributions were reinstated. The Company matches 50% up to the first 5% of employee deferrals. The Company contributed 
approximately $2.5 million, $3.1 million and $2.2 million to these plans in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  No shares 
of the Company’s common stock were held by the Company’s defined contribution plan as of October 31, 2012 and 2011 as 
Company stock is no longer an investment option offered under the Plan.

Other

Quanex has a Supplemental Benefit Plan covering certain key officers of the Company. Earned vested benefits under the 
Supplemental Benefit Plan were approximately $2.5 million, $1.8 million and $1.1 million at October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, 
respectively. The entire October 31, 2012 and 2011 balance is recorded as part of Other (non-current) liabilities. The Company 
also has a non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan covering members of the Board of Directors and certain key employees of 
the Company. The estimated market values of the Deferred Compensation Plan as of October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively 
were approximately $5.9 million, $5.9 million and $5.0 million.

12. 

Industry Segment Information

Business segments are reported in accordance with ASC Topic 280 “Segment Reporting” (ASC 280). ASC 280 requires 
the Company to disclose certain information about its operating segments where operating segments are defined as “components 
of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision 
maker (CODM) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.” Generally, financial information is required 
to be reported on the basis that it is used internally for evaluating segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources to 
segments.

Quanex has two reportable segments: Engineered Products and Aluminum Sheet Products. The Engineered Products 
segment produces systems, finished products and components serving the OEM residential window and door industry, while the 
Aluminum Sheet Products segment produces mill finished and coated aluminum sheet serving the broader building and construction 
markets. The primary market drivers of both segments are residential  repair and remodel activity (R&R) and new home construction.

For financial reporting purposes three of the Company’s four operating segments, Engineered Components, Insulating 
Glass (IG) and Window & Door Systems, have been aggregated, primarily based on similar economic characteristics, products, 
services and processes into the Engineered Products reportable segment. The remaining operating segment, Nichols Aluminum, 
is reported as a separate reportable segment, Aluminum Sheet Products. The financial performance of the operations is based upon 
operating income.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies, 
with the exception of the inventory valuation method. The Company measures its inventory at the segment level on a FIFO or 
weighted-average basis; however at the consolidated Company level, approximately half of the inventory is measured on a LIFO 
basis. The LIFO reserve is computed on a consolidated basis as a single pool and is thus treated as a corporate expense. See Note 6 
to the financial statements for more information. LIFO inventory adjustments along with corporate office charges and intersegment 
eliminations are reported as Corporate, Intersegment Eliminations or Other. The Company accounts for intersegment sales and 
transfers as though the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current market prices. Corporate assets primarily include 
cash and equivalents partially offset by the Company’s consolidated LIFO inventory reserve.

For the years ended October 31, 2012 , 2011 and 2010, no one customer represented 10% or more of the consolidated 

net sales of the Company.  Following is selected segment information.

72

 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Net Sales:
Engineered Products
Aluminum Sheet Products(5)
Intersegment Eliminations

Consolidated

Depreciation and Amortization:
Engineered Products

Aluminum Sheet Products

Corporate & Other

Consolidated

Operating Income (Loss):
Engineered Products(3)(6)(7)
Aluminum Sheet Products

Corporate & Other

Consolidated
Capital Expenditures:
Engineered Products

Aluminum Sheet Products

Corporate & Other

Consolidated
Identifiable Assets:
Engineered Products(4)
Aluminum Sheet Products
Corporate, Intersegment Eliminations & Other(1)
Discontinued Operations(2)

Consolidated

For the Years Ended October 31,

2012

2011

2010

(In thousands)

$

$

478,578

$

420,258

$

361,062

362,315
(11,917)
828,976

$

440,495
(12,459)
848,294

$

449,529
(12,277)
798,314

28,115

7,621

1,860

25,232

8,542

158

19,760

8,334

120

$

37,596

$

33,932

$

28,214

28,490
(17,098)
(36,345)
(24,953) $

30,293

17,115
(30,930)
16,478

$

$

17,540

10,381

14,950

11,248

8,749

5,315

34,278

30,223
(27,204)
37,297

9,789

4,806

125

$

42,871

$

25,312

$

14,720

380,551

139,733

69,254

—

389,889

132,161

62,879

—

258,919

152,113

179,756

462

$

589,538

$

584,929

$

591,250

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

Decrease in Corporate, Intersegment Eliminations & Other identifiable assets in 2011 are primarily attributable to cash 
paid of $110.8 million for the Edgetech and Yakima acquisitions.
In  2010,  management  closed  its  start-up  facility  in  China;  therefore,  the  China  assets  are  included  in  discontinued 
operations for all periods presented.
In  fiscal  2012  and  2011,  Engineered  Products  recorded  asset  impairment  charges  of  $0.9  million  and  $1.8  million,  
respectively, primarily related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to market for sale during fiscal 2013.
Increase in Engineered Products identifiable assets in 2011 are primarily attributable to the Edgetech acquisition on 
March 31, 2011. See Note 3 for discussion of the acquisition.
In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at two of Nichols' Davenport, Iowa facilities which had a negative 
impact on operating income of approximately $11.1 million , including the reduction in sales volume as well as incremental 
direct costs.  
In  November  2011,  the  Company  announced  a  consolidation  program  for  its  IG  spacer  manufacturing  facility  in 
Barbourville, Kentucky into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ohio.  The facility consolidation was 
completed ahead of schedule in August 2012 and the Barbourville facility is permanently closed.  The Company recorded 
expenses related to this plant closure in fiscal 2012 of $9.0 million in its Engineered Products segment.
During fiscal 2011, Engineered Products recognized an expense of $1.9 million to increase the warranty reserve associated 
with a discontinued legacy product and claims.

73

 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Net Sales by Product Information

The Engineered Products segment primarily sells window and door components and the Aluminum Sheet Products segment 
sells aluminum sheet products.  Product sales within the Engineered Products segment that are not considered window and door 
components do not exceed 10% of the Company's consolidated revenue and as such are considered immaterial.

Geographic Information

Operations of the Company and all long-lived assets are located in the United States, Germany and  U.K.. Net sales by 

geographic region are attributed to countries based on the location of the customer and are as follows:

Net sales
United States

Mexico
Canada

Asian countries

European countries

Other foreign countries

Total foreign

Total net sales

Long-lived assets, net
United States

Germany
U.K.

Total foreign

Years Ended October 31,

2012

2011

2010

(In thousands)

$

657,235

$

696,335

$

691,508

11,138
89,381

18,504

49,687

3,031

12,105
83,570

19,181

35,003

2,100

171,741

151,959

$

828,976

$

848,294

$

12,277
67,856

15,810

10,048

815

106,806

798,314

2012

October 31,

2011

(In thousands)

2010

$

267,110

$

261,443

$

205,374

34,544
13,934
48,478

39,898
14,243
54,141

—
—
—

Total long-lived assets, net

$

315,588

$

315,584

$

205,374

13. 

Stockholders’ Equity

The Company’s authorized capital stock consists of 125,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, 
and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, no par value, as of October 31, 2012. As of October 31, 2012 and 2011, there were no 
shares of Preferred Stock issued or outstanding.

Stock Repurchase Program and Treasury Stock

On May 27, 2010, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program of 1.0 million shares, and on August 25, 
2011, the Board of Directors authorized an additional 1.0 million shares to this program.  As of October 31, 2012, the remaining 
shares authorized for repurchase under this program was 905,663. 

The objectives of this program are to manage the dilution created by shares issued under stock-based compensation plans 
and to repurchase shares opportunistically. The Company records treasury stock purchases under the cost method whereby the 
entire cost of the acquired stock is recorded as treasury stock. The Company uses a moving-average method on the subsequent 

74

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

reissuance of shares, and any resulting proceeds in excess of cost are credited to additional paid in capital while any deficiency is 
charged to retained earnings.

14. 

Stock-Based Compensation

The  Company's  2008  Omnibus  Incentive  Plan,  (the  2008  Plan),  provides  for  the  granting  of  stock  options,  stock 
appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (RSUs), performance stock awards, performance unit awards, 
annual incentive awards, other stock-based awards and cash-based awards. The 2008 Plan is administered by the Compensation 
and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors and allows for immediate, graded or cliff vesting options, 
but options must be exercised no later than ten years from the date of grant. The aggregate number of shares of common stock 
originally authorized for grant under the 2008 Plan was 2,900,000. At the Company’s annual shareholder meeting in February 
2011, the shareholders approved an amendment which increased the aggregate number of shares available for grant under the 
2008 Plan by an additional 2,400,000 shares. Any officer, key employee and / or non-employee director of the Company or any 
of its affiliates is eligible for awards under the 2008 Plan. The initial awards granted under the 2008 Plan were on April 23, 2008; 
service is the vesting condition. 

The Company’s practice is to grant options and restricted stock awards or RSUs to non-employee directors on  the last 
business day of each fiscal year, with an additional grant of options to each director on the date of his or her first anniversary of 
service. Additionally, the Company’s practice is to grant options, restricted stock awards and RSUs to employees at the Company’s 
December board meeting and occasionally to key employees as deemed appropriate at other times during the year. The exercise 
price of the option awards is equal to the closing market price on the date granted. The Company generally issues shares from 
treasury stock, if available, to satisfy stock option exercises and grants of restricted stock. If there are no shares in treasury stock, 
the Company issues additional shares of common stock.

The Company’s stock-based compensation is related to the Company’s stock awards governed by the 2008 Plan. Stock-
based compensation recorded in Selling, general and administrative expense for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 
was as follows:

Stock option expense

Restricted stock amortization

Restricted stock unit expense

Total pretax stock-based compensation expense included in income from 

continuing operations

Income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation included in net 

income

Years Ended October 31,

2012

2011

2010

(In thousands)

3,287

$

3,166

$

1,117

1,200

1,537

149

2,812

1,393

251

5,604

$

4,852

$

4,456

1,922

$

2,003

$

1,724

$

$

$

The Company has not capitalized any stock-based compensation cost as part of inventory or fixed assets during the years 
ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. Cash proceeds from stock option exercises and the related tax benefits are a component 
of financing cash flows from continuing operations. Cash received from stock option exercises for the year ended October 31, 
2012, 2011 and 2010 was $3.0 million, $0.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively while the actual tax benefit realized for the tax 
deductions from these stock option exercises, as well as lapses on restricted stock awards, was  $0.5 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 
million, respectively. 

Stock Options

The Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of its stock options. A 

description of the methodology for the valuation assumption follows:

•  Expected Volatility –For the 2012, 2011 and 2010 grants, expected volatility was determined based on the historical data 
available for peer companies as Quanex Building Products Corporation is a relatively new company with limited historical 

75

 
 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

price data available. The expected volatility assumption is adjusted if future volatility is expected to vary from historical 
experience.

•  Expected Term - The expected term of options represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be 
outstanding and falls between the option’s vesting and contractual expiration dates. Quanex Building Products Corporation 
is a relatively new company with insufficient company specific exercise behavior available. Accordingly, for the 2012, 
2011 and 2010 grants, expected term was determined based on historical data from Quanex Corporation considering that 
Quanex Corporation’s employee group was the most similar to Quanex Building Products Corporation’s employee group. 
Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately. Accordingly, the 
expected term range given below results from certain groups of employees exhibiting different behavior.

•  Risk-Free Rate - The risk-free rate is based on the yield at the date of grant of a zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bond whose 

maturity period equals the option’s expected term.

•  Expected Dividend Yield –For the 2012, 2011, and 2010 grants, this valuation assumption was based on the expected 

dividend yield of Quanex Building Products Corporation.

The fair value of each option was estimated on the date of grant. The following is a summary of valuation assumptions 

and grant-date fair values for grants during the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:

Valuation assumptions
Weighted-average expected volatility

Expected term (in years)

Risk-free interest rate

Expected dividend yield over expected term

Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share

Grants During the

Years Ended October 31,

2012

2011

2010

54.0%

4.9-5.1

0.9%

1.0%

53.0%

4.9-5.1

1.7%

1.0%

55.0%

4.9-5.1

2.0%

1.0%

$

6.80

$

7.42

$

7.38

The  fluctuation  in  the  weighted  average  grant-date  fair  value  is  primarily  related  to  the  Company’s  stock  price;  the 

weighted-average market price on the date of grant was $15.82 in 2012 compared to $17.13 in 2011 and $16.39 in 2010.

Below is a table summarizing the stock option activity for the 2008 Plan, since October 31, 2011:

Outstanding at October 31, 2011

Granted

Exercised

Cancelled/Expired

Outstanding at October 31, 2012

Vested or expected to vest at October 31, 2012

Exercisable at October 31, 2012

$

Shares

2,137,436
607,972
(229,423)
(42,735)
2,473,250

2,398,208

1,558,226

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price 
Per
Share

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in years)

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(In thousands)

14.08
15.82

13.14

15.71

14.57

14.49

13.61

7.2

7.2

6.4

$

$

$

12,908

12,689

9,618

The total intrinsic value of options (the amount by which the market price of the stock on the date of exercise exceeded 
the exercise price of the option) exercised during the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $1.2 million, $0.3 million 
and $0.3 million, respectively. The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011 
was $2.6 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options granted under the 
2008 Plan was $3.2 million as of October 31, 2012. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 
1.5 years.

76

 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Restricted Stock Awards

Under the 2008 Plan, common stock may be awarded to key employees, officers and non-employee directors. The recipient 
is entitled to all of the rights of a shareholder, except that during the forfeiture period the shares are nontransferable. The awards 
vest over a specified time period, but typically either immediately vest or cliff vest over a three-year period with service as the 
vesting condition. Upon issuance of stock under the plan, fair value is measured by the grant date price of the Company’s shares. 
This fair value is then expensed over the restricted period with a corresponding increase to additional paid-in-capital. A summary 
of non-vested restricted shares at October 31, 2011, and changes during the year ended October 31, 2012 follows.

Nonvested at October 31, 2011

Granted

Vested

Cancelled

Nonvested at October 31, 2012

Weighted-
Average  Grant-
Date Fair Value
Per Share

Shares

256,390

$

83,900
(115,790)
(11,800)
212,700

$

12.67

15.08

7.82

16.07

16.08

 The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted stock awards granted during the years ended October 31, 2012, 
2011, and 2010 was $15.08, $17.14, and $16.21, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock awards vested during the 
years ended October 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 were $0.9 million, $2.5 million, and $0.1 million, respectively. Total unrecognized 
compensation cost related to unamortized restricted stock awards was $1.3 million as of October 31, 2012. This cost is expected 
to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

Restricted Stock Units

RSUs were historically awarded to non-employee directors in lieu of restricted stock. Beginning in fiscal 2010, RSUs 
were awarded to key employees. RSUs are granted under the 2008 Plan.  RSUs vest over a specified time period, but typically 
either immediately vest or cliff vest over a three-year period with service as the vesting condition.  RSUs are not considered to be 
outstanding shares of common stock and do not have voting rights. Holders of RSUs receive cash for an equivalent amount of 
cash dividends paid on the underlying common stock. Upon the earlier of the date the director ceases to be a board member or a 
change of control or upon vesting for the employee grants, each RSU is payable in cash in an amount equal to the market value 
of one share of the Company’s common stock. Accordingly, the RSU liability will be adjusted to fair market value at each reporting 
date.  A summary of non-vested restricted stock units at October 31, 2011, and changes during the year ended October 31, 2012 
follows.

Nonvested at October 31, 2011

Granted

Vested

Cancelled

Nonvested at October 31, 2012

Weighted-
Average  Grant-
Date Fair Value
Per Unit

18.35

15.60

19.77

18.35

15.47

Units

21,000

$

162,632
(7,632)
(15,000)
161,000

$

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 
and 2010 was $15.60, $14.75 and $18.26 per share, respectively.  Total unrecognized compensation cost based on service related 
to unamortized restricted stock units was  $1.7 million as of October 31, 2012.  This cost does not include market fluctuations and 
is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.  Cash used to settle restricted stock units during the year 
ended October 31, 2012  was $0.2 million.  There was no cash used to settle restricted stock units during the year ended October 31, 
2011.  The number of RSU awards outstanding as of October 31, 2012 and 2011 was 194,358 and 56,410, respectively.

77

 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

15. 

Commitments

Quanex has operating leases for certain real estate and equipment. Rental expense for the years ended October 31, 2012, 
2011, and 2010 was $6.9 million, $6.0 million, and $4.8 million, respectively. Total minimum rentals to be received in the future 
under non-cancelable subleases as of October 31, 2012 were $1.9 million. Quanex is a party to non-cancelable purchase obligations 
primarily  for  natural  gas  and  aluminum  scrap  used  in  the  manufacturing  process. Amounts  purchased  under  these  purchase 
obligations for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $4.0 million, $2.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

Future minimum payments as of October 31, 2012, by year and in the aggregate under operating leases having original 
non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year and estimated non-cancelable purchase obligations with remaining terms in excess 
of a year as of October 31, 2012, by year and in the aggregate were as follows (in thousands):

2013

2014

2015

2016
2017

Thereafter

Total

16. 

Contingencies

Environmental

Operating
Leases

Purchase
Obligations

$

5,808

$

5,495

4,661

3,409
2,737

10,007

4,148

296

—

—
—

—

$

32,117

$

4,444

Quanex is subject to extensive laws and regulations concerning the discharge of materials into the environment and the 
remediation of chemical contamination. To satisfy such requirements, Quanex must make capital and other expenditures on an 
ongoing basis. The Company accrues its best estimates of its remediation obligations and adjusts such accruals as further information 
and circumstances develop. Those estimates may change substantially depending on information about the nature and extent of 
contamination,  appropriate  remediation  technologies,  and  regulatory  approvals. In  accruing  for  environmental  remediation 
liabilities, costs of future expenditures are not discounted to their present value, unless the amount and timing of the expenditures 
are fixed or reliably determinable. Legal costs are expensed as incurred except incremental direct costs of the remediation effort 
at Nichols Alabama, which are accrued as part of the measurement of the environmental remediation liability. When environmental 
laws might be deemed to impose joint and several liability for the costs of responding to contamination, the Company accrues its 
allocable share of liability taking into account the number of parties participating, their ability to pay their shares, the volumes 
and nature of the wastes involved, the nature of anticipated response actions, and the nature of the Company’s alleged connections. 
The cost of environmental matters has not had a material adverse effect on Quanex’s operations or financial condition in the past, 
and management is not currently aware of any conditions that it believes are likely to have a material adverse effect on Quanex’s 
operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Total environmental reserves and corresponding recovery as of October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011 were as follows:

Current(1)
Non-current

Total environmental reserves
Receivable for recovery of remediation costs(2)

(1) 

(2) 

Reported in Accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Reported in Accounts receivable and Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets

78

October 31,
2012

October 31,
2011

(In thousands)

$

$

$

1,700

9,827
11,527

11,195

$

$

$

1,965

11,221
13,186

12,304

 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Currrently, the Company's ongoing remediation activities are at one of its subsidiaries, Nichols Aluminum-Alabama, 
LLC  (NAA).  NAA  operates  a  plant  in  Decatur, Alabama  that  is  subject  to  an Alabama  Hazardous Wastes  Management  and 
Minimization Act  Post-Closure  Permit. Among  other  things,  the  permit  requires  NAA  to  remediate,  as  directed  by  the  state, 
historical environmental releases of wastes and waste constituents. Consistent with the permit, NAA has undertaken various studies 
of site conditions and, during the first quarter of 2006, started a phased program to treat in-place free product petroleum that had 
been released underneath the plant. During the second quarter 2010, NAA submitted to the state the first component of its proposed 
workplan for implementing a site-wide remedy. The full workplan was submitted to the state during the third quarter 2010, revised 
during the second quarter 2011 to reflect both additional sampling data and responses to state comments, and revised again in the 
fourth quarter 2011 in response to another round of state comments. Based on those plans, which remain subject to further comment, 
revision, and state approval, the Company’s remediation reserve at NAA’s Decatur plant is $11.5 million as of October 31, 2012. 
Approximately $1.1 million of the October 31, 2012 reserve represents administrative costs; the balance of $10.4 million represents 
estimated costs for investigation, studies, cleanup, and treatment. The reserve has not been discounted. NAA was acquired through 
a stock purchase in which the sellers agreed to indemnify Quanex and NAA for identified environmental matters related to the 
business and based on conditions initially created or events initially occurring prior to the acquisition. Environmental conditions 
are presumed to relate to the period prior to the acquisition unless proved to relate to releases occurring entirely after closing. The 
limit on indemnification is $21.5 million excluding legal fees. While the Company’s current estimates indicate it will not reach 
this limit, changing circumstances could result in additional costs or expense that are not foreseen at this time. In accordance with 
the indemnification, the indemnitors paid the first $1.5 million of response costs and have been paying 90% of ongoing costs. 
Based on its experience to date, its estimated cleanup costs going forward, and costs incurred to date as of October 31, 2012, the 
Company expects to recover from the sellers’ shareholders an additional $11.2 million which has not been discounted. Of that, 
$10.4 million is recorded in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the balance is reflected in Accounts receivable 
on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The undiscounted recovery from indemnitors as of October 31, 2011 was $12.3 million. Of 
that,  $11.6  million  is  recorded  in  Other  assets  on  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets,  and  the  balance  is  reflected  in Accounts 
receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company’s final remediation costs and the timing of those expenditures will depend upon such factors as the nature 
and extent of contamination, the cleanup technologies employed, the effectiveness of the cleanup measures that are employed, 
and regulatory concurrences. While actual remediation costs, therefore, may be more or less than amounts accrued, the Company 
believes it has established adequate reserves for all probable and reasonably estimable remediation liabilities. It is not possible at 
this point to reasonably estimate the amount of any obligation for remediation in excess of current accruals because of uncertainties 
as  to  the  extent  of  environmental  impact,  cleanup  technologies,  and  concurrence  of  governmental  authorities. The  Company 
currently expects to pay the accrued remediation reserve through at least fiscal 2034, although some of the same factors discussed 
earlier could accelerate or extend the timing. 

Other

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary 
course of their business. Although the ultimate resolution and impact of such litigation on the Company is not presently determinable, 
the Company’s management believes that the eventual outcome of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the 
overall financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

17. 

Warranty Obligations

The Company’s estimated obligations for warranty are accrued concurrently with the revenue recognized. The Company 
makes provisions for its warranty obligations based upon historical experience incurred for such obligations adjusted, as necessary, 
for current conditions and factors. Due to the significant uncertainties and judgments involved in estimating the Company’s warranty 
obligations, including changing product designs, variance in customer installation process and future claims experience varying 
from historical claims experience, the ultimate amount incurred for warranty costs could change in the near and long-term from 
the current estimate.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the activity related to the Company’s accrued warranty, including both 
the current (reported in Accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets) and long-term portions (reported in Other liabilities 
on the Consolidated Balance Sheets), for the year ended October 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

79

 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Beginning balance

Provision for warranty expense

Change in accrual for preexisting warranties

Warranty costs paid

Total accrued warranty

Less: long-term portion

Current accrued warranty

Year Ended October 31,

2012

2011

5,262

$

652
(838)
(295)
4,781

2,736

2,045

$

$

3,697

2,638

—
(1,073)
5,262

3,591

1,671

$

$

$

During the year ended October 31, 2012, the Company changed its estimate for preexisting warranties due to a decline 
in claims experience.  During the year ended October 31, 2011, the reserve was increased by $1.9 million related to a rise in 
projected experience for a discontinued legacy product and claims from some years ago.

18. 

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities

Derivative Instruments

The Company's derivative activities are subject to the management, direction, and control of the Chief Financial Officer and 
Chief Executive Officer and other officers and employees they select.  Certain transactions in excess of specified levels require 
further approval from the Board of Directors.

The nature of the Company's business activities requires the management of various financial and market risks, including 
those related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and aluminum scrap prices. The Company uses foreign currency forwards 
and options and aluminum forward contracts to mitigate or eliminate certain of those risks.  Specifically, the foreign currency 
forwards are used to offset fluctuations in the value of accounts receivable and payable balances that are denominated in currencies 
other than the U.S. dollar, which consist principally of the Euro, British Pound and Canadian Dollar.  The aluminum forwards are 
used to minimize the price risk related to customer sales contracts.  The Company enters into firm price raw material purchase 
commitments (which are designed as "normal purchases" under ASC 815) as well as contracts on the London Metal Exchange 
(LME).  The Company's risk management policy as it relates to these LME contracts is to enter into contracts as needed so that  
raw material purchase levels, including both fixed price purchase commitments as well as LME contracts match the needs of the 
Company to meet committed sales orders.  This is done through the use of both LME forward purchase contracts as well as LME 
forward sales contracts.  The Company does not currently enter into derivative transactions for speculative or trading purposes.

The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to its derivative transactions.  
The Company attempts to mitigate this risk by monitoring the creditworthiness of its counterparties and limiting its exposure to 
individual counterparties.  In addition, the Company has established master netting agreements in certain cases to facilitate the 
settlement of gains and losses on specific derivative contracts.

The Company has not designated any of its derivative contracts for hedge accounting treatment.  Therefore, changes in the 

fair value of these contracts are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as follows:

Derivatives Not Designated as
Hedging Instruments

Location of Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in Earnings

Aluminum forward contracts

Foreign currency derivatives

Cost of sales

Other, net

For the Years Ended
October 31,
2011

2010

2012

(In thousands)
(307)

$

(476)

895

$

(175)

$

$

$

$

—

—

80

 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The fair value of outstanding derivative contracts recorded as assets and liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance 

Sheet is indicated in the table below:

Asset Derivatives

Accounts receivable, net of allowance:

Aluminum forward contracts

Prepaid and other current assets:

Aluminum forward contracts

Foreign currency derivatives

Liability Derivatives

Accrued liabilities:

Aluminum forward contracts

Foreign currency derivatives

Other liabilities (non-current):

Aluminum forward contracts

October 31, 2012

October 31, 2011

(In thousands)

$

$

$

$

$

$

— $

10

6

170

23

4

$

$

$

$

$

110

—

—

78

(134)

—

The following table summarizes the notional amounts and fair value of the Company's outstanding derivative contracts:

Notional as indicated

October 31,

Fair Value in $

October 31,

2012

2011

2012

2011

(In thousands)

LBS
LBS

EUR

EUR

CAD

GBP

CAD

2,370
—

545

7,663

608

1,934

—

3,417
(5,346)

$
$

(164) $
— $

— $

8,500

$

— $

600

894

$

$

— $
(23) $
$
1

5

$

— $

(58)
90

—

147

—

2
(15)

Aluminum forward contracts:
Forward purchase aluminum contracts
Forward sales aluminum contracts

Foreign currency exchange derivatives:

Sell EUR, buy GBP

Sell EUR, buy USD

Sell CAD, buy USD

Buy GBP, sell USD

Buy USD, sell CAD

Fair Value Measurement 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction 
between  market  participants  at  the  measurement  date.    The  fair  value  hierarchy  distinguishes  between  (1)  market  participant 
assumptions  developed  based  on  market  data  obtained  from  independent  sources  (observable  inputs)  and  (2)  an  entity's  own 
assumptions  about  market  participant  assumptions  developed  based  on  the  best  information  available  in  the  circumstances 
(unobservable inputs).  The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted 
pries in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).  The three 
levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

•  Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted 

assets or liabilities.

•  Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly 
or indirectly including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar 
assets or liabilities in market that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability 

81

 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(e.g., interest rates) and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation 
or other means.

•  Level 3 - Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

The Money Market Fund investments as well as the pension plan assets are measured at fair value based on active market 
quotations and are therefore classified as Level 1.  All of the Company's derivative contracts are valued using quoted market prices 
from brokers or exchanges and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Company holds Money Market Fund investments that are classified as cash equivalents, pension plan assets and derivative 
contracts that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  The Money Market Fund investments are classified as Cash and 
equivalents, while the pension plan assets are included in Deferred pension and postretirement benefits on the Consolidated Balance 
Sheets.  See Note 11 for further information on the pension plan assets.  The derivative instruments are included in various asset 
and liability accounts as discussed earlier in this footnote.

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis based on the fair value hierarchy:

Assets
Money market fund investments

Commodity derivatives

Foreign currency exchange derivatives

Pension plan assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Commodity derivatives

Foreign currency exchange derivatives

Total liabilities

October 31, 2012

October 31, 2011

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

(In thousands)

$ 67,819 $ — $ — $ 67,819

$ 80,688 $ — $ — $ 80,688

—

—

18,562

10

6

—

—

—

10

6

—

—

— 18,562

14,004

110

150

—

—

—

110

150

— 14,004

$ 86,381 $

16 $ — $ 86,397

$ 94,692 $

260 $ — $ 94,952

$

$

— $ (174) $ — $

—

(23)

—

— $ (197) $ — $

(174) $
(23)
(197) $

— $

—

— $

(78) $ — $
(16)
(94) $ — $

—

(78)

(16)

(94)

Net assets (liabilities)

$ 86,381 $ (181) $ — $ 86,200

$ 94,692 $

166 $ — $ 94,858

As of October 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring 
basis  classified as Level 3.  As of October 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company held approximately $1.2 million and $2.0 million, 
respectively, of property, plant and equipment recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis that is classified as Level 3 assets.

82

QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

19. 

Other Income (Expense)

Other income (expense) for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 are as follows:

Other income (expense)
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)

Foreign currency exchange derivative gains (losses)

Gain on bargain purchase

Gain on involuntary conversion

Interest income

Other

Other income (expense)

Years Ended October 31,

2012

2011

2010

(In thousands)

$

$

(857) $
895

—

—

206
(22)
222

$

(729) $
(175)
—

—

311

79
(514) $

—

—

1,272

914

411

48

2,645

The impact of IG's foreign currency denominated exposure and transaction gains and losses as well as the gains and 
losses associated with the offsetting foreign currency derivatives used to manage that exposure are included in Other, net on the 
Consolidated Statements of Income and detailed above.   See Note 18 for further explanation of the foreign currency exchange 
derivatives.

In February 2010, the Company completed a small acquisition for approximately $1.6 million in consideration. This 
operation has been integrated into one of its existing Engineered Products businesses. ASC 805 “Business Combinations” requires 
that a gain be recorded when the fair value of the net assets acquired is greater than the fair value of the consideration transferred. 
Though uncommon, bargain purchases can occur because of underpayments for the business acquired due to a forced liquidation 
or distress sale. These assets were acquired at auction due to the business being in Wisconsin receivership proceedings. As such, 
the Company obtained the assets at a bargain and recognized a gain of approximately $1.3 million in Other, net in its second fiscal 
quarter of 2010.

In May 2009, a tornado struck and damaged the Company’s Mikron facility in Richmond, Kentucky. In May 2010, the 
Company received the final insurance payment bringing the total cash proceeds from property insurance settlement to $1.8 million 
of which $0.4 million was received in fiscal 2010 and $1.4 million was received in fiscal 2009. In its third fiscal quarter of 2010, 
the Company recorded a gain on involuntary conversion in Other, net of approximately $0.9 million, which represents the amount 
of insurance proceeds received over the carrying value of the damaged property.

20. 

Restructuring and Related Activities

IG Spacer Consolidation

In November 2011, management committed to a plan to close its Barbourville, Kentucky facility (Barbourville) which 
is included in the Engineered Products segment. The consolidation plan, in part, called for the permanent closing of Barbourville, 
with the equipment used to manufacture the single seal, warm edge spacer system relocated to the Company’s Cambridge, Ohio 
facility. The Company believes this consolidation will allow it to better serve customers through streamlined operations. The 
consolidation of operations and the subsequent closure of the Barbourville facility was completed in August 2012, with residual 
cash payments and minor program costs expected to continue into fiscal 2013.  All equipment to be retained has been relocated 
with the main outstanding activities only related to selling remaining equipment and the facility itself.  

Under ASC Topic 712, “Compensation — Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits”, the Company is required to record 
charges for contractual termination benefits and other ongoing benefit arrangements when it is probable that employees will be 
entitled to benefits under the contract’s terms and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company determined that certain 
severance pay qualifies as either a contractual termination benefit or an ongoing benefit arrangement, and accordingly recognized 
$3.4 million in severance during the year ended October 31, 2012.  Severance was paid out during 2012 as employees exited.  
Under ASC Topic 420, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations,” the Company is required to record charges for one-time employee 
termination benefits, contract termination costs, and other associated costs as incurred. No exit costs or termination benefits were 
83

 
 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

incurred as of October 31, 2011 and no liability was accrued for the Barbourville closing as of October 31, 2011.  In February 
2012, the Company and the union reached an agreement to pay a one-time incentive bonus to employees upon their planned exit 
date termination, providing certain performance criteria are met.  The salaried employees were offered the same one-time incentive 
bonus under the same terms as the union employees.  For the year ended October 31, 2012, the Company expensed total employee-
related termination costs of $3.4 million and facility consolidation costs of $5.6 million.  All other costs related to the closure and 
relocation activities are being recorded as incurred, when they meet the definition of a liability, and they are included in the 
statements of income as selling, general, and administrative expenses, in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance.  
Cumulative costs incurred as of October 31, 2012 total $9.0 million.  

The Dalles facility shutdown

During November 2010, the Company committed to a plan to shut down its plant in The Dalles (included in the Engineered 
Products segment) and service its clients out of other locations.  The Dalles shutdown was completed in January 2011.  The 
Company accrued a net lease liability for the difference between remaining lease rental payments offset by sublease income, since 
management subleased the facility in November 2011.  The Company does not expect to have any additional charges for contract 
termination and other exit costs related to The Dalles.

Total Restructuring Cost Summary

A  reconciliation  of  the  beginning  and  ending  liability  balances  showing  charges  to  expense,  cash  payments  and  other 

adjustments for the year ended October 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):

Reconciliation of the liability in the balance sheet

Beginning balance, October 31, 2011

Charges to expense, continuing operations

Cash payments

Other adjustments

Ending balance, October 31, 2012

Employee
termination
costs

Facility
consolidation
costs

Contract
termination and
other exit costs

Total

$

$

— $

— $

722

$

3,372
(3,199)
—

173

$

5,621
(5,530)
(26)
65

$

10
(309)
(61)
362

$

722

9,003
(9,038)
(87)
600

The employee termination and facility consolidation activity above related to the IG systems consolidation program while 

the contract termination and other exit costs relate to The Dalles shut down.

84

QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

21. 

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following sets forth the selected quarterly information for the years ended October 31, 2012 and 2011.

2012:
Net sales
Cost of sales(1)
Depreciation and amortization(2)
Operating income (loss)(3)(4)(5)
Income (loss) from continuing operations

Net income (loss)

Earnings per share:

Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations
Basic earnings (loss)

Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations

Diluted earnings (loss)

2011:
Net sales
Cost of sales(1)(6)
Depreciation and amortization(2)
Operating income (loss)(3)
Income (loss) from continuing operations

Net income (loss)

Earnings per share:

Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations

Basic earnings (loss)

Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations

Diluted earnings (loss)

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

(In thousands except per share amounts)

$

161,579

$

194,444

$

237,905

$

138,042

6,625
(11,304)
(6,748)
(6,748)

171,837

6,168
(16,079)
(12,285)
(12,285)

(0.18) $
(0.18) $
(0.18) $
(0.18) $

(0.34) $
(0.34) $
(0.34) $
(0.34) $

159,808

$

203,112

$

139,655

175,512

6,059
(7,666)
(4,728)
(4,740)

(0.13) $
(0.13) $
(0.13) $
(0.13) $

5,847
(2,285)
(1,389)
(1,389)

(0.04) $
(0.04) $
(0.04) $
(0.04) $

200,663

5,801

1,452

1,531

1,531

0.04
0.04

0.04

0.04

252,413

209,667

6,326

14,637

9,016

9,016

0.24

0.24

0.24

0.24

$
$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

235,048

193,302

5,707

978

968

968

0.03
0.03

0.03

0.03

232,961

187,257

6,294

11,792

6,179

6,179

0.17

0.17

0.17

0.17

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

Cost of sales excludes depreciation and amortization shown separately.
Depreciation and amortization represent depreciation and amortization directly associated with or allocated to products 
sold and services rendered and excludes corporate depreciation and amortization.
The Company recorded asset impairment charges during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 and 2011 of $0.9 million and 
$1.8 million, respectively, primarily related to a manufacturing facility that it intends to sell during fiscal 2013 which is 
reported in Asset impairment charges on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
In fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a strike at the two Nichols Davenport, Iowa facilities, which had a negative 
impact on operating income of approximately $9.0 million in the second fiscal quarter of  2012 and $2.1 million in the 
third fiscal quarter of 2012.  This negative impact included a reduction in sales volume as well as incremental direct costs.
In  November  2011,  the  Company  announced  a  consolidation  program  for  its  IG  spacer  manufacturing  facility  in 
Barbourville, Kentucky into its IG spacer manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ohio.  The facility consolidation was 
completed ahead of schedule in August 2012 and the Barbourville facility is permanently closed.  The Company recorded 
expenses related to this plant closure in fiscal 2012 of $9.0 million.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, Engineered Products recognized an expense of $1.9 million to increase the warranty 
reserve associated with a discontinued legacy product and claims.

85

 
 
 
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA
SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Balance at
Beginning
of Year

Charged
(Credited)
to Costs &
Expenses

Write-offs

Other

(In thousands)

Balance at
End
of Year

Description

Allowance for doubtful accounts(1):
Year ended October 31, 2012

Year ended October 31, 2011

Year ended October 31, 2010

$

1,062

$

593   

$

1,037

1,696

635
(482) (2) 

Inventory reserves (primarily LIFO) (1):
Year ended October 31, 2012

Year ended October 31, 2011

Year ended October 31, 2010

$

15,660

$

12,768

8,165

$

(163)   
3,432   

5,444

(688) $
(627)
(178)

(400) $
(491)
(840)

$

59

17

1

1,026

1,062

1,037

(135) $
(49)
(1)

14,962

15,660

12,768

Income tax valuation allowance (3)
Year ended October 31, 2012

Year ended October 31, 2011

Year ended October 31, 2010

$

— $

1,694

$

— $

— $

1,694

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

As more fully described in Note 1, the Company’s start-up facility in China is reported in discontinued operations for all 
periods presented.
During the fiscal year ended 2009, a customer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, so a special reserve was recorded. During 
the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the customer completed its balance sheet restructuring and emerged from bankruptcy 
resulting in a reversal of the special reserve.
During the fiscal year ended 2012, the Company recorded a state net operating loss valuation allowance.  In assessing 
the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considers both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood 
of realization of the deferred tax assets.

86

 
 
 
 
Item 9. 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. 

Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 
13a-15(b) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) 
under the 1934 Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect 
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The  management  of  Quanex  Building  Products  Corporation  and  its  subsidiaries  (the  Company)  is  responsible  for 
establishing  and  maintaining  adequate  internal  control  over  financial  reporting. The  Company’s  internal  control  system  was 
designed to provide reasonable assurance to management and the Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting 
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Even those systems determined to 
be  effective  can  provide  only  reasonable  assurance  with  respect  to  financial  statement  presentation  and  preparation.  Further, 
because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.

Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s 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 October 31, 2012. Deloitte & Touche LLP, the registered public accounting firm that audited the 
financial statements contained in this report, has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial 
reporting.

87

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Quanex Building Products Corporation
Houston, Texas

We  have  audited  the  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  of  Quanex  Building  Products  Corporation  and  subsidiaries 
(the“Company”) as of October 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’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,  included  in  the  accompanying  Management’s Annual  Report  on  Internal  Control  over  Financial  Reporting.  Our 
responsibility is to express 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,  assessing  the  risk  that  a  material  weakness  exists,  testing  and  evaluating  the  design  and  operating 
effectiveness of internal control, based on the assessed risk, 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 by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal 
executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, 
management, and other personnel 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. 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 the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper 
management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. 
Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject 
to the risk that the 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, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 
2012,  based  on  the  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control—Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended October 31, 2012 of the Company 
and our report dated December 31, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement 
schedule.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Houston, Texas
December 31, 2012

88

 
Item 10. 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

PART III

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, additional information on directors, executive officers and corporate 
governance of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement or an amendment 
to this Form 10-K to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2012.

Item 11. 

Executive Compensation.

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, information on executive compensation is incorporated herein by 
reference  from  the  Registrant’s  Definitive  Proxy  Statement  or  an  amendment  to  this  Form  10-K  to  be  filed  pursuant  to 
Regulation 14A within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2012.

Item 12. 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, information on security ownership of certain beneficial owners and 
management and related stockholder matters is incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement 
or an amendment to this Form 10-K to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended 
October 31, 2012.

Item 13. 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, information on certain relationships and related transactions, and 
director independence is incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement or an amendment to 
this Form 10-K to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2012.

Item 14. 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, information on principal accountant fees and services is incorporated 
herein by reference from the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement or an amendment to this Form 10-K to be filed pursuant to 
Regulation 14A within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2012.

89

 
 
 
 
 
Item 15. 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

PART IV

(a) Listing of Documents

1.

Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Income

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2.

Financial Statement Schedule

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Schedules not listed or discussed above have been omitted as they are either inapplicable or the required 
information has been given in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto.

3.

Exhibits

Page

44

45

46

47

49

50

86

91

90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

Description of Exhibits

2.1 Distribution Agreement among Quanex Corporation, Quanex Building Products LLC and Quanex Building
Products Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Quanex Corporation’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 24, 2007).

2.2 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 31, 2011, by and among Quanex Building Products

Corporation, QSB Inc., Lauren Holdco Inc., Lauren International, Inc. and Kevin E. Gray, as agent for the
shareholders of Lauren Holdco Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K
(Reg. No. 001-33913) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 2, 2011, and
incorporated herein by reference.

3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant dated as of December 12, 2007, filed as Exhibit 3.1 of the
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (Reg. No. 001-33913) as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on January 11, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.

3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant dated as of August 28, 2008, filed as Exhibit 3.2 of the
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Reg. No. 001-33913) as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission for the quarter ended July 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.

4.1 Form of Registrant’s common stock certificate, filed as Exhibit 4.1 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s
Registration Statement on Form 10 (Reg. No. 001-33913), as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on February 14, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.

4.2 Credit Agreement dated as of April 23, 2008, among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries as guarantors,
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as administrative agent, and certain lender parties,
filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Reg. No. 001-33913) dated April 23,
2008, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.1 Quanex Building Products Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended effective February 24,

2011, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Reg. No. 001-33913), as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the quarter ended January 31, 2011, and
incorporated herein by reference.

10.2 Quanex Building Products Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.7 of Amendment
No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (Reg. No. 001-33913), as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.3 Quanex Building Products Corporation Restoration Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.8 of Amendment No. 4 to the

Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (Reg. No. 001-33913), as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 17, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.4 Quanex Building Products Corporation Supplemental Employees Retirement Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.9 of

Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (Reg. No. 001-33913), as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.5 Form of Severance Agreement between the Registrant and certain of its executive officers, filed as Exhibit
10.5 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (Reg. No. 001-33913), as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2008, and incorporated herein by
reference.

10.6 Form of Change in Control Agreement between the Registrant and certain of its executive officers, filed as
Exhibit 10.6 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (Reg. No.
001-33913), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2008, and incorporated
herein by reference.

10.7 Letter Agreement between the Registrant and David D. Petratis, effective as of July 1, 2008, filed as Exhibit
10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Reg. No. 001-33913), as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 22, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.8 Form of Indemnity Agreement between the Registrant and each of its independent directors, effective

September 2, 2008, filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Reg. No.
001-33913), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 2008, and incorporated
herein by reference.

10.9 Form of Indemnity Agreement between the Registrant and each of its officers, effective September 2, 2008,

filed as Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Reg. No. 001-33913), as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.

91

†

†

†

†

†

†

†

†

†

 
Exhibit
Number

Description of Exhibits

10.10 Lease Agreement between Cabot Industrial Properties, L.P. and Quanex Corporation dated August 30, 2002

(and assumed by Quanex Homeshield, LLC on November 1, 2007), filed as Exhibit 10.52 to the Annual
Report on Form 10-K of Quanex Corporation (Reg. No. 001-05725) for the fiscal year ended October 31,
2003 and incorporated herein by reference.

10.11 First Amendment to Lease Agreement between Cabot Industrial Properties, L.P. and Quanex Corporation

dated May 22, 2007 (and assumed by Quanex Homeshield, LLC on November 1, 2007), filed as Exhibit
10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Reg. No. 001-33913) for the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

10.12 Second Amendment to Lease Agreement between Dexus Industrial SPE Financed Portfolio LLC, successor 

in interest to Cabot Industrial Properties, L.P. and Quanex Building Products Corporation dated April 28, 
2010, filed herewith.

10.13 Lease dated May 3, 1989, and Lease Extension dated June 9, 2004, between Mikron Industries, Inc. and the

W.R. Sandwith and Michael G. Ritter Partnership, filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K (Reg. No. 001-33913) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by
reference.

10.14 Amendment to Lease by and between W.R. Sandwith and Michael G. Ritter Partnership and Mikron
Washington LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Reg. No.
001-33913) for the quarter ended April 30, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.15 Lease Agreement dated March 31, 2011 between Lauren Real Estate Holding LLC and Edgetech I.G. Inc., 

filed herewith.

21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23.1 Consent of Deloitte and Touche LLP.

31.1 Certification by chief executive officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).

31.2 Certification by chief financial officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).

32 Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*
†

Filed herewith.
Management Compensation or Incentive Plan

As permitted by Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K, the Registrant has not filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-
K certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the Registrant and its subsidiaries because the total amount 
of securities authorized under any of such instruments does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Registrant and its subsidiaries 
on a consolidated basis. The Registrant agrees to furnish a copy of any such agreements to the Securities and Exchange Commission 
upon request.

92

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

QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

By:

/s/ David D. Petratis
David D. Petratis
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer

December 31, 2012

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.

Name

Title

Date

/s/ David D. Petratis
David D. Petratis

/s/ Susan F. Davis

Susan F. Davis

/s/ William C. Griffiths

William C. Griffiths

/s/ LeRoy D. Nosbaum

LeRoy D. Nosbaum

/s/ Joseph D. Rupp

Joseph D. Rupp

/s/ Curtis M. Stevens

Curtis M. Stevens

/s/ Robert R. Buck

Robert R. Buck

/s/ Brent L. Korb
Brent L. Korb

/s/ Deborah M. Gadin
Deborah M. Gadin

Chairman of the Board,
President and
Chief Executive Officer

December 31, 2012

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

  December 31, 2012

  December 31, 2012

  December 31, 2012

  December 31, 2012

  December 31, 2012

  December 31, 2012

Senior Vice President—Finance

  December 31, 2012

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

Vice President and Controller (Principal
Accounting Officer)

  December 31, 2012

93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
I, David D. Petratis, certify that:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION

Exhibit 31.1

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Quanex Building Products Corporation (the Registrant);

Based on my knowledge, this 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 report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this 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 report;

The Registrant’s other certifying officer 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)] and internal control over financial 
reporting [as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)] for the Registrant and have:

a. 

b. 

c. 

d. 

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 within those entities, particularly during the period 
in which this report is being prepared;

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;

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

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; and

5. 

The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control 
over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or 
persons performing the equivalent functions):

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 control over financial reporting.

December 31, 2012 

/s/ DAVID D. PETRATIS
DAVID D. PETRATIS
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

 
I, Brent L. Korb, certify that:

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION

Exhibit 31.2

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Quanex Building Products Corporation (the Registrant);

Based on my knowledge, this 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 report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this 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 report;

The Registrant’s other certifying officer 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)] and internal control over financial 
reporting [as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)] for the Registrant and have:

a. 

b. 

c. 

d. 

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 within those entities, particularly during the period 
in which this report is being prepared;

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;

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

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; and

5. 

The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control 
over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or 
persons performing the equivalent functions):

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 control over financial reporting.

December 31, 2012 

/S/ BRENT L. KORB
BRENT L. KORB
Senior Vice President – Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

 
Certification Pursuant To Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

Exhibit 32

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 
18,  United  States  Code)  (the Act),  David  D.  Petratis,  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  of  Quanex  Building  Products 
Corporation (the Company) and Brent L. Korb, Senior Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each 
hereby certify that, to the best of their knowledge:

(a) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2012 as filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15
(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(b) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of 
operations of the Company.

December 31, 2012 

/S/ DAVID D. PETRATIS
DAVID D. PETRATIS
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer

/S/ BRENT L. KORB
BRENT L. KORB
Senior Vice President—Finance and
Chief Financial Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Quanex Building Products 
Corporation and will be retained by Quanex Building Products Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange 
Commission or its staff upon request.