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Ryerson

ryi · NYSE Industrials
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Ticker ryi
Exchange NYSE
Sector Industrials
Industry Manufacturing - Metal Fabrication
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2018 Annual Report · Ryerson
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2018 ANNUAL REPORT 

DEAR RYERSON SHAREHOLDERS:  

This is my fourth shareholder letter since I became President & CEO of Ryerson in June 
of 2015 and while I can’t say if this will be my best shareholder letter, I can tell you this 
letter will be about our best performance in more than a decade and that our path 
forward is bright.  As it has been said and sung, “To everything (turn, turn, turn), there is 
a season (turn, turn, turn),” and although that happens to be our perpetual inventory 
anthem, it also happens to underscore a place of arrival: the beginning of a season to 
turn down our leverage and strengthen our balance sheet from a position of operational 
and earnings strength.  It is a point of embarkment as we begin a journey in earnest to 
reduce our debt and affect a desired enterprise value shift from debt to equity over the 
next several years.  Because of the outstanding work done by my Ryerson teammates 
in 2018, which further built upon the work done over the past decade, we believe our 
transformation has reached a significant tipping point where we have a sustainable 
business model that can deliver profitability and improved cash flows to move us 
beyond incrementally better financial oscillations to much more meaningful strides in 
growing shareholder value through the business cycle.   

But first, a quick retrospective as we did not arrive here by accident.  By way of recent 
history, in our 2015 and 2016 Shareholder Letters we discussed a culture change and 
ongoing business model transformation amidst the most trying industry conditions since 
2009.  During 2015 and 2016, our industry lost approximately 30% of its revenue from 
both price deflation and volume declines, primarily due to a significant economic 
slowdown in China and a drop in oil prices from more than $100 per barrel to less than 
$40 per barrel.  During this period, Ryerson kept moving forward despite the harsh 
business conditions marked by extreme commodity volatility and recessed demand.  In 
fact, during that time we generated significant countercyclical cash flows, refinanced our 
debt and sold equity to further reduce leverage.  We further raised performance 
baselines with higher gross margins, excluding LIFO, and improved expense 
management and asset efficiency.   

In 2017, the industry began clawing back volume and attained some measure of price 
recovery.  Ryerson recognized opportunities to grow as we completed two value-added 
acquisitions that enhanced our processing capabilities, and we continued to make 
investments in our systems to create great customer experiences through our network 
of intelligent service centers.  During 2017, margins were challenged as imports in key 
products, such as common alloy aluminum, surged.  Prices of imported steels and 
aluminum products exerted significant downward pressure on domestic prices for 
carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum products which served to dampen gross 
margins relative to 2016 and 2018.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ryerson combatted the margin pressure experienced in 2017 by maintaining good 
expense discipline and asset efficiency.  We did more work “under the hood” of our 
company in continuing to build tools and enablers such as our “virtual warehouse” that 
maps inside-of-Ryerson and outside-of-Ryerson supply chains across the industrial 
metals landscape for rapid quoting and faster customer solution generation.  By 
improving speed to market through our omni-channel “go to market” strategy, we 
provided our customers greater access to our products, services and value-added 
capabilities in areas such as high-quality stainless steel polishing and value-added 
fabrication.  We continued planting seeds throughout the year with a high degree of 
confidence that such planting would make for a better harvest.   

In 2018, we put it all together and then some.  We had our best year in more than a 
decade and put a marker down on how Ryerson’s potential should be viewed as we 
move into the future.  In short, we grew the business profitably both organically and 
inorganically.  We expanded gross margins, excluding LIFO.  We generated expense 
leverage.  We managed assets efficiently, and the quality of our assets improved.  We 
moved solidly into positive net book value territory for the first time in nine years, and we 
improved our capital structure and lowered our cash interest burden while further de-
risking our legacy liabilities.  But here is the best part:  we’re still in the early innings of 
the opportunities we see before us as we build a better and stronger Ryerson.  While 
2018 was marked by a shift in global trade policies and movement of materials, the 
underlying and sustaining thesis for value-added processing and distribution of 
industrial metals remains intact.  Even when the global economy delivers periodic 
upsets, the prevailing needs of society still apply, and that is a world that needs 
investment in long-life assets and infrastructure that drives the real engine of economic 
growth that is greater productivity.  The industrial metals that Ryerson processes and 
distributes are at the epicenter of that investment and productivity.  The opportunities 
within our industry are abundant despite intervals of economic volatility.  It is important 
to keep this in mind as the need eventually comes due and cannot be further displaced.    

What we are building at Ryerson, piece by piece, effort by effort, and result by result 
isn’t without a slip on the proverbial “banana peel” now and again.  But taken in its 
entirety since 2007, ask yourself a question based upon the chart included below: which 
company do you like better,  Ryerson circa 2007 or Ryerson circa 2018?  Ask yourself 
another question: which way was the energy and momentum going in 2007 versus 
2018?  History and results will tell the tale, but I’ll give you my take.  Our organizational 
energy is vibrant and purposeful.  Our momentum is decidedly positive, and our 
business model is right for the times in which we compete.  In 2018, we made notable 
acquisitions of Fanello Industries and Central Steel & Wire Company.  These 
acquisitions were strategic bullseyes in value-added processing and synergistic product 
mix additions.  We also made investments in digitalization, omni-channel sales, 
automation, and differentiated equipment for enhanced metals fabrication. 

 
 
 
Gross Margin, excl. LIFO 
& purchase accounting

Adj. EBITDA, excl. 
LIFO Margin

Cash Conversion 
Cycle

U.S. Industry 
Shipments

Bloomberg 
Commodity  Index

2007
14.6%
3.6%

106 days
2007
61M
182

2018
19.4%
7.0%
75 days
2018
42M
77

Change
4.8%
3.4%

31 days
Change
31%
58%









U.S. shipments  source: The Metals  Service  Center  Institute

Reconciliations of gross margin, excluding LIFO and purchase accounting adjustments to gross margin 
and of Adjusted EBITDA, excluding LIFO to net income attributable to Ryerson Holding Corporation are 
included within our Form 8-K filing filed on March 5, 2019.   

As we continue investing in our culture, our people, our tools, our enablers, and the 
customer experience, we think of Vince Lombardi’s famous quote applied to a team, 
“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”  As 
an organization Ryerson can “chase perfection and catch excellence” as a collective 
group made up of shared talent, mission, and purpose.  We can create great customer 
experiences profitably time-after-time with ever improving consistency.  We can build 
our vision of mapping the industrial metals genome and bring our customers the 
solutions they want and need at speed, scale, completeness, and cost competitiveness. 
2018 is now in the books and we have much more to do as we move into 2019.  But we 
cannot let 2018 go without thanking our customers for the opportunity to be part of their 
success.  I thank my Ryerson colleagues for embracing the challenges and 
opportunities inherent in building exceptional companies and making an important 
delivery on that promise in 2018.  And I thank our shareholders for their continued 
support of Ryerson’s progress towards significant shareholder value accretion.  

 
 
 
Ryerson’s North American Interconnected Network
Local Presence, National Scale

Over 100 locations 
across North 
America and China

Next day delivery 

24/7 customer service 
on Ryerson.com

77

Value-Added Processing

Sales product mix based on Q3 2018 10-Q results; 
Carbon includes other metal sales representing 2% 
of sales mix.

7

As we move into 2019, our mission is to unite the themes expressed at the beginning of 
this letter with the themes expressed at the end of last year’s letter.  In November 2017, 
we rang the bell on the NYSE in celebration of Ryerson’s 175th year in business.  That 
bell ringing symbolized the promise of our future while honoring all the years of our past.  
It sounded the call to be better in ways that endure and sustain.  It also gave us a 
measure of place and time, a measure of the season and realization of what actions to 
take and in what sequence.  And so, to every season we take a turn, and that turn in 
2019 is to reduce leverage and strengthen our balance sheet.  In 2017 and 2018 we 

 
 
 
 
 
 
planted seeds and cultivated growth.  And though we will not turn our backs to good 
growth prospects, we will take a turn in 2019 to focus on debt reduction, increased free 
cash flow, and lowering Ryerson’s weighted average cost of debt capital.  It is important 
to understand the place and time we are in and the sequence of actions that will 
advance our cause in the most desirable way.  That sequence of actions is to execute 
our business plan exceedingly well in 2019 and follow up an excellent year with another 
excellent year.  With the milestones achieved in 2018, we have an opportunity in 2019 
to rebalance how Ryerson has been valued by paying down debt and seeing that debt 
reduction morph to the equity side of the equation.   

We hear the bell tones, we understand our place and time, and we know the actions to 
take and the season in which to take them.  With our culture, our collective abilities, the 
right business model and execution of that model - the market, the money, and the math 
will prove out and we should see Ryerson’s value continue to grow.  I already look 
forward to next year’s shareholder letter with great anticipation in sharing with you a 
letter founded, most importantly, upon another excellent year.   

With Great Optimism, 

Edward J. Lehner 
President and Chief Executive Officer 

March 13, 2019 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 1: 10-K (10-K) 

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 December 31, 2018  

OR  
☐  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  
For the transition period from                      to                       

Commission File No. 001-34735  

RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION  

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)  

DELAWARE 
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization) 

26-1251524 
(I.R.S. Employer 
Identification No.) 

227 W. Monroe St., 27th Floor  
Chicago, Illinois 60606  
(Address of principal executive offices)  
(312) 292-5000  
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)  
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  

Title of each class 
Common Stock - $0.01 par value 

Name of exchange on which registered 
New York Stock Exchange 

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T  
(§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐  
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K(§229.405 of this chapter) 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, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth 
company. See the definitions of “ large accelerated filer,” “ accelerated filer,”  “ smaller reporting company,” and “ emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange 
Act.  

Large accelerated filer 

Non-accelerated filer 

☐    
☐    

Accelerated filer 

Smaller reporting company 

Emerging growth company 

☒ 
☐ 
☐ 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial 
accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒  
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the closing price of a share of the registrant’s 
common stock on June 30, 2018 as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on such date was approximately $175,719,730. Shares of the registrant’s common stock held by 
each executive officer, director and holder of 5% or more of the outstanding common stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This 
calculation does not reflect a determination that certain persons are affiliates of the registrant for any other purpose.  

Yes  ☐    No  ☐ 

As of February 28, 2019 there were 37,453,080 shares of our Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.  

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE  

The information required to be furnished pursuant to Part III of this Form 10-K will be set forth in, and incorporated by reference from, the registrant’s definitive proxy 
statement for the annual meeting of stockholders (the “ 2018 Proxy Statement”), which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after 
the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.  

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

PART I 

Item 1. 

  Business 

Item 1A. 

  Risk Factors 

Item 1B. 

  Unresolved Staff Comments 

Item 2. 

  Properties 

Item 3. 

  Legal Proceedings 

Item 4. 

  Mine Safety Disclosures 

PART II  

Item 5. 

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

Item 6. 

  Selected Financial Data 

Item 7. 

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

Item 7A. 

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 

Item 8. 

  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

Item 9. 

  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

Item 9A. 

  Controls and Procedures 

Item 9B. 

  Other Information 

PART III  

Item 10. 

  Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance 

Item 11. 

  Executive Compensation 

Item 12. 

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

Item 13. 

  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 

Item 14. 

  Principal Accounting Fees and Services 

PART IV  

Item 15. 

  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules  

Signatures  

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS  

This Annual Report contains “forward-looking statements.” Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 

“objectives,” “goals,” “preliminary,” “range,” “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “estimates,” “will,” “should,” “plans” or “anticipates” or the negative 
thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking 
statements are not guarantees of future performance and may involve significant risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may vary materially from 
those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Among the factors that significantly impact the metals 
distribution industry and our business are:  

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highly cyclical fluctuations resulting from, among others, seasonality, market uncertainty, and costs of goods sold;  

remaining competitive and maintaining market share in the highly competitive and fragmented metals distribution industry;  

managing the costs of purchased metals relative to the price at which we sell our products during periods of rapid price escalation;  

our substantial indebtedness and the covenants in instruments governing such indebtedness; 

the impairment of goodwill that could result from, among other things, volatility in the markets in which we operate; 

the failure to effectively integrate newly acquired operations;  

the regulatory and other operational risks associated with our operations located outside of the United States (or “U.S.”); 

the management of inventory and other costs and expenses; 

the adequacy of our efforts to mitigate cyber security risks and threats; 

reduced production schedules, layoffs or work stoppages by our own, our suppliers’, or customers’ personnel;  

certain employee retirement benefit plans are underfunded and the actual costs could exceed current estimates;  

future funding for postretirement employee benefits may require substantial payments from current cash flow;  

prolonged disruption of our processing centers;  

the ability to retain and attract management and key personnel;  

the ability of management to focus on North American and foreign operations;  

the ability to comply with the terms of our asset-based credit facility and our indenture; 

the incurrence of substantial costs or liabilities to comply with, or as a result of violations of, environmental laws;  

the impact of new or pending litigation against us;  

the risk of product liability claims;  

our risk management strategies may result in losses;  

currency fluctuations in the U.S. dollar versus the Canadian dollar and the Chinese renminbi;  

customer, supplier, and competitor consolidation, bankruptcy or insolvency; 

the ownership of a majority of our equity securities by a single investor group. 

These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-

looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various factors, including those set forth in this Annual Report under “Risk Factors” and 
the caption “Industry and Operating Trends” included in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” 
and elsewhere in this Annual Report. Moreover, we caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of 
the date they were made. We do not undertake any obligation to revise or publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect 
events or circumstances after the date of this Annual Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  

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ITEM 1. 

BUSINESS.  

PART I  

Ryerson Holding Corporation (“Ryerson Holding”), a Delaware corporation, is the parent company of Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, Inc. (“JT 
Ryerson”), a Delaware corporation. Affiliates of Platinum Equity, LLC (“Platinum”) own approximately 21,037,500 shares of our common stock, which is 
approximately 56% of our issued and outstanding common stock.  

We are a leading metals service center, a value-added processor and distributor of industrial metals with operations in the United States through 
JT Ryerson, in Canada through our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Ryerson Canada, Inc., a Canadian corporation (“Ryerson Canada”), and in Mexico 
through our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Ryerson Metals de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., a Mexican corporation (“Ryerson Mexico”). In addition to 
our North American operations, we conduct materials processing and distribution operations in China through an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, 
Ryerson China Limited (“Ryerson China”). Unless the context indicates otherwise, Ryerson Holding, JT Ryerson, Ryerson Canada, Ryerson China, and 
Ryerson Mexico together with their subsidiaries, are collectively referred to herein as “Ryerson,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company.”  

Our Company  

We believe we are one of the largest value-add processors and distributors of industrial metals in North America measured in terms of sales. Our 

industry is highly fragmented with the largest companies accounting for only a small percentage of total market share. Our customer base ranges from 
local, independently owned fabricators and machine shops to large, international original equipment manufacturers. We carry a full line of over 75,000 
products in stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, and alloy steels and a limited line of nickel and red metals in various shapes and forms. More than 
75% of the products we sell are processed to meet customer requirements. Specifically, we provide a wide range of flat and long metals products, we offer 
numerous value-added processing and fabrication services such as bending, beveling, blanking, blasting, burning, cutting-to-length, drilling, embossing, 
flattening, forming, grinding, laser cutting, machining, notching, painting, perforating, polishing, punching, rolling, sawing, scribing, shearing, slitting, 
stamping, tapping, threading, welding, or other techniques to process materials to a specified thickness, length, width, shape, and surface quality 
pursuant to specific customer orders. Our value proposition also includes providing a superior level of customer service and responsiveness, technical 
services, and inventory management solutions. Our range of products together with our breadth of services allows us to create long-term partnerships 
with our customers and enhances our profitability. We continue to focus on our systems and enhance our online services to provide increased 
functionality and flexibility to our customers.  

We track the processing, if any, performed on sold material for over 95% of our total revenues. The activities we track broadly fall into four main 

processing categories: (1) sheet processing (excludes fabrication activities), (2) as-is long and plate, (3) cut long and plate, and (4) fabrication.  A key 
metric that we track is the percentage mix of revenue that comes from our fabrication capabilities. In 2010, the mix of revenue from fabrication activities 
was 6.7% of our sales, while in 2018, our mix of revenue from fabrication activities was 10.2% of our sales largely due to the strategic investments we have 
made in value-added processing capital expenditures. On July 2, 2018, JT Ryerson acquired Central Steel and Wire Company (“CS&W”) a leading metal 
service center with locations across the Central and Eastern United States offering a wide selection of products and capabilities, with a commercial 
portfolio centered on bar, tube, plate, and steel products.  

We operate 97 facilities across North America and five facilities in China. Our service centers are strategically located near our customers, which 
allows us to quickly process and deliver our products and services, often within the next day of receiving an order. We own, lease, or contract a fleet of 
tractors and trailers, allowing us to efficiently meet our customers’ delivery demands. In addition, our scale enables us to maintain low operating costs. 
Our operating expenses as a percentage of sales for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were 14.0% and 14.3%, respectively.  

We serve approximately 45,000 customers across a wide range of manufacturing end markets. Our geographic network and broad range of 
products and services allow us to serve large, international manufacturing companies across multiple locations. We believe the diverse end markets we 
serve reduce the volatility of our business in the aggregate. 

Industry Overview  

Metals service centers serve as key intermediaries between metal producers and end users of metal products. Metal producers offer commodity 
products and typically sell metals in the form of standard-sized coils, sheets, plates, structurals, bars, and tubes. Producers, mostly steel and aluminum 
mills, prefer large order quantities, longer lead times, and limited inventory to maximize capacity utilization across their typically higher capital-intensive 
structure.  

4 

  
End users of metal products seek to purchase metals with customized specifications, including value-added processing. End-users in highly 
diverse industries such as machinery, construction, and transportation often look for “one-stop” suppliers that can offer processing services along with 
lower order volumes, shorter lead times, and more reliable delivery.  

As an intermediary, metals service centers aggregate end-users’ demand, purchase metal in bulk to take advantage of economies of scale, and 

then process and sell metal that meets specific customer requirements.  

The metals service center industry is comprised of many companies, the majority of which have limited product lines and inventories, with 

customers located in a specific geographic area. In general, competition is based on quality, service, price, and geographic proximity.  

The metals service center industry typically experiences cash flow trends that are counter-cyclical to the revenue and volume growth of the 

industry. During an industry downturn, companies generally reduce working capital assets and generate cash as inventory and accounts receivable 
balances decline. As a result, operating cash flow and liquidity tend to increase during a downturn, which typically facilitates industry participants’ 
ability to cover fixed costs and repay outstanding debt.  

We compete with many other metals service centers and to a lesser extent with primary metal producers. Primary metal producers typically sell to 

larger customers that require regular shipments of higher volumes of steel than the traditional service center customer.  

Competitive Strengths  

Leading Market Position in North America.  

Based on sales, we believe we are one of the largest service center companies for carbon, stainless steel, and aluminum in the North American 

market where we have a broad geographic presence with 97 facilities.  

Our service centers are located near our customer locations, enabling us to provide timely delivery to customers across numerous geographic 

markets. Additionally, our widespread network of locations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico helps us to utilize our expertise to more efficiently 
serve customers with complex supply chain requirements across multiple manufacturing locations. We believe this is a key differentiator for customers 
who need a supplier that can reliably and consistently support them. Our ability to transfer inventory among our facilities better enables us to more timely 
and profitably source and process specialized items at regional locations throughout our network than if we were required to maintain inventory of all 
products and specialized equipment at each location.  

Broad Geographic Reach Across Attractive End Markets.  

Our operations serve a diverse range of industries including commercial ground transportation manufacturing, metal fabrication and machine 

shops, industrial machinery and equipment manufacturing, consumer durable equipment, HVAC manufacturing, construction equipment manufacturing, 
food processing and agricultural equipment manufacturing, and oil and gas. We believe this broad range of industries in which we sell our products and 
services reduces our risk related to a downturn in a specific industry. We believe that our ability to quickly adjust our offering based on regional and 
industry specific trends creates stability while also providing the opportunity to access specific growth markets.  

Established Platform for Organic and Acquisition Growth.  

Although there can be no guarantee of growth, we believe a number of our strategies, such as investing in value-added processing capabilities, 
analytically targeting attractive customers and end markets with our supply chain optimization service model, industry consolidation through targeted 
M&A, and providing customers faster and easier solutions to their metal needs will provide us with growth opportunities.  

Given the highly fragmented nature of the metals service center industry, we believe there are numerous additional opportunities to acquire 
businesses and incorporate them into our existing infrastructure. Given our large scale and geographic reach, we believe we can add value to these 
businesses in a number of ways, including providing greater purchasing power, improving expense and working capital management, access to additional 
end markets, and broadening product mix.  

5 

  
Lean Operating Structure Providing Operating Leverage.  

Ryerson has demonstrated the ability to effectively manage expenses through tactical productivity and spending improvements.  In a stronger 

metals service center environment characterized by increases in demand and/or pricing, we believe that most additional expenses to service higher 
revenue and margins would come from variable expenses while further leveraging economies of scale on our existing fixed expenses. We effectively 
managed our costs in 2018 with increased volume and cost inflation, as expenses as a percentage of sales declined from 14.3% in 2017 to 14.0% in 2018.  

We also continue to focus on inventory management. Average inventory days excluding LIFO increased from 71 days in 2017 to 73 days in 2018. 

This increase is due to the acquisition of CS&W in July 2018. On a same-store basis, days of supply remained at 71 days, within management’s target 
range of 70 to 75 days.  As a result of our initiatives, we maintain financial flexibility and believe we have a favorable cost structure compared to many of 
our peers.  

Extensive Breadth of Products and Services for Diverse Customer Base.  

We believe our broad product mix and marketing approach provides customers with a “one-stop shop” solution few other metals service center 
companies are able to offer. We provide a broad range of processing and fabrication services to meet the needs of our approximately 45,000 customers 
and typically fulfill more than 1,500,000 orders per year. We provide supply chain solutions, including just-in-time delivery and value-added processing 
to many original equipment manufacturing customers.  

For the year ended December 31, 2018, no single customer, including their subcontractors, accounted for more than 6% of our sales, and our top 

10 customers, including their subcontractors accounted for less than 15% of our sales.  

Strong Relationships with Suppliers.  

We are among the largest purchasers of metals in North America and have long-term relationships with many of our North American suppliers. 

We believe we are frequently one of the largest customers of our suppliers and that concentrating our orders among a core group of suppliers is effective 
for obtaining favorable pricing and service. We believe we have the opportunity to further leverage this strength through continued focus on price and 
volume using an analytics-driven approach to procurement. In addition, we view our strategic suppliers as supply chain partners. We focus on logistics, 
lead times, rolling schedules, and scrap return programs to drive value-based buying that is advantageous for us. Metals producers worldwide are 
consolidating, and large, geographically diversified customers, such as Ryerson, are desirable partners for these larger suppliers. Our relationships with 
suppliers often provide us with access to metals when supply is constrained. Through our knowledge of the global metals marketplace and capabilities of 
specific mills we believe we have developed an advantageous global purchasing strategy.  

Experienced Management Team with Deep Industry Knowledge.  

Our senior management team has extensive industry and operational experience and has been instrumental in optimizing and implementing our 
strategy over the last five years. Our senior management has an average of more than 20 years of experience in the metals or service center industries. 
Our CEO, Mr. Edward Lehner, who joined the Company in August 2012 as CFO and became CEO in June 2015, has nearly 30 years of experience, 
predominantly in the metals industry. Mr. Erich Schnaufer, who joined the Company in 2005 and became CFO in January 2016, has nearly 30 years of 
financial and accounting experience and over 10 years with Ryerson.  

Industry Outlook  

The United States economy has grown since the recession of 2008. According to the Institute for Supply Management, the Purchasing Managers’ 

Index (“PMI”) was above 50% for 33 of the last 36 months, indicating general expansion in the U.S. manufacturing economy for the last three years. The 
PMI measures the economic health of the manufacturing sector and is a composite index based on five indicators: new orders, inventory levels, 
production, supplier deliveries, and the employment environment. PMI readings can be a good indicator of industrial activity and general economic 
growth.  

Additionally, the overall U.S. economy is projected to maintain growth as evidenced by the Federal Reserve’s midrange forecasted real GDP 

growth rates of 2.5%, 2.0%, and 1.8% for 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively.  

Steel demand in North America is largely dependent on growth of the automotive, industrial equipment, consumer appliance, and construction end 

markets. One of our key end markets is the industrial equipment sector, and according to the latest Livingston Survey, published by the Federal Reserve 
Bank of Philadelphia, U.S. industrial production expanded by 3.8% in 2018 and is expected to grow by 2.9% in 2019, and 2.0% in 2020.  

6 

  
China continues to be a key driver in the growth of global metals demand. According to the International Monetary Fund, China’s GDP maintained 

growth of 6.6% in 2018 and is projected to grow 6.2% in 2019, and 6.2% in 2020. 

Products and Services  

We carry a full line of carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steels, and aluminum, and a limited line of nickel and red metals. These materials are 

stocked in a number of shapes, including coils, sheets, rounds, hexagons, square and flat bars, plates, structurals, and tubing.  

The following table shows our percentage of sales by major product lines for 2018, 2017, and 2016:  

Product Line 
Carbon Steel Flat 
Carbon Steel Plate 
Carbon Steel Long 
Stainless Steel Flat 
Stainless Steel Plate 
Stainless Steel Long 
Aluminum Flat 
Aluminum Plate 
Aluminum Long 
Other 

Total 

2018 

2017 

2016 

27 %      
11         
14         
16         
4         
4         
15         
3         
4         
2         
100 %      

28 %      
10         
12         
18         
4         
4         
15         
3         
4         
2         
100 %      

28 % 
9   
13   
17   
4   
3   
16   
3   
5   
2   
100 % 

More than 75% of the materials sold by us are processed. We use processing and fabricating techniques such as bending, beveling, blanking, 

blasting, burning, cutting-to-length, drilling, embossing, flattening, forming, grinding, laser cutting, machining, notching, painting, perforating, polishing, 
punching, rolling, sawing, scribing, shearing, slitting, stamping, tapping, threading, welding, or other techniques to process materials to specified 
thickness, length, width, shape, and surface quality pursuant to specific customer orders. Among the most common processing techniques used by us 
are slitting, which involves cutting coiled metals to specified widths along the length of the coil, and leveling, which involves flattening coiled metals and 
cutting them to exact lengths. We also use third-party fabricators to outsource certain processes (such as pickling and other coating processes or heat 
treating).  

The plate burning and fabrication processes are particularly important to us. These processes require sophisticated and expensive processing 

equipment. As a result, rather than making investments in such equipment, manufacturers have increasingly outsourced these processes to metals 
service centers.  

As part of securing customer orders, we also provide services to our customers to assure cost effective material application while maintaining or 

improving the customers’ product quality. Among our services are: just-in-time inventory programs, production of configured kits containing multiple 
custom products for ease of assembly by the customer, consignment arrangements, and the placement of our employees at a customer’s site for 
inventory management and production and technical assistance. We also provide special stocking programs in which products that would not otherwise 
be stocked by us are held in inventory to meet certain customers’ needs. These services are designed to reduce customers’ costs by minimizing their 
investment in inventory and processing equipment and improving their production efficiency.  

7 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
Customers  

Our customer base is diverse, numbering approximately 45,000 and including most metal-consuming industries, most of which are cyclical. For the 

year ended December 31, 2018, no customer, including their subcontractors, accounted for more than 6 percent of our sales, and the top 10 customers, 
including their subcontractors, accounted for less than 15 percent of our sales. Substantially all of our sales are attributable to our U.S. operations and 
substantially all of our long-lived assets are located in the United States. The following table shows the Company’s percentage of sales by metal 
consuming industry for 2018, 2017, and 2016:  

Metal Consuming Industry 
Metal fabrication and machine shops 
Industrial machinery and equipment 
Commercial ground transportation 
Consumer durable 
Food processing and agricultural equipment 
Construction equipment 
HVAC 
Oil & gas 
Other 

Total 

2018 

Percentage of Sales 
2017 

2016 

22 %     
18        
16        
11        
10        
8        
6        
5        
4        
100 %     

20 %     
18        
16        
11        
10        
9        
7        
5        
4        
100 %     

18 % 
18   
16   
11   
9   
9   
7   
5   
7   
100 % 

Some of our largest customers have procurement programs with us, typically ranging from three months to one year in duration. Pricing for these 

contracts is generally based on a pricing formula rather than a fixed price for the program duration. However, certain customer contracts are at fixed 
prices; to minimize our financial exposure, we generally match these fixed-price sales programs with fixed-price supply programs. In general, sales to 
customers are priced at the time of sale based on prevailing market prices. 

Suppliers  

For the year ended December 31, 2018, our top 25 suppliers, including their subcontractors, accounted for approximately 74% of our purchase 
dollars. We purchase the majority of our inventories at prevailing market prices from key suppliers with which we have established relationships to obtain 
improvements in price, quality, delivery, and service. We are generally able to meet our materials requirements because we use many suppliers, there is a 
substantial overlap of product offerings from these suppliers, and there are several other suppliers able to provide identical or similar products. Because 
of the competitive nature of the business, when metal prices increase due to product demand, mill surcharges, input costs, supplier consolidation, or 
other factors that in turn lead to supply constraints or longer mill lead times and higher procured material costs, we may not be able to fully pass 
increased material costs to customers. In recent decades, there have been significant consolidations among suppliers of carbon steel, stainless steel, and 
aluminum. We believe we will be able to meet our material requirements and believe we will continue to be among the largest customers of our suppliers.  

Sales and Marketing  

We maintain our own professional sales force. In addition to our office sales staff, we market and sell our products through the use of our field 

sales force that we believe has extensive product and customer knowledge and offers a comprehensive catalog of our products. Our office and field sales 
staffs, which together consist of approximately 790 employees, include technical personnel.  

A portion of our customers experience seasonal slowdowns. Our sales, as measured in tonnage sold, in the months of July, November, and 
December traditionally have been lower than in other months because of a reduced number of shipping days and holiday or vacation closures for some 
customers. Consequently, our sales in the first two quarters of the year are usually higher than in the third and fourth quarters.  

8 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Capital Expenditures  

We continue to make capital investments to maintain, improve, and expand processing capabilities. Investments by us in property, plant, and 

equipment, together with asset retirements for the five years ended December 31, 2018, excluding the initial purchase price of acquisitions are set forth 
below. The net capital change during such period aggregated to an increase of $79.6 million.  

2018 
2017 
2016 
2015 
2014 

   Additions 

Retirements 
or Sales 
(In millions) 

Net 

   $ 

38.4      $ 
25.1        
23.0        
22.3        
21.6        

5.5       $ 
24.9         
5.0         
9.1         
6.3         

32.9   
0.2   
18.0   
13.2   
15.3 

We currently anticipate capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, of up to approximately $35 million for 2019. We expect capital expenditures 

will be funded from cash generated by operations and available borrowings.  

Employees  

As of December 31, 2018, we employed approximately 4,300 persons in North America and 300 persons in China. Our North American workforce 
was comprised of approximately 1,800 office employees and approximately 2,500 plant employees. Sixteen percent of our plant employees were members 
of various unions, including the United Steel Workers and The International Brotherhood of Teamsters.  

Renewals of six union contracts covering approximately 107 employees were successfully negotiated in 2018. Four contracts covering 89 

employees are currently scheduled to expire in 2019. 

Environmental, Health, and Safety Matters  

Our facilities and operations are subject to many foreign, federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment 
and to health and safety. In particular, our operations are subject to extensive requirements relating to waste disposal, recycling, air and water emissions, 
the handling of regulated materials, remediation, underground storage tanks, asbestos-containing building materials, workplace exposure, and other 
matters. We believe that our operations are currently in substantial compliance with all such laws and do not presently anticipate substantial 
expenditures in the foreseeable future in order to meet environmental, workplace health or safety requirements, or to pay for any investigations, 
corrective action, or claims. Claims, enforcement actions, or investigations regarding personal injury, property damage, or violation of environmental laws 
could result in substantial costs to us, divert our management’s attention, and result in significant liabilities, fines, or the suspension or interruption of 
our facilities.  

We continue to analyze and implement safeguards to mitigate any environmental, health, and safety risks we may face. As a result, additional 

costs and liabilities may be incurred to comply with future requirements or to address newly discovered conditions, and these costs and liabilities could 
have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows. For example, there is increasing likelihood that additional 
regulation of greenhouse gas emissions will occur at the foreign, federal, state, and local level, which could affect us, our suppliers, and our customers. 
While the costs of compliance could be significant, given the uncertain outcome and timing of future action by the U.S. federal government and states on 
this issue, we cannot accurately predict the financial impact of future greenhouse gas regulations on our operations or our customers at this time. We do 
not currently anticipate any new programs disproportionately impacting us compared to our competitors.  

Some of the properties currently or previously owned or leased by us are located in industrial areas or have a long history of heavy industrial use. 
We may incur environmental liabilities with respect to these properties in the future including costs of investigations, corrective action, claims for natural 
resource damages, claims by third parties relating to property damages, or claims relating to contamination at sites where we have sent waste for 
treatment or disposal. Based on currently available information we do not expect any investigation, remediation matters, or claims related to properties 
presently or formerly owned, operated, or to which we have sent waste for treatment or disposal would have a material adverse effect on our financial 
condition, results of operations, or cash flows.  

9 

  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
In October 2011, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) named us as one of more than 100 businesses that may be a 

potentially responsible party for the Portland Harbor Superfund Site (the “PHS Site”). On January 6, 2017, the EPA issued an initial Record of Decision 
(“ROD”) regarding the site. The ROD includes a combination of dredging, capping, and enhanced natural recovery that would take approximately thirteen 
years to construct plus additional time for monitored natural recovery, at an estimated present value cost of $1.05 billion. At a meeting on December 4, 
2018, the EPA announced that it expects parties to submit a plan to remediate the river and harbor per the original ROD within the next 2-3 years. It also 
expects allocation of amounts among the parties to be determined in the same time frame. It is willing to consider de minimus and de micromis settlements 
but is unlikely to approve any before completion of the remedial design process. 

The EPA has not yet allocated responsibility for the contamination among the potentially responsible parties, including JT Ryerson. We do not 
currently have sufficient information available to us to determine whether the ROD will be executed as currently stated, whether and to what extent JT 
Ryerson may be held responsible for any of the identified contamination, and how much (if any) of the final plan’s costs might ultimately be allocated to 
JT Ryerson. Therefore, management cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this matter or estimate a range of potential loss at this time.  

Excluding any potential additional remediation costs resulting from any corrective action for the properties described above, we expect spending 

for pollution control projects to remain at historical levels below $500,000 per year.  

Our United States operations are also subject to the Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. We operate a private 

trucking motor fleet for making deliveries to some of our customers. Our drivers do not carry any material quantities of hazardous materials. Our foreign 
operations are subject to similar regulations. Future regulations could increase maintenance, replacement, and fuel costs for our fleet. These costs could 
have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.  

Intellectual Property  

We own several U.S. and foreign trademarks, service marks, and copyrights. Certain of the trademarks are registered with the U.S. Patent and 

Trademark Office and, in certain circumstances, with the trademark offices of various foreign countries. We consider certain other information owned by 
us to be trade secrets. We protect our trade secrets by, among other things, entering into confidentiality agreements with our employees regarding such 
matters and implementing measures to restrict access to sensitive data and computer software source code on a need-to-know basis. We believe that 
these safeguards adequately protect our proprietary rights and we vigorously defend these rights. While we consider all our intellectual property rights 
as a whole to be important, we do not consider any single right to be essential to our operations as a whole.    

Available Information  

All periodic and current reports and other filings that we are required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our 
annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant 
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are available free of charge from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) or through our 
Investor Relations website at www.ir.ryerson.com. Such documents are available as soon as reasonably practicable after electronic filing of the material 
with the SEC. Copies of these reports (excluding exhibits) may also be obtained free of charge, upon written request to: Investor Relations, Ryerson 
Holding Corporation, 227 W. Monroe St., 27th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60606.  

The Company also posts its Code of Ethics on its website. See “Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance—Code of Ethics” for 

more information regarding our Code of Ethics.  

Our website address is included in this report for information purposes only. Our website and the information contained therein or connected 

thereto are not incorporated into this annual report on Form 10-K.  

10 

  
ITEM 1A. 

RISK FACTORS.  

Our business faces many risks. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, together with the other information in this 
report, including the consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements. We cannot assure you that any of the events 
discussed in the risk factors below will not occur. These risks could have a material and adverse impact on our business, results of operations, 
financial condition, and cash flows.  

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry 

Weakness in the economy, market trends, and other conditions affecting the profitability and financial stability of our customers could negatively 
impact our sales growth and results of operations.  

Economic and industry trends affect our business environments. We serve several industries in which the demand for our products and services 

is sensitive to the production activity, capital spending, and demand for products and services of our customers. Many of these customers operate in 
markets that are subject to highly cyclical fluctuations resulting from seasonality, market uncertainty, costs of goods sold, currency exchange rates, 
foreign competition, offshoring of production, oil and natural gas prices, geopolitical developments, and a variety of other factors beyond our control. 
Any of these factors could cause customers to idle or close facilities, delay purchases, reduce production levels, or experience reductions in the demand 
for their own products or services. 

Any of these events could impair the ability of our customers to make full and timely payments or reduce the volume of products and services 

these customers purchase from us and could cause increased pressure on our selling prices and terms of sale.  

We do not expect the cyclical nature of our industry to change and any downturn in our customers’ industries could reduce our revenues and 
profitability or a significant or prolonged slowdown in activity in the United States (U.S.), Canada, or any other major world economy, or a segment of 
any such economy, could negatively impact our sales growth and results of operations. 

The metals services business is very competitive and increased competition could reduce our revenues and gross margins.  

The metals services industry is highly fragmented and competitive, consisting of a large number of small companies and a few relatively large 
companies. We face competition in all markets we serve. Competition is based principally on price, service, quality, production capabilities, inventory 
availability, and timely delivery. Competition in the various markets in which we participate comes from companies of various sizes, some of which have 
greater financial resources than we have and some of which have more established brand names in the local markets we serve. Increased competition 
could reduce our market share, force us to lower our prices, or to offer increased services at a higher cost, which could reduce our profitability.  

Changing metals prices may have a significant impact on our liquidity, net sales, gross margins, operating income, and net income.  

The metals services industry as a whole is cyclical and, at times, pricing and availability of metal can be volatile due to numerous factors beyond 

our control, including general domestic and international economic conditions, labor costs, sales levels, competition, levels of inventory held by other 
metals service centers, consolidation of metals producers, higher raw material costs for the producers of metals, import duties and tariffs, and currency 
exchange rates. This volatility can significantly affect the availability and cost of materials for us.  

Our ability to pass on increases in costs in a timely manner depends on market conditions and may result in lower gross margins. We maintain 

substantial inventories of metal to accommodate the short lead times and just-in-time delivery requirements of our customers. Accordingly, we purchase 
metals in an effort to maintain our inventory at levels that we believe to be appropriate to satisfy the anticipated needs of our customers based upon 
historic buying practices, contracts with customers, and market conditions. When metals prices decline, customer demands for lower prices and our 
competitors’ responses to those demands result in lower sale prices and, consequently, lower margins as we use existing metals inventory. Declines in 
prices or further reductions in sales volumes could adversely impact our ability to maintain our liquidity and to remain in compliance with certain financial 
covenants under our $1 billion revolving credit facility (the “Ryerson Credit Facility”), as well as result in us incurring inventory or goodwill impairment 
charges. Changing metals prices therefore could significantly impact our liquidity, net sales, gross margins, operating income, and net income.  

11 

  
Changes in inflation may adversely affect gross margins.  

Inflation impacts the costs at which we can procure product and the ability to increase prices to customers over time. Prolonged periods of 

deflation could adversely affect the degree to which we are able to increase sales through price increases. 

Unexpected product shortages could negatively impact customer relationships, resulting in an adverse impact on results of operations.  

Disruptions could occur due to factors beyond our control, including economic downturns, political unrest, port slowdowns, trade issues, 
including increased export or import duties or trade restrictions, and other factors, any of which could adversely affect a supplier’s ability to manufacture 
or deliver products. For our sources of lower cost products from Asia and other areas of the world, the risk for disruptions has increased due to the 
additional lead time required and distances involved, and the current political climate seeking trade reform. If we were to experience difficulty in obtaining 
products, there could be a short-term adverse effect on results of operations and a longer-term adverse effect on customer relationships and our 
reputation. In addition, we have strategic relationships with a number of vendors. In the event we are unable to maintain those relations, there might be a 
loss of competitive pricing advantages which could, in turn, adversely affect results of operations. 

Changes in customer or product mix could cause the gross margin percentage to decline.  

From time to time, we experience changes in customer and product mix that affect gross margin. Changes in customer and product mix result 
primarily from business acquisitions, changes in customer demand, customer acquisitions, selling and marketing activities, and competition. If rapid 
growth with lower margin customers occurs, we will face pressure to maintain current gross margins, as these customers receive more discounted pricing 
due to their higher sales volume. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain historical gross margins in the future. 

The volatility of the market could result in a material impairment of goodwill.  

We evaluate goodwill annually on October 1 and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment. Events or changes 

in circumstances that could trigger an impairment review include significant underperformance relative to our historical or projected future operating 
results, significant changes in the manner or the use of our assets or the strategy for our overall business, and significant negative industry or economic 
trends. We test for impairment of goodwill by assessing various qualitative factors with respect to development in our business and the overall economy 
and calculating the fair value of a reporting unit using a combination of an income approach based on discounted future cash flows and a market 
approach at the date of valuation. Under the discounted cash flow method, the fair value of each reporting unit is estimated based on expected future 
economic benefits discounted to a present value at a rate of return commensurate with the risk associated with the investment. Projected cash flows are 
discounted to present value using an estimated weighted average cost of capital, which considers both returns to equity and debt investors. Please refer 
to the Section titled “Critical Accounting Estimates - Goodwill,” of Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results 
of Operations,” and Note 1 — “Summary of Accounting and Financial Policies” of Part II, Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for 
further information. 

We may not be able to successfully consummate and complete the integration of future acquisitions, and if we are unable to do so, it could disrupt 
operations and cause unanticipated increases in costs and/or decreases in revenues and results of operations.  

We have grown through a combination of internal expansion, acquisitions, and joint ventures. We intend to continue to grow through selective 
acquisitions, but we may not be able to identify appropriate acquisition candidates, obtain financing on satisfactory terms, consummate acquisitions, or 
integrate acquired businesses effectively and profitably into our existing operations. Restrictions contained in the agreements governing our notes, the 
Ryerson Credit Facility, or our other existing or future debt may also inhibit our ability to make certain investments, including acquisitions, and 
participations in joint ventures.  

Acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, and other business combination transactions, both foreign and domestic, involve various inherent 
risks, such as uncertainties in assessing value, strengths, weaknesses, liabilities, and potential profitability. There is also risk relating to our ability to 
achieve identified operating and financial synergies anticipated to result from the transactions. Additionally, problems could arise from the integration of 
acquired businesses, including unanticipated changes in the business or industry or general economic conditions that affect the assumptions underlying 
the acquisition. Our future success will depend on our ability to complete the integration of these future acquisitions successfully into our operations. 
Specifically, after any acquisition, customers may choose to diversify their supply chains to reduce reliance on a single supplier for a portion of their 
metals needs. We may not be able to retain all of our and an acquisition’s customers, which may adversely affect our business and sales. Integrating 
acquisitions, particularly large acquisitions, requires us to enhance our operational and financial systems and employ additional qualified personnel, 
management, and financial resources, and may adversely affect our business by diverting management away from  

12 

  
day-to-day operations. Further, failure to successfully integrate acquisitions may adversely affect our profitability by creating significant operating 
inefficiencies that could increase our operating expenses as a percentage of sales and reduce our operating income. In addition, we may not realize 
expected cost savings from acquisitions. Any one or more of these factors could cause us to not realize the benefits anticipated or have a negative 
impact on the fair value of the reporting units. Accordingly, goodwill and intangible assets recorded as a result of acquisitions could become impaired. 

We may not be able to retain or expand our customer base if the North American manufacturing industry continues to erode through moving 
offshore or through acquisition and merger or consolidation activity in our customers’ industries.  

Our customer base primarily includes manufacturing and industrial firms. Some of our customers operate in industries that are undergoing 

consolidation through acquisition and merger activity; some are considering or have considered relocating production operations overseas or 
outsourcing particular functions overseas; and some customers have closed as they were unable to compete successfully with overseas competitors. 
Our facilities are predominately located in the United States and Canada. To the extent that our customers cease U.S. operations, relocate or move 
operations overseas to regions in which we do not have a presence, we could lose their business. Acquirers of manufacturing and industrial firms may 
have suppliers of choice that do not include us, which could impact our customer base and market share.  

Certain of our operations are located outside of the United States, which subjects us to risks associated with international activities.  

Certain of our operations are located outside of the United States, primarily in Canada, China, and Mexico. We are subject to the Foreign Corrupt 
Practices Act (“FCPA”), which generally prohibits U.S. companies and their intermediaries from making corrupt payments or otherwise corruptly giving 
any thing of value to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business or otherwise obtaining favorable treatment, and requires 
companies to maintain adequate record-keeping and internal accounting practices. The FCPA applies to covered companies, individual directors, officers, 
employees, and agents. Under the FCPA, U.S. companies may be held liable for some actions taken by strategic or local partners or representatives. If we 
or our intermediaries fail to comply with the requirements of the FCPA, governmental authorities in the United States could seek to impose civil and/or 
criminal penalties.  

We may be adversely affected by currency fluctuations in the U.S. dollar versus the Canadian dollar and the Chinese renminbi.  

We have significant operations in Canada which incur the majority of their metal supply costs in U.S. dollars but earn the majority of their sales in 

Canadian dollars. Additionally, we have significant assets in China. We may from time to time experience losses when the value of the U.S. dollar 
strengthens against the Canadian dollar or the Chinese renminbi, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, we 
are subject to translation risk when we consolidate our Canadian and Chinese subsidiaries’ net assets into our balance sheet. Fluctuations in the value of 
the U.S. dollar versus the Canadian dollar or Chinese renminbi could reduce the value of these assets as reported in our financial statements, which 
could, as a result, reduce our stockholders’ equity. 

The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities, particularly with regards to 
the land our facilities are located on.  

The Chinese government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over the Chinese economy through regulation and state 

ownership. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, import and export 
tariffs, environmental regulations, land use rights, property, and other matters. We believe that our operations in China are in material compliance with all 
applicable legal and regulatory requirements. However, the central or local governments of the jurisdictions in which we operate may impose new, stricter 
regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with 
such regulations or interpretations. Moreover, the Chinese court system does not provide the same property and contract right guarantees as do courts 
in the United States and, accordingly, disputes may be protracted and resolution of claims may result in significant economic loss.  

Additionally, there is no private ownership of land in China and all land ownership is held by the government of China, its agencies, and 
collectives, which issue land use rights that are generally renewable. We lease the land where our Chinese facilities are located from the Chinese 
government. If the Chinese government decided to terminate our land use rights agreements, our assets could become impaired and our ability to meet 
customer orders could be impacted.  

Damage to our information technology infrastructure could harm our business.  

The unavailability of any of our computer-based systems for any significant period of time could have a material adverse effect on our operations. 

In particular, our ability to manage inventory levels successfully largely depends on the efficient operation of our  

13 

  
computer hardware and software systems. We use management information systems to track inventory information at individual facilities, communicate 
customer information, and aggregate daily sales, margin, and promotional information. Difficulties associated with upgrades, installations of major 
software or hardware, and integration with new systems could have a material adverse effect on results of operations. We could be required to expend 
substantial resources to integrate our information systems with the systems of companies we have acquired. The integration of these systems may 
disrupt our business or lead to operating inefficiencies. In addition, these systems are vulnerable to, among other things, damage or interruption from fire, 
flood, tornado, and other natural disasters, power loss, computer system and network failures, operator negligence, physical and electronic loss of data, 
or security breaches and computer viruses.  

We are subject to cybersecurity risks and may incur increasing costs in an effort to minimize those risks. 

We depend on the proper functioning and availability of our information technology platform, including communications and data processing 

systems, in operating our business. These systems include software programs that are integral to the efficient operation of our business. We have 
established security measures, controls, and procedures, including established recovery procedures for critical systems and business functions, to 
safeguard our information technology systems and to prevent unauthorized access to such systems and any data processed or stored in such systems, 
and we periodically evaluate and test the adequacy of such systems, measures, controls, and procedures; however, there can be no guarantee that such 
systems, measures, controls, and procedures will be effective. Security breaches could expose us to a risk of loss or misuse of our information, litigation, 
and potential liability. In addition, cyber incidents that impact the availability, reliability, speed, accuracy, or other proper functioning of these systems 
could have a significant impact on our operations, and potentially on our results.  We may not have the resources or technical sophistication to 
anticipate or prevent rapidly evolving types of cyberattacks. A significant cyber incident, including system failure, security breach, disruption by 
malware, or other damage could interrupt or delay our operations, result in a violation of applicable privacy and other laws, damage our reputation, cause 
a loss of customers, or give rise to monetary fines and other penalties, which could be significant. 

Any significant work stoppages can harm our business.  

As of December 31, 2018, we employed approximately 4,300 persons in North America and 300 persons in China. Our North American workforce 
was comprised of approximately 1,800 office employees and approximately 2,500 plant employees. Sixteen percent of our plant employees were members 
of various unions, including the United Steel Workers and The International Brotherhood of Teamsters. 

Renewals of six union contracts covering approximately 107 employees were successfully negotiated in 2018. Four union contracts covering 89 

employees are currently scheduled to expire in 2019. 

Certain employee retirement benefit plans are underfunded and the actual cost of those benefits could exceed current estimates, which would require 
us to fund the shortfall.  

As of December 31, 2018, our pension plan had an unfunded liability of $181 million. Our actual costs for benefits required to be paid may exceed 

those projected and future actuarial assessments to the extent that those costs exceed the current assessment. Under those circumstances, the 
adjustments required to be made to our recorded liability for these benefits could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial 
condition and cash payments to fund these plans could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows. We may be required to make substantial future 
contributions to improve the plan’s funded status.  

Future funding for postretirement employee benefits other than pensions also may require substantial payments from current cash flow.  

We provide postretirement life insurance and medical benefits to certain eligible retired employees. Our unfunded postretirement benefit obligation 
as of December 31, 2018 was $70 million. Our actual costs for benefits required to be paid may exceed those projected and future actuarial assessments to 
the extent that those costs exceed the current assessment. Under those circumstances, adjustments will be required to be made to our recorded liability 
for these benefits.  

Any prolonged disruption of our processing centers could harm our business.  

We have dedicated processing centers that permit us to produce standardized products in large volumes while maintaining low operating costs. 
We may suffer prolonged disruption in the operations of any of these facilities, whether due to labor or technical difficulties, destruction, or damage to 
any of the facilities or otherwise.  

14 

  
If we are unable to retain, attract, and motivate management and key personnel, it may adversely affect our business.  

In order to compete and have continued growth, we must attract, retain, and motivate executives and other key employees, including those in 

managerial, technical, sales, marketing, and support positions. We believe that our success is due, in part, to our experienced management team. Losing 
the services of one or more members of our management team such as our CEO, Edward J. Lehner, and CFO, Erich S. Schnaufer, could adversely affect 
our business and possibly prevent us from improving our operational, financial, and information management systems and controls. We compete to hire 
employees and then must train them and develop their skills and competencies. In the future, we may need to retain and hire additional qualified sales, 
marketing, administrative, operating, and technical personnel, and to train and manage new personnel. Our ability to implement our business plan is 
dependent on our ability to retain, hire, and train a large number of qualified employees each year. Our results of operations could be adversely affected 
by increased costs due to increased competition for employees, higher employee turnover, or increased employee benefit costs. 

Our international operations and potential joint ventures may cause us to incur costs and risks that may distract management from effectively 
operating our North American business, and such operations or joint ventures may not be profitable.  

We maintain foreign operations in Canada, China, and Mexico. International operations are subject to certain risks inherent in conducting 
business in, and with, foreign countries, including price controls, exchange controls, export controls, economic sanctions, duties, tariffs, limitations on 
participation in local enterprises, nationalization, expropriation and other governmental action, and changes in currency exchange rates. While we believe 
that our current arrangements with local partners provide us with experienced business partners in foreign countries, events or issues, including 
disagreements with our partners, may occur that require attention of our senior executives and may result in expenses or losses that erode the 
profitability of our foreign operations or cause our capital investments abroad to be unprofitable.  

Lead time and the cost of our products could increase if we were to lose one of our primary suppliers.  

If, for any reason, our primary suppliers of aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel, or other metals should curtail or discontinue their delivery of 

such metals in the quantities needed and at prices that are competitive, our business could suffer. The number of available suppliers could be reduced by 
factors such as industry consolidation and bankruptcies affecting steel and metal producers. For the year ended December 31, 2018, our top 25 suppliers 
represented approximately 74% of our purchases. We could be significantly and adversely affected if delivery were disrupted from a major supplier. If, in 
the future, we were unable to obtain sufficient amounts of the necessary metals at competitive prices and on a timely basis from our traditional suppliers, 
we may not be able to obtain such metals from alternative sources at competitive prices to meet our delivery schedules, which could have a material 
adverse effect on our sales and profitability.  

Global metal overcapacity and imports of metal products into the United States have adversely affected, and may again adversely affect, United 
States metal prices, which could impact our sales and results of operations. 

Global metal production capacity currently exceeds global consumption of metal products. Such excess capacity sometimes results in metal 

manufacturers in certain countries exporting steel at prices that are lower than prevailing domestic prices and sometimes at or below their cost of 
production. Excessive imports of metal into the United States, such as in recent years, have exerted and may continue to exert, downward pressure on 
United States steel prices which negatively affects our ability to increase our sales and results of operations. 

The U.S. government has enacted several trade actions in 2018 including tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products under Section 232 of the 

Trade Expansion Act. It is expected that these trade actions, while in effect, will limit metal imports from non-exempt countries. These trade actions have 
favorably impacted Ryerson’s average selling prices and gross margins in 2018. If these trade actions are relaxed, repealed, or if relatively higher U.S. 
metal prices make it attractive for foreign metal producers to export their products to the U.S., despite the presence of duties or tariffs, the resurgence of 
substantial imports of foreign steel could create downward pressure on U.S. metal prices which could have a material adverse effect on sales prices and 
future results of operations. Further, foreign administrations have responded to the trade actions imposed by the U.S. with trade actions in kind, adding 
further uncertainty to U.S. pricing and supply conditions. To the extent these tariffs and other trade actions result in a decrease in international demand 
for steel and aluminum, or products manufactured therefrom and, produced in the United States, or otherwise negatively impact demand for our products, 
our business may be adversely impacted. 

We could incur substantial costs related to environmental, health, and safety laws.  

Our operations are subject to increasingly stringent environmental, health, and safety laws. These include laws that impose limitations on the 

discharge of pollutants into the air and water and establish standards for the treatment, storage, and disposal of  

15 

  
regulated materials, and the investigation and remediation of contaminated soil, surface water, and groundwater. Failure to maintain or achieve 
compliance with these laws or with the permits required for our operations could result in substantial increases in operating costs and capital 
expenditures. In addition, we may be subject to fines and civil or criminal sanctions, third party claims for property damage or personal injury, worker’s 
compensation or personal injury claims, cleanup costs, or temporary or permanent discontinuance of operations. Certain of our facilities are located in 
industrial areas, have a history of heavy industrial use and have been in operation for many years and, over time, we and other predecessor operators of 
these facilities have generated, used, handled, and disposed of hazardous and other regulated wastes. Environmental liabilities could exist, including 
cleanup obligations at these facilities or at off-site locations where materials from our operations were disposed of, which could result in future 
expenditures that cannot be currently quantified and which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash 
flows. Such liabilities may be imposed without regard to fault or the legality of a party’s conduct and may, in certain circumstances, be joint and several. 
Future changes to environmental, health, and safety laws, including those related to climate change, could result in material liabilities and costs, constrain 
operations or make such operations more costly for us, our suppliers, and our customers.  

In October 2011, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) named us as one of more than 100 businesses that may be a 
potentially responsible party for the Portland Harbor Superfund Site (the “PHS Site”). On January 6, 2017, the EPA issued an initial Record of Decision 
(“ROD”) regarding the site. The ROD includes a combination of dredging, capping, and enhanced natural recovery that would take approximately thirteen 
years to construct plus additional time for monitored natural recovery, at an estimated present value cost of $1.05 billion. At a meeting on December 4, 
2018, the EPA announced that it expects parties to submit a plan to remediate the river and harbor per the original ROD within the next 2-3 years. It also 
expects allocation of amounts among the parties to be determined in the same time frame. It is willing to consider de minimus and de micromis settlements 
but is unlikely to approve any before completion of the remedial design process. 

The EPA has not yet allocated responsibility for the contamination among the potentially responsible parties, including JT Ryerson. We do not 
currently have sufficient information available to us to determine whether the ROD will be executed as currently stated, whether and to what extent JT 
Ryerson may be held responsible for any of the identified contamination, and how much (if any) of the final plan’s costs might ultimately be allocated to 
JT Ryerson. Therefore, management cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this matter or estimate a range of potential loss at this time. 

Regulations related to conflict-free minerals may force us to incur additional expenses and place us at a competitive disadvantage.  

On August 22, 2012, under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), the United States 
SEC adopted new requirements for reporting companies that use certain minerals and metals, known as “conflict minerals”, in their products, whether or 
not these products are manufactured by third parties. These requirements require companies to diligence, disclose, and report whether or not such 
minerals originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries. Since our supply chain is complex, we may not be able to conclusively 
verify the origins for all metals used in our products and we may face reputational challenges with our customers. Additionally, as there may be only a 
limited number of suppliers offering “conflict free” metals, we cannot be sure that we will be able to obtain necessary metals from such suppliers in 
sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Accordingly, we could incur significant cost related to the compliance process, including potential difficulty 
or added costs in satisfying the disclosure requirements. Moreover, we may encounter challenges to satisfy those customers who require that all of the 
components of our products be certified as conflict free which could place us at a competitive disadvantage if we are unable to do so. 

Tax changes could affect our effective tax rate, the value of our deferred tax assets, and future profitability. 

Our future results could be adversely affected by changes in the effective tax rate or changes in the treatment of deferred tax assets as a result of 

changes in Ryerson’s overall profitability, changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in tax legislation, the 
results of the examination of previously filed tax returns, and continuing assessment of the Company’s tax exposures. In particular, although the passage 
of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 reduced the U.S. tax rate to 21%, our future earnings could be negatively impacted by changes in tax legislation 
including changing tax rates and tax base such as limiting, phasing-out, or eliminating deductions or tax credits, changing rules for earnings repatriations 
and changing other tax laws in the U.S. or other countries. In addition, it is uncertain if, and to what extent, various states will conform to the new tax law 
and foreign countries will react by adopting tax legislation or taking other actions that could adversely affect our business. 

We are subject to litigation that could strain our resources and distract management.  

From time to time, we are involved in a variety of claims, lawsuits, and other disputes arising in the ordinary course of business. These suits 
concern issues including product liability, contract disputes, employee-related matters, and personal injury matters. It is not feasible to predict the 
outcome of all pending suits and claims, and the ultimate resolution of these matters as well as future lawsuits that could have a material adverse effect 
on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, or reputation.  

16 

  
We may face product liability claims that are costly and create adverse publicity.  

If any of the products that we sell cause harm to any of our customers, we could be exposed to product liability lawsuits. If we were found liable 
under product liability claims, we could be required to pay substantial monetary damages. Further, even if we successfully defended ourselves against 
this type of claim, we could be forced to spend a substantial amount of money in litigation expenses, our management could be required to spend 
valuable time in the defense against these claims, and our reputation could suffer.  

Our risk management strategies may result in losses.  

From time to time, we may use fixed-price and/or fixed-volume supplier contracts to offset contracts with customers. Additionally, we may use 

foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swaps to hedge Canadian dollar, Euro, and floating rate debt exposures. These risk management strategies 
pose certain risks, including the risk that losses on a hedge position may exceed the amount invested in such instruments. Moreover, a party in a 
hedging transaction may be unavailable or unwilling to settle our obligations, which could cause us to suffer corresponding losses. A hedging 
instrument may not be effective in eliminating all of the risks inherent in any particular position. Our profitability may be adversely affected during any 
period as a result of use of such instruments. 

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock 

The market price for our common stock may be volatile. 

Historically, there has been volatility in the market price for our common stock. Furthermore, the market price of our common stock could fluctuate 

substantially in the future in response to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the risk factors described herein. Examples include: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

changes in commodity prices, especially metals; 

announcement of our quarterly operating results or the operating results of other metals service centers;  

changes in financial estimates or recommendations by stock market analysts regarding us or our competitors; 

the operating and stock performance of other companies that investors may deem comparable; 

press releases, earnings releases, or publicity relating to us or our competitors or relating to trends in the metals service center industry; 

inability to meet securities analysts’ and investors’ quarterly or annual estimates or targets of our performance; 

sales of our common stock by large or controlling shareholders; 

the amount of shares acquired for short-term investments; 

general domestic or international economic, market, and political conditions; and 

announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, dispositions or joint ventures, or other material events impacting the 
domestic or global metals industry. 

In the past, the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market 

prices of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their specific operating performance. These factors may adversely affect the 
trading price of our common stock, regardless of actual operating performance. 

In addition, stock markets from time to time experience extreme price and volume fluctuations that may be unrelated or disproportionate to the 

operating performance of companies. In the past, some shareholders have brought securities class action lawsuits against companies following periods 
of volatility in the market price of their securities. We may in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation, regardless of whether our 
defense is ultimately successful, could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. 

17 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
We have a substantial amount of indebtedness, which could adversely affect our financial position and prevent us from fulfilling our financial 
obligations.  

We currently have a substantial amount of indebtedness. As of December 31, 2018, our total indebtedness was approximately $1,153.3 million and 

we had approximately $392 million of unused capacity under the Ryerson Credit Facility. Our substantial indebtedness may:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

make it difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations, including making scheduled principal and interest payments on our outstanding 
notes and our other indebtedness;  

limit our ability to borrow additional funds for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, or other general corporate purposes;  

limit our ability to use our cash flow for future working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, or other general corporate purposes;  

require us to use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to make debt service payments;  

limit our flexibility to plan for, or react to, changes in our business and industry;  

place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our less leveraged competitors; and  

increase our vulnerability to the impact of adverse economic and industry conditions.  

We may also incur additional indebtedness in the future. The terms of the Ryerson Credit Facility and the indenture governing our outstanding 

notes restrict but do not prohibit us from doing so, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. If new 
indebtedness is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify.  

The covenants in the Ryerson Credit Facility and the indenture governing our notes impose, and covenants contained in agreements governing 
indebtedness that we incur in the future may impose, restrictions that may limit our operating and financial flexibility.  

The Ryerson Credit Facility and the indenture governing our outstanding notes contain a number of significant restrictions and covenants that 

limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries, including JT Ryerson, to:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

incur additional debt;  

pay dividends on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock;  

make certain investments or other restricted payments;  

create liens or use assets as security in other transactions;  

merge, consolidate, transfer, or dispose of substantially all of our assets; and  

engage in transactions with affiliates.  

The terms of the Ryerson Credit Facility require that, in the event availability under the facility declines to a certain level, we maintain a minimum 
fixed charge coverage ratio at the end of each fiscal quarter. Total credit availability is limited by the amount of eligible accounts receivable, inventory, 
and qualified cash pledged as collateral under the agreement insofar as the Company is subject to a borrowing base comprised of the aggregate of these 
three amounts, less applicable reserves. As of December 31, 2018, total credit availability was $392 million. See discussion regarding the Ryerson Credit 
Facility in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations.” 

Additionally, subject to certain exceptions, the indenture governing the outstanding notes restricts JT Ryerson’s ability to pay Ryerson Holding 

dividends. Our future indebtedness may contain covenants more restrictive in certain respects than the restrictions contained in the Ryerson Credit 
Facility and the indenture governing the notes. Operating results below current levels or other adverse factors, including a significant increase in interest 
rates, could result in our being unable to comply with financial covenants that are contained in the Ryerson Credit Facility or that may be contained in 
any future indebtedness. In addition, complying with these covenants may also cause us to take actions that are not favorable to holders of our notes 
and may make it more difficult for us to successfully execute our business strategy and compete against companies that are not subject to such 
restrictions.  

18 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness.  

We are highly leveraged. Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness depends on our ability to generate cash in the future. Our 

outstanding notes, the Ryerson Credit Facility, and our other outstanding indebtedness are expected to account for significant cash interest expenses. 
Accordingly, we will have to generate significant cash flows from operations to meet our debt service requirements. If we do not generate sufficient cash 
flow to meet our debt service and working capital requirements, we may be required to sell assets, seek additional capital, reduce capital expenditures, 
restructure or refinance all or a portion of our existing indebtedness, or seek additional financing. Moreover, insufficient cash flow may make it more 
difficult for us to obtain financing on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all.  

The right to receive payment on the 2022 Notes and the guarantees will be subordinated to the liabilities of non-guarantor subsidiaries. 

The notes and related guarantees are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness of our subsidiaries that are non-guarantors of the 2022 Senior 

Secured Notes (the “2022 Notes”). While the indenture governing the 2022 Notes limits the indebtedness and activities of these non-guarantor 
subsidiaries, holders of indebtedness of, and trade creditors of, non-guarantor subsidiaries, including lenders under bank financing agreements, are 
entitled to payments of their claims from the assets of such subsidiaries before those assets are made available for distribution to any guarantor, as direct 
or indirect shareholder. While the non-guarantor subsidiaries have agreed under the indenture not to pledge or encumber their assets (other than with 
respect to permitted liens) without equally and ratably securing the notes, they will not guarantee the 2022 Notes notwithstanding any such pledge or 
encumbrance in favor of the 2022 Notes. 

The non-guarantor subsidiaries represented, respectively, 10.4% and 8.3% of our net sales and EBITDA for the fiscal year ended December 31, 

2018. In addition, these non-guarantor subsidiaries represented respectively, 11.2% and 4.8% of our assets and liabilities, as of December 31, 2018. 

Accordingly, in the event that any of the non-guarantor subsidiaries or joint venture entities become insolvent, liquidates, or otherwise 

reorganizes: 

• 

• 

the creditors of the guarantors (including the holders of the 2022 Notes) will have no right to proceed against such subsidiary’s assets; and  

the creditors of such non-guarantor subsidiary, including trade creditors, will generally be entitled to payment in full from the sale or other 
disposal of assets of such subsidiary, as direct or indirect shareholder, and will be entitled to receive any distributions from such subsidiary. 

Because a portion of our indebtedness bears interest at rates that fluctuate with changes in certain prevailing short-term interest rates, we are 
vulnerable to interest rate increases.  

A portion of our indebtedness, including the Ryerson Credit Facility, bears interest at rates that fluctuate with changes in certain short-term 
prevailing interest rates. As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $535.9 million of outstanding borrowings under the Ryerson Credit Facility, with 
an additional $392 million available for borrowing under such facility. Assuming a consistent level of debt through-out 2018, a 100 basis point change in 
the interest rate on our floating rate debt effective from the beginning of the year would increase or decrease our interest expense under the Ryerson 
Credit Facility by approximately $4.0 million on an annual basis. If interest rates increase dramatically, we could be unable to service our debt, which 
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.  

Changes in our credit ratings and outlook may reduce access to capital and increase borrowing costs. 

Our credit ratings are based on a number of factors, including our financial strength and factors outside of our control, such as conditions 

affecting our industry generally or the introduction of new rating practices and methodologies. We cannot provide assurances that our current credit 
ratings will remain in effect or that the ratings will not be lowered, suspended, or withdrawn entirely by the rating agencies. If rating agencies lower, 
suspend, or withdraw the ratings, the market price or marketability of our securities may be adversely affected. In addition, any negative change in ratings 
could make it more difficult for us to raise capital on acceptable terms, impact the ability to obtain adequate financing, and result in higher interest costs 
for our existing credit facilities, including the Ryerson Credit Facility, or on future financings. 

19 

  
  
  
Platinum owns a significant percentage of our stock and has the right to nominate a majority of the members of the Corporation’s board and will be 
able to exert control over matters subject to stockholder approval. 

Platinum owns approximately 21,037,500 shares of our common stock, which is approximately 56% of our issued and outstanding common stock. 

Therefore, Platinum may be able to determine all matters requiring stockholder approval. For example, Platinum may be able to control elections of 
directors, amendments of our organizational documents, or approval of any merger, sale of assets, or other major corporate transaction. This may prevent 
or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for our common stock that our stockholders may believe are in their best interest as 
stockholders. 

The Company is party to an investor rights agreement (the “Investor Rights Agreement”) with certain affiliates of Platinum which provides, among 

other things, that for so long as Platinum collectively beneficially owns (i) at least 30% of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the 
Company, Platinum will have the right to nominate for election to the board of directors of the Company no fewer than that number of directors that 
would constitute a majority of the number of directors if there were no vacancies on the board, (ii) at least 15% but less than 30% of the voting power of 
the outstanding capital stock of the Company, Platinum will have the right to nominate two directors and (iii) at least 5% but less than 15% of the voting 
power of the outstanding capital stock of the Company, Platinum will have the right to nominate one director. The agreement also provides that if the size 
of the board of directors is increased or decreased at any time, Platinum’s nomination rights will be proportionately increased or decreased, respectively, 
rounded up to the nearest whole number. As a result of Platinum’s ownership of a majority of the Company’s outstanding capital stock as well its board 
nomination rights pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement, Platinum may significantly influence or effectively control our policies and operations, 
including the appointment of management, future issuances of our common stock or other securities, and the payment of dividends. In addition, Platinum 
has significant control over our decisions to enter into any other corporate transaction.  

The interests of Platinum may not in all cases be aligned with the interests of the other holders of our common stock. For example, a sale of a 

substantial number of shares of stock in the future by Platinum could cause our stock price to decline. Further, Platinum could cause us to make 
acquisitions that increase the amount of the indebtedness that is secured or senior to the Company’s existing debt or sell revenue-generating assets, 
impairing our ability to make payments under such debt. Additionally, Platinum is in the business of making investments in companies and may from time 
to time acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. Accordingly, Platinum may also pursue acquisition 
opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. In addition, 
Platinum may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures, and other transactions that, in their judgment, could enhance their equity 
investment, even though such transactions might involve risks to holders of our common stock. 

We are exempt from certain corporate governance requirements because we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE rules and, 
as a result, our stockholders do not have the protections afforded by these corporate governance requirements. 

Because Platinum controls more than 50% of the voting power of our common stock, we are considered to be a “controlled company” for 
purposes of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listing requirements. Under the NYSE rules, a “controlled company” may elect not to comply with 
certain NYSE corporate governance requirements, including (1) the requirement that a majority of our Board of Directors consist of independent directors, 
(2) the requirement that the nominating and corporate governance committee of our Board of Directors be composed entirely of independent directors, 
(3) the requirement that the compensation committee of our Board of Directors be composed entirely of independent directors, and (4) the requirement for 
an annual performance evaluation of the nomination/corporate governance and compensation committees. Given that Platinum controls a majority of the 
voting power of our common stock, we are permitted, and have elected, to opt out of compliance with certain NYSE corporate governance requirements. 
Accordingly, holders of our common stock do not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the NYSE 
corporate governance requirements. 

20 

  
 
Our corporate documents and Delaware law contain provisions that could discourage, delay, or prevent a change in control of the Company. 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that may make the acquisition of our 

company more difficult without the approval of our Board of Directors. These provisions: 

• 
• 

• 
• 

• 

establish a classified Board of Directors so that not all members of our Board of Directors are elected at one time; 
authorize the issuance of undesignated preferred stock, the terms of which may be established and the shares of which may be issued 
without stockholder approval, and which may include super voting, special approval, dividend, or other rights or preferences superior to the 
rights of the holders of common stock; 
provide that the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, alter, or repeal our amended and restated bylaws; 
prohibit stockholders from acting by written consent if less than a majority of the voting power of our outstanding stock is controlled by 
Platinum; and 
establish advance notice requirements for nominations for elections to our Board of Directors or for proposing matters that can be acted 
upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings. 

These anti-takeover provisions and other provisions under Delaware law could discourage, delay, or prevent a transaction involving a change in 

control of our company, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more 
difficult for our stockholders to elect directors of their choosing and to cause us to take other corporate actions they desire. 

Any issuance of preferred stock could make it difficult for another company to acquire us or could otherwise adversely affect holders of our common 
stock, which could depress the price of our common stock. 

Our Board of Directors will have the authority to issue preferred stock and to determine the preferences, limitations, and relative rights of shares of 

preferred stock and to fix the number of shares constituting any series and the designation of such series, without any further vote or action by our 
stockholders. Our preferred stock could be issued with voting, liquidation, dividend, and other rights superior to the rights of our common stock. The 
potential issuance of preferred stock may delay or prevent a change in control of us, discouraging bids for our common stock at a premium over the 
market price, and adversely affect the market price and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock. 

We have not and do not intend to pay regular cash dividends on our stock. 

We do not anticipate declaring or paying regular cash dividends on our common stock or any other equity security in the foreseeable future. The 

amounts that may be available to us to pay cash dividends are restricted under our debt agreements. Any payment of cash dividends on our common 
stock in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our results of operations, earnings, capital requirements, 
financial condition, future prospects, contractual restrictions, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. Therefore, you should not 
rely on dividend income from shares of our common stock. For more information, see “Dividend Policy.” Your only opportunity to achieve a return on 
your investment in us may be if the market price of our common stock appreciates and you sell your shares at a profit, but there is no guarantee that the 
market price for our common stock will ever exceed the price that you pay for our common stock. 

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.  

Not applicable.  

21 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
ITEM 2. 

PROPERTIES.  

As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s facilities are set forth below:  

Operations in the United States  

JT Ryerson maintains 84 operational facilities, including 6 locations that are dedicated to administration services. All of our metals service center 
facilities are in good condition and are adequate for JT Ryerson’s existing operations. Approximately 40% of these facilities are leased. The lease terms 
expire at various times through 2028. Owned properties noted as vacated below have been closed and are in the process of being sold. JT Ryerson’s 
properties and facilities are adequate to serve its present and anticipated needs.  

Location 
Birmingham, AL 
Mobile, AL 
Fort Smith, AR 
Hickman, AR** 
Little Rock, AR** 
Phoenix, AZ 
Dos Palos, CA 
Fresno, CA 
Livermore, CA 
Vernon, CA 
Commerce City, CO 
South Windsor, CT 
Wilmington, DE 
Jacksonville, FL 
Tampa Bay, FL 
Lavonia, GA 
Norcross, GA 
Norcross, GA** 
Des Moines, IA 
Eldridge, IA** 
Marshalltown, IA 
Chicago, IL (Headquarters)* 
Chicago, IL 
Chicago, IL 
Chicago, IL 
Dekalb, IL 
Elgin, IL 
Lisle, IL* 
Burns Harbor, IN 
Indianapolis, IN 
Portage, IN 
Wichita, KS 
Shelbyville, KY** 
Shreveport, LA 
St. Rose, LA 
Devens, MA 
Detroit, MI* 
Grand Rapids, MI* 
Lansing, MI 
Minneapolis, MN 
Plymouth, MN 
Maryland Heights, MO 
North Kansas City, MO 
Jackson, MS 

22 

Own/Lease 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Leased 
Leased 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased/Vacated 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Owned 
Leased 
Owned 
Leased 
Leased/Vacated 
Leased 
Leased 
Leased 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Leased 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Leased 
Leased 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Owned 
Owned 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Charlotte, NC** 
Charlotte, NC 
Greensboro, NC (2) 
Pikeville, NC 
Youngsville, NC 
Omaha, NE 
Lancaster, NY 
Cincinnati, OH 
Columbus, OH 
Hamilton, OH* 
Hilliard, OH 
Streetsboro, OH 
Strongsville, OH 
Warren, OH 
Oklahoma City, OK 
Tulsa, OK 
Tigard, OR 
Ambridge, PA** 
Fairless Hills, PA** 
Pittsburgh, PA* 
Charleston, SC** 
Greenville, SC 
Wellford, SC 
Chattanooga, TN 
Chattanooga, TN 
Gallatin, TN 
Knoxville, TN* 
Memphis, TN 
Dallas, TX 
El Paso, TX 
Houston, TX 
Houston, TX (2) 
McAllen, TX 
Odessa, TX 
Salt Lake City, UT 
Pounding Mill, VA 
Richmond, VA 
Renton, WA 
Spokane, WA 
Green Bay, WI 
Green Bay, WI 
Hammond, WI 
Milwaukee, WI 
Milwaukee, WI 

* 
** 

Office space only  
Processing centers  

23 

Owned 
Leased 
Owned 
Leased 
Leased 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Leased 
Owned 
Leased 
Owned 
Leased/Vacated 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Owned 
Leased 
Leased/Vacated 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Leased 
Leased 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Owned 
Leased 
Leased 
Leased/Vacated 
Leased 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Leased 
Owned 
Owned/Vacated 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Operations in Canada  

Ryerson Canada, a wholly-owned indirect Canadian subsidiary of Ryerson Holding, has nine operational facilities in Canada. All of the metals 

service center facilities are in good condition and are adequate for Ryerson Canada’s existing and anticipated operations. Four facilities are leased. The 
lease terms expire at various times through 2025.  

Location 
Calgary, AB 
Edmonton, AB 
Richmond, BC 
Winnipeg, MB 
Winnipeg, MB 
Saint John, NB 
Brampton, ON 
Burlington, ON (includes Canadian Headquarters) 
Laval, QC 
Vaudreuil, QC 

Operations in China  

Own/Lease 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Owned 
Leased 
Leased 
Leased/Vacated 
Leased 

Ryerson China, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Ryerson Holding, has five service and processing centers in China, at Guangzhou, 
Dongguan, Kunshan, and Tianjin, performing coil processing, sheet metal fabrication, and plate processing. Ryerson China’s headquarters office 
building is located in Kunshan. We own four buildings in China and have purchased the related land use rights. The remaining facility is leased. All of 
the facilities are in good condition and are adequate for Ryerson China’s existing and anticipated operations.  

Operations in Mexico  

Ryerson Mexico, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Ryerson Holding, has four facilities in Mexico. We have service centers in Monterrey, 

Tijuana, Hermosillo, and Queretaro, all of which are leased. The facilities are in good condition and are adequate for Ryerson Mexico’s existing and 
anticipated operations.  

ITEM 3. 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.  

In October 2011, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) named us as one of more than 100 businesses that may be a 

potentially responsible party for the Portland Harbor Superfund Site (“Portland Harbor”). On January 6, 2017, the EPA issued an initial Record of 
Decision (“ROD”) regarding the site. The ROD includes a combination of dredging, capping, and enhanced natural recovery that would take 
approximately thirteen years to construct plus additional time for monitored natural recovery, at an estimated present value cost of $1.05 billion. At a 
meeting on December 4, 2018, the EPA announced that it expects parties to submit a plan to remediate the river and harbor per the original ROD within the 
next 2-3 years. It also expects allocation of amounts among the parties to be determined in the same time frame. It is willing to consider de minimus and de 
micromis settlements but is unlikely to approve any before completion of the remedial design process. 

The EPA has not yet allocated responsibility for the contamination among the potentially responsible parties, including JT Ryerson. We do not 

currently have sufficient information available to us to determine whether the ROD will be executed as currently stated, whether and to what extent JT 
Ryerson may be held responsible for any of the identified contamination, and how much (if any) of the final plan’s costs might ultimately be allocated to 
JT Ryerson. Therefore, management cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this matter or estimate a range of potential loss at this time. 

There are various other claims and pending actions against the Company. The amount of liability, if any, for those claims and actions at 
December 31, 2018 is not determinable but, in the opinion of management, such liability, if any, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s 
financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. We maintain liability insurance coverage to assist in protecting our assets from losses arising from 
or related to activities associated with business operations. 

ITEM 4. 

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.  

Not applicable. 

24 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
PART II  

ITEM  5. 

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

Market Information for Common Stock  

Our common stock has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RYI” and was first traded on August 13, 2014.  

Holders  

As of February 28, 2019, there were 2 stockholders of record of our common stock. Because many shares of our common stock are held by brokers 

and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of beneficial stockholders represented by these record 
holders.  

Dividend Policy  

We have not declared any cash dividends for the past two years and we do not anticipate declaring or paying any regular cash dividends on our 

common stock in the foreseeable future. Any payment of cash dividends on our common stock in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of 
Directors and will depend upon our results of operations, earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, future prospects, contractual restrictions, 
including under the Ryerson Credit Facility and our outstanding notes, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.  

25 

  
Performance Graph  

The following graph and accompanying table show the cumulative total return to stockholders of Ryerson Holding’s common stock relative to the 
cumulative total returns of the S&P 500 and a metals service center peer group (the “Peer Group”). The graph tracks the performance of a $100 investment 
in each of the indices (with reinvestment of dividends) from August 13, 2014 to December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018 the Peer Group consisted of 
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. and Olympic Steel Inc., each of which has securities listed for trading on the NASDAQ; and Russel Metals Inc., which 
has securities listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The returns of each member of the Peer Group are weighted according to that member’s 
stock market capitalization. The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.  

Comparison of 53 Month Cumulative Total Return  
Assumes Initial Investment of $100  
December 2018 

This graph is not deemed to be “filed” with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), and should not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of our prior or subsequent 
filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act. 

Ryerson Holding 
S&P 500 
Peer Group 

8/13/14 

12/31/14 

12/31/15 

12/31/16 

12/31/17 

12/31/18 

$ 
$ 
$ 

100.00    $ 
100.00    $ 
100.00    $ 

96.41    $ 
107.12    $ 
86.21    $ 

45.34    $ 
108.55    $ 
78.54    $ 

129.61    $ 
120.94    $ 
118.09    $ 

100.97    $ 
145.93    $ 
127.92    $ 

61.55   
140.09   
108.23 

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers  

None.  

Recent Sale of Unregistered Securities and Use of Proceeds  

None.  

ITEM  6. 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.  

The following table sets forth our selected historical consolidated financial information. Our selected historical Consolidated Statements of 
Operations data for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 and the summary historical balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 
have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” The selected 
historical Consolidated Statements of Operations data for the years  

26 

  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 and the summary historical balance sheet data as of December 31, 2014, 2015, and 2016 were derived from the audited 
financial statements and related notes thereto, which are not included in this Form 10-K.  

The following consolidated financial information should be read together with Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 

Condition and Results of Operations” and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of Ryerson Holding Corporation and the Notes thereto 
included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”  

FIVE YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA AND OPERATING RESULTS  
(Dollars in millions, except per ton and per share data)  

Statements of Operations Data: 
Net sales 

Cost of materials sold 

Gross profit 

Warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative (1) (2) 
Gain on sale of assets 
Restructuring and other charges 
Impairment charges on assets 

Operating profit 

Other income and (expense), net (2) (3) 
Interest and other expense on debt (4) 

Income (loss) before income taxes 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes 

Net income (loss) 
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 
Net income (loss) attributable to Ryerson Holding Corporation 

Earnings (loss) per share of common stock: (5) 

Basic earnings (loss) per share 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share 

Weighted average shares outstanding — Basic 
Weighted average shares outstanding — Diluted 
Balance Sheet Data (at period end): 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Restricted cash 
Working capital 
Property, plant, and equipment, net 
Total assets 
Long-term debt, including current maturities 
Total equity (deficit) 
Other Financial Data: 
Cash flows provided by (used in) operations 
Cash flows used in investing activities 
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities 
Capital expenditures 
Depreciation and amortization 
Volume and Per Ton Data: 
Tons shipped (000) 
Average selling price per ton 
Gross profit per ton 
Operating expenses per ton 
Operating profit per ton 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

2018 

Year Ended December 31, 
2016 

2017 

2015 

2014 

4,408.4       $ 
3,650.3         
758.1         
614.7         
—         
4.2         
—         
139.2         
76.7         
(99.2 )       
116.7         
10.3         
106.4         
0.4         
106.0       $ 

2.84       $ 

2.81       $ 

37.3         
37.7         

23.2       $ 
1.1         
844.1         
489.0         
2,086.3         
1,153.3         
75.9         

57.4       $ 
(200.2 )       
92.9         
38.4         
52.9         

2,268         
1,944       $ 
334         
273         
61         

3,364.7       $ 
2,782.2         
582.5         
481.4         
—         
—         
—         
101.1         
6.6         
(91.0 )       
16.7         
(1.3 )       
18.0         
0.9         
17.1       $ 

2,859.7       $ 
2,289.1         
570.6         
447.5         
—         
1.0         
—         
122.1         
(6.1 )       
(89.9 )       
26.1         
7.2         
18.9         
0.2         
18.7       $ 

0.46       $ 

0.46       $ 

37.2         
37.3         

0.55       $ 

0.54       $ 

34.3         
34.4         

77.4       $ 
1.1         
701.2         
422.9         
1,711.9         
1,045.7         
(7.4 )       

80.7       $ 
1.0         
665.4         
388.2         
1,558.7         
963.5         
(49.3 )       

(2.5 )     $ 
(70.3 )       
65.7         
25.1         
47.1         

2,000         
1,682       $ 
291         
241         
50         

24.8       $ 
(19.8 )       
11.4         
23.0         
42.5         

1,903         
1,503       $ 
300         
236         
64         

3,167.2       $ 
2,599.5         
567.7         
451.9         
(1.9 )       
2.5         
7.7         
107.5         
(9.3 )       
(96.3 )       
1.9         
3.7         
(1.8 )       
(1.3 )       
(0.5 )     $ 

(0.02 )     $ 

(0.02 )     $ 

32.1         
32.1         

63.2       $ 
1.2         
643.0         
400.3         
1,545.2         
1,023.5         
(140.9 )       

258.9       $ 
(18.0 )       
(232.0 )       
22.3         
43.7         

1,897         
1,670       $ 
299         
243         
56         

3,622.2   
3,028.4   
593.8   
512.2   
(1.8 ) 
—   
—   
83.4   
(2.9 ) 
(107.4 ) 
(26.9 ) 
(0.7 ) 
(26.2 ) 
(0.5 ) 
(25.7 ) 

(1.01 ) 

(1.01 ) 

25.4   
25.4   

60.0   
2.0   
846.0   
428.2   
1,855.6   
1,242.1   
(124.5 ) 

(73.3 ) 
(34.0 ) 
100.5   
21.6   
45.6   

2,024   
1,790   
293   
252   
41 

(1)   

The year ended December 31, 2014 includes $32.7 million of one-time IPO-related expenses. 

As a result of adopting Accounting Standards Update 2017-07, "Compensation - Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost 

(2)
and Net Periodic Post Retirement Benefit Cost," we have reclassified benefits of $8.9 million, $11.1 million, $1.1 million, and $3.0 million in the year ended December 31, 
2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively, from Warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative expense to Other income and (expense), net. 

27 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
          
          
          
          
    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
          
          
          
          
    
     
     
     
          
          
          
          
    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
          
          
          
          
    
     
     
     
     
     
          
          
          
          
    
     
     
     
     
The year ended December 31, 2018 includes a $70.0 million gain on bargain purchase related to our Central Steel and Wire Company acquisition. The year ended 

(3)
December 31, 2017 includes an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $0.2 million related to an equity investment. The year ended December 31, 2016 includes an 
other-than-temporary impairment charge of $4.7 million related to an equity investment and a $8.7 million loss on the retirement of debt related to the purchases and 
retirement of our 9.0% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “ 2017 Notes”) and 11.25% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “ 2018 Notes”). The year ended December 31, 2015 includes an 
other-than-temporary impairment charge of $12.3 million in the first quarter of 2015 related to an equity investment and a $0.3 million gain on the retirement of debt related 
to the purchases of a portion of our 2017 Notes and 2018 Notes. The year ended December 31, 2014 includes $11.2 million of expense related to the premium paid to redeem 
$99.5 million of 2018 Notes.  Remaining amounts in each year are related to foreign currency gains (losses). 

(4)
31, 2015 includes a $2.9 million write off of debt issuance costs associated with our prior credit facility upon entering into a new revolving credit facility on July 24, 2015. 

The year ended December 31, 2018 included a $0.5 million write off of debt issuance costs related to the repurchase of the 2022 Notes. The year ended December 

(5) 
The following amounts related to earnings per share and shares outstanding have been adjusted for the Stock Split for all periods reported.  

On July 23, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a 4.25 for 1.00 stock split (the “ Stock Split”) of the Company’s common stock effective August 5, 2014. 

28 

  
  
  
  
ITEM 7. 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.  

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with Item 6. “Selected Financial Data” and the audited Consolidated 
Financial Statements of Ryerson Holding Corporation and Subsidiaries and the Notes thereto in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” 
This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See the section entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-
Looking Statements.” Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking 
statements as a result of certain factors, including those discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Form 10-K.  

Overview  

Business  

Ryerson Holding Corporation (“Ryerson Holding”), a Delaware corporation, is the parent company of Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, Inc. (“JT 
Ryerson”), a Delaware corporation. Affiliates of Platinum Equity, LLC (“Platinum”) own approximately 21,037,500 shares of our common stock, which is 
approximately 56% of our issued and outstanding common stock.  

We are a leading metals service center, a value-added processor and distributor of industrial metals with operations in the United States through 
JT Ryerson, in Canada through our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Ryerson Canada, Inc., a Canadian corporation (“Ryerson Canada”), and in Mexico 
through our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Ryerson Metals de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., a Mexican corporation (“Ryerson Mexico”). In addition to 
our North American operations, we conduct materials processing and distribution operations in China through an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, 
Ryerson China Limited (“Ryerson China”). Unless the context indicates otherwise, Ryerson Holding, JT Ryerson, Ryerson Canada, Ryerson China, and 
Ryerson Mexico, together with their subsidiaries, are collectively referred to herein as “Ryerson,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company.”  

Industry and Operating Trends  

We are a metals service center providing value-added processing and distribution of industrial metals with operations in the United States, 

Canada, Mexico, and China. We purchase large quantities of metal products from primary producers and sell these materials in smaller quantities to a 
wide variety of metals-consuming industries. More than 75% of the metals products sold are processed by us by bending, beveling, blanking, blasting, 
burning, cutting-to-length, drilling, embossing, flattening, forming, grinding, laser cutting, machining, notching, painting, perforating, polishing, 
punching, rolling, sawing, scribing, shearing, slitting, stamping, tapping, threading, welding, or other techniques to process materials to a specified 
thickness, length, width, shape, and surface quality pursuant to specific customer orders. 

Similar to other metals service centers, we maintain substantial inventories of metals to accommodate the short lead times and just-in-time delivery 

requirements of our customers. Accordingly, we purchase metals to maintain our inventory at levels that we believe to be appropriate to satisfy the 
anticipated needs of our customers based upon customer forecasts, historic buying practices, supply agreements with customers, mill lead times, and 
market conditions. Our commitments to purchase metals are generally at prevailing market prices in effect at the time we place our orders. At the request 
of our customers, we have entered into swaps in order to mitigate our customers’ risk of volatility in the price of metals and we have entered into metals 
hedges to mitigate our own risk of volatility in the price of metals. We have no long-term, fixed-price metals purchase contracts. When metals prices 
decline, customer demands for lower prices and our competitors’ responses to those demands could result in lower sale prices and, consequently, lower 
gross profits and earnings as we sell existing metals inventory. When metals prices increase, competitive conditions will influence how much of the price 
increase we may pass on to our customers. 

The metals service center industry is cyclical and volatile in both demand and pricing, and difficult to predict. In 2018, we saw improved demand 
when viewed against the year ago period. According to the Metal Service Center Institute, U.S. service center volumes have increased by four percent 
compared to the year-ago period.  In 2018, we experienced year-over-year growth in shipment volumes to nearly all of our end markets, most notably in 
the ground transportation and metal fabrication and machine shop sectors.  We saw year-over-year shipment declines only in the HVAC and 
construction equipment sectors. 

Overall, commodity prices trended higher in 2018. CRU hot-rolled carbon steel prices rose 21%, Midwest aluminum prices rose 3%, and stainless 

304 surcharge prices rose 2% during the year. Higher commodity prices translated into higher selling prices for Ryerson, with per ton pricing increases of 
16% during the year. Stronger demand and pricing were offset by higher procured metal costs, which resulted in flat gross margins in 2018. 

29 

  
Recent Industry Developments 

On March 1, 2018, the White House announced a 25% tariff on all imported steel products and 10% tariff on all imported aluminum products for an 

indefinite amount of time under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. Subsequently, the White House announced steel quotas, in lieu of tariffs, with 
South Korea. On May 1, 2018, the White House further announced agreements-in-principle with Argentina, Australia, and Brazil for permanent 
exemptions from the tariffs in exchange for export quotas or voluntary export restraints, with the exception of Australia which has not agreed to quotas at 
the time of this release. In August 2018, steel tariffs were increased to 50% for Turkey to offset inflation in the Turkish Lira.  

Further trade actions announced by the U.S. under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 imposed a 25% additional duty on $34 billion worth of 

Chinese imports effective July 6, 2018. In September 2018, the U.S. imposed a 10% tariff on $200 billion in additional Chinese imported goods to increase 
to 25% by March 1, 2019. Ryerson expects upward price pressure on metal products in the U.S. to the extent the Section 232 tariffs or other trade actions 
remain enacted with U.S. trading partners.  

Foreign administrations have responded to the trade actions imposed by the U.S. with trade actions in kind, adding further uncertainty to U.S. 

pricing and supply conditions. 

Acquisitions 

On April 2, 2018, we acquired Fanello Industries (“Fanello”), a privately-owned metal service company located in Lavonia, Georgia. Fanello is a 

processor and service provider that supplies blanking, stamping, laser cutting, bending, and machining metal solutions to a diverse group of industries in 
the Southeastern United States. 

On July 2, 2018, JT Ryerson acquired Central Steel and Wire Company (“CS&W”). CS&W is a leading metal service center with locations across 
the Central and Eastern United States offering a wide selection of products and capabilities, with a commercial portfolio centered on bar, tube, plate, and 
steel products. CS&W expanded our long, tube, and plate portfolio. Our combined commercial, operational, and processing strengths will provide a 
broader and deeper array of products to our customers in the Midwest and Northeast United States. The fair value of the consideration totaled $163.5 
million. Included in the 2018 financial results is $347.5 million of revenue and $78.5 million, including a $70.0 million bargain purchase gain, of net income 
from CS&W since the acquisition date. Please refer to Note 2 — “Acquisitions” of Part II, Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for 
further information on our 2018 acquisition of CS&W. 

Components of Results of Operations 

We generate substantially all of our revenue from sales of our metals products. The majority of revenue is recognized upon delivery of product to 

customers. The timing of shipment is substantially the same as the timing of delivery to customers given the proximity of our distribution sites to our 
customers. Revenues associated with products which we believe have no alternative use, and where the Company has an enforceable right to payment, 
are recognized on an over-time basis. Over-time revenues are recorded in proportion with the progress made toward completing the performance 
obligation.  

Sales, cost of materials sold, gross profit, and operating expense control are the principal factors that impact our profitability:  

Net Sales. Our sales volume and pricing are driven by market demand, which is largely determined by overall industrial production and conditions 

in specific industries in which our customers operate. Sales prices are also primarily driven by market factors such as overall demand and availability of 
product. Our net sales include revenue from product sales, net of returns, allowances, customer discounts, and incentives.  

Cost of materials sold. Cost of materials sold includes metal purchase and in-bound freight costs, third-party processing costs, and direct and 
indirect internal processing costs. The cost of materials sold fluctuates with our sales volume and our ability to purchase metals at competitive prices. 
Increases in sales volume generally enable us both to improve purchasing leverage with suppliers, as we buy larger quantities of metals inventories.  

Gross profit. Gross profit is the difference between net sales and the cost of materials sold. Our sales prices to our customers are subject to market 

competition. Achieving acceptable levels of gross profit is dependent on our acquiring metals at competitive prices, our ability to manage the impact of 
changing prices, and efficiently managing our internal and external processing costs.  

Operating expenses. Optimizing business processes and asset utilization to lower fixed expenses such as employee, facility, and truck fleet costs 

which cannot be rapidly reduced in times of declining volume, and maintaining low fixed cost structure in times of increasing sales volume, have a 
significant impact on our profitability. Operating expenses include costs related to warehousing and distributing our products as well as selling, general, 
and administrative expenses.  

30 

  
The following table sets forth our condensed consolidated statements of income data: 

Results of Operations  

Net sales 
Cost of materials sold 
Gross profit 
Warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and 
   administrative expenses 
Restructuring and other charges 
Operating profit 
Other expenses 
Income before income taxes 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes 
Net income 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 
Net income attributable to Ryerson Holding 
   Corporation 
Basic earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2018 

% of Net 
Sales 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2017 

% of Net 
Sales 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2016 

% of Net 
Sales 

  $ 

4,408.4       
3,650.3       
758.1       

100.0 %   $ 
82.8        
17.2        

3,364.7       
2,782.2       
582.5       

100.0 %   $ 
82.7        
17.3        

2,859.7       
2,289.1       
570.6       

100.0 % 
80.0   
20.0   

614.7       
4.2       
139.2       
(22.5 )     
116.7       
10.3       
106.4       
0.4       

106.0       
2.84       
2.81       

13.9        
0.1        
3.2        
(0.6 )      
2.6        
0.2        
2.4        
—        

2.4 %   $ 
       $ 
       $ 

481.4       
—       
101.1       
(84.4 )     
16.7       
(1.3 )     
18.0       
0.9       

17.1       
0.46       
0.46       

14.3        
—        
3.0        
(2.5 )      
0.5        
—        
0.5        
—        

0.5 %   $ 
       $ 
       $ 

447.5       
1.0       
122.1       
(96.0 )     
26.1       
7.2       
18.9       
0.2       

18.7       
0.55       
0.54       

  $ 
  $ 
  $ 

The following table shows the Company’s percentage of sales by major product line: 

Product Line 
Carbon Steel Flat 
Carbon Steel Plate 
Carbon Steel Long 
Stainless Steel Flat 
Stainless Steel Plate 
Stainless Steel Long 
Aluminum Flat 
Aluminum Plate 
Aluminum Long 
Other 

Total 

2018 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 
(Percentage of Sales) 

2016 

27 %      
11         
14         
16         
4         
4         
15         
3         
4         
2         
100 %      

28 %      
10         
12         
18         
4         
4         
15         
3         
4         
2         
100 %      

31 

15.7   
—   
4.3   
(3.4 ) 
0.9   
0.2   
0.7   
—   

0.7 % 

28 % 
9   
13   
17   
4   
3   
16   
3   
5   
2   
100 % 

  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2018 with the year ended December 31, 2017 

Net Sales  

Net sales 
Net sales, same-store 

   $ 
   $ 

Tons sold 
Tons sold, same-store 

2018 

2018 

Year Ended December 31, 

2017 
($ in millions) 

Dollar 
change 

Percentage    

change 

4,408.4       $ 
4,060.9      $ 

3,364.7      
3,364.7   

$ 
  $ 

1,043.7      
696.2   

31.0 % 
20.7 % 

Year Ended December 31, 

2017 
(in thousands) 

Tons 
change 

Percentage    

change 

2,268        
2,081        

2,000   
2,000   

268   
81   

13.4 % 
4.1 % 

Average selling price per ton sold 
Average selling price per ton sold, same-store 

   $ 
   $ 

1,944      $ 
1,951      $ 

1,682   
1,682   

  $ 
  $ 

262   
269   

15.6 % 
16.0 % 

Year Ended December 31, 

2018 

2017 

Price 
change 

Percentage    

change 

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased from the same period a year ago due to higher average selling prices and higher tons 
sold reflecting improved economic conditions in the metals market.  Net sales and tons sold also increased in 2018 due to the acquisition of CS&W on 
July 2, 2018.  Excluding CS&W (same-store results), average selling price per ton increased for all of our product lines in 2018 with the largest increases in 
our carbon plate, aluminum plate, and stainless plate products. Prices increased for our product lines in 2018 compared to 2017 as the impact of Section 
232 tariffs favorably impacted metal prices along with improved demand. As more fully discussed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on 
Form 10-K, the tariffs imposed on certain metal products under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 have led to significant increases in the 
prices of the products we sell and our profitability. A rapid decline in metal prices from current levels could result in a significant adverse effect on our 
revenues, gross profit, and net income. Excluding CS&W, tons sold also increased in 2018 for all of our product lines with the largest increases in 
shipments of our carbon plate, stainless plate, and aluminum flat product lines. Tons sold per ship day were 9,000 in 2018 as compared to 7,968 in 2017. 
Excluding CS&W, tons sold per ship day were 8,258 in 2018.  

Cost of Materials Sold 

Cost of materials sold 

   $ 

3,650.3   

82.8 %    $ 

2,782.2   

82.7 %    $ 

868.1   

31.2 % 

Year Ended December 31, 

2018 

2017 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

Dollar 
change 

Percentage 
change 

($ in millions) 

Average cost of materials per ton sold 

      Year Ended December 31, 

Dollar 

      Percentage    

2018 

2017 

change 

change 

      $ 

1,610   

  $ 

1,391   

  $ 

219   

15.7 % 

The increase in cost of materials sold in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to an increase in the average cost of materials sold per ton and 
the increase in tons sold. The average cost of materials sold increased for all of our product lines during 2018 with our carbon plate, stainless plate, and 
stainless long product lines increasing more than our other products lines.   

During 2018, LIFO expense was $90 million related to increases in pricing for all product lines. During 2017, LIFO expense was $44 million related to 
increases in pricing for all product lines. LIFO expense in 2017 was offset by a $24 million credit to reverse the lower of cost or market inventory reserve.  

32 

  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
          
           
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
    
    
     
    
    
          
           
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
  
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
  
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
  
        
           
           
           
           
           
  
  
        
           
           
           
           
           
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
       
           
     
  
  
  
  
     
  
        
           
    
Gross Profit  

Year Ended December 31, 

Gross profit 

   $ 

758.1        

17.2 %    $ 

2018 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

2017 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

   Dollar change       

Percentage 
change 

($ in millions) 
582.5        

17.3 %    $ 

175.6        

30.1 % 

Gross profit dollars increased in 2018 compared to 2017 due to the increases in average selling price and tons sold as well as the acquisition of 
CS&W. During 2018, our revenue per ton increased at approximately the same pace as the increase in cost of materials sold per ton resulting in stable 
gross margins compared to the prior year.  

Operating Expenses  

Year Ended December 31, 

2018 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

2017 

% of Net 
$ 
Sales 
($ in millions) 

Dollar 
change       

Percentage 
change 

Warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative expenses 
Warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative expenses, 
same-store 
Restructuring and other charges 

   $ 

614.7        

13.9 %    $  481.4   

14.3 %    $ 

133.3        

27.7 % 

   $ 
   $ 

548.4        
4.2        

13.5 %    $  481.4   
0.1 %    $  —   

14.3 %    $ 
  $ 

—   

67.0         
4.2        

13.9 % 
— 

Total operating expenses in 2018 were $137.5 million higher than in 2017 primarily due to the acquisition of CS&W on July 2, 2018, which increased 

operating expenses by $66.3 million excluding restructuring charges. In addition, improved demand, higher employment levels, and general inflationary 
factors impacted expenses with increases in the following categories:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Higher incentive compensation expense of $29.5 million; 

higher salaries and wages of $11.9 million; 

higher delivery expenses of $9.4 million, primarily due to the increase in tons sold in 2018; 

higher facility expenses of $6.2 million, primarily due to higher operating supply costs and higher depreciation expense;  

a restructuring charge of $4.2 million in 2018 related primarily to severance costs for corporate staff reductions and two facility closures; 

higher sales expenses of $2.8 million; and 

higher purchase consideration and other transaction costs of $2.6 million.   

On a per ton basis, operating expenses increased to $273 per ton in 2018 from $241 per ton in 2017.  

Operating Profit  

Year Ended December 31, 

Operating profit 

   $ 

139.2        

3.2 %    $ 

2018 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

2017 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

   Dollar change       

Percentage 
change 

($ in millions) 
101.1        

3.0 %    $ 

38.1        

37.7 % 

Our operating profit increased in 2018 compared to 2017 primarily due to the increase in average selling price and tons sold discussed above. 

33 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
  
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
     
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
  
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
     
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
  
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
     
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
Other Expenses  

Year Ended December 31, 

2018 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

2017 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 
($ in millions) 

Dollar 
change 

Percentage 
change 

Interest and other expense on debt 
Other income and (expense), net 

  $ 

(99.2 )      
76.7        

(2.3 )%   $ 
1.7   

(91.0 )      
6.6        

(2.7 )%   $ 
0.2   

(8.2 )      
70.1        

9.0 % 

1,062.1 

Interest and other expense on debt increased in 2018 compared to 2017, primarily due to a higher level of credit facility borrowings outstanding 

resulting from the acquisition of CS&W on July 2, 2018, from increased working capital requirements, and higher interest rates on credit facility 
borrowings in 2018. The other income in 2018 includes a $70.0 million gain on the bargain purchase of CS&W, a $6.2 million credit from net periodic 
benefit cost other than service cost, and $2.5 million of foreign currency gains, partially offset by a $1.7 million loss on the redemption of debt. The other 
income in 2017 was primarily related to an $8.9 million credit from net periodic benefit cost other than service cost, partially offset by foreign currency 
losses.  

Provision for Income Taxes  

        The $10.3 million income tax provision in 2018 primarily represents taxes at federal and local statutory rates where the Company operates, but 
generally excludes any tax benefit for losses in jurisdictions with historical losses. During 2018, the Company recorded benefits of $1.3 million and $3.6 
million to reduce valuation allowances previously recorded against certain foreign deferred tax assets and state net operating losses, respectively.  This 
benefit was offset by additional tax expense of $1.5 million from the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities at our new state tax rates resulting 
from our recent acquisition of CS&W. The effective tax rate for 2018 also reflects the reduced federal corporate income tax rate as a result of the 
enactment of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”) in December 2017. 

The Company’s provision for income taxes in the fourth quarter of 2017 included $7.2 million of estimated tax expense related to the one-time 
deemed repatriation transition tax (“Transition Tax”). An additional $0.4 million of expense was recorded in 2018 as we refined our calculations. Of the 
$7.6 million of estimated tax expense, $0.9 million was reflected in our deferred tax balances and $6.7 million was reflected in income taxes payable. Please 
refer to Note 17 — “Income Taxes” of Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information on the impact of the Tax Cuts 
and Jobs Act. 

Noncontrolling Interest  

In both 2018 and 2017, Ryerson China’s results of operations was income and the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest was $0.4 

million and $0.9 million, respectively.  

Earnings Per Share  

Basic earnings per share was $2.84 in 2018 and $0.46 in 2017. Diluted earnings per share was $2.81 in 2018 and $0.46 in 2017. The changes in 

earnings per share are due to the results of operations discussed above.  

34 

  
  
  
  
  
       
         
  
  
  
  
  
  
       
         
  
  
  
     
  
  
     
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2017 with the year ended December 31, 2016  

Net Sales 

Net sales 

   $ 

3,364.7       $ 

2,859.7      

$ 

505.0      

17.7 % 

Year Ended December 31, 

2017 

2016 
($ in millions) 

Dollar 
change 

Percentage    

change 

Tons sold 

2,000        

1,903   

97   

5.1 % 

Year Ended December 31, 

2017 

2016 
(in thousands) 

Tons 
change 

Percentage    

change 

Year Ended December 31, 

2017 

2016 

Price 
change 

Percentage    

change 

Average selling price per ton sold 

   $ 

1,682      $ 

1,503   

  $ 

179   

11.9 % 

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased from the year ended December 31, 2016 due to higher average selling prices and higher 
tons sold. Average selling price increased in 2017 from the price levels in 2016 reflecting improved economic conditions in the metals market.  Average 
selling price increased for all of our product lines in the year ended December 31, 2017 with the largest increases in our carbon flat, stainless flat, and 
stainless plate products. Tons sold increased in 2017 with the largest increases in shipments in our stainless long, aluminum flat, and carbon plate 
product lines. Tons sold per ship day were 7,968 in 2017 as compared to 7,552 in 2016.  

Cost of Materials Sold  

Cost of materials sold 

   $ 

2,782.2   

82.7 %    $ 

2,289.1   

80.0 %    $ 

493.1   

21.5 % 

Year Ended December 31, 

2017 

2016 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

Dollar 
change 

Percentage 
change 

($ in millions) 

Average cost of materials per ton sold 

      Year Ended December 31, 

Cost 

      Percentage    

2017 

2016 

change 

change 

      $ 

1,391   

  $ 

1,203   

  $ 

188   

15.6 % 

The increase in cost of materials sold in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily due to an increase in the average cost of materials sold per ton and 

the increase in tons sold. The average cost of materials sold for our carbon flat, carbon plate, and stainless flat product lines increased more than our 
other products during 2017, which was a faster increase than the increase in average selling price per ton for these products.   

During 2017, LIFO expense was $44 million related to increases in pricing for all product lines. During 2016, LIFO expense was $7 million related to 
increases in pricing for carbon products. In 2017, we recorded income of $24 million to adjust the lower of cost or market inventory reserve compared to 
income of $14 million in 2016.  

Gross Profit  

Year Ended December 31, 

Gross profit 

   $ 

582.5        

17.3 %    $ 

2017 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

2016 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

   Dollar change       

Percentage 
change 

($ in millions) 
570.6        

20.0 %    $ 

11.9        

2.1 % 

Gross profit dollars increased in 2017 compared to 2016, but gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 17.3% in 2017 compared to 20.0% in 

2016 as a competitive pricing environment combined with increasing commodity prices compressed gross profit margin. While our revenue per ton 
increased in 2017 as compared to 2016, cost of materials sold per ton increased at a faster pace, resulting in lower gross margins.  

35 

  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
          
           
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
    
    
          
           
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
  
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
  
        
           
           
           
           
           
  
  
        
           
           
           
           
           
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
       
           
     
  
  
  
  
     
  
        
           
    
  
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
  
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
     
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
Operating Expenses  

Year Ended December 31, 

2017 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

2016 

% of Net 
$ 
Sales 
($ in millions) 

Dollar 
change       

Percentage 
change 

Warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative expenses 
Restructuring and other charges 

   $ 

481.4        
—        

14.3 %    $  447.5   
1.0   
  $ 

—   

15.7 %    $ 
  $ 

—   

33.9        
(1.0 )      

7.6 % 

(100.0 ) 

Operating expenses in 2017 were higher than in 2016 primarily due to the following reasons:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Higher salaries and wages of $10.3 million resulting mainly from an increase in headcount after the acquisitions of Laserflex and Guy Metals 
in 2017; 

higher facility expenses of $8.0 million, primarily due to higher depreciation expense and higher operating supply costs; 

higher delivery expenses of $7.8 million, primarily due to the increase in tons sold in 2017; 

higher employee benefit costs of $5.7 million in 2017, primarily due to higher medical expenses; and 

higher sales expenses of $2.4 million.  

These changes were partially offset by:  

• 

Lower incentive compensation expense of $3.2 million.  

On a per ton basis, operating expenses increased to $241 per ton in 2017 from $236 per ton in 2016 

Operating Profit 

Year Ended December 31, 

Operating profit 

   $ 

101.1        

3.0 %    $ 

2017 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

2016 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

   Dollar change       

Percentage 
change 

($ in millions) 
122.1        

4.3 %    $ 

(21.0 )      

(17.2 )% 

Our operating profit decreased in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily due to the decrease in gross margin as a percent of sales discussed above.  

Other Expenses  

Year Ended December 31, 

2017 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 

2016 

$ 

% of Net 
Sales 
($ in millions) 

Dollar 
change 

Percentage 
change 

Interest and other expense on debt 
Other income and (expense), net 

  $ 

(91.0 )      
6.6        

(2.7 )%   $ 
0.2   

(89.9 )      
(6.1 )      

(3.1 )%   $ 
(0.3 ) 

(1.1 )      
12.7        

1.2 % 

(208.2 ) 

Interest and other expense on debt increased in 2017 compared to 2016 as the interest rate on a portion of our outstanding Notes increased after 

we redeemed the $569.9 million outstanding balance of our 9.00% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Notes”), repurchased $121.9 million and thereafter 
redeemed the remaining outstanding $48.5 million of our 11.25% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”), and issued $650.0 million of new 11.00% 
Senior Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Notes”) in 2016, partially offset by a reduction in the amount of our outstanding Notes and lower amortization of debt 
issuance costs expense. The other income in 2017 was primarily related to an $8.9 million credit from net periodic benefit cost other than service cost, 
partially offset by foreign currency losses. The other expense in 2016 was primarily related to a $8.7 million net loss on debt redemptions, a $4.7 million 
charge due to an other-than-temporary impairment recognized on an equity investment, and foreign currency losses of $3.9 million, partially offset by a 
credit of $11.1 million from net periodic benefit cost other than service cost.  

Provision for Income Taxes  

The $1.3 million income tax benefit in 2017 includes tax expense on earnings in the U.S. and changes in our valuation allowances, adjusted for the 

impact of certain one-time items associated with the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) passed on  

36 

  
  
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
  
  
  
        
           
  
  
  
     
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
     
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
        
          
  
  
  
  
  
  
        
          
  
  
  
     
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
       
         
  
  
  
  
  
  
       
         
  
  
  
     
  
  
     
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
December 22, 2017. These one-time adjustments included a benefit for the revaluation of our deferred tax assets of $10.6 million and the tax associated 
with the deemed repatriation of foreign earnings of $7.2 million under the Act. The $7.2 million income tax expense in 2016 results predominantly from tax 
expense on earnings in the U.S. and the inability to benefit losses in our foreign subsidiaries due to valuation allowances.   

The Company’s 2017 provision for income taxes included $7.2 million of estimated tax expense related to the one-time deemed repatriation 

transition tax (“Transition Tax”).  Of the $7.2 million of estimated tax expense, $0.5 million is reflected in our deferred tax balances and $6.7 million is 
reflected in income taxes payable.  We chose to include an estimate of the Transition Tax in 2017 due to the complex nature of the calculation and the 
short amount of time between passing of the legislation and the filing of our financial statements. Please refer to Note 17 — “Income Taxes” of Part II, 
Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information on the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. 

Noncontrolling Interest  

In 2017, Ryerson China’s results of operations was income and the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest was $0.9 million. In 2016, 

Ryerson China’s results of operations was income partially offset by a loss at our Brazil operations through Açofran Aços e Metais Ltda (“Açofran”) in 
which we had a 50% direct ownership percentage, until we substantially liquidated our investment in Acofran during 2016. The portion of Ryerson 
China’s and Açofran’s results attributable to the noncontrolling interest in 2016 was income of $0.2 million. 

Earnings Per Share  

Basic earnings per share was $0.46 in 2017 and $0.55 in 2016. Diluted earnings per share was $0.46 in 2017 and $0.54 in 2016. The changes in 
earnings per share are due to the results of operations discussed above as well as an increase in the weighted average shares outstanding after the 
issuance of 5 million shares of common stock in an underwritten public offering in July 2016.  

The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations, and borrowing availability under the $1.0 

billion revolving credit facility (the “Ryerson Credit Facility”) that matures on November 16, 2021. Its principal source of operating cash is from the sale of 
metals and other materials. Its principal uses of cash are for payments associated with the procurement and processing of metals and other materials 
inventories, costs incurred for the warehousing and delivery of inventories and the selling and administrative costs of the business, capital expenditures, 
and for interest payments on debt.  

Liquidity and Capital Resources  

The following table summarizes the Company’s cash flows:  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 
Net cash used in investing activities 
Net cash provided by financing activities 
Effect of exchange rates on cash 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

2018 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 
(In millions) 

2016 

   $ 

   $ 

57.4       $ 
(200.2 )       
92.9         
(4.3 )       
(54.2 )     $ 

(2.5 )     $ 
(70.3 )       
65.7         
3.9         
(3.2 )     $ 

24.8   
(19.8 ) 
11.4   
0.9   
17.3 

The Company had cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2018 of $23.2 million, compared to $77.4 million at December 31, 2017, and $80.7 

million at December 31, 2016. The Company had $1,153 million, $1,046 million, and $964 million of total debt outstanding, a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 
94%, 101%, and 105%, and $392 million, $264 million, and $225 million available under the Ryerson Credit Facility at December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, 
respectively. The Company had total liquidity (defined as cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and availability under the Ryerson Credit 
Facility and foreign debt facilities) of $441 million, $338 million, and $301 million at December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Total liquidity is not a 
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) financial measure. We believe that total liquidity provides additional information for measuring 
our ability to fund our operations. Total liquidity does not represent, and should not be used as a substitute for, net income or cash flows from 
operations as determined in accordance with GAAP and total liquidity is not necessarily an indication of whether cash flow will be sufficient to fund our 
cash requirements.  

37 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
Below is a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents to total liquidity:  

Cash and cash equivalents 
Less: Qualified cash pledged as collateral 
Availability under Ryerson Credit Facility and foreign debt facilities 

Total liquidity 

   December 31, 2018        December 31, 2017        December 31, 2016    
(In millions) 

   $ 

   $ 

23      $ 
—        
418        
441      $ 

77      $ 
(28 )      
289        
338      $ 

81   
(31 ) 
251   
301 

Of the total cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2018, $12 million was held in subsidiaries outside the United States which is deemed to 

be permanently reinvested. Ryerson does not currently foresee a need to repatriate funds from its non-U.S. subsidiaries. Although the Company has 
historically satisfied needs for more capital in the U.S. through debt or equity issuances, it could elect to repatriate funds held in foreign jurisdictions 
which could result in higher effective tax rates. The Company has not recorded a deferred tax liability for the effect of a possible repatriation of these 
assets as management intends to permanently reinvest these assets outside of the U.S. Specific plans for reinvestment include funding for future 
international acquisitions and funding of existing international operations.  

Net cash provided by operating activities was $57.4 million in 2018 compared to net cash used in operating activities of $2.5 million in 2017 and net 

cash provided by operating activities of $24.8 million in 2016. Net income was $106.4 million, $18.0 million, and $18.9 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016 
respectively. Cash provided by operating activities of $57.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to the net income of $106.4 
million, an increase in accounts payable of $58.4 million reflecting a higher cost of materials purchased at year-end 2018 compared to year-end 2017, and 
non-cash depreciation and amortization expense of $52.9 million, partially offset by a non-cash gain on the bargain purchase of CS&W of $70.0 million, an 
increase in accounts receivable of $64.8 million resulting from higher sales levels at year-end 2018 compared to year-end 2017, and pension contributions 
of $27.0 million. Cash used in operating activities of $2.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2017 was primarily due to an increase in accounts 
receivable of $44.0 million resulting from higher sales levels at year-end 2017 compared to year-end 2016, an increase in inventory of $42.9 million 
reflecting higher material costs in 2017, pension contributions of $21.7 million, an increase in deferred income taxes of $9.2 million, and the payment of $7.9 
million of retiree medical costs, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable of $58.1 million reflecting a higher cost of materials purchased at year-
end 2017 compared to year-end 2016, non-cash depreciation and amortization expense of $47.1 million, and net income of $18.0 million. Cash provided by 
operating activities of $24.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily due to non-cash depreciation and amortization expense of 
$42.5 million, an increase in accounts payable of $20.4 million, and net income of $18.9 million, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of 
$22.5 million, pension contributions of $22.1 million, and premiums and fees related to debt modification of $15.7 million.  

Net cash used in investing activities was $200.2 million, $70.3 million, and $19.8 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. During 2018 we paid 

$169.7 million, net of cash acquired, to purchase CS&W and Fanello Industries. During 2017 the Company paid $49.2 million, net of cash acquired, to 
acquire all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of The Laserflex Corporation and Guy Metals, Inc. Capital expenditures for the years ended 
December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, were $38.4 million, $25.1 million, and $23.0 million, respectively. The Company sold property, plant, and equipment and 
assets held for sale generating cash proceeds of $5.9 million, $3.8 million, and $3.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, 
respectively.  

Net cash provided by financing activities was $92.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.  In 2018, net cash provided by financing 
activities was primarily due to an increase in credit facility borrowings of $149.9 million, largely to finance the acquisitions of CS&W and Fanello 
Industries, an increase in book overdrafts of $6.3 million, and proceeds of $4.5 million from sale-leaseback transactions, partially offset by a $52.2 million 
repurchase of the 2022 Notes, and $13.7 million of principal payments under capital lease obligations. Net cash provided by financing activities was $65.7 
million for the year ended December 31, 2017.  In 2017, net cash provided by financing activities was primarily related to net proceeds of $74.3 million from 
credit facility borrowings and proceeds of $24.9 million from sale leaseback transactions, partially offset by a $18.0 million net decrease in book overdrafts 
and $14.4 million of principle payments under capital lease obligations. Net cash provided by financing activities was $11.4 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2016. In 2016, net cash provided by financing activities was primarily related to the issuance of the 2022 Notes with a principle amount of 
$650.0 million, net proceeds of $71.5 million from the issuance of common stock, and $37.0 million from an increase in credit facility borrowings, partially 
offset by the redemption of the $569.9 million outstanding balance of the 2017 Notes and $170.4 million of the 2018 Notes. 

As market conditions warrant and subject to our contractual restrictions, liquidity position, and other factors, we may from time to time seek to 

repurchase or retire our outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for other debt or equity securities in open market transactions, 
privately negotiated transactions, by tender offer, or otherwise. Any such cash repurchases by us may be funded by cash on hand or incurring new debt. 
The amounts involved in any such transactions, individually or in the aggregate, may  

38 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
be material. Furthermore, any such repurchases or exchanges may result in our acquiring and retiring a substantial amount of such indebtedness, which 
would impact the trading liquidity of such indebtedness. 

Total Debt  

Total debt at December 31, 2018 increased $107.6 million to $1,153.3 million from $1,045.7 million at December 31, 2017 as a result of acquisitions 

and capital expenditures during the year, funded by the Ryerson Credit Facility.  

Total debt outstanding as of December 31, 2018 consisted of the following amounts: $535.9 million borrowing under the Ryerson Credit Facility, 

$599.5 million under the 2022 Notes, $19.5 million of foreign debt, and $8.3 million of other debt, less $9.9 million of unamortized debt issuance costs. 
Availability under the Ryerson Credit Facility was $392 million and $264 million at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Discussion of 
our outstanding debt follows.  

Ryerson Credit Facility  

On November 16, 2016, Ryerson entered into an amendment with respect to its $1.0 billion revolving credit facility (as amended, the “Old Credit 
Facility”), to reduce the total facility size from $1.0 billion to $750 million, reduce the interest rate on outstanding borrowings by 25 basis points, reduce 
commitment fees on amounts not borrowed by 2.5 basis points, and to extend the maturity date to November 16, 2021. On June 28, 2018, Ryerson entered 
into a second amendment with respect to the Old Credit Facility to increase the facility size from $750 million to $1.0 billion (the Old Credit Facility as 
amended, the “Ryerson Credit Facility”). 

At December 31, 2018, Ryerson had $535.9 million of outstanding borrowings, $12 million of letters of credit issued, and $392 million available 

under the Ryerson Credit Facility compared to $384.2 million of outstanding borrowings, $12 million of letters of credit issued, and $264 million available 
at December 31, 2017. Total credit availability is limited by the amount of eligible accounts receivable, inventory, and qualified cash pledged as collateral 
under the agreement insofar as Ryerson is subject to a borrowing base comprised of the aggregate of these three amounts, less applicable reserves. 
Eligible accounts receivable, at any date of determination, is comprised of the aggregate value of all accounts directly created by a borrower (and in the 
case of Canadian accounts, the Canadian borrower) in the ordinary course of business arising out of the sale of goods or the rendering of services, each 
of which has been invoiced, with such receivables adjusted to exclude various ineligible accounts, including, among other things, those to which a 
borrower (or guarantor, as applicable) does not have sole and absolute title and accounts arising out of a sale to an employee, officer, director, or affiliate 
of a borrower (or guarantor, as applicable). Eligible inventory, at any date of determination, is comprised of the net orderly liquidation value of all 
inventory owned by a borrower (and in the case of Canadian accounts, the Canadian borrower). Qualified cash consists of cash in an eligible deposit 
account that is subject to customary restrictions and liens in favor of the lenders.  

The Ryerson Credit Facility has an allocation of $940 million to the Company’s subsidiaries in the United States and an allocation of $60 million to 

Ryerson Holding’s Canadian subsidiary that is a borrower. Amounts outstanding under the Ryerson Credit Facility bear interest at (i) a rate determined 
by reference to (A) the base rate (the highest of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, Bank of America, N.A.’s prime rate, and the one-month LIBOR rate 
plus 1.00%), or (B) a LIBOR rate or, (ii) for Ryerson Holding’s Canadian subsidiary that is a borrower, (A) a rate determined by reference to the Canadian 
base rate (the greatest of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, Bank of America-Canada Branch’s “base rate” for commercial loans in U.S. Dollars made at 
its “base rate”, and the 30 day LIBOR rate plus 1.00%), (B) the prime rate (the greater of Bank of America-Canada Branch’s “prime rate” for commercial 
loans made by it in Canada in Canadian Dollars and the one-month Canadian bankers’ acceptance rate plus 1.00%), or (C) the bankers’ acceptance rate. 
The spread over the base rate and prime rate is between 0.25% and 0.50% and the spread over the LIBOR for the bankers’ acceptances is between 1.25% 
and 1.50%, depending on the amount available to be borrowed under the Ryerson Credit Facility. Overdue amounts and all amounts owed during the 
existence of a default bear interest at 2% above the rate otherwise applicable thereto. Ryerson also pays commitment fees on amounts not borrowed at a 
rate of 0.23%. 

We attempt to minimize interest rate risk exposure through the utilization of interest rate swaps, which are derivative financial instruments. During 

March 2017, we entered into an interest rate swap to fix interest on $150 million of our floating rate debt under the Ryerson Credit Facility at a rate of 
1.658% through March 2020. The swap has reset dates and critical terms that match our existing debt and the anticipated critical terms of future debt. The 
weighted average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings under the Ryerson Credit Facility including the interest rate swap was 3.5 percent and 2.8 
percent at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 

Borrowings under the Ryerson Credit Facility are secured by first-priority liens on all of the inventory, accounts receivables, lockbox accounts, 

and related assets of the borrowers and the guarantors.  

39 

  
The Ryerson Credit Facility also contains covenants that, among other things, restrict Ryerson Holding and its restricted subsidiaries with respect 

to the incurrence of debt, the creation of liens, transactions with affiliates, mergers and consolidations, sales of assets, and acquisitions. The Ryerson 
Credit Facility also requires that, if availability under the Ryerson Credit Facility declines to a certain level, Ryerson maintain a minimum fixed charge 
coverage ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter, and includes defaults upon (among other things) the occurrence of a change of control of Ryerson and 
a cross-default to other financing arrangements.  

The Ryerson Credit Facility contains events of default with respect to, among other things, default in the payment of principal when due or the 

payment of interest, fees, and other amounts due thereunder after a specified grace period, material misrepresentations, failure to perform certain specified 
covenants, certain bankruptcy events, the invalidity of certain security agreements or guarantees, material judgments, and the occurrence of a change of 
control of Ryerson. If such an event of default occurs, the lenders under the Ryerson Credit Facility will be entitled to various remedies, including 
acceleration of amounts outstanding under the Ryerson Credit Facility and all other actions permitted to be taken by secured creditors.   

The lenders under the Ryerson Credit Facility could reject a borrowing request if any event, circumstance, or development has occurred that has 
had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company. If Ryerson Holding, JT Ryerson, any of the other borrowers, or 
any restricted subsidiaries of JT Ryerson becomes insolvent or commences bankruptcy proceedings, all amounts borrowed under the Ryerson Credit 
Facility will become immediately due and payable.  

Net proceeds of short-term borrowings that are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows represent borrowings under the Ryerson 

Credit Facility with original maturities less than three months. 

2022 Notes  

On May 24, 2016, JT Ryerson issued $650 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Notes (the “2022 Notes”). The 2022 Notes bear 
interest at a rate of 11.00% per annum. The 2022 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by all of our existing and future 
domestic subsidiaries that are co-borrowers or that have guarantee obligations under the Ryerson Credit Facility. 

The 2022 Notes and the related guarantees are secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of JT Ryerson’s and each 

guarantor’s present and future assets located in the United States (other than receivables, inventory, cash, deposit accounts and related general 
intangibles, certain other assets, and proceeds thereof), subject to certain exceptions and customary permitted liens. The 2022 Notes and the related 
guarantees are also secured on a second-priority basis by a lien on the assets that secure JT Ryerson’s and the Company’s obligations under the 
Ryerson Credit Facility.  

The 2022 Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time on or after May 15, 2019 at certain redemption prices. The redemption price for 

the 2022 Notes if redeemed during the twelve months beginning (i) May 15, 2019 is 105.50%, (ii) May 15, 2020 is 102.75%, and (iii) May 15, 2021 and 
thereafter is 100.00%. JT Ryerson may redeem some or all of the 2022 Notes before May 15, 2019 at a redemption price of 100.00% of the principal amount, 
plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, plus a “make-whole” premium. In addition, JT Ryerson may redeem up to 35% of the 2022 
Notes before May 15, 2019 with respect to the 2022 Notes with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a price equal to 111.00%, with 
respect to the 2022 Notes, of the principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any. JT Ryerson may be required to make an offer to 
purchase the 2022 Notes upon the sale of assets or upon a change of control. 

The 2022 Notes contain customary covenants that, among other things, limit, subject to certain exceptions, our ability, and the ability of our 
restricted subsidiaries, to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock, make investments, sell 
assets, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations, create liens, or use assets as security in other transactions. Subject to certain exceptions, JT 
Ryerson may only pay dividends to Ryerson Holding to the extent of 50% of cumulative net income since the issuance of the 2022 Notes, once prior 
losses are offset. 

During 2018, a principal amount of $50.5 million of the 2022 Notes were repurchased for $52.2 million and retired, resulting in the recognition of a 

$1.7 million loss within other income and (expense), net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. 

The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2022 Notes, along with borrowings under the Ryerson Credit Facility, were used to (i) repurchase 
and/or redeem in full the $569.9 million balance of JT Ryerson’s 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Notes”), plus accrued and unpaid 
interest thereon up to, but not including, the repayment date, (ii) repurchase $95.0 million of JT Ryerson’s 11.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (the 
“2018 Notes”), and (iii) pay related fees, expenses, and premiums. 

The Company applied the provisions of ASC 470-50, “Modifications and Extinguishments” in accounting for the issuance of the 2022 Notes, 

redemption of the 2017 Notes, and partial repurchase of the 2018 Notes. The evaluation of the accounting under ASC  

40 

  
470-50 was performed on a creditor by creditor basis in order to determine if the terms of the debt were substantially different and, as a result, whether to 
apply modification or extinguishment accounting. For the lenders where it was determined that the terms of the debt were not substantially different, 
modification accounting was applied. For the remaining lenders, extinguishment accounting was applied. In connection with this debt modification and 
extinguishment, the Company recorded a $16.1 million loss within other income and (expense), net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations during 
2016, primarily attributed to the costs incurred with third parties for arrangement fees, legal, and other services related to the modified debt, as well as 
redemption fees paid to the creditors, and unamortized debt issuance costs written off related to the extinguished debt. Additionally, the costs incurred 
with third parties for arrangement fees, legal, and other services related to the extinguished debt and redemption fees paid to the creditors related to the 
modified debt were capitalized and are being amortized over the life of the modified debt using the effective interest method. 

During 2016, a principal amount of $75.4 million of the 2018 Notes were repurchased for $68.0 million and retired, resulting in the recognition of a 
$7.4 million gain within other income and (expense), net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Including the $16.1 million loss on the redemption 
of the $569.9 million balance of the 2017 Notes and repurchase of $95.0 million of the 2018 Notes, the Company recognized a total net loss of $8.7 million 
within other income and (expense), net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations during year 2016. 

Foreign Debt  

At December 31, 2018, Ryerson China’s total foreign borrowings were $19.5 million, which were owed to banks in Asia at a weighted average 
interest rate of 4.3% per annum and secured by inventory and property, plant, and equipment. At December 31, 2017, Ryerson China’s total foreign 
borrowings were $21.3 million, which were owed to banks in Asia at a weighted average interest rate of 3.7% per annum and secured by inventory and 
property, plant, and equipment.  

Availability under Ryerson China’s credit facility was $26 million and $25 million at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Letters 

of credit issued by our foreign subsidiaries totaled $3 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017.  

Pension Funding  

The Company made contributions of $27.0 million in 2018, $21.7 million in 2017, and $22.1 million in 2016 to improve the Company’s pension plans 

funded status. At December 31, 2018, as reflected in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, pension liabilities exceeded plan assets by $181 
million. The Company anticipates that it will have a minimum required pension contribution of approximately $26 million in 2019 under the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), Pension Protection Act in the U.S., and the Ontario Pension Benefits Act in Canada. Future 
contribution requirements depend on the investment returns on plan assets, the impact of discount rates on pension liabilities, and changes in regulatory 
requirements. The Company is unable to determine the amount or timing of any such contributions required by ERISA or whether any such contributions 
would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or cash flows. The Company believes that cash flow from operations and the 
Ryerson Credit Facility described above will provide sufficient funds to make the minimum required contribution in 2019.  

The Company made income tax payments of $2.1 million, $1.7 million, and $1.8 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.  

Income Tax Payments  

In the normal course of business with customers, vendors, and others, we have entered into off-balance sheet arrangements, such as letters of 
credit, which totaled $15 million as of December 31, 2018. Additionally, other than normal course long-term operating leases included in the following 
Contractual Obligations table, we do not have any material off-balance sheet financing arrangements. None of these off-balance sheet arrangements are 
likely to have a material effect on our current or future financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources.  

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements  

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The following table presents contractual obligations at December 31, 2018:  

Contractual Obligations  

Contractual Obligations(1)(2) 
2022 Notes 
Ryerson Credit Facility 
Foreign Debt 
Other Debt 
Interest on 2022 Notes, Foreign Debt, Other Debt, and Ryerson Credit Facility(3)       
Purchase Obligations(4) 
Operating Leases 
Pension Withdrawal Liability 
Capital Leases 
Transition Tax Liability 

   $ 

Total 

   $ 

Payments Due by Period 

Total 

Less than 
1 year 

1 – 3 
years 
(In millions) 

4 – 5 
years 

600       $ 
536         
19         
8         
279         
12         
102         
1         
34         
7         
1,598       $ 

—       $ 
—         
19         
8         
85         
12         
22         
—         
14         
1         
161       $ 

—       $ 
536         
—         
—         
169         
—         
36         
—         
17         
1         
759       $ 

600       $ 
—         
—         
—         
25         
—         
24         
—         
3         
1         
653       $ 

After 
5 
years 

—   
—   
—   
—   
—   
—   
20   
1   
—   
4   
25 

(1) 
(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

The contractual obligations disclosed above do not include our potential future pension funding obligations (see previous discussion under “ Pension Funding” caption).  
Due to uncertainty regarding the completion of tax audits and possible outcomes, we do not know the timing of when our obligations related to unrecognized tax benefits 
will occur, if at all. See Note 17 “ Income Taxes” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional detail.  
Interest payments related to the variable rate debt were estimated using the weighted average interest rate for the Ryerson Credit Facility, including the effect of the 
interest rate swap.  
The purchase obligations with suppliers are entered into when we receive firm sales commitments with certain of our customers.  

Capital expenditures during 2018, 2017, and 2016 totaled $38.4 million, $25.1 million, and $23.0 million, respectively. Capital expenditures were 

primarily for machinery and equipment.  

The Company anticipates capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, to be approximately $35 million in 2019. The spending includes maintenance 

expenditures and improvements to maintain, upgrade, and add to the Company’s North American processing capabilities.  

Capital Expenditures  

Restructuring 

2018 

In 2018, the Company recorded a $3.6 million charge for employee-related costs primarily for severance costs for corporate staff reductions and 
two facility closures. The Company paid $3.2 million of the employee costs related to these actions. The remaining $0.4 million of employee-related costs 
are expected to be paid in 2019. 

During 2018, the Company also recorded a $0.6 million charge to increase the reserve for tenancy-related costs for a facility closed in 2013. The 

Company paid $0.8 million in costs related to this facility closure. The remaining $1.5 million of tenancy-related costs are expected to be paid through 
2025. 

2017 

In 2017, the Company recorded an $0.8 million charge in warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative expense in the Consolidated 

Statements of Operations to increase the reserve for tenancy-related costs for a facility closed in 2013. The Company paid $0.4 million in costs related to 
this facility closure and also reclassified an existing $0.1 million liability for future lease payments to the restructuring reserve. In addition, the Company 
paid $0.1 million in costs related to a facility closed in 2016. 

42 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
     
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
During 2017, the Company recorded a $0.2 million reduction to the reserve for employee-related costs and credited warehousing, delivery, 

selling, general, and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. This action fully utilized the remaining reserve for employee-
related costs.    

2016 

In 2016, the Company recorded a charge of $1.0 million related to a facility closure, which consists of tenancy-related costs, primarily future 

lease payments. The Company paid $0.2 million in costs related to this facility closure and also reclassified an existing $0.2 million liability for future lease 
payments at this facility to the restructuring reserve. The Company also paid $0.3 million in costs related to a facility closed in 2013 and recorded an 
addition of $0.1 million to the reserve for tenancy-related costs, which was charged to warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative expense 
in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  

During 2016, the Company paid $0.7 million in employee-related costs related to restructuring actions taken in the fourth quarter of 2015. The 

Company also recorded a $0.3 million reduction to the reserve for employee-related costs and credited warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and 
administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  

Deferred Tax Amounts  

At December 31, 2018, the Company had a net deferred tax liability of $13 million comprised primarily of a deferred tax asset of $48 million 

related to pension liabilities, a deferred tax asset related to postretirement benefits other than pensions of $18 million, $30 million of Alternative Minimum 
Tax (“AMT”) credit carryforwards, and deferred tax assets of $71 million related to federal, local, and foreign tax loss carryforwards, offset by a valuation 
allowance of $29 million and deferred tax liabilities of $65 million related to fixed assets and $127 million related to inventory. The Company’s deferred tax 
assets include $46 million related to U.S. federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards, $20 million related to state NOL carryforwards, and $5 million 
related to foreign NOL carryforwards, available at December 31, 2018. 

The U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”), enacted on December 22, 2017, significantly changed U.S. corporate income tax laws by, among 

other things, reducing the U.S. corporate income tax rate to 21% starting in 2018 and creating a territorial tax system with a one-time mandatory tax on 
previously deferred foreign earnings of U.S. subsidiaries. Under ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” the effects of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred 
tax balances are recognized in the period in which the new legislation is enacted.  As a result of the Act, we recorded a benefit for the revaluation of our 
deferred tax assets of $10.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2017 within the provision (benefit) for income taxes line of the Consolidated Statement of 
Operations. 

In accordance with ASC 740 the Company assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets. The Company records a valuation allowance 

when, based upon the evaluation of all available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In 
making this determination, we analyze, among other things, our recent history of earnings, the nature and timing of reversing book-tax temporary 
differences, tax planning strategies, and future income. After considering both the positive and negative evidence available, in the second quarter of 
2009, the Company determined that it was more-likely-than-not that it would not realize a portion of its U.S. deferred tax assets. As a result, the Company 
established a valuation allowance against a portion of its U.S. deferred tax assets. The Company released a portion of the valuation allowance related to 
one of its U.S. subsidiaries, JT Ryerson, during 2012. The Company released most of the remaining U.S. related valuation allowance during 2013. In 2018, 
the Company further reduced its valuation allowance related to state and foreign net operating losses. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had a 
valuation allowance of $24.4 million. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had a valuation allowance of $29.3 million, an increase of $4.9 million from the 
prior year mainly related to changes in foreign deferred tax assets, U.S. foreign tax credits, and state net operating losses subject to valuation allowances. 

As described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company assesses the need for a valuation allowance considering all 

available positive and negative evidence, including past operating results, projections of future taxable income, and the feasibility of ongoing tax 
planning strategies. 

The Company will continue to maintain a valuation allowance on certain U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets until such time as in 
management’s judgment, considering all available positive and negative evidence, the Company determines that these deferred tax assets are more likely 
than not realizable. 

Preparation of this Form 10-K requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of 

contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting period. Our 
critical accounting policies, including the assumptions and judgments underlying them, are  

Critical Accounting Estimates  

43 

  
disclosed in Item 8 within Note 1: “Summary of Accounting and Financial Policies”. These policies have been consistently applied and address such 
matters as revenue recognition, depreciation methods, inventory valuation, asset impairment recognition, and pension and postretirement expense. While 
policies associated with estimates and judgments may be affected by different assumptions or conditions, we believe our estimates and judgments 
associated with the reported amounts are appropriate in the circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates.  

We consider the policies discussed below as critical to an understanding of our financial statements, as application of these policies places the 

most significant demands on management’s judgment, with financial reporting results relying on estimation of matters that are uncertain.  

Provision for allowances, claims, and doubtful accounts: We perform ongoing credit evaluations of customers and set credit limits based upon 
review of the customers’ current credit information and payment history. We monitor customer payments and maintain a provision for estimated credit 
losses based on historical experience and specific customer collection issues that we have identified. Estimation of such losses requires adjusting 
historical loss experience for current economic conditions and judgments about the probable effects of economic conditions on certain customers. We 
cannot guarantee that the rate of future credit losses will be similar to past experience. Provisions for allowances and claims are based upon historical 
rates, expected trends, and estimates of potential returns, allowances, customer discounts, and incentives. We consider all available information when 
assessing the adequacy of the provision for allowances, claims, and doubtful accounts.  

Inventory valuation: Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The valuation of our inventories at the lower of cost or market could 
be subject to certain estimates; however the measurement is primarily based on historical purchasing and sales information rather than forecasted metals 
pricing. Inventory costs reflect metal and in-bound freight purchase costs, third-party processing costs, and internal direct and allocated indirect 
processing costs. Cost is primarily determined by the LIFO method. We regularly review inventory on hand and record provisions for obsolete and slow-
moving inventory based on historical and current sales trends. Changes in product demand and our customer base may affect the value of inventory on 
hand which may require higher provisions for obsolete inventory.  

Income Taxes: Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and reserve for uncertain tax positions reflect our best estimate of taxes 

to be paid. The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. and several foreign jurisdictions. The determination of the consolidated income tax 
expense requires judgment and estimation by management. It is possible that actual results could differ from the estimates that management has used to 
determine its consolidated income tax expense.  

We record operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and the estimated effect of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and 

liabilities and the reported amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. We follow detailed guidelines in each tax jurisdiction when reviewing tax assets 
recorded on the balance sheet and provide for valuation allowances as required. Deferred tax assets are reviewed for recoverability based on historical 
taxable income, the expected reversals of existing temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and on forecasts of future taxable income. The forecasts 
of future taxable income require assumptions regarding volume, selling prices, margins, expense levels, and industry cyclicality. If we are unable to 
generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions, we may be required to record additional valuation allowances against our deferred tax 
assets related to those jurisdictions.  

The Company’s income tax provisions are based on calculations and assumptions that are subject to examination by the IRS and other tax 

authorities. Although the Company believes that the positions taken on filed tax returns are reasonable, it has established tax and interest reserves in 
recognition that various taxing authorities may challenge the positions taken. For uncertain tax positions, the Company applies the provisions of relevant 
authoritative guidance, which requires application of a “more likely than not” threshold to the recognition and derecognition of tax positions. The 
Company’s ongoing assessments of the more likely than not outcomes of tax authority examinations and related tax positions require significant 
judgment and can increase or decrease the Company’s effective tax rate.  

Long-lived Assets and Other Intangible Assets: Long-lived assets held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We estimate the future cash flows expected to result from the use of 
the asset and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying 
amount of the asset, an impairment is recognized. Determining whether an impairment has occurred typically requires various estimates and assumptions, 
including determining which undiscounted cash flows are directly related to the potentially impaired asset, the useful life over which cash flows will 
occur, their amount, and the asset’s residual value, if any. Any related impairment loss is calculated based upon comparison of the fair value to the 
carrying value of the asset. Separate intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives. An impaired long-lived or 
intangible asset would be written down to fair value, based on various available valuation techniques, including the discounted cash flow method.  

44 

  
Goodwill: We assess the recoverability of the carrying value of recorded goodwill annually in the fourth quarter of each year or whenever 
indicators of potential impairment exist. We test for impairment of goodwill by assessing various qualitative factors with respect to developments in our 
business and the overall economy and calculating the fair value of a reporting unit using the discounted cash flow method, as necessary. Factors that 
may be considered indicators of impairment include: deterioration in general economic conditions; declines in the market conditions of our products, 
including metals prices; a sustained significant decline in our share price and market capitalization; reduced future cash flow estimates; and slower 
growth rates in our industry, among others. If we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying 
value based on our qualitative assessment, we will proceed to the goodwill impairment test. We compare the fair value of the reporting unit in which 
goodwill resides to its carrying value. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, 
not to exceed the carrying amount of the goodwill. The fair value of the reporting units is estimated using a combination of an income approach and a 
market approach as this combination is deemed to be the most indicative of our fair value in an orderly transaction between market participants. An 
income approach based on discounted future cash flows requires us to estimate income from operations based on projected results and discount rates 
based on a weighted average cost of capital of comparable companies. A market approach estimates fair value using market multiples of various financial 
measures of comparable public companies. If these estimates or their related assumptions for commodity prices and demand change in the future, we may 
be required to record impairment charges for these assets.  

Based on the impairment test performed as of October 1, 2015, the reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its carrying value by more than 25%. Based 

on a qualitative assessment performed as of October 1, 2018, the Company concluded it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting 
unit was less than its carrying amount. Therefore, we did not perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test during 2018. The discount rate for the 
reporting unit was estimated to be 14.5% at October 1, 2018. The Company determines a discount rate based on an estimate of a reasonable risk-adjusted 
return an investor would expect to realize on an investment in the reporting unit. Deterioration in market conditions in our industry or products, changes 
in expected future cash flows, expected growth rates, or discount rates could result in impairment charges in future periods.  

Purchase Price Accounting: Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. This method requires the 
Company to record assets and liabilities of the business acquired at their estimated fair market values as of the acquisition date. Any excess of the cost of 
the acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The Company uses valuation specialists, where necessary, to 
perform appraisals and assist in the determination of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. These valuations require management 
to make estimates and assumptions that are critical in determining the fair values of the assets and liabilities.  

Pension and postretirement benefit plan assumptions: We sponsor various benefit plans covering a portion of our employees for pension and 
postretirement medical costs. Statistical methods are used to anticipate future events when calculating expenses and liabilities related to the plans. The 
statistical methods include assumptions about, among other things, the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, rate of increase of health care 
costs, and the rate of future compensation increases. Our actuarial consultants also use subjective factors such as withdrawal and mortality rates when 
estimating expenses and liabilities. The discount rate used for U.S. plans reflects the market rate for high-quality fixed-income investments on our annual 
measurement date (December 31) and is subject to change each year. The discount rate was determined by matching, on an approximate basis, the 
coupons and maturities for a portfolio of corporate bonds (rated Aa or better by Moody’s Investor Services or AA or better by Standard and Poor’s) to 
the expected plan benefit payments defined by the projected benefit obligation. The discount rates used for plans outside the U.S. are based on the yield 
of long term high quality corporate bonds, the duration of the liability, and appropriate judgment.  

When calculating pension expense for 2018, we assumed the pension plans’ assets would generate a long-term rate of return of 6.70% for the JT 

Ryerson plan and 4.70% for the CS&W plan, and between 4.50% and 5.25% for the Canadian plans. The expected long-term rate of return assumption 
was developed based on historical experience and input from the trustee managing the plans’ assets. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 
is based on a target allocation of assets, which is based on a goal of earning the highest rate of return while maintaining risk at acceptable levels. Our 
projected long-term rate of return for the JT Ryerson pension plan is slightly higher than some market indices due to the active management of our plans’ 
assets, and is supported by the historical returns on our plans’ assets. The plans strive to have assets sufficiently diversified so that adverse or 
unexpected results from one security class will not have an unduly detrimental impact on the entire portfolio. We regularly review actual asset allocation 
and the pension plans’ investments are periodically rebalanced to the targeted allocation when considered appropriate. Pension expense increases as the 
expected rate of return on plan assets decreases. Lowering the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by 50 basis points would have increased 
2018 pension expense by approximately $3 million.  

Future pension obligations for the U.S. plans were discounted using rates between of 4.32% and 4.59% at December 31, 2018. Future pension 
obligations for the Canadian plans were discounted using weighted average rates between 3.56% and 3.58% at December 31, 2018. Lowering the discount 
rate by 50 basis points would increase the pension liability at December 31, 2018 by approximately $42 million.  

45 

  
The calculation of other postretirement benefit expense and obligations requires the use of a number of assumptions, including the assumed 
discount rate for measuring future payment obligations and the health care cost trend rate. A one percentage point increase (decrease) in assumed health 
care trend rates would increase (decrease) our total service and interest cost for the year ended December 31, 2018 by $0.2 million and $(0.2) million, 
respectively. A decrease in the weighted average discount rate of 50 basis points would increase the postretirement benefit liability by approximately $3 
million.  

The assumptions used in the actuarial calculation of expenses and liabilities may differ materially from actual results due to changing market and 

economic conditions, higher or lower withdrawal rates, or longer or shorter life spans of participants. These differences may result in a significant impact 
on the amount of pension or postretirement benefit expense we may record in the future.  

Legal contingencies: We are involved in a number of legal and regulatory matters including those discussed in Note 11 in the Consolidated 
Financial Statements. We determine whether an estimated loss from a loss contingency should be accrued by assessing whether a loss is deemed 
probable and can be reasonably estimated. We analyze our legal matters based on available information to assess potential liability. We consult with 
outside counsel involved in our legal matters when analyzing potential outcomes. We cannot determine at this time whether any potential liability related 
to this litigation would materially affect our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.  

Recent accounting pronouncements are discussed within Note 1 in the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Recent Accounting Pronouncements  

ITEM 7A. 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.  

Interest rate risk  

Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates. We are exposed to market risk 

related to our fixed-rate and variable-rate long-term debt. Changes in interest rates may affect the market value of our fixed-rate debt. The estimated fair 
value of our long-term debt and the current portions thereof using quoted market prices of Company debt securities recently traded and market-based 
prices of similar securities for those securities not recently traded was $1,158.5 million at December 31, 2018 and $1,125.9 million at December 31, 2017 as 
compared with the carrying value of $1,153.3 million and $1,045.7 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  

We have a receive variable, pay fixed, interest rate swap to manage the exposure to variable interest rates of the Ryerson Credit Facility.  In March 

2017, we entered into a forward agreement for $150 million of “pay fixed” interest at 1.658%, “receive variable” interest to manage the risk of increasing 
variable interest rates.  We account for the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge of floating-rate borrowings with changes in fair value being recorded 
in accumulated other comprehensive income.  The fair value of the interest rate swap as of December 31, 2018 was an asset of $1.5 million. 

A hypothetical 1% increase in interest rates on variable rate debt would have increased interest expense in 2018 by approximately $4.0 million.  

Foreign exchange rate risk  

We are subject to exposure from fluctuations in foreign currencies. We use foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge variability in cash flows 

when a payment currency is different from our functional currency. Foreign currency contracts are principally used to purchase U.S. dollars. We had 
foreign currency contracts with a U.S. dollar notional amount of $4.5 million outstanding at December 31, 2018 and a net asset value of $0.2 million. We do 
not currently account for these contracts as hedges but rather mark these contracts to market with a corresponding offset to current earnings. For the 
year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized a gain of $0.2 million associated with its foreign currency contracts. A hypothetical 
strengthening or weakening of 10% in the foreign exchange rates underlying the foreign currency contracts from the market rate as of December 31, 2018 
would decrease or increase the fair value of the foreign currency contracts by $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.  

The currency effects of translating the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss and 

will not be recognized in the statement of operations until there is a liquidation or sale of those foreign subsidiaries.  

46 

  
Commodity price risk  

Metal prices can fluctuate significantly due to several factors including changes in foreign and domestic production capacity, raw material 
availability, metals consumption, and foreign currency rates. Declining metal prices could reduce our revenues, gross profit, and net income. From time to 
time, we may enter into fixed price sales contracts with our customers for certain of our inventory components. We may enter into metal commodity 
futures and options contracts to reduce volatility in the price of these metals.  

As of December 31, 2018, we had 1,541 tons of nickel swap contracts, 36,365 tons of hot roll coil swap contracts, and 42,419 tons of aluminum 
swap contracts, with a net liability value of $0.6 million, $0.1 million, and $3.1 million, respectively. We do not currently account for these contracts as 
hedges, but rather mark these contracts to market with a corresponding offset to current earnings. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company 
recognized a loss of $3.1 million associated with its metal commodity derivatives.  

A hypothetical strengthening or weakening of 10% in the commodity prices underlying the commodity derivative contracts from the market rate as 

of December 31, 2018 would increase or decrease the fair value of the commodity derivative contracts by $3.7 million.  

47 

  
  
  
ITEM 8. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.  

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements  

Financial Statements 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2018 and 2017 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

Financial Statements Schedule 

I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant  
II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts  
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable. The required information is shown in the Financial Statements or 

Notes thereto. 

48 

Page 

49 
50 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
57 

93 
98 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING  

The management of Ryerson Holding Corporation (“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 the Company’s management and Board of 
Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting 
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements under all potential conditions. 
Therefore, effective internal control over financial reporting provides only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance with respect to the preparation and 
presentation of financial statements. 

The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on 
criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 
framework) (the COSO criteria). Based on its assessment under that framework and the criteria established therein, the Company’s management 
concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018. Management’s assessment and conclusion 
on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 excludes the internal control over financial reporting related to 
Central Steel and Wire Company (acquired on July 2, 2018). Central Steel and Wire Company is included in the 2018 consolidated financial statements and 
constituted 13.2% and 4.9% of total assets and total liabilities, respectively, as of December 31, 2018 and 7.9% and 7.3% of net sales and pre-tax income, 
respectively, for the year then ended. 

Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as 
of December 31, 2018, as stated in their report, which is included herein. 

49 

  
  
  
  
  
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM  

To the Stockholders’ and the Board of Directors of Ryerson Holding Corporation 

Opinion on the Financial Statements 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ryerson Holding Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 
2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years 
in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement schedules listed in the Index at 15(a) (collectively referred to as the 
“consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 
the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 
31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  

Basis for Opinion 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial 
statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the 
Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the 
PCAOB.  

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain 
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included 
performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures 
that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial 
statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the 
overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.  

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2006.  

Chicago, Illinois 
March 5, 2019 

50 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM  

To the Stockholders’ and the Board of Directors of Ryerson Holding Corporation  

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

We have audited Ryerson Holding Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria 
established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 
framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Ryerson Holding Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, 
effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on the COSO criteria.  

As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on 
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of the Central Steel and Wire Company, which is 
included in the 2018 consolidated financial statements of the Company and constituted 13.2%  and 4.9% of total assets and total liabilities, respectively 
as of December 31, 2018 and 7.9% and 7.3% of net sales and pre-tax income, respectively, for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over 
financial reporting of the Company also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Central Steel and Wire Company.  

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2018 
consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated March 5, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. 

Basis for Opinion 

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 Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm 
registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the 
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.  

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. 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.  

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

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

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP 

Chicago, Illinois 
March 5, 2019 

51 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS  
(In millions, except per share data)  

Net sales 

Cost of materials sold 

Gross profit 

Warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and 
   administrative 
Restructuring and other charges 

Operating profit 
Other expense: 

Other income and (expense), net 
Interest and other expense on debt 

Income before income taxes 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes 
Net income 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 
Net income attributable to Ryerson Holding 
   Corporation 
Basic earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 

2018 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 

2016 

   $ 

4,408.4       $ 
3,650.3         
758.1         

3,364.7       $ 
2,782.2         
582.5         

2,859.7   
2,289.1   
570.6   

614.7         
4.2         
139.2         

76.7         
(99.2 )       
116.7         
10.3         
106.4         
0.4         

106.0       $ 
2.84       $ 
2.81       $ 

481.4         
—         
101.1         

6.6         
(91.0 )       
16.7         
(1.3 )       
18.0         
0.9         

17.1       $ 
0.46       $ 
0.46       $ 

447.5   
1.0   
122.1   

(6.1 ) 
(89.9 ) 
26.1   
7.2   
18.9   
0.2   

18.7   
0.55   
0.54 

   $ 
   $ 
   $ 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  

52 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
          
          
    
     
     
     
     
     
     
RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  
(In millions)  

Net income 
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: 
Foreign currency translation adjustments 
Gain (loss) on intra-entity foreign currency transactions 
Unrealized loss on equity securities 
Other-than-temporary impairment on equity securities 
Liquidation of investment in foreign entity 
Gain on cash flow hedges 
Changes in defined benefit pension and other 
   post-retirement benefit plans 

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 
Income tax provision (benefit) related to items of other 
   comprehensive income (loss) 
Comprehensive income, after tax 

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to the 
   noncontrolling interest 

Comprehensive income attributable to Ryerson 
   Holding Corporation 

2018 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 

2016 

   $ 

106.4       $ 

18.0       $ 

(8.2 )       
(3.0 )       
—         
—         
—         
0.5         

(22.3 )       
(33.0 )       

(4.5 )       
77.9         

0.4         

5.6         
3.2         
(0.3 )       
0.2         
—         
1.0         

18.0         
27.7         

6.0         
39.7         

1.1         

   $ 

77.5       $ 

38.6       $ 

18.9   

1.1   
1.3   
(1.8 ) 
4.7   
1.3   
—   

(10.6 ) 
(4.0 ) 

(3.3 ) 
18.2   

0.3   

17.9 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

53 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
          
          
    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
(In millions)  

2018 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 

2016 

   $ 

106.4       $ 

18.0       $ 

18.9   

Operating activities: 
Net income 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by 
   (used in) operating activities: 
Depreciation and amortization 
Stock-based compensation 
Deferred income taxes 
Provision for allowances, claims, and doubtful accounts 
Restructuring and other charges 
Other-than-temporary impairment charge on equity securities 
Gain on bargain purchase 
Loss on retirement of debt 
Premium and fees paid related to debt modification 
Non-cash (gain) loss from derivatives 
Liquidation of investment in foreign entity 
Other items 
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions: 

Receivables 
Inventories 
Other assets 
Accounts payable 
Accrued liabilities 
Accrued taxes payable/receivable 
Deferred employee benefit costs 
Net adjustments 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 

Investing activities: 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired 
Capital expenditures 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment 
Proceeds from insurance settlement 
Other investing activities 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Financing activities: 

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock 
Long-term debt issued 
Repayment of debt 
Net proceeds of short-term borrowings 
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest 
Credit facility issuance costs 
Net increase (decrease) in book overdrafts 
Long-term debt issuance costs 
Principal payments on capital lease obligations 
Contingent payment related to acquisitions 
Proceeds from sale leaseback transactions 
Contributions from non-controlling interest 

Net cash provided by financing activities 

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash—beginning of period 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash—end of period 

Supplemental disclosures: 
Cash paid during the period for: 
Interest paid to third parties 
Income taxes, net 

Noncash investing activities: 

Asset additions under capital leases and sale-leasebacks 
Asset additions under financing arrangements 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

54 

52.9         
3.3         
7.8         
3.7         
4.2         
—         
(70.0 )      
1.7         
—         
2.7         
—         
(0.5 )      

(64.8 )      
(21.4 )      
(7.3 )      
58.4         
16.8         
2.2         
(38.7 )      
(49.0 )      
57.4         

(169.7 )      
(38.4 )      
5.9         
2.0         
—         
(200.2 )      

—         
—         
(52.4 )      
149.9         
(0.2 )      
(0.6 )      
6.3         
—         
(13.7 )      
(0.9 )      
4.5         
—         
92.9         
(49.9 )      
(4.3 )      
(54.2 )      
78.5         
24.3       $ 

92.8       $ 
2.1         

12.9       $ 
4.6         

47.1         
2.2         
(9.2 )      
1.5         
—         
0.2         
—         
—         
—         
3.0         
—         
(0.7 )      

(44.0 )      
(42.9 )      
(8.3 )      
58.1         
4.6         
6.3         
(38.4 )      
(20.5 )      
(2.5 )      

(49.2 )      
(25.1 )      
3.8         
—         
0.2         
(70.3 )      

—         
—         
(0.2 )      
74.3         
—         
—         
(18.0 )      
—         
(14.4 )      
(0.9 )      
24.9         
—         
65.7         
(7.1 )      
3.9         
(3.2 )      
81.7         
78.5       $ 

84.9       $ 
1.7         

42.8       $ 
3.0         

42.5   
1.4   
4.7   
3.1   
1.0   
4.7   
—   
8.7   
(15.7 ) 
(5.4 ) 
1.2   
0.3   

(22.5 ) 
(6.5 ) 
12.7   
20.4   
(5.2 ) 
1.2   
(40.7 ) 
5.9   
24.8   

—   
(23.0 ) 
3.2   
—   
—   
(19.8 ) 

71.5   
650.0   
(738.8 ) 
37.0   
—   
(1.3 ) 
3.6   
(5.2 ) 
(4.8 ) 
(1.0 ) 
—   
0.4   
11.4   
16.4   
0.9   
17.3   
64.4   
81.7   

89.2   
1.8   

5.3   
— 

  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
     
          
          
    
     
          
          
    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
          
          
    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
          
          
    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
          
          
    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
          
          
    
     
          
          
    
     
     
          
          
    
     
RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  
(In millions, except shares)  

At December 31, 

2018 

2017 

Assets 

Current assets: 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Restricted cash (Note 3) 
Receivables less provisions of $2.5 in 2018 and $4.9 in 2017 
Inventories (Note 4) 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 

Total current assets 

Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation (Note 5) 
Deferred income taxes (Note 17) 
Other intangible assets (Note 6) 
Goodwill (Note 7) 
Deferred charges and other assets 

Total assets 

Liabilities 

Current liabilities: 

Accounts payable 
Accrued liabilities: 

Salaries, wages, and commissions 
Interest on debt 
Other accrued liabilities 

Short-term debt (Note 9) 
Current portion of deferred employee benefits 

Total current liabilities 

Long-term debt (Note 9) 
Deferred employee benefits (Note 10) 
Other noncurrent liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) 
Equity 

Ryerson Holding Corporation stockholders’ equity (deficit): 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 7,000,000 shares authorized and no shares 
issued at 2018 and 2017 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized and 37,656,505 
shares issued at 2018; 100,000,000 shares authorized and 37,421,081 issued at 
2017 
Capital in excess of par value 
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 
Treasury stock at cost – Common stock of 212,500 shares in 2018 and 2017 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 

Total Ryerson Holding Corporation stockholders’ equity (deficit) 

Noncontrolling interest 

Total equity (deficit) 
Total liabilities and equity 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

23.2     $ 
1.1       
521.0       
806.3       
61.5       
1,413.1       
489.0       
—       
58.1       
120.3       
5.8       
2,086.3     $ 

77.4   
1.1   
376.3   
616.5   
32.6   
1,103.9   
422.9   
17.9   
46.9   
115.3   
5.0   
1,711.9   

390.2     $ 

275.0   

66.6       
9.9       
67.1       
27.3       
7.9       
569.0       
1,126.0       
258.4       
57.0       
2,010.4       

40.3   
10.0   
48.4   
21.3   
7.7   
402.7   
1,024.4   
243.5   
48.7   
1,719.3   

—       

—   

0.4       
381.0       
14.2       
(6.6 )     
(315.8 )     
73.2       
2.7       
75.9       
2,086.3     $ 

0.4   
377.6   
(95.1 ) 
(6.6 ) 
(286.3 ) 
(10.0 ) 
2.6   
(7.4 ) 
1,711.9 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  

55 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
    
        
    
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
        
    
    
        
    
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
        
    
    
        
    
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
(In millions, except shares in thousands)  

Ryerson Holding Corporation Stockholders 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 

Common 
Stock 

Treasury 
Stock 

   Shares      Dollars     Shares     Dollars      Dollars 

     Dollars 

Capital in 
Excess of 
Par Value     

Retained 
Earnings 
(Accumulated 
Deficit) 
     Dollars 

Foreign 
Currency 
Translation      

Cash 
Flow 
Hedge - 
Interest 
Rate 
Swap 

Unrealized 
Gain (Loss) on 
Equity 
Securities 
Dollars 

Non- 
controlling 
Interest 
      Dollars       Dollars 

Redeemable 
Non- 
controlling 
Interest 
     Dollars       Dollars 

Total 
Equity      

Benefit Plan 
Liabilities       

Dollars 

    32,312     $  0.3        213     $  (6.6 )   $  302.6     $ 

(130.9 )   $ 

(53.8 )     $ 

(252.5 )     $ 

(0.7 )     $  —     $ 

0.7     $ (140.9 )   $ 

0.1   

     —        —        —        —       

     —        —        —        —       

     —        —        —        —       

     —        —        —        —       

     —        —        —        —       

Balance at 
January 1, 
2016 
Net income 
(loss) 
Foreign 
currency 
translation 
Gain on intra-
entity foreign 
currency 
transactions 
Changes in 
defined benefit 
pension and 
other post-
retirement 
benefit plans, 
net of tax of 
$4.4 
Unrealized loss 
on equity 
securities, net 
of tax of $0.7       —        —        —        —       
Other-than-
temporary 
impairment, 
net of tax of 
$1.8 
Stock-based 
compensation 
expense 
Issuance of 
common stock      5,000        0.1        —        —       
Contributions 
from non-
controlling 
interest 
Liquidation of 
investment in 
foreign entity 
Balance at 
December 31, 
2016 
Net income 
Foreign 
currency 
translation 
Gain on intra-
entity foreign 
currency 
transactions 
Changes in 
defined benefit 
pension and 
other post-
retirement 
benefit plans, 
net of tax of 
$5.6 
Unrealized loss 
on equity 
securities, net 

     —        —        —        —       

     —        —        —        —       

     —        —        —        —       

     —        —        —        —       

     —        —        —        —       

33        —        —        —       

—       

18.7       

—         

—         

—         

—       

0.8       

19.5       

(0.6 ) 

—       

—       

1.1         

—         

—         

—       

—       

1.1       

—   

—       

—       

1.3         

—         

—         

—       

—       

1.3       

—   

—       

—       

—         

(6.2 )       

—         

—       

—       

(6.2 )     

—   

—       

—       

—         

—         

(1.1 )       

—       

—       

(1.1 )     

—   

—       

—       

—         

—         

2.9         

—       

—       

2.9       

—   

1.4       

—       

—         

—         

—         

—       

—       

1.4       

71.4       

—       

—         

—         

—         

—       

—       

71.5       

—   

—   

—       

—       

—         

—         

—         

—       

—        —       

0.4   

—       

—       

1.2         

—         

—         

—       

—       

1.2       

0.1   

—       

—       

5.4         

—         

—         

—       

0.2       

5.6       

—   

—       

—       

3.2         

—         

—         

—       

—       

3.2       

—   

—       

—       

—         

12.4         

—         

—       

—       

12.4       

—   

    37,345     $  0.4        213     $  (6.6 )   $  375.4     $ 
     —        —        —        —       
—       

(112.2 )   $ 
17.1       

(50.2 )     $ 
—         

(258.7 )     $ 
—         

1.1       $  —     $ 
—       
—         

1.5     $  (49.3 )   $ 
18.0       
0.9       

—   
—   

  
  
  
      
  
      
  
      
  
  
  
    
  
      
         
  
      
  
      
  
      
  
    
      
  
      
  
      
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
     
    
    
  
  
     
     
  
    
    37,421     $  0.4        213     $  (6.6 )   $  377.6     $ 
     —        —        —        —       
—       

(95.1 )   $ 
106.0       

(41.6 )     $ 
—         

(246.3 )     $ 
—         

1.0       $ 
—         

0.6     $ 
—       

2.6     $ 
(7.4 )   $ 
0.4        106.4       

—   
—   

76        —        —        —       

     —        —        —        —       

     —        —        —        —       

     —        —        —        —       

of tax of $0.1       —        —        —        —       
Other-than-
temporary 
impairment, 
net of tax of 
$0.1 
Stock-based 
compensation 
expense 
Cash flow 
hedge - interest 
rate swap, net 
of tax of $0.4       —        —        —        —       
Balance at 
December 31, 
2017 
Net income 
Foreign 
currency 
translation 
Loss on intra-
entity foreign 
currency 
transactions 
Changes in 
defined benefit 
pension and 
other post-
retirement 
benefit plans, 
net of tax of 
$4.6 
Adoption of 
accounting 
principal ASU 
2016-01 
Adoption of 
accounting 
principal ASC 
606, net of tax 
of $0.7 
Stock-based 
compensation 
expense 
Purchase of 
subsidiary 
shares from 
noncontrolling 
interest 
Cash flow 
hedge - interest 
rate swap, net 
of tax of $0.1       —        —        —        —       
Balance at 
December 31, 
2018 

     —        —        —        —       

     —        —        —        —       

     —        —        —        —       

     —        —        —        —       

235        —        —        —       

—       

—       

—         

—         

(0.2 )       

—       

—       

(0.2 )     

—   

—       

—       

—         

—         

0.1         

—       

—       

0.1       

—   

2.2       

—       

—         

—         

—         

—       

—       

2.2       

—   

—       

—       

—         

—         

—         

0.6       

—       

0.6       

—   

—       

—       

(8.2 )       

—         

—         

—       

—       

(8.2 )     

—   

—       

—       

(3.0 )       

—         

—         

—       

—       

(3.0 )     

—   

—       

—       

—         

(17.7 )       

—         

—       

—        (17.7 )     

—   

—       

1.0       

—         

—         

(1.0 )       

—       

—        —       

—   

—       

2.3       

—         

—         

—         

—       

—       

2.3       

—   

3.3       

—       

—         

—         

—         

—       

—       

3.3       

—   

0.1       

—       

—         

—         

—         

—       

(0.3 )     

(0.2 )     

—   

—       

—       

—         

—         

—         

0.4       

—       

0.4       

—   

    37,656     $  0.4        213     $  (6.6 )   $  381.0     $ 

14.2     $ 

(52.8 )     $ 

(264.0 )     $ 

—       $ 

1.0     $ 

2.7     $  75.9     $ 

— 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  

56 

    
    
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Note 1: Summary of Accounting and Financial Policies  

Business Description and Basis of Presentation. Ryerson Holding Corporation (“Ryerson Holding”), a Delaware corporation, is the parent 
company of Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, Inc. (“JT Ryerson”), a Delaware corporation. Affiliates of Platinum Equity, LLC (“Platinum”) own approximately 
21,037,500 shares of our common stock, which is approximately 56% of our issued and outstanding common stock. We are a leading value-added 
processor and distributor of industrial metals with operations in the United States through JT Ryerson, in Canada through our indirect wholly-owned 
subsidiary Ryerson Canada, Inc., a Canadian corporation (“Ryerson Canada”), and in Mexico through our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Ryerson 
Metals de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., a Mexican corporation (“Ryerson Mexico”). In addition to our North American operations, we conduct materials 
processing and distribution operations in China through an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Ryerson China Limited (“Ryerson China”). Unless the 
context indicates otherwise, Ryerson Holding, JT Ryerson, Ryerson Canada, Ryerson China, and Ryerson Mexico together with their subsidiaries, are 
collectively referred to herein as “Ryerson,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company.”  

Principles of Consolidation. The Company consolidates entities in which it owns or controls more than 50% of the voting shares. All significant 

intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  

Business Segments. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280, “Segment 

Reporting” (“ASC 280”), establishes standards for reporting information on operating segments in interim and annual financial statements. Our Chief 
Executive Officer, together with our Board of Directors, serve as our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”). Our CODM reviews our financial 
information for purposes of making operational decisions and assessing financial performance. The CODM views our business globally as metals service 
centers. We have one operating and reportable segment, metal service centers, in accordance with the criteria set forth in ASC 280.  

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) in the United 

States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and related 
notes to the financial statements. Changes in such estimates may affect amounts reported in future periods.  

Reclassifications. Certain amounts in the 2017 and 2016 financial statements, as previously reported, have been revised to conform to the 2018 

presentation. These changes did not have a material impact on the presentation of the consolidated financial statements. 

Equity Investments. Investments in affiliates in which the Company’s ownership is 20% to 50% are accounted for by the equity method. Equity 

income is reported in “Other income and (expense), net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Equity income during the years ended 
December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 totaled zero, $0.1 million, and $0.2 million, respectively.  

Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized in accordance with FASB ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC 606”). 
Revenue is recognized based on the consideration expected to be received for delivery of as-is or processed metal products when, or as, the Company 
satisfies its contractual obligation to transfer control of a product to a customer, which we refer to as a performance obligation. See Note 16: Revenue 
Recognition for further details. 

Provision for allowances, claims, and doubtful accounts. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of customers and set credit limits based upon 

review of the customers’ current credit information and payment history. The Company monitors customer payments and maintains a provision for 
estimated credit losses based on historical experience and specific customer collection issues that the Company has identified. Estimation of such losses 
requires adjusting historical loss experience for current economic conditions and judgments about the probable effects of economic conditions on certain 
customers. The Company cannot guarantee that the rate of future credit losses will be similar to past experience. Provisions for allowances and claims are 
based upon historical rates, expected trends, and estimates of potential returns, allowances, customer discounts, and incentives. The Company considers 
all available information when assessing the adequacy of the provision for allowances, claims, and doubtful accounts.  

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are classified in “Net Sales” in our Consolidated 
Statement of Operations. Shipping and handling costs, primarily distribution costs, are classified in “Warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and 
administrative” expenses in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. These costs totaled $112.3 million, $84.8 million, and $76.4 million for the years 
ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. In accordance with ASC 606, the Company has elected to treat shipping and handling costs as an 
activity necessary to fulfill the performance obligation  

57 

  
  
to transfer product to the customer and not as a separate performance obligation. Shipping and handling costs are estimated at quarter end in proportion 
to revenue recognized for transactions where actual costs are not yet known.   

Benefits for Retired Employees. The Company recognizes the funded status of its defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets, with changes in the funded status recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, in the 
year in which the changes occur. The estimated cost of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan and its postretirement medical benefits are 
determined annually after considering information provided by consulting actuaries. Key factors used in developing estimates of these liabilities include 
assumptions related to discount rates, rates of return on investments, future compensation costs, healthcare cost trends, benefit payment patterns, and 
other factors. The cost of these benefits for retirees is accrued during their term of employment. Pensions are funded primarily in accordance with the 
requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) of 1974 and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 into a trust established for the 
Ryerson Pension Plan. Costs for retired employee medical benefits are funded when claims are submitted. Certain employees are covered by a defined 
contribution plan, for which the cost is expensed in the period earned.  

Cash Equivalents. Cash equivalents reflected in the financial statements are highly liquid, short-term investments with original maturities of three 

months or less. Checks issued in excess of funds on deposit at the bank represent “book” overdrafts. We reclassified $57.5 million and $51.2 million to 
accounts payable at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  

Inventory Valuation. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. We primarily use the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for valuing 

our domestic inventories. We use the moving average cost and the specific cost methods for valuing our foreign inventories.  

Property, Plant, and Equipment. Property, plant, and equipment, including land use rights and capital lease assets, are depreciated for financial 

reporting purposes using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The provision for depreciation in all periods presented is 
based on the following estimated useful lives of the assets:  

Land improvements 
Buildings 
Machinery and equipment 
Furniture and fixtures 
Transportation equipment 
Land use rights 

  20 years 
  45 years 
  10-15 years 
  10 years 
  3-6 years 
  50 years 

Expenditures for normal repairs and maintenance are charged against income in the period incurred.  

Goodwill. In accordance with FASB ASC 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”), goodwill is reviewed at least annually for 
impairment or whenever indicators of potential impairment exist. We test for impairment of goodwill by assessing various qualitative factors with respect 
to developments in our business and the overall economy and calculating the fair value of a reporting unit using the discounted cash flow method, as 
necessary. If we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value based on our qualitative 
assessment, we will proceed to the quantitative goodwill impairment test, in which we compare the fair value of the reporting unit where the goodwill 
resides to its carrying value. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that 
excess, not to exceed the carrying amount of the goodwill. The fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using a combination of an income approach 
and a market approach as this combination is deemed to be the most indicative of fair value in an orderly transaction between market participants.  

Long-lived Assets and Other Intangible Assets. Long-lived assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or 

changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company estimates the future cash flows expected 
to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) 
is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment is recognized. Any related impairment loss is calculated based upon comparison of the fair 
value to the carrying value of the asset. Separate intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives. An impaired 
intangible asset would be written down to fair value, using the discounted cash flow method.  

Deferred Financing Costs. Deferred financing costs associated with the issuance of debt are being amortized using the effective interest method 

over the life of the debt. Deferred financing costs related to a recognized debt liability are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the 
carrying amount of the related debt liability. 

58 

  
  
  
Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets or liabilities reflect temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and tax 

reporting. Such amounts are adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect changes in enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences 
reverse. A valuation allowance is established to offset any deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or 
all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The determination of the amount of a valuation allowance to be provided on recorded deferred tax assets 
involves estimates regarding (1) the timing and amount of the reversal of taxable temporary differences, (2) expected future taxable income, (3) the impact 
of tax planning strategies, and (4) the ability to carry back tax losses to offset prior taxable income. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the 
Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including past operating results, projections of future taxable income, and the feasibility 
of ongoing tax planning strategies. The projections of future taxable income include a number of estimates and assumptions regarding volume, pricing, 
costs, and industry cyclicality.  

Significant judgment is required in determining income tax provisions and in evaluating tax positions. In the normal course of business, the 
Company and its subsidiaries are examined by various federal, state, and foreign tax authorities. The Company records the impact of a tax position, if that 
position is more likely than not to be sustained in audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company regularly assesses the potential 
outcomes of these examinations and any future examinations for the current or prior years in determining the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. 
The Company continually assesses the likelihood and amount of potential adjustments and adjusts the income tax provision, the current tax liability, and 
deferred taxes in the period in which the facts that give rise to a revision become known.  

The Company recognizes the benefit of tax positions when a benefit is more likely than not (i.e., greater than 50% likely) to be sustained on its 

technical merits. Recognized tax benefits are measured at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained, based on cumulative probability, 
in final settlement of the position. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax 
expense.  

Earnings Per Share Data. Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net earnings available to common stockholders by the 
weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by giving effect to all dilutive potential 
common shares that were outstanding during the period, unless inclusion of the potential common shares would have an antidilutive effect. Basic 
earnings per share excludes the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents such as stock options and warrants, while diluted earnings per share, 
assuming dilution, includes such dilutive effects.  

Foreign Currency. The Company translates assets and liabilities of its foreign subsidiaries, where the functional currency is the local currency, 

into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange on the last day of the reporting period. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average monthly 
exchange rates prevailing during the year.  

For foreign currency transactions, the Company translates these amounts to the Company’s functional currency at the exchange rate effective on 
the invoice date. If the exchange rate changes between the time of purchase and the time actual payment is made, a foreign exchange transaction gain or 
loss results which is included in determining net income (loss) for the year. The Company recognized $3.0 million of exchange gains for the year ended 
December 31, 2018, and $2.8 million and $4.0 million of exchange losses for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These amounts are 
primarily classified in “Other income and (expense), net” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  

Recent Accounting Pronouncements  

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards–Adopted  

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which created ASC 

606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC 606”) and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605 “Revenue 
Recognition” (“ASC 605”). The guidance in ASU 2014-09 and subsequently issued amendments outlines a comprehensive model for all entities to use in 
accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers as well as required disclosures. Under the new standard, recognition of revenue occurs 
when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in 
exchange for those goods or services.  The new standard requires additional disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and 
cash flows arising from contracts with customers including significant judgments and changes in judgments. We adopted the new standard effective 
January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method with the cumulative effect recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings as of 
the date of adoption. See Note 16: Revenue Recognition for further details. 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and 

Financial Liabilities,” and in February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03, “Technical corrections and improvements to  

59 

  
Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10) – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” The amendments 
in ASU 2016-01 change the accounting for non-consolidated equity investments that are not accounted for under the equity method of accounting by 
requiring changes in fair value to be recognized in net income.  Under prior guidance, changes in fair value for investments of this nature were recognized 
in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of stockholders’ equity. Additionally, ASU 2016-01 simplifies the impairment assessment of 
equity investments without readily determinable fair values; requires entities to use the exit price when estimating the fair value of financial instruments; 
and modifies various presentation disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The amendments should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect 
adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The amendments related to equity securities without readily 
determinable fair values (including disclosure requirements) should be applied prospectively to equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption. 
The update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this guidance for our fiscal year 
beginning January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance resulted in a reclassification of $1.0 million from accumulated other comprehensive income to 
retained earnings. 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Certain Cash 

Payments.” The amendments address the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the 
statement of cash flows. The update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments should be 
applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. If it is impracticable to apply the amendments retrospectively for some of the 
issues, the amendments for those issues would be applied prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. We adopted this guidance for our fiscal year 
beginning January 1, 2018. We have made an accounting policy election to classify distributions received from equity method investees using the 
cumulative earnings approach. The adoption of this guidance resulted in reclassifications for distributions received from equity method investees and 
payments of contingent consideration related to acquisitions within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017 
and 2016, but the overall impact was not material. 

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes – Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.” The amendment 

requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The 
update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments should be applied on a modified 
retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption.  We adopted this 
guidance for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 “Statement of Cash Flows – Restricted Cash.” The amendment requires entities to include in 

their cash and cash-equivalent balances in the statement of cash flows those amounts that are deemed to be restricted cash and restricted cash 
equivalents. The ASU does not define the terms “restricted cash” and “restricted cash equivalents.” The amendment is effective for interim and annual 
reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this guidance for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018 using a retrospective 
transition method to each period presented. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The 
previous disclosure for restricted cash within investing activities was removed and the beginning and ending balances of restricted cash are now 
included in the cash and cash-equivalents balances in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. There was no impact on the cash flows from 
operations. See Note 3: Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash for additional required disclosures. 

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost 

and Net Periodic Post Retirement Benefit Cost.”  The amendment requires entities to disaggregate the service cost component from the other 
components of net benefit cost and limits the capitalization of net benefit cost to only the service cost component.  The amendment also provides explicit 
guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in the statement of comprehensive income.  The 
amendments are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  The disclosure requirements of the amendments 
should be applied retrospectively and the requirements concerning capitalization of the net service costs should be applied prospectively.  We adopted 
this guidance for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018.  The adoption of this guidance resulted in an $8.9 million and $11.1 million reclassification 
between warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative and other income and (expense), net within the Consolidated Statements of 
Operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, with no impact on gross margins, and overall did not have a material impact on 
our consolidated financial statements. 

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting.”  The amendment 
provides guidance about which changes to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply the accounting guidance 
on modifications to share-based payment awards.  The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. 
We adopted this guidance for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018.  The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our consolidated 
financial statements.  

60 

  
In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-16, “Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate 

as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes.” The amendment permits the use of the OIS rate based on SOFR as a U.S. benchmark 
interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim 
periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted in any interim period upon issuance of this update if an entity already has adopted ASU 
2017-12. We early adopted this guidance as of December 31, 2018.  The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our consolidated financial 
statements. 

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards–Not Yet Adopted 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases” codified in ASC 842, “Leases”. The guidance in ASU 2016-02 and subsequently issued 
amendments requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by all leases. The amendment 
also requires disclosures designed to give financial statement users information on the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. 
The update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We will adopt the standard effective January 1, 2019 
using the alternative modified retrospective transition method, which allows for application of the guidance at the beginning of the period in which it is 
adopted, rather than at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented.  

The Company has established a cross-functional project team to implement the new lease guidance. We have evaluated existing contracts to 

identify embedded leases, implemented a lease software to be used for lease tracking and reporting, and developed internal controls around the 
collection, reporting, and reconciliation of lease data.  

The Company is finalizing the quantification of the effects on our consolidated financial statements. We have made an accounting policy election 
to keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off the balance sheet and recognize the related lease payments in the Consolidated Statements of 
Operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We have elected to use the package of practical expedients as well as the practical expedient not 
to separate lease and non-lease components for all asset classes. The adoption of the standard is expected to result in the recognition of an operating 
right-of-use asset of approximately $81 million, an operating lease liability of approximately $85 million, and an adjustment to the opening balance of 
retained earnings of approximately $3 million, as of January 1, 2019. We do not believe the standard will materially affect our consolidated net earnings or 
have a notable impact on our liquidity. The standard will have no impact on our debt-covenant compliance under our current agreements. 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” 
The guidance in ASU 2016-13 and subsequently issued amendments requires financial assets measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net 
amount expected to be collected, thus eliminating the probable initial recognition threshold and instead reflecting the current estimate of all expected 
credit losses. The guidance also requires that credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities be recorded through an allowance for credit losses 
rather than a write-down, thus enabling the ability to record reversals of credit losses in current period net income. The update is effective for interim and 
annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. An entity will apply the amendment through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained 
earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (that is, a modified-retrospective approach). A prospective 
transition approach is required for debt securities for which an-other-than-temporary impairment had been recognized before the effective date. The effect 
of the prospective transition approach is to maintain the same amortized cost basis before and after the effective date of this update. Early adoption is 
permitted only for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We will adopt this guidance for our 
fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020. We are still assessing the impact of adoption on our consolidated financial statements. 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” The 
guidance allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the U.S. Tax 
Cuts and Jobs Act (“U.S. Tax Act”). It also requires certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. However, the underlying guidance that requires that 
the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected. The guidance is effective for interim and 
annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or 
periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the U.S. Tax Act is recognized. Early adoption is permitted. We 
will adopt this guidance for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2019. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our 
consolidated financial statements.  

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value 
Measurement.” The guidance amends the fair value measurement disclosures by modifying the disclosure requirements in Topic 820, Fair Value 
Measurement. The update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15,  

61 

  
2019. The guidance allows for early adoption to remove or modify disclosures upon issuance of this amendment, and for delayed adoption of the 
additional disclosures until their effective date. We are still assessing the impact of adoption on our current fair value measurement disclosures. 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” 

The amendment removes certain employee benefit plan disclosures that no longer are considered cost-beneficial, clarifies the specific requirements of 
certain disclosures, and adds certain disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after 
December 15, 2020 and should be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. Early adoption is permitted. We are still assessing the impact 
of adoption on our current employee benefit plans disclosures. 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement 

That Is a Service Contract.” The guidance aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a 
service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting 
arrangements that include an internal-use software license). Accordingly, the guidance requires an entity (customer) in a hosting arrangement that is a 
service contract to follow the guidance in Subtopic 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset related to the service 
contract and which costs to expense. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and should be 
applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. We are still 
assessing the impact of adoption on our consolidated financial statements. 

Note 2: Acquisitions  

On July 2, 2018 (“the acquisition date”) JT Ryerson purchased Central Steel and Wire Company (“CS&W”). CS&W is a leading metal service 
center with locations across the Central and Eastern United States offering a wide selection of products and capabilities, with a commercial portfolio 
centered on bar, tube, plate, and steel products. We believe that the acquisition of CS&W will expand our long, tube, and plate portfolio. Our combined 
commercial, operational, and processing strengths will provide a broader and deeper array of products to our customers in the Midwest and Northeast 
United States. The fair value of the consideration totaled $163.5 million on the acquisition date. 

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date.  

Cash and cash equivalents 
Receivables, less provision for allowance, claims, and doubtful accounts 
Inventories 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 
Property, plant, and equipment 
Other intangible assets 
    Total identifiable assets acquired 
Accounts payable 
Salaries, wages, and commissions 
Other accrued liabilities 
Deferred income taxes 
Deferred employee benefits 
    Total liabilities assumed 
    Net identifiable assets acquired 
Bargain purchase gain 
    Total purchase price 

At July 2, 

2018 

(In millions) 

10.0   
80.0   
179.8   
1.7   
66.5   
16.1   
354.1   
(49.7 ) 
(4.9 ) 
(6.5 ) 
(27.7 ) 
(31.8 ) 
(120.6 ) 
233.5   
(70.0 ) 
163.5 

$ 

$ 

The Company used third-party valuation firms to estimate the fair values of property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets as well as to 

remeasure the deferred employee benefits liabilities. Inventory was valued by the Company using acquisition date fair values of the metals. 

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The fair value of accounts receivables acquired is $80.0 million, with a gross amount of $81.8 million. The Company expects $1.8 million to be 

uncollectible.  

The $16.1 million of acquired intangible assets is related to trademarks acquired with a useful life of 10 years.  

The transaction resulted in a bargain purchase gain primarily due to higher inventory and property, plant, and equipment fair values compared to 

book values. The Company believes that the bargain purchase gain was primarily the result of the decision by majority stockholders of CS&W to sell 
their interests as CS&W had been experiencing increasing net losses. The agreed upon purchase price reflected the fact the seller would have needed to 
incur significant costs on future integration initiatives and to upgrade their infrastructure and computer systems in order to restore the CS&W to a 
profitable basis.  With our existing nationwide service center operations, we believe that our infrastructure will allow the necessary operational 
improvements to be implemented more efficiently than the seller. The gain of $70.0 million is included in Other income and (expense), net in the 
Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company has recognized $1.6 million in acquisition-related fees, which is included in Warehousing, delivery, 
selling, general, and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  

Included in the year ended December 31, 2018 financial results is $347.5 million of revenue and $78.5 million (includes the $70.0 million bargain 

purchase gain) of net income from CS&W since the acquisition date.  

The following unaudited pro forma information presents consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 as if 

the acquisition of CS&W on July 2, 2018 had occurred on January 1, 2017:  

Pro Forma 
For the Year Ended December 31, 

2018 

2017 

Net sales 
Net income (loss) attributable to Ryerson Holding Corporation 

$ 

4,767.7   
15.2   

  $ 

3,961.3   
(1.3 ) 

The 2018 supplemental pro forma net income attributable to Ryerson Holding Corporation was adjusted to exclude the $70.0 million CS&W bargain 

purchase gain realized in 2018 as it is a nonrecurring item. 

On April 2, 2018, Ryerson Holding acquired Fanello Industries, LLC (“Fanello”), a privately owned metal service company located in Lavonia, 

Georgia. The acquisition is not material to our consolidated financial statements. 

On February 15, 2017, Ryerson Holding acquired Guy Metals, Inc. (“Guy Metals”), a privately-owned metal service center company located in 

Hammond, Wisconsin. The acquisition is not material to our consolidated financial statements. 

On January 19, 2017, Ryerson Holding acquired The Laserflex Corporation (“Laserflex”), a privately-owned metal fabricator specializing in laser 

fabrication metal processing and welding with locations in Columbus, Ohio and Wellford, South Carolina. The acquisition is not material to our 
consolidated financial statements.  

Pro forma information related to the acquisitions of Fanello, Guy Metals, and Laserflex is not provided above as the impact on the Consolidated 

Statements of Operations is not material. 

Note 3: Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash  

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that 

sum to the total of the beginning and ending cash balances shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:  

Cash and cash equivalents 
Restricted cash 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 

At December 31, 

2018 

2017 

  $ 

  $ 

(In millions) 
23.2     $ 
1.1       
24.3     $ 

77.4   
1.1   
78.5 

We have cash restricted for purposes of covering letters of credit that can be presented for potential insurance claims.     

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Note 4: Inventories  

Inventories, at stated LIFO value, were classified at December 31, 2018 and 2017 as follows:  

In process and finished products 

At December 31, 

2018 

2017 

  $ 

(In millions) 
806.3     $ 

616.5 

If current cost had been used to value inventories, such inventories would have been $18 million higher and $71 million lower than reported at 
December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Approximately 91% and 89% of inventories are accounted for under the LIFO method at December 31, 2018 and 
2017, respectively. Non-LIFO inventories consist primarily of inventory at our foreign facilities using the moving average cost and the specific cost 
methods. Substantially all of our inventories consist of finished products.  

The Company has consignment inventory at certain customer locations, which totaled $9.3 million and $8.9 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, 

respectively.  

Note 5: Property, Plant, and Equipment  

Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017:  

Land and land improvements 
Buildings and leasehold improvements 
Machinery, equipment, and other 
Capital and financing leases 
Construction in progress 

Total 

Less: Accumulated depreciation 

Net property, plant, and equipment 

At December 31, 

2018 

2017 

(In millions) 
101.2     $ 
238.1       
406.7       
76.6       
15.8       
838.4       
(349.4 )     
489.0     $ 

92.6   
198.8   
377.9   
65.5   
7.9   
742.7   
(319.8 ) 
422.9 

  $ 

  $ 

The Company recorded impairment charges related to fixed assets of $0.2 million, $0.1 million, and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 

2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The impairment charges recorded in all periods related to certain assets held for sale in order to recognize the assets at 
their fair value less cost to sell, in accordance with FASB ASC 360-10-35-43, “Property, Plant, and Equipment – Other Presentation Matters.” The 
Company recognized gains on the sale of assets classified as held for sale of zero, $0.5 million, and zero for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 
2016 respectively. The Company had $7.8 million and zero of assets held for sale classified within “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” on the 
Consolidated Balances Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 

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Note 6: Definite-Lived Intangible Assets  

The following summarizes the components of definite-lived intangible assets at December 31, 2018 and 2017:  

Amortizable intangible assets 
Customer relationships 
Developed technology / product know-how 
Non-compete agreements 
Trademarks 
Licenses 
Total definite-lived intangible assets 

At December 31, 2018 

At December 31, 2017 

Weighted 
Average 
Amortizable 
Life in 
Years 

Gross 
Carrying 
Amount 

Accumulated 
Amortization     

Net 

Gross 
Carrying 
Amount 

Accumulated 
Amortization     

Net 

(In millions) 

13.0 
7.9 
5.6 
13.7 
7.0 

    $ 

    $ 

58.1     $ 
4.6       
0.9       
42.3       
0.5       
106.4     $ 

(33.8 )   $ 
(2.5 )     
(0.6 )     
(10.9 )     
(0.5 )     
(48.3 )   $ 

24.3     $ 
2.1       
0.3       
31.4       
—       
58.1     $ 

56.9     $ 
4.6       
0.9       
25.4       
0.5       
88.3     $ 

(29.7 )   $ 
(2.2 )     
(0.4 )     
(8.6 )     
(0.5 )     
(41.4 )   $ 

27.2   
2.4   
0.5   
16.8   
—   
46.9 

Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $6.9 million, $6.1 million, and $5.4 

million, respectively. 

Estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets at December 31, 2018, for each of the years in the five year period ending December 31, 

2023 and thereafter is as follows:  

For the year ended December 31, 2019 
For the year ended December 31, 2020 
For the year ended December 31, 2021 
For the year ended December 31, 2022 
For the year ended December 31, 2023 
For the years ended thereafter 

Estimated 
Amortization Expense 
(In millions) 

  $ 

7.6   
7.3   
6.4   
6.3   
5.1   
25.4 

Note 7: Goodwill  

The following is a summary of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:  

Balance at January 1, 2017 
Acquisitions 
Balance at December 31, 2017 
Acquisitions 
Balance at December 31, 2018 

Cost 

Accumulated 
Impairment 
(In millions) 

Carrying 
Amount 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

111.5   
12.1   
123.6   
5.0   
128.6   

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

(8.3 ) 
—   
(8.3 ) 
—   
(8.3 ) 

  $ 
  $ 
  $ 

  $ 

103.2   
12.1   
115.3   
5.0   
120.3 

In 2018, the Company recognized $5.0 million of goodwill within the US Reporting unit related to the Fanello acquisition, which will be deductible 
for income tax purposes. In 2017, the Company recognized $12.1 million of goodwill within the US reporting unit related to both the Laserflex acquisition, 
which will be deductible for income tax purposes, and the Guy Metals acquisition, which is not deductible for income tax purposes. 

Pursuant to ASC 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” we review the recoverability of goodwill annually as of October 1 or whenever 
significant events or changes occur which might impair the recovery of recorded amounts. Based on our October 1, annual goodwill impairment test, we 
determined there was no goodwill impairment in 2018. 

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Note 8: Restructuring and Other Charges  

The following summarizes restructuring accrual activity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016:  

Employee 
Related 
Costs 

Tenancy 
and Other 
Costs 
(In millions) 

Total 
Restructuring 
Costs 

Balance at January 1, 2016 
Restructuring charges 
Cash payments 
Reclassification 
(Reduction)/addition to reserve 
Balance at Year Ended December 31, 2016 
Restructuring charges 
Cash payments 
Reclassification 
Reduction to reserve 
Balance at December 31, 2017 
Restructuring charges 
Cash payments 
Balance at December 31, 2018 

2018 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

1.2   
—   
(0.7 ) 
—   
(0.3 ) 
0.2   
—   
—   
—   
(0.2 ) 
—   
3.6   
(3.2 ) 
0.4   

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

0.5   
1.0   
(0.5 )      
0.2   
0.1   
1.3   
0.8   
(0.5 )      
0.1   
—   
1.7   
0.6   
(0.8 )      
  $ 
1.5   

  $ 

1.7   
1.0   
(1.2 ) 
0.2   
(0.2 ) 
1.5   
0.8   
(0.5 ) 
0.1   
(0.2 ) 
1.7   
4.2   
(4.0 ) 
1.9 

In 2018, the Company recorded a $3.6 million charge for employee-related costs primarily for severance costs for corporate staff reductions and 
two facility closures. The Company paid $3.2 million of the employee costs related to these actions. The remaining $0.4 million of employee-related costs 
are expected to be paid in 2019. 

During 2018, the Company also recorded a $0.6 million charge to increase the reserve for tenancy-related costs for a facility closed in 2013. The 

Company paid $0.8 million in costs related to this facility closure. The remaining $1.5 million of tenancy-related costs are expected to be paid through 
2025. 

2017 

In 2017, the Company recorded an $0.8 million charge in warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative expense in the Consolidated 

Statements of Operations to increase the reserve for tenancy-related costs for a facility closed in 2013. The Company paid $0.4 million in costs related to 
this facility closure and also reclassified an existing $0.1 million liability for future lease payments to the restructuring reserve. In addition, the Company 
paid $0.1 million in costs related to a facility closed in 2016.  

During 2017, the Company recorded a $0.2 million reduction to the reserve for employee-related costs and credited warehousing, delivery, 

selling, general, and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. This action fully utilized the remaining reserve for employee-
related costs.    

2016 

In 2016, the Company recorded a charge of $1.0 million related to a facility closure, which consists of tenancy-related costs, primarily future 
lease payments. The Company paid $0.2 million in costs related to this facility closure and reclassified an existing $0.2 million liability for future lease 
payments at this facility to the restructuring reserve. The Company also paid $0.3 million in costs related to a facility closed in 2013 and recorded an 
addition of $0.1 million to the reserve for tenancy-related costs, which was charged to warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative expense 
in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

During 2016, the Company paid $0.7 million in employee-related costs related to restructuring actions taken in the fourth quarter of 2015. The 

Company also recorded a $0.3 million reduction to the reserve for employee-related costs and credited warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and 
administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.   

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Note 9: Debt  

Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017:  

Ryerson Credit Facility 
11 % Senior Secured Notes due 2022 
Foreign debt 
Other debt 
Unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts 

Total debt 

Less: 
Short-term foreign debt 
Other short-term debt 

Total long-term debt 

At December 31, 

2018 

2017 

(In millions) 
535.9      $ 
599.5        
19.5        
8.3        
(9.9 )      
1,153.3        

19.5        
7.8        
1,126.0      $ 

384.2   
650.0   
21.3   
3.9   
(13.7 ) 
1,045.7   

21.3   
—   
1,024.4 

  $ 

  $ 

The principal payments required to be made on debt during the next five fiscal years are shown below:  

For the year ended December 31, 2019 
For the year ended December 31, 2020 
For the year ended December 31, 2021 
For the year ended December 31, 2022 
For the year ended December 31, 2023 
For the years ended thereafter 

  $ 

Amount 
(In millions) 

27.3   
0.1   
536.0   
599.7   
0.1   
— 

Ryerson Credit Facility  

On November 16, 2016, Ryerson entered into an amendment with respect to its $1.0 billion revolving credit facility (as amended, the “Old Credit 
Facility”), to reduce the total facility size from $1.0 billion to $750 million, reduce the interest rate on outstanding borrowings by 25 basis points, reduce 
commitment fees on amounts not borrowed by 2.5 basis points, and to extend the maturity date to November 16, 2021. On June 28, 2018, Ryerson entered 
into a second amendment with respect to the Old Credit Facility to increase the facility size from $750 million to $1.0 billion (the Old Credit Facility as 
amended, the “Ryerson Credit Facility”). 

At December 31, 2018, Ryerson had $535.9 million of outstanding borrowings, $12 million of letters of credit issued, and $392 million available 

under the Ryerson Credit Facility compared to $384.2 million of outstanding borrowings, $12 million of letters of credit issued, and $264 million available 
at December 31, 2017. Total credit availability is limited by the amount of eligible accounts receivable, inventory, and qualified cash pledged as collateral 
under the agreement insofar as Ryerson is subject to a borrowing base comprised of the aggregate of these three amounts, less applicable reserves. 
Eligible accounts receivable, at any date of determination, is comprised of the aggregate value of all accounts directly created by a borrower (and in the 
case of Canadian accounts, the Canadian borrower) in the ordinary course of business arising out of the sale of goods or the rendering of services, each 
of which has been invoiced, with such receivables adjusted to exclude various ineligible accounts, including, among other things, those to which a 
borrower (or guarantor, as applicable) does not have sole and absolute title and accounts arising out of a sale to an employee, officer, director, or affiliate 
of a borrower (or guarantor, as applicable). Eligible inventory, at any date of determination, is comprised of the net orderly liquidation value of all 
inventory owned by a borrower (and in the case of Canadian accounts, the Canadian borrower). Qualified cash consists of cash in an eligible deposit 
account that is subject to customary restrictions and liens in favor of the lenders.  

The Ryerson Credit Facility has an allocation of $940 million to the Company’s subsidiaries in the United States and an allocation of $60 million to 

Ryerson Holding’s Canadian subsidiary that is a borrower. Amounts outstanding under the Ryerson Credit Facility bear interest at (i) a rate determined 
by reference to (A) the base rate (the highest of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, Bank of America, N.A.’s prime rate, and the one-month LIBOR rate 
plus 1.00%), or (B) a LIBOR rate or, (ii) for Ryerson Holding’s Canadian subsidiary that is a borrower, (A) a rate determined by reference to the Canadian 
base rate (the greatest of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, Bank of America-Canada Branch’s “base rate” for commercial loans in U.S. Dollars made at 
its “base rate”, and the  

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30 day LIBOR rate plus 1.00%), (B) the prime rate (the greater of Bank of America-Canada Branch’s “prime rate” for commercial loans made by it in 
Canada in Canadian Dollars and the one-month Canadian bankers’ acceptance rate plus 1.00%), or (C) the bankers’ acceptance rate. The spread over the 
base rate and prime rate is between 0.25% and 0.50% and the spread over the LIBOR for the bankers’ acceptances is between 1.25% and 1.50%, 
depending on the amount available to be borrowed under the Ryerson Credit Facility. Overdue amounts and all amounts owed during the existence of a 
default bear interest at 2% above the rate otherwise applicable thereto. Ryerson also pays commitment fees on amounts not borrowed at a rate of 0.23%. 

We attempt to minimize interest rate risk exposure through the utilization of interest rate swaps, which are derivative financial instruments. In 
March 2017, we entered into an interest rate swap to fix interest on $150 million of our floating rate debt under the Ryerson Credit Facility at a rate of 
1.658% through March 2020. The swap has reset dates and critical terms that match our existing debt and the anticipated critical terms of future debt. The 
weighted average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings under the Ryerson Credit Facility including the interest rate swap was 3.5 percent and 2.8 
percent at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 

Borrowings under the Ryerson Credit Facility are secured by first-priority liens on all of the inventory, accounts receivables, lockbox accounts, 

and related assets of the borrowers and the guarantors.  

The Ryerson Credit Facility also contains covenants that, among other things, restrict Ryerson Holding and its restricted subsidiaries with respect 

to the incurrence of debt, the creation of liens, transactions with affiliates, mergers and consolidations, sales of assets, and acquisitions. The Ryerson 
Credit Facility also requires that, if availability under the Ryerson Credit Facility declines to a certain level, Ryerson maintain a minimum fixed charge 
coverage ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter, and includes defaults upon (among other things) the occurrence of a change of control of Ryerson and 
a cross-default to other financing arrangements.  

The Ryerson Credit Facility contains events of default with respect to, among other things, default in the payment of principal when due or the 

payment of interest, fees, and other amounts due thereunder after a specified grace period, material misrepresentations, failure to perform certain specified 
covenants, certain bankruptcy events, the invalidity of certain security agreements or guarantees, material judgments, and the occurrence of a change of 
control of Ryerson. If such an event of default occurs, the lenders under the Ryerson Credit Facility will be entitled to various remedies, including 
acceleration of amounts outstanding under the Ryerson Credit Facility and all other actions permitted to be taken by secured creditors.   

The lenders under the Ryerson Credit Facility could reject a borrowing request if any event, circumstance, or development has occurred that has 
had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company. If Ryerson Holding, JT Ryerson, any of the other borrowers, or 
any restricted subsidiaries of JT Ryerson becomes insolvent or commences bankruptcy proceedings, all amounts borrowed under the Ryerson Credit 
Facility will become immediately due and payable.  

Net proceeds of short-term borrowings that are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows represent borrowings under 

the Ryerson Credit Facility with original maturities less than three months. 

2022 Notes  

On May 24, 2016, JT Ryerson issued $650 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Notes (the “2022 Notes”). The 2022 Notes bear interest 

at a rate of 11.00% per annum. The 2022 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by all of our existing and future 
domestic subsidiaries that are co-borrowers or that have guarantee obligations under the Ryerson Credit Facility. 

The 2022 Notes and the related guarantees are secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of JT Ryerson’s and each guarantor’s 

present and future assets located in the United States (other than receivables, inventory, cash, deposit accounts and related general intangibles, certain 
other assets and proceeds thereof), subject to certain exceptions and customary permitted liens. The 2022 Notes and the related guarantees are also 
secured on a second-priority basis by a lien on the assets that secure JT Ryerson’s and the Company’s obligations under the Ryerson Credit Facility.  

The 2022 Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time on or after May 15, 2019 at certain redemption prices. The redemption price for 

the 2022 Notes if redeemed during the twelve months beginning (i) May 15, 2019 is 105.50%, (ii) May 15, 2020 is 102.75%, and (iii) May 15, 2021 and 
thereafter is 100.00%. JT Ryerson may redeem some or all of the 2022 Notes before May 15, 2019 at a redemption price of 100.00% of the principal amount, 
plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, plus a “make-whole” premium. In addition, JT Ryerson may redeem up to 35% of the 2022 
Notes before May 15, 2019 with respect to the 2022 Notes with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a price equal to 111.00%, with 
respect to the 2022 Notes, of the principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any. JT Ryerson may be required to make an offer to 
purchase the 2022 Notes upon the sale of assets or upon a change of control. 

68 

  
The 2022 Notes contain customary covenants that, among other things, limit, subject to certain exceptions, our ability, and the ability of our 
restricted subsidiaries, to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock, make investments, sell 
assets, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations, or create liens or use assets as security in other transactions. Subject to certain exceptions, JT 
Ryerson may only pay dividends to Ryerson Holding to the extent of 50% of cumulative net income since the issuance of the 2022 Notes, once prior 
losses are offset. As a result of these restrictions, the restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiaries exceed 25 percent of consolidated net assets as of 
December 31, 2018. Restricted net assets as of December 31, 2018 were $219.2 million. 

During 2018, a principal amount of $50.5 million of the 2022 Notes were repurchased for $52.2 million and retired, resulting in the recognition of a 

$1.7 million loss within other income and (expense), net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.  

The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2022 Notes, along with borrowings under the Ryerson Credit Facility, were used to (i) repurchase 
and/or redeem in full the $569.9 million balance of JT Ryerson’s 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Notes”), plus accrued and unpaid 
interest thereon up to, but not including, the repayment date, (ii) repurchase $95.0 million of JT Ryerson’s 11.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (the 
“2018 Notes”), and (iii) pay related fees, expenses, and premiums. 

The Company applied the provisions of ASC 470-50, “Modifications and Extinguishments” in accounting for the issuance of the 2022 Notes, 

redemption of the 2017 Notes, and partial repurchase of the 2018 Notes. The evaluation of the accounting under ASC 470-50 was performed on a creditor 
by creditor basis in order to determine if the terms of the debt were substantially different and, as a result, whether to apply modification or 
extinguishment accounting. For the lenders where it was determined that the terms of the debt were not substantially different, modification accounting 
was applied. For the remaining lenders, extinguishment accounting was applied. In connection with this debt modification and extinguishment, the 
Company recorded a $16.1 million loss within other income and (expense), net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations during 2016, primarily 
attributed to the costs incurred with third parties for arrangement fees, legal, and other services related to the modified debt, as well as redemption fees 
paid to the creditors, and unamortized debt issuance costs written off related to the extinguished debt. Additionally, the costs incurred with third parties 
for arrangement fees, legal, and other services related to the extinguished debt and redemption fees paid to the creditors related to the modified debt were 
capitalized and are being amortized over the life of the modified debt using the effective interest method. 

During 2016, a principal amount of $75.4 million of the 2018 Notes were repurchased for $68.0 million and retired, resulting in the recognition of a 

$7.4 million gain within other income and (expense), net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Including the $16.1 million loss on the redemption 
of the $569.9 million balance of the 2017 Notes and repurchase of $95.0 million of the 2018 Notes, the Company recognized a total net loss of $8.7 million 
within other income and (expense), net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations during year 2016. 

Foreign Debt  

At December 31, 2018, Ryerson China’s total foreign borrowings were $19.5 million, which were owed to banks in Asia at a weighted average 
interest rate of 4.3% per annum and secured by inventory and property, plant, and equipment. At December 31, 2017, Ryerson China’s total foreign 
borrowings were $21.3 million, which were owed to banks in Asia at a weighted average interest rate of 3.7% per annum and secured by inventory and 
property, plant, and equipment.      

Availability under Ryerson China’s credit facility was $26 million and $25 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Letters of credit 

issued by our foreign subsidiaries totaled $3 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017.  

Note 10: Employee Benefits  

The Company accounts for its pension and postretirement plans in accordance with FASB ASC 715, “Compensation – Retirement 

Benefits” (“ASC 715”). In addition to requirements for an employer to recognize in its Consolidated Balance Sheet an asset for a plan’s overfunded status 
or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status and to recognize changes in the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan in the year in which 
the changes occur, ASC 715 requires an employer to measure a plan’s assets and its obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of the 
employer’s fiscal year.  

Prior to January 1, 1998, the Company’s non-contributory defined benefit pension plan (“Ryerson Pension Plan” or “RPP”) covered certain 
employees, retirees, and their beneficiaries. Benefits provided to participants of the plan were based on pay and years of service for salaried employees 
and years of service and a fixed rate or a rate determined by job grade for all wage employees, including employees under collective bargaining 
agreements.  

Effective January 1, 1998, the Company froze the benefits accrued under its defined benefit pension plan for certain salaried employees and 

instituted a defined contribution plan. Effective March 31, 2000, benefits for certain salaried employees of J. M. Tull  

69 

  
Metals Company and AFCO Metals, subsidiaries that were merged into JT Ryerson, were similarly frozen, with the employees becoming participants in 
the Company’s defined contribution plan. Employees who vested in their benefits accrued under the defined benefit plan at December 31, 1997 and 
March 31, 2000, are entitled to those benefits upon retirement. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, expense recognized for its defined 
contribution plans was $8.0 million, $7.2 million, and $6.9 million, respectively.  

CS&W also has a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan (“Central Steel and Wire Retirement Plan” or “CSWPP”), which covers certain 

employees, retirees, and their beneficiaries. CSWPP paid $5.8 million in lump sums from July 2, 2018 through December 31, 2018. Because the payout was 
more than the service cost plus interest cost for the period, settlement accounting was reflected at year-end. There was an unrecognized loss as of 
December 31, 2018, of which $0.2 million was recognized in other income and (expense), net within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

Effective May 19, 2017, the Company froze the benefits accrued under a portion of the Ryerson Pension Plan for certain wage employees. The 

freeze impacted a significant number of the remaining active accruing participants, therefore, curtailment accounting was required, and the pension plan 
was remeasured as of May 31, 2017. The remeasurement resulted in a curtailment loss of $0.1 million, which was recorded in warehousing, delivery, 
selling, general, and administrative expense within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

The Company’s U.S. other postretirement benefit plans include the Ryerson Postretirement Welfare Plans (“Ryerson OPEB”) and Central Steel and 

Wire Postretirement Medical Plan (“CSW OPEB”). 

The Company has other deferred employee benefit plans, including supplemental pension plans, the liability for which totaled $15.1 million and 

$17.3 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  

Summary of Assumptions and Activity  

The tables included below provide reconciliations of benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets of the Company plans as well as the funded 

status and components of net periodic benefit costs for each period related to each plan. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date to 
determine the pension and other postretirement benefit information. The Company had an additional measurement date of May 31, 2017 due to the plan 
freeze discussed above. The expected rate of return on plan assets is determined based on the market-related value of the assets, recognizing any gains 
or losses over a four year period. The method we have chosen for amortizing actuarial gains and losses is to recognize amounts in excess of a 10% 
corridor (10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or plan assets) which are amortized over the average expected remaining lifetime of the 
participants in the pension plan and over the average expected remaining service period for the other postretirement benefits.  

The assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at the end of the periods and net periodic benefit costs for the Pension Benefits for U.S. 

plans were as follows:  

Discount rate for calculating obligations 
Discount rate for calculating service cost 
Discount rate for calculating interest cost 
Expected rate of return on plan assets 
Rate of compensation increase – benefit obligations 
Rate of compensation increase – net periodic benefit cost 

July 2 to 
December 
31, 2018 
(CSWPP)    

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2018 (RPP)    

June 1 to 
December 
31, 2017 

January 1 
to May 31, 
2017 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2016 

4.59 %     
4.49   
4.22   
4.70   
3.00   
3.00   

4.32 %     
3.84   
3.24   
6.70   
3.00   
2.90   

3.64 %     
4.20   
3.18   
6.95   
2.90   
2.70   

3.86 %     
4.51   
3.44   
6.75   
2.70   
2.70   

4.14 % 
4.80   
3.55   
7.10   
2.70   
2.80 

The expected rate of return on plan assets is 6.35% for RPP and 4.00% for CSWPP for 2019.  

70 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
The assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at the end of the periods and net periodic benefit costs for the Other Postretirement 

Benefits, primarily health care, for U.S. plans were as follows:  

Discount rate for calculating obligations 
Discount rate for calculating service cost 
Discount rate for calculating interest cost 
Rate of compensation increase – benefit obligations 
Rate of compensation increase – net periodic benefit cost 

July 2 to 
December 31, 
2018 (CSW 
OPEB) 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2018 (Ryerson 
OPEB) 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2017 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2016 

4.23 %     
4.35   
3.83   
N/A   
N/A   

4.26 %     
3.74   
3.09   
3.00   
3.00   

3.57 %     
4.25   
3.19   
3.00   
2.50   

3.99 % 
4.59   
3.19   
2.50   
2.80 

The assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at the end of the periods and net periodic benefit costs for the Pension Benefits for 

Canadian plans were as follows:  

Discount rate for calculating obligations 
Discount rate for calculating net periodic benefit cost 
Expected rate of return on plan assets 
Rate of compensation increase 

Year Ended December 31, 

2018 

2017 

2016 

   Salaried    

   Bargaining   

   Salaried    

   Bargaining   

   Salaried 

  Bargaining   

3.56 %     
3.31   
5.25   
3.00   

3.58 %     
3.32   
4.50   
3.00   

3.31 %     
3.64   
5.50   
3.00   

3.32 %     
3.71   
5.25   
3.00   

3.64 %     
3.70   
5.75   
3.25   

3.71 %   
3.87   
5.50   
3.25   

The expected rate of return on Canadian plan assets for 2019 is 5.25% for the Ryerson Salaried Plan (approximately 78% of total Canadian plan 

assets) and 3.50% for the Ryerson Bargaining Unit Plan (approximately 22% of total Canadian plan assets). 

The assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at the end of the periods and net periodic benefit costs for the Other Postretirement 

Benefits, primarily healthcare, for Canadian plans were as follows:  

Discount rate for calculating obligations 
Discount rate for calculating net periodic benefit cost 
Rate of compensation increase 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 

2018 

2016 

3.53 %     
3.31   
3.00   

3.31 %     
3.61   
3.00   

3.54 % 
3.64   
3.25 

71 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  
    
    
    
  
    
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Change in Benefit Obligation 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year 
Acquired benefit obligation 
Service cost 
Interest cost 
Actuarial (gain) loss 
Effect of changes in exchange rates 
Lump sums paid 
Benefits paid (net of participant contributions and 
   Medicare subsidy) 

Benefit obligation at end of year 
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year 
Change in Plan Assets 

Plan assets at fair value at beginning of year 
Acquired plan assets 
Actual return on plan assets 
Employer contributions 
Effect of changes in exchange rates 
Lump sums paid 
Benefits paid (net of participant contributions) 

Plan assets at fair value at end of year 
Reconciliation of Amount Recognized 

Funded status 

Amounts recognized in balance sheet consist of: 

Current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 
Net benefit liability at the end of the year 

Year Ended December 31, 

Pension Benefits 

Other Benefits 

2018 

2017 

2018 

2017 

(In millions) 

  $ 

  $ 
  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

797      $ 
60        
2        
26        
(42 )      
(4 )      
(23 )      

(56 )      
760      $ 
750      $ 

632      $ 
43        
(40 )      
27        
(3 )      
(23 )      
(57 )      
579      $ 

803      $ 
—        
1        
26        
41        
3        
(23 )      

(54 )      
797      $ 
795      

587      $ 
—        
97        
22        
3        
(23 )      
(54 )      
632      $ 

69      $ 
15        
—        
2        
(8 )      
(1 )      
—        

(7 )      
70      $ 

N/A      

—      $ 
—        
—        
7        
—        
—        
(7 )      
—      $ 

(181 )    $ 

(165 )    $ 

(70 )    $ 

—      $ 
(181 )      
(181 )    $ 

—      $ 
(165 )      
(165 )    $ 

(7 )    $ 
(63 )      
(70 )    $ 

74   
—   
—   
3   
(1 ) 
1   
—   

(8 ) 
69   
N/A   

—   
—   
—   
8   
—   
—   
(8 ) 
—   

(69 ) 

(7 ) 
(62 ) 
(69 ) 

Canadian benefit obligations represented $41 million of the Company’s total Pension Benefits obligations at December 31, 2018 and $46 million at 
December 31, 2017. Canadian plan assets represented $38 million of the Company’s total plan assets at fair value at December 31, 2018 and $44 million at 
December 31, 2017. In addition, Canadian benefit obligations represented $11 million of the Company’s total Other Benefits obligation at December 31, 
2018 and $12 million at December 31, 2017.  

The pension benefit obligations recorded as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were impacted by changes in assumptions. During the year ended 

December 31, 2018 the pension benefit obligation decreased by $46 million due to an increase in the year over year discount rate and decreased another 
$1 million due to updated mortality rates based on updated mortality tables released by the Society of Actuaries in 2018. During the year ended December 
31, 2017 the pension benefit obligation increased by $47 million due to a decrease in the year over year discount rate, decreased $5 million due to updated 
mortality rates based on updated mortality tables released by the Society of Actuaries in 2017, and decreased an additional $4 million due to the 
demographic assumption studies concluded in 2017.    

72 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
    
         
         
         
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
         
         
         
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
         
         
         
    
    
         
         
         
    
    
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2018 and 2017 consist of the following:  

Amounts recognized in accumulated other 
   comprehensive income (loss), pre–tax, consist of 

Net actuarial loss (gain) 
Prior service credit 
Net loss (gain) 

At December 31, 

Pension Benefits 

Other Benefits 

2018 

2017 

2018 

2017 

(In millions) 

  $ 

  $ 

394      $ 
—        
394      $ 

372      $ 
—        
372      $ 

(58 )    $ 
(6 )      
(64 )    $ 

(57 ) 
(9 ) 
(66 ) 

Net actuarial losses of $14.8 million and prior service costs of $0.1 million for pension benefits and net actuarial gains of $7.7 million and prior 
service credits of $3.1 million for other postretirement benefits are expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net 
periodic benefit cost in 2019.  

Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 consist of the following:  

Amounts recognized in other comprehensive 
   income (loss), pre–tax, consist of 

Net actuarial loss (gain) 
Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain) 
Amortization of prior service cost 

Net loss (gain) 

Year Ended December 31, 

Pension Benefits 

Other Benefits 

2018 

2017 

2018 

2017 

(In millions) 

  $ 

  $ 

38      $ 
(16 )      
—        
22      $ 

(15 )    $ 
(14 )      
—        
(29 )    $ 

(8 )    $ 
7        
3        
2      $ 

(1 ) 
8   
3   
10 

For benefit obligation measurement purposes for U.S. plans at December 31, 2018, the annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered 

health care benefits for participants under 65 was 7.5 percent, grading down to 4.5 percent in 2026, the level at which it is expected to remain. At 
December 31, 2018, the rate for participants over 65 was 7.5 percent, grading down to 4.5 percent in 2026, plus a risk adjustment of 0.65 percent grading 
down to zero percent in 2022, the level at which it is expected to remain. For measurement purposes for U.S. plans at December 31, 2017, the annual rate of 
increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits for participants under 65 was 7.0 percent, grading down to 4.5 percent in 2026, the level at 
which it is expected to remain. At December 31, 2017, the rate for participants over 65 was 7.0 percent, grading down to 4.5 percent in 2026, plus a risk 
adjustment of 0.65 percent grading down to zero percent in 2022, the level at which it is expected to remain. 

For benefit obligation measurement purposes for Canadian plans at both December 31, 2018 and 2017, the annual rate of increase in the per capita 

cost of covered health care benefits was 7.3 percent per annum, grading down to 4.5 percent in 2033, the level at which it is expected to remain.   

The components of the Company’s net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 are as follows:  

Components of net periodic benefit cost 

Service cost 
Interest cost 
Expected return on assets 
Recognized actuarial loss (gain) 
Amortization of prior service credit 
Net periodic benefit cost (credit) 

Year Ended December 31, 

Pension Benefits 
2017 

2018 

2016 

2018 

(In millions) 

Other Benefits 
2017 

2016 

  $ 

  $ 

2      $ 
26        
(40 )      
15        
—        
3      $ 

73 

1      $ 
26        
(42 )      
15        
—        
—      $ 

1      $ 
29        
(45 )      
13        
—        
(2 )    $ 

—      $ 
2        
—        
(7 )      
(3 )      
(8 )    $ 

—      $ 
3        
—        
(8 )      
(3 )      
(8 )    $ 

—   
3   
—   
(8 ) 
(3 ) 
(8 ) 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
    
         
         
         
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
    
         
         
         
    
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
    
         
         
         
         
         
    
    
    
    
    
The assumed health care cost trend rate has an effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. For purposes of determining net periodic 

benefit cost for U.S plans, the annual rate of increase in the per capital cost of covered health care benefits for participants under 65 was 7.5 percent, 
grading down to 4.5 percent in 2026, the level at which it is expected to remain. The rate for participants over 65 was 7.75 percent, grading down to 4.5 
percent in 2026, plus a risk adjustment of 0.65 percent grading down to zero percent in 2022, the level at which it is expected to remain. For purposes of 
determining net periodic benefit cost for Canadian plans, the annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was 7.3 percent 
per annum, grading down to 4.5 percent in 2033, the level at which it is expected to remain. 

A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have the following effects:  

Effect on service cost plus interest cost 
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation 

   $ 

1% increase 

1% decrease 

(In millions) 
0.2   
3.4   

   $ 

(0.2 ) 
(3.0 ) 

Pension Trust Assets  

The expected long-term rate of return on pension trust assets is 4.00% to 6.35% based on the historical investment returns of the trust, the 

forecasted returns of the asset classes, and a survey of comparable pension plan sponsors.  

The Company’s pension trust weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2018 and 2017, by asset category are as follows:  

Equity securities 
Debt securities 
Real Estate 
Other 
Total 

Trust Assets at 
December 31, 

2018 

2017 

43 %       
44   
3   
10   
100 %       

57 % 
26   
5   
12   
100 % 

The Board of Directors of JT Ryerson has general supervisory authority over the Pension Trust Fund and approves the investment policies and 

plan asset target allocation. An internal management committee provides on-going oversight of plan assets in accordance with the approved policies and 
asset allocation ranges and has the authority to appoint and dismiss investment managers. The investment policy objectives are to maximize long-term 
return from a diversified pool of assets while minimizing the risk of large losses and to maintain adequate liquidity to permit timely payment of all benefits. 
The policies include diversification requirements and restrictions on concentrations in any one single issuer or asset class. The currently approved asset 
investment classes are cash, fixed income, domestic equities, international equities, real estate, private equities, and hedge funds of funds. Company 
management allocates the plan assets among the approved investment classes and provides appropriate directions to the investment managers pursuant 
to such allocations.  

The approved target ranges and allocations as of the December 31, 2018 measurement date were as follows:  

Equity securities 
Debt securities 
Real estate 
Other 

Total 

Range 

Target 

28-66%     
20-63     
1-8     
0-16     

58 % 
29   
6   
7   
100 % 

74 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
The fair value of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2018 by asset category are as follows. See Note 14 for the definitions of Level 1, 2, and 3 

fair value measurements.  

Asset Category 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Equity securities: 
US large cap 
US small/mid cap 
Canadian large cap 
Canadian small cap 
International companies 
Global companies 
Fixed income securities: 

Investment grade debt 
Other types of investments: 

Commodity funds 
Multi-strategy funds 

Investments valued at net asset value 
Real estate 
Total 

Fair Value Measurements at 
December 31, 2018 

Total 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

  $ 

21      $ 

(In millions) 
21      $ 

71        
22        
3        
1        
92        
60        

7        
1        
—        
—        
5        
—        

—      $ 

64        
21        
3        
1        
87        
60        

255        

18        

237        

1        
1        
37        
15        
579      $ 

—        
—        
—        
1        
53      $ 

1        
1        
—        
14        
489      $ 

  $ 

The fair value of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2017 by asset category are as follows:  

Asset Category 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Equity securities: 
US large cap 
US small/mid cap 
Canadian large cap 
Canadian small cap 
International companies 
Global companies 
Fixed income securities: 

Investment grade debt 
Other types of investments: 

Commodity funds 
Multi-strategy funds 

Investments valued at net asset value 
Real estate 
Total 

Fair Value Measurements at 
December 31, 2017 

Total 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

  $ 

15      $ 

(In millions) 
15      $ 

89        
28        
5        
1        
146        
95        

—        
—        
—        
—        
—        
—        

—      $ 

89        
28        
5        
1        
146        
95        

161        

—        

161        

3        
2        
53        
34        
632      $ 

—        
—        
—        
—        
15      $ 

3        
2        
—        
34        
564      $ 

  $ 

—   

—   
—   
—   
—   
—   
—   

—   

—   
—   
—   
—   
— 

—   

—   
—   
—   
—   
—   
—   

—   

—   
—   
—   
—   
— 

The pension assets classified as Level 2 investments in both 2018 and 2017 are part of common collective trust investments. 

Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value 

hierarchy in accordance with ASU 2015-07, “Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its 
Equivalent).” The fair value amounts presented above are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

Securities listed on one or more national securities exchanges are valued at their last reported sales price on the date of valuation. If no sale 

occurred on the valuation date, the security is valued at the mean of the last “bid” and “ask” prices on the  

75 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
         
         
         
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
         
         
         
    
    
    
         
         
         
    
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
    
         
         
         
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
         
         
         
    
    
    
         
         
         
    
    
    
    
    
valuation date. Corporate and government bonds which are not listed or admitted to trading on any securities exchanges are valued at the average mean 
of the last bid and ask prices on the valuation date based on quotations supplied by recognized quotation services or by reputable broker dealers. The 
non-publicly traded securities, other securities, or instruments for which reliable market quotations are not available are valued at each investment 
manager’s discretion. Valuations will depend on facts and circumstances known as of the valuation date and application of certain valuation methods.  

Contributions  

The Company contributed $27.0 million, $21.7 million, and $22.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, to 

improve the funded status of the plans. The Company anticipates that it will have a minimum required pension contribution funding of approximately $26 
million in 2019.  

Estimated Future Benefit Payments  

2019 
2020 
2021 
2022 
2023 
2024-2028 

  $ 

Pension 
Benefits 

Other 
Benefits 

(In millions) 
60     $ 
58       
57       
57       
56       
260       

7   
6   
6   
6   
6   
23 

Multiemployer Pension and Other Postretirement Plans  

We participate in two multiemployer pension plans covering 52 employees at 4 locations. Total contributions to the plans were $0.4 million for 

each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016. Our contributions represent less than 5% of the total contributions to the plans. The 
Company maintains positive employee relations at all locations. During 2012, the Company exited and reentered the pension plan at one of the covered 
locations in an effort to reduce the overall pension liability. The transaction resulted in a withdrawal liability of $1.0 million, which will be paid over a 
period of 25 years. The balance of the withdrawal liability as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $0.5 million. The Company’s participation in these plans 
is not material to our financial statements.  

Note 11: Commitments and Contingencies  

Lease Obligations & Other  

The Company leases buildings and equipment under noncancellable operating leases expiring in various years through 2028. Future minimum 
rental commitments are estimated to total $101.6 million, including approximately $21.7 million in 2019, $19.2 million in 2020, $17.0 million in 2021, $13.3 
million in 2022, $10.5 million in 2023, and $19.9 million thereafter.  

Rental expense under operating leases totaled $27.9 million, $28.5 million, and $30.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, 

respectively.  

The Company leases equipment under capital leases expiring in various years through 2024. Future minimum rental commitments are estimated to 
total $33.8 million, including approximately $13.7 million in 2019, $11.2 million in 2020, $5.7 million in 2021, $2.5 million in 2022, $0.6 million in 2023, and $0.1 
million thereafter.  

To fulfill contractual requirements for certain customers in 2018, the Company has entered into certain fixed-price noncancellable contractual 

obligations. These purchase obligations aggregated to $11.9 million at December 31, 2018 with $11.9 million to be paid in 2019.  

Concentrations of Various Risks  

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, equity securities, derivative instruments, 

accounts payable, and notes payable. In the case of cash, accounts receivable, equity securities, and accounts payable, the  

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carrying amount on the balance sheet approximates the fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The derivative instruments are 
marked to market each period. The fair value of notes payable is disclosed in Note 14.  

The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of derivative financial instruments and 

trade accounts receivable. Our derivative financial instruments are contracts placed with major financial institutions. Credit is generally extended to 
customers based upon an evaluation of each customer’s financial condition, with terms consistent in the industry and no collateral required. 
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of customers and their dispersion across 
geographic areas.  

Approximately 9% of our total labor force is covered by collective bargaining agreements. There are collective bargaining agreements that will 

expire in fiscal 2019, which covers 2% of our total labor force. We believe that our overall relationship with our employees is good.  

Litigation  

In October 2011, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) named us as one of more than 100 businesses that may be a 

potentially responsible party for the Portland Harbor Superfund Site (the “PHS Site”). On January 6, 2017, the EPA issued an initial Record of Decision 
(“ROD”) regarding the site. The ROD includes a combination of dredging, capping, and enhanced natural recovery that would take approximately thirteen 
years to construct plus additional time for monitored natural recovery, at an estimated present value cost of $1.05 billion. At a meeting on December 4, 
2018, the EPA announced that it expects parties to submit a plan to remediate the river and harbor per the original ROD within the next 2-3 years. It also 
expects allocation of amounts among the parties to be determined in the same time frame. It is willing to consider de minimus and de micromis settlements 
but is unlikely to approve any before completion of the remedial design process. 

The EPA has not yet allocated responsibility for the contamination among the potentially responsible parties, including JT Ryerson. We do not 
currently have sufficient information available to us to determine whether the ROD will be executed as currently stated, whether and to what extent JT 
Ryerson may be held responsible for any of the identified contamination, and how much (if any) of the final plan’s costs might ultimately be allocated to 
JT Ryerson. Therefore, management cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this matter or estimate a range of potential loss at this time. 

There are various other claims and pending actions against the Company. The amount of liability, if any, for those claims and actions at 
December 31, 2018 is not determinable but, in the opinion of management, such liability, if any, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s 
financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. We maintain liability insurance coverage to assist in protecting our assets from losses arising from 
or related to activities associated with business operations. 

Note 12: Segment Information  

We have one operating and reportable segment, metals service centers. 

The Company derives substantially all of its sales from the distribution of metals. See Note 16: Revenue Recognition for the Company’s 

percentage of sales by major product line. 

No customer, including their subcontractors, accounted for more than 6 percent of Company sales for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, 
and 2016. The top ten customers accounted for less than 15 percent of our sales for the year ended December 31, 2018, and less than 17 percent of our 
sales for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. A significant majority of the Company’s sales are attributable to its U.S. operations and a 
significant majority of its long-lived assets are located in the United States. The only operations attributed to foreign countries relate to the Company’s 
subsidiaries in Canada, China, and Mexico, which in aggregate comprised 10 percent, 12 percent, and 13 percent of the Company’s sales during the years 
ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Canadian, Chinese, and Mexican long-lived assets were 5 percent, 7 percent, and 7 percent of total 
Company long-lived assets at December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.  

77 

  
  
The following tables summarize consolidated financial information of our operations by geographic location based on where sales originated from:  

Net Sales 

United States 
Foreign countries 
Total 

Long-Lived Assets 

United States 
Foreign countries 
Total 

Note 13: Other Matters 

Equity Investment 

2018 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 
(In millions) 

2016 

   $ 

   $ 

3,950.5       $ 
457.9         
4,408.4       $ 

2,962.4       $ 
402.3         
3,364.7       $ 

2,485.9   
373.8   
2,859.7 

2018 

At December 31, 
2017 
(In millions) 

2016 

   $ 

   $ 

464.1       $ 
24.9         
489.0       $ 

395.3       $ 
27.6         
422.9       $ 

362.5   
25.7   
388.2 

In 2011, Ryerson acquired a 38 percent equity interest in Automated Laser Fabrication Co., LLC (“ALF”). ALF is a steel processing company 
located in Streetsboro, Ohio. The Company accounts for this investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s investment in this joint 
venture is not considered material to the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. 

Liquidation of Investment in Foreign Entity 

On February 17, 2012, the Company acquired 50 percent of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Açofran Aços e Metais Ltda (“Açofran”), a 

long products distributor located in São Paulo, Brazil. The Company fully consolidated Açofran based on voting control. The Company was party to a 
put option arrangement with respect to the securities that represent the noncontrolling interest of Açofran. The put was exercisable by the minority 
shareholders outside of the Company’s control by requiring the Company to redeem the minority shareholders’ equity stake in the subsidiary at a put 
price based on earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation and amortization expense, and net debt. The redeemable noncontrolling interest was 
classified as mezzanine equity and measured at the greater of estimated redemption value at the end of each reporting period or the historical cost basis 
of the noncontrolling interest adjusted for earnings and foreign currency allocations.  

As of December 31, 2016, the Company substantially liquidated its investment in Acofran. In accordance with ASC 830-30-40, “Foreign Currency 

Matters,” the Company reclassified the $1.2 million accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment loss on the Consolidated Statement of 
Stockholders’ Equity to Other income and (expense), net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations during 2016. 

Note 14: Derivatives and Fair Value Measurements  

Derivatives  

The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risks managed by using derivative instruments 
are interest rate risk, foreign currency risk, and commodity price risk. Interest rate swaps are entered into to manage interest rate risk associated with the 
Company’s floating-rate borrowings. We use foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge variability in cash flows when a payment currency is 
different from our functional currency. From time to time, we may enter into fixed price sales contracts with our customers for certain of our inventory 
components. We may enter into metal commodity futures and options contracts to reduce volatility in the price of these metals. We may also enter into 
natural gas and diesel fuel price swaps to manage the price risk of forecasted purchases of natural gas and diesel fuel.  

We have a receive variable, pay fixed, interest rate swap to manage the exposure to variable interest rates of the Ryerson Credit Facility.  In March 

2017, we entered into a forward agreement for $150 million of “pay fixed” interest at 1.658%, “receive variable” interest to manage the risk of increasing 
variable interest rates.  The interest rate reset dates and critical terms match the terms of our  

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existing debt and anticipated critical terms of future debt under the Ryerson Credit Facility. The fair value of the interest rate swap as of December 31, 
2018 was an asset of $1.5 million. 

In accordance with FASB ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”), the Company currently does not account for its commodity 

contracts and foreign exchange derivative contracts as hedges but rather marks them to market with a corresponding offset to current earnings. The 
Company accounts for its interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge of floating-rate borrowings with changes in fair value being recorded in accumulated 
other comprehensive income. 

The Company regularly reviews the creditworthiness of its derivative counterparties and does not expect to incur a significant loss from the failure 

of any counterparties to perform under any agreements.  

The following table summarizes the location and fair value amount of our derivative instruments reported in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of 

December 31, 2018 and 2017:  

Asset Derivatives 

Fair Value 

Liability Derivatives 

Fair Value 

Balance Sheet 
Location 

December 31, 
2018 

December 31, 
2017 

Balance Sheet 
Location 

December 31, 
2018 

December 31, 
2017 

(In millions) 

Derivatives not designated as hedging 
instruments under ASC 815 
Metal commodity contracts 

Foreign exchange contracts 

Derivatives designated as hedging 
instruments under ASC 815 
Interest rate swaps 

Total derivatives 

Prepaid expenses and 
other current assets 
Prepaid expenses and 
other current assets 

   $ 

1.6       $ 

0.2         

2.8     

0.1     

Other accrued 
liabilities 
Other accrued 
liabilities 

  $ 

5.4       $ 

Deferred charges and 
other assets 

   $ 

1.5         
3.3       $ 

1.0     
3.9        

Taxes and other 
credits 

  $ 

—         

—         
5.4       $ 

3.9   

—   

—   
3.9 

The following table presents the volume of the Company’s activity in derivative instruments as of December 31, 2018 and 2017: 

Derivative Instruments 

Nickel swap contracts 
Hot roll coil swap contracts 
Aluminum swap contracts 
Zinc swap contracts 
Foreign currency exchange contracts 
Interest rate swap 

Notional Amount 
   At December 31, 2018        At December 31, 2017       
453     
5,252     
15,102     
3,402     
5.1 million     
150 million     

1,541       
36,365       
42,419       
—       
4.5 million     
150 million     

Unit of Measurement 
Tons 
Tons 
Tons 
Tons 
U.S. dollars 
U.S. dollars 

The following table summarizes the location and amount of gains and losses on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments reported in our 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016:  

Derivatives not designated as hedging 
   instruments under ASC 815 

Metal commodity contracts 
Diesel fuel commodity contracts 

Foreign exchange contracts 
Total 

Location of Gain/(Loss) 
Recognized in Income 
on Derivatives 

   Cost of materials sold 

Warehousing, delivery, selling, 
general, and administrative 

   Other income and (expense), net 

79 

Amount of Gain/ 
(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives 
Year Ended December 31, 

2018 

2017 
(In millions) 

2016 

   $ 

(3.1 )     $ 

3.1       $ 

—         
0.2         
(2.9 )     $ 

—         
—         
3.1       $ 

     $ 

10.0   

0.1   
(0.1 ) 
10.0 

  
  
  
 
  
  
  
     
  
  
     
  
        
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
       
  
     
  
    
  
       
  
  
  
  
     
    
  
  
        
           
       
       
           
  
  
     
    
    
  
  
     
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
The following table summarizes the location and amount of gains and losses on derivatives designated as hedging instruments reported in our 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016: 

Derivatives designated as hedging 
   instruments under ASC 815 

Location of Gain/(Loss) 
Recognized in Income 
on Derivatives 

Amount of Gain/(Loss) 
Reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income into 
Income 
Year Ended December 31, 

2018 

2017 
(In millions) 

2016 

Interest rate swaps 

   Interest and other expense on debt 

   $ 

0.5       $ 

(0.7 )    $ 

— 

As of December 31, 2018, the portion of the $1.5 million interest rate swap asset that would be reclassified into earnings during the next 12 months 

as interest income is approximately $1.3 million. 

Fair Value Measurements  

To increase consistency and comparability, FASB ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurement” (“ASC 820”) establishes a fair value hierarchy that 

prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows:  

1. 

2. 

3. 

Level 1—quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the 
reporting date.  

Level 2—inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly observable 
through corroboration with observable market data.  

Level 3—unobservable inputs, such as internally-developed pricing models for the asset or liability due to little or no market activity for the 
asset or liability.  

The following table presents assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on our Consolidated Balance Sheets on a recurring basis 

and their level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2018:  

Assets 
Derivatives: 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815: 

Metal commodity contracts 
Foreign exchange contracts 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815: 

Interest rate swaps 

Total derivatives 

Liabilities 
Derivatives: 

Level 1 

At December 31, 2018 
Level 2 
(In millions) 

Level 3 

   $ 

   $ 

—       $ 
—         

—         
—       $ 

1.6       $ 
0.2         

1.5         
3.3       $ 

—   
—   

—   
—   

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815: 

Metal commodity contracts 

   $ 

—       $ 

5.4       $ 

— 

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The following table presents assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on our Consolidated Balance Sheets on a recurring basis 

and their level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2017:  

Assets 
Prepaid and other current assets: 

Equity securities 

Derivatives: 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815: 

Metal commodity contracts 
Foreign exchange contracts 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815: 

Interest rate swaps 

Total derivatives 

Liabilities 
Derivatives: 

Level 1 

At December 31, 2017 
Level 2 
(In millions) 

Level 3 

   $ 

0.1       $ 

—       $ 

—   

   $ 

   $ 

—       $ 
—         

—         
—       $ 

2.8       $ 
0.1         

1.0         
3.9       $ 

—   
—   

—   
—   

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815: 

Metal commodity contracts 

   $ 

—       $ 

3.9       $ 

— 

The fair value of each derivative contract is determined using Level 2 inputs and the market approach valuation technique, as described in ASC 

820. The Company has various commodity derivatives to lock in nickel and zinc prices for varying time periods. The fair value of these derivatives is 
determined based on the spot price each individual contract was purchased at and compared with the one-month daily average actual spot price on the 
London Metals Exchange for nickel and zinc on the valuation date. The Company also has commodity derivatives to lock in hot roll coil, iron ore, and 
aluminum prices for varying time periods. The fair value of hot roll coil, iron ore, and aluminum derivatives is determined based on the spot price each 
individual contract was purchased at and compared with the one-month daily average actual spot price on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the 
Singapore Exchange, and the  London Metals Exchange, respectively, for the commodity on the valuation date. In addition, the Company has numerous 
foreign exchange contracts to hedge variability in cash flows when a payment currency is different from our functional currency. The Company defines 
the fair value of foreign exchange contracts as the amount of the difference between the contracted and current market value at the end of the period. The 
Company estimates the current market value of foreign exchange contracts by obtaining month-end market quotes of foreign exchange rates and forward 
rates for contracts with similar terms. The Company uses the exchange rates provided by Reuters. Each commodity and foreign exchange contract term 
varies in the number of months, but in general, contracts are between 3 to 12 months in length. The fair value of our interest rate swap is based on the 
sum of all future net present value cash flows for the fixed and floating leg of the swap. The future cash flows are derived based on the terms of our 
interest rate swap, as well as published discount factors, and projected forward LIBOR rates. 

The carrying and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:  

Cash and cash equivalents 
Restricted cash 
Receivables less provision for allowances, claims, and 
   doubtful accounts 
Accounts payable 
Long-term debt, including current portion 

   $ 

At December 31, 2018 

At December 31, 2017 

Carrying 
Amount 

      Fair Value 

Carrying 
Amount 

      Fair Value 

23.2       $ 
1.1         

521.0         
390.2         
1,153.3         

(In millions) 
23.2       $ 
1.1         

521.0         
390.2         
1,158.5         

77.4       $ 
1.1         

376.3         
275.0         
1,045.7         

77.4   
1.1   

376.3   
275.0   
1,125.9 

The estimated fair value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, receivables less provision for allowances, claims, and doubtful accounts, 

and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts due to the short-term nature of these financial  

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instruments. The estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt and the current portions thereof is determined by using quoted market prices of 
Company debt securities (Level 2 inputs).  

The fair values less costs to sell of long-lived assets held for sale are assessed each reporting period that they remain classified as held for sale. 

Any increase or decrease in the held for sale long-lived asset’s fair value less cost to sell is reported as an adjustment to its carrying amount, except that 
the adjusted carrying amount cannot exceed the carrying amount of the long-lived asset at the time it was initially classified as held for sale. The fair 
values of each property were determined based on appraisals obtained from a third-party, pending sales contracts, or recent listing agreements with third-
party brokerage firms (Level 2 inputs).  

The following table presents assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a non-recurring 

basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2018: 

Assets 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets - assets held for sale (Note 5)    $ 

—       $ 

7.8       $ 

— 

There were no assets or liabilities classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2017. 

Level 1 

At December 31, 2018 
Level 2 
(In millions) 

Level 3 

Equity Securities 

The Company had zero and $0.1 million of equity securities, classified within “Prepaid expenses and other current assets,” as of December 31, 2018 

and 2017.  

Subsequent to the adoption of ASU 2016-01, management values these investments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in other 

income (expense), net. The amount of loss recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the year ended December 31, 2018 was $0.1 million. 

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-01, management valued these investments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in accumulated 
other comprehensive income.  The balance of $1.0 million outstanding within accumulated other comprehensive income related to these investments at 
December 31, 2017 was reclassed to retained earnings upon the adoption of ASU 2016-01. 

There is no maturity date for these investments. Sales for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 were not material. 

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Note 15: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income  

The following table details the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 

December 31, 2017: 

Balance at January 1, 2017 

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other 
   comprehensive income (loss) 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 
Balance at December 31, 2017 

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other 
   comprehensive income (loss) 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 
Balance at December 31, 2018 

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive 
Income (Loss) by Component, net of tax 

Foreign 
Currency 
Translation 

Benefit 
Plan 
Liabilities 

Equity 
Securities 

Cash Flow 
Hedge - 
Interest Rate 
Swap 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

(50.2 )    $ 
8.6         

—         
8.6         
(41.6 )    $ 
(11.2 )      

—         
(11.2 )      
(52.8 )    $ 

(In millions) 

(258.7 )    $ 
15.4   

(3.0 )      
12.4   
(246.3 )    $ 
(13.9 )      

(3.8 )      
(17.7 )      
(264.0 )    $ 

1.1       $ 
(0.2 )      

0.1         
(0.1 )      
1.0       $ 
—         

(1.0 )      
(1.0 )      
—       $ 

—   
0.2   

0.4   
0.6   
0.6   
0.7   

(0.3 ) 
0.4   
1.0 

The following tables detail the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 

December 31, 2017:  

Details about Accumulated Other 
Comprehensive Income (Loss) 
Components 

Amortization of defined benefit pension 
  and other post-retirement benefit plan items 

Actuarial gain 

Prior service cost 
Total before tax 
Tax provision 
Net of tax 
Change in accounting principal (ASU 2016-01) 
Change in accounting principal (ASU 2016-01) 
Tax provision 
Net of tax 
Cash flow hedge - interest rate swap 
Realized swap interest income 
Tax provision 
Net of tax 

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 
Amount reclassified from 
Accumulated Other 
Comprehensive Income 
(Loss) 
For the Year Ended 
December 31, 2018 
(In millions) 

Affected line item in the Consolidated 
Statements of 
Operations / Consolidated Balance Sheet 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

83 

Warehousing, delivery, selling, 
general, and administrative 
Warehousing, delivery, selling, 
general, and administrative 

(8.1 )   

3.0      
(5.1 )      
1.3         
(3.8 )      

(1.0 )    Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 
—         
(1.0 )      

(0.5 )    Interest and other expense on debt 
0.2         
(0.3 )      

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
     
    
     
     
    
     
     
     
  
  
  
     
  
  
       
  
  
        
     
          
     
     
     
     
          
     
     
          
     
Details about Accumulated Other 
Comprehensive Income (Loss) 
Components 

Amortization of defined benefit pension 
  and other post-retirement benefit plan items 

Actuarial gain 

Prior service cost 
Total before tax 
Tax provision 
Net of tax 
Other-than-temporary impairment 
Other-than-temporary impairment charge 
Tax benefit 
Net of tax 
Cash flow hedge - interest rate swap 
Realized swap interest loss 
Tax benefit 
Net of tax 

Note 16: Revenue Recognition 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 

Affected line item in the 
Consolidated Statements of 
Operations 

Amount reclassified from 
Accumulated Other 
Comprehensive Income 
(Loss) 
For the Year Ended 
December 31, 2017 
(In millions) 

(6.9 )   

Warehousing, delivery, selling, 
general, and administrative 
Warehousing, delivery, selling, 
general, and administrative 

2.9      
(4.0 )      
1.0         
(3.0 )      

0.2       Other income and (expense), net 
(0.1 )      
0.1         

0.7       Interest and other expense on debt 
(0.3 )      
0.4         

We are a leading metals service center that distributes and provides value-added processing of industrial metals with operations in the United 

States, Canada, Mexico, and China. We purchase large quantities of metal products from primary producers and sell these materials in smaller quantities 
to a wide variety of metals-consuming industries. More than 75% of the metals products sold are processed by us by burning, sawing, slitting, blanking, 
cutting to length, or other techniques.   

Revenue Accounting Policy 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASC 606 which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, and requires entities to recognize 

revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity 
expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.  

The Company adopted ASC 606 as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. The cumulative effect of initially 

applying the new standard was recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings within our Condensed Consolidated Balance 
Sheet.  The adjustment to retained earnings was the result of changing the accounting for revenues associated with custom products with no alternative 
use for which we have an enforceable right to payment, from point in time recognition to over time recognition. The revenues associated with the 
products and services that were partially satisfied at January 1, 2018 which were included in the modified transition method adjustment aggregated $12.3 
million. The net impact on retained earnings associated with these revenues was $2.3 million. For all adjustments and changes as a result of adopting 
ASC 606 for the current period, please refer to the section “Impacts on Financial Statements” below.  In accordance with the modified retrospective 
transition method, the historical information within the financial statements has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting 
standard in effect for those periods. As a result, the Company has disclosed the accounting policies in effect prior to January 1, 2018, as well as the 
policies it has applied starting January 1, 2018.   

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Periods prior to January 1, 2018 

Revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC 605.  Revenue is recognized upon delivery of product to customers and is recorded net of returns, 

allowances, customer discounts, and incentives.  Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a 
net (excluded from revenues) basis.  

Periods commencing January 1, 2018 

Revenue is recognized based on the consideration expected to be received for delivery of as-is or processed metal products when, or as, the 
Company satisfies its contractual obligation to transfer control of a product to a customer, which we refer to as a performance obligation. Predominately 
all of our contracts contain a single performance obligation.   

The majority of our revenue is recognized at a point in time.  The Company has determined that the most definitive demonstration that control has 

transferred to a customer is physical delivery, with the exception of bill and hold and consignment transactions. The Company’s bill-and-hold 
transactions are arrangements where a customer requests that we bill them for a product even though we retain physical possession of the product until 
it is subsequently delivered to the customer. Bill and hold revenue is recorded when all of the criteria within ASC 606 are met.  Consignment transactions 
are arrangements where the Company transfers product to a customer location but retains ownership and control of such product until it is used by the 
customer. Revenue for consignment arrangements is recognized upon the customer’s usage. 

Revenues associated with products which we believe have no alternative use, and where the Company has an enforceable right to payment, are 

recognized on an over time basis.  Products with no alternative use include products made from unique alloys, custom extrusions, non-standard gauges, 
items that been processed to a custom size that cannot be cost effectively reworked to a standard size, or items processed to customer specific drawings 
or specifications.  Over-time revenues are recorded in proportion with the progress made toward completing the performance obligation.   

Ryerson uses both input and output methods of measuring progress towards completion based on the type and extent of processing 

completed.  Input methods are used for complex processing with multiple steps occurring over multiple days.  Under the input method, the measure of 
performance, commonly called percentage of completion, is the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion for the 
products.  Output methods are used for products with minimal processing where the normal pattern of production is less than one day. In these cases, 
the progress towards completion is measured based on the number of products on hand and ready for delivery in comparison to the total number of 
products in the order. 

Significant judgment is required in determining which products qualify for over time revenue recognition, the methodology to be used in 

calculating the progress toward completion, and estimating the costs incurred to date and the total cost at completion.   

Revenue is recorded net of returns, allowances, customer discounts, and incentives.  Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to 

governmental authorities are accounted for on a net (excluded from revenues) basis. 

Prices are generally fixed at the time of order confirmation. At each quarter end, the Company calculates an estimate of potential cash discounts 

and returns and allowances that could be taken by customers that are associated with outstanding accounts receivable, as well as estimates of customer 
rebates.  Cash discounts and returns and allowances are calculated based on historical experience.  Customer rebates are estimated based on actual sales 
and projections over the rebate period.    

The Company has elected to treat shipping and handling costs as an activity necessary to fulfill the performance obligation to transfer product to 
the customer and not as a separate performance obligation. Shipping and handling costs are estimated at quarter end in proportion to revenue recognized 
for transactions where actual costs are not yet known. Shipping and handling costs are included in Warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and 
administrative expense. The balance recognized related to shipping and handling costs was a net contract liability of $0.1 million as of December 31, 2018. 

The Company’s performance obligations are typically short-term in nature. As a result, the Company has elected the practical expedient that 

provides an exemption of the disclosure requirements regarding information about remaining performance obligations on contracts that have original 
expected durations of one year or less.  

Disaggregated Revenue 

We have one operating and reportable segment, metals service centers. 

85 

  
The Company derives substantially all of its sales from the distribution of metals. The following table shows the Company’s percentage of sales 

by major product line:       

Product Line 
Carbon Steel Flat 
Carbon Steel Plate 
Carbon Steel Long 
Stainless Steel Flat 
Stainless Steel Plate 
Stainless Steel Long 
Aluminum Flat 
Aluminum Plate 
Aluminum Long 
Other 

Total 

2018 

2017 

2016 

27 %     
11        
14        
16        
4        
4        
15        
3        
4        
2        
100 %     

28 %     
10        
12        
18        
4        
4        
15        
3        
4        
2        
100 %     

28 % 
9   
13   
17   
4   
3   
16   
3   
5   
2   
100 % 

A significant majority of the Company’s sales are attributable to its U.S. operations. The only operations attributed to foreign countries relate to 

the Company’s subsidiaries in Canada, China, and Mexico.  The following table summarizes consolidated financial information of our operations by 
geographic location based on where sales originated:  

Net Sales 

United States 
Foreign countries 
Total 

2018 

Years Ended December 31, 
2017 
(In millions) 

2016 

$ 

$ 

3,950.5      $ 
457.9     
4,408.4      $ 

2,962.4       $ 
402.3      
3,364.7       $ 

2,485.9   
373.8   
2,859.7 

As stated above, revenue is recognized either at a point in time or over time based on if the contract has an enforceable right to payment and the 

type of product that is being sold to the customer with products that are determined to have no alternative use being recognized over time. The following 
table summarizes revenues by the type of item sold: 

Timing of Revenue Recognition 
Revenue on products with an alternative use 
Revenue on products with no alternative use 
Total 

   Year Ended December 31, 2018    

88 % 
12   
100 % 

Contract Balances 

A receivable is recognized in the period in which an invoice is issued, which is generally when the product is delivered to the customer.  Payment 

terms on invoiced amounts are typically 30 days from the invoice date.  We do not have any contracts with significant financing components.   

Receivables, which are included in accounts receivables within the Consolidated Balance Sheet, from contracts with customers were $523.5 million 

and $381.2 million as of December 31, 2018 and at the adoption of ASC 606, respectively.   

86 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
     
     
     
Contract assets, which consist primarily of revenues recognized over time that have not yet been invoiced and estimates of the value of inventory 

that will be received in conjunction with product returns, are reported in prepaid expenses and other current assets within the Consolidated Balance 
Sheet.  Contract liabilities, which consist primarily of accruals associated with amounts that will be paid to customers for volume rebates, cash discounts, 
sales returns and allowances, estimates of shipping and handling costs associated with performance obligations recorded over time, and bill and hold 
transactions are reported in other accrued liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Significant changes in the contract assets and the contract 
liabilities balances during the period are as follows: 

Beginning Balance 
Transferred to receivables from contract assets recognized at January 1, 2018 
Satisfied contract liability from beginning of the period 
Contract liability incurred during the period 
Net contract assets and liabilities added for products with no alternative during the period 
Contract assets and liabilities acquired 
Changes to reserves 
Reclass from contract liability to contract asset 
Ending Balance 

Year Ended 
December 31, 2018 

Contract 
Assets 

Contract 
Liabilities   

(In millions) 
14.2     $ 
(12.3 )      
—       
—       
10.9       
0.5       
1.5       
1.8       
16.6     $ 

6.9   
—   
(7.6 ) 
8.2   
0.2   
—   
0.5   
1.8   
10.0 

  $ 

  $ 

Impacts on Financial Statements 

The following table summarizes the impacts of adopting ASC 606 on the Company’s current year Consolidated Statement of Operations: 

Year Ended December 31, 2018 

As Reported 

      ASC 606 Adjustments      

Balances without 
adoption of ASC 606 

Net sales 

Cost of materials sold 

Gross profit 

Warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and 
administrative 
Restructuring and other charges 

Operating profit 
Other income and (expense), net 
Interest and other expense on debt 
Income before income taxes 
Provision for income taxes 
Net income 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 
Net income attributable to Ryerson Holding Corporation 
Basic earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 

   $ 

   $ 
   $ 
   $ 

4,408.4       $ 
3,650.3         
758.1         

614.7         
4.2         
139.2         
76.7         
(99.2 )       
116.7         
10.3         
106.4         
0.4         
106.0       $ 
2.84       $ 
2.81       $ 

1.4       $ 
3.3         
(1.9 )       

0.1         
—         
(2.0 )       
—         
—         
(2.0 )       
(0.5 )       
(1.5 )       
—         
(1.5 )     $ 
(0.04 )     $ 
(0.04 )     $ 

4,409.8   
3,653.6   
756.2   

614.8   
4.2   
137.2   
76.7   
(99.2 ) 
114.7   
9.8   
104.9   
0.4   
104.5   
2.80   
2.77 

87 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
           
           
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
The following table summarizes the impacts of adopting ASC 606 on the Company’s current year Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows: 

Operating activities: 

Net income 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash 
provided by (used in) operating activities: 
Deferred income taxes 
Other non cash adjustments 
Change in operating assets and liabilities: 

   $ 

   $ 

Receivables 
Inventories 
Other assets 
Accounts payable 
Accrued liabilities 
Accrued taxes payable/receivable 
Deferred employee benefit costs 

Net adjustments 
Net cash used in operating activities 

As reported 
December 31, 2018 

      ASC 606 Adjustments      
(In millions) 

Balances without 
adoption of ASC 606 

106.4       $ 

(1.5 )     $ 

104.9   

7.8       $ 
(2.0 )       

(64.8 )       
(21.4 )       
(7.3 )       
58.4         
16.8         
2.2         
(38.7 )       
(49.0 )       
57.4         

(0.5 )       
—         

1.8         
2.3         
1.7         
—         
(3.8 )       
—         
—         
1.5         
—         

7.3   
(2.0 ) 

(63.0 ) 
(19.1 ) 
(5.6 ) 
58.4   
13.0   
2.2   
(38.7 ) 
(47.5 ) 
57.4 

The following table summarizes the impacts of adopting ASC 606 on the Company’s current year Consolidated Balance Sheets: 

As reported 
December 31, 2018 

      ASC 606 Adjustments      
(In millions) 

Balances without 
adoption of ASC 606 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 
Accounts receivable, net 
Inventories 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 
Total current assets 

Property, plant, and equipment, net 
Goodwill 
Other noncurrent assets 

Total assets 

Accounts payable 
Salaries, wages, and commissions 
Other accrued liabilities 
Short-term debt 
Current portion of deferred employee benefits 
Total current liabilities 

Long-term debt 
Deferred employee benefits 
Other noncurrent liabilities 
Total liabilities 

Retained Earnings 
Additional paid-in capital, accumulated other 
comprehensive loss, and noncontrolling interest 

Total equity 
Total liabilities and equity 

24.3       $ 
521.0         
806.3         
61.5         
1,413.1         
489.0         
120.3         
63.9         
2,086.3       $ 
390.2       $ 
66.6         
77.0         
27.3         
7.9         
569.0         
1,126.0         
258.4         
57.0         
2,010.4         
14.2         

61.7         
75.9         
2,086.3       $ 

   $ 

   $ 
   $ 

   $ 

88 

—       $ 
(4.5 )       
8.5         
(16.5 )       
(12.5 )       
—         
0.3         
—         
(12.2 )     $ 
—       $ 
—         
(7.1 )       
—         
—         
(7.1 )       
—         
—         
(1.3 )       
(8.4 )       
(3.8 )       

—         
(3.8 )       
(12.2 )     $ 

24.3   
516.5   
814.8   
45.0   
1,400.6   
489.0   
120.6   
63.9   
2,074.1   
390.2   
66.6   
69.9   
27.3   
7.9   
561.9   
1,126.0   
258.4   
55.7   
2,002.0   
10.4   

61.7   
72.1   
2,074.1 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
          
          
    
     
          
          
    
     
     
          
          
    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
Note 17: Income Taxes  

The elements of the provision (benefit) for income taxes were as follows:  

Income before income tax: 

U.S. 
Foreign 

Current income taxes: 

Federal 
Foreign 
State 

Deferred income taxes 

Total income tax provision (benefit) 

2018 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 
(In millions) 

2016 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

100.6       $ 
16.1         
116.7       $ 

(1.3 )     $ 
3.7         
0.1         
2.5         
7.8         
10.3       $ 

11.3       $ 
5.4         
16.7       $ 

5.6       $ 
1.8         
0.5         
7.9         
(9.2 )       
(1.3 )     $ 

20.1   
6.0   
26.1   

(0.3 ) 
2.8   
—   
2.5   
4.7   
7.2 

Income taxes differ from the amounts computed by applying the federal tax rate as follows:  

Federal income tax expense computed at statutory 
   tax rate of 21% in 2018 and 35% in 2017 and 2016 
Additional taxes or credits from: 

2018 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 
(In millions) 

2016 

   $ 

24.5       $ 

5.8       $ 

9.1   

State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax 
   effect 
Non-deductible expenses and non-taxable income 
Foreign income (expense) not includable in federal taxable income 
Valuation allowance changes (net) 
Changes in uncertain tax positions 
Effect of U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act - deemed repatriation 
transaction tax & GILTI 
Effect of U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act - revaluation of deferred taxes 

All other, net 

Total income tax provision (benefit) 

   $ 

1.4         
(13.6 )      
0.9         
(4.3 )      
—         

0.8         
—         
0.6         
10.3       $ 

(0.8 )      
0.2         
(0.2 )      
(2.9 )      
(1.0 )      

7.2         
(10.6 )      
1.0         
(1.3 )    $ 

(0.7 ) 
(1.2 ) 
2.8   
(2.6 ) 
(0.3 ) 

—   
—   
0.1   
7.2 

The U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”), enacted on December 22, 2017, significantly changes U.S. corporate income tax laws by, among other 

things, reducing the U.S. corporate income tax rate to 21% starting in 2018 and creating a territorial tax system with a one-time mandatory tax on 
previously deferred foreign earnings of U.S. subsidiaries. Under ASC Topic 740, the effects of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances are 
recognized in the period in which the new legislation is enacted.  As a result of the Act, we had recorded a benefit for the revaluation of our deferred tax 
assets of $10.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2017 within the provision (benefit) for income taxes line of the Consolidated Statement of Operations. 

The Act subjects a US shareholder to tax on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) earned by certain foreign subsidiaries. The FASB Staff 

Q&A, Topic 740, No. 5, Accounting for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income, states that an entity can make an accounting policy election to either 
recognize deferred taxes for temporary basis differences expected to reverse as GILTI in future years or provide for the tax expense related to GILTI in the 
year the tax is incurred. After considering the two options, the Company has elected to provide for the tax expense related to GILTI in the year the tax will 
occur.  For the year ending Dec. 31, 2018, we have included $0.5 million of tax expense related to GILTI. 

89 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
          
          
    
     
  
     
          
          
    
     
     
  
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
  
  
     
          
          
    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
The components of the deferred income tax assets and liabilities arising under FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”) were as follows:  

Deferred tax assets: 

AMT tax credit carryforwards 
Post-retirement benefits other than pensions 
Federal and foreign net operating loss carryforwards 
State net operating loss carryforwards 
Pension liability 
Other deductible temporary differences 
Less: valuation allowances 

Deferred tax liabilities: 

Fixed asset basis difference 
Inventory basis difference 
Other intangibles 

Net deferred tax (liability) asset 

At December 31, 

2018 

2017 

(In millions) 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

30     $ 
18       
51       
20       
48       
54       
(29 )     
192     $ 

65     $ 
127       
13       
205       
(13 )   $ 

30   
15   
59   
19   
46   
27   
(24 ) 
172   

53   
92   
9   
154   
18 

The deferred tax liability as of December 31, 2018 is included within Other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company 

will continue to maintain a valuation allowance on certain U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets until such time as in management’s judgment, 
considering all available positive and negative evidence, the Company determines that these deferred tax assets are more likely than not realizable.  

The Company had available at December 31, 2018, federal AMT credit carryforwards of approximately $30 million, which as a result of the Act will 

be refundable beginning in 2019 to the extent not utilized to offset future federal income tax liabilities of the Company.  

The Company’s deferred tax assets also include $48 million related to U.S. federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards which expire in 20 

years, $20 million related to state NOL carryforwards which expire generally in 1 to 20 years, and $5 million related to foreign NOL carryforwards which 
expire in 1 to 5 years, available at December 31, 2018.  

Earnings from the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no provision for U.S. federal and 

state income taxes or foreign withholding tax has been made in our consolidated financial statements related to the indefinitely reinvested earnings. At 
December 31, 2018, the Company had approximately $112 million of undistributed foreign earnings, predominately in Canada and China. As a result of the 
US Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed during 2017, a significant portion of these earnings were deemed repatriated. At December 31, 2018, the Company has 
recorded a $7.5 million US tax liability on this deemed distribution (“Transition Tax”).  Of the $7.5 million tax expense, $0.8 million is reflected in our 
deferred tax balances and $6.7 million is reflected in income taxes payable.  Were the Company to distribute these non-U.S. earnings in the form of 
dividends or otherwise in the future, it would no longer be subject to U.S. federal income taxes. A determination of the amount of any unrecognized 
deferred income tax liability on the undistributed earnings is predominately dependent upon the applicability of foreign withholding taxes and potential 
U.S. state income taxes. Modeling of the many future potential scenarios and the related unrecognized deferred tax liability is therefore not practicable. 
None of the Company’s other foreign subsidiaries have a material amount of assets available for repatriation.  

90 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  
    
        
    
    
    
  
    
The Company accounts for uncertain income tax positions in accordance with ASC 740. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of 

unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:  

Unrecognized tax benefits balance at January 1, 2016 
Gross increases – tax positions in current periods 
Settlements and closing of statute of limitations 
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31, 2016 
Gross increases – tax positions in current periods 
Settlements and closing of statute of limitations 
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31, 2017 
Gross decreases – tax positions in current periods 
Settlements and closing of statute of limitations 
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31, 2018 

Unrecognized 
Tax Benefits 
(In millions) 

7.6   
—   
(0.3 ) 
7.3   
—   
(1.0 ) 
6.3   
—   
(1.9 ) 
4.4 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. The 

Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for all years through 2009. Substantially all state and local income tax matters 
have been concluded through 2006. The Company has substantially concluded foreign income tax matters through 2009 for all significant foreign 
jurisdictions.  

We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. We had approximately $1.9 million of accrued interest 

related to uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect our 
effective tax rate if recognized was $4.7 and $4.6 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.   

Note 18: Earnings Per Share  

On July 16, 2007, Ryerson Holding was capitalized with 21,250,000 shares of common stock by Platinum Equity, LLC. On August 13, 2014, Ryerson 

Holding completed an initial public offering of 11 million shares of common stock at a price to the public of $11.00 per share. On July 25, 2016, Ryerson 
Holding closed an underwritten public offering of 5 million shares of common stock at a price to the public of $15.25 per share. All shares outstanding are 
common shares and have equal voting, liquidation, and preference rights.  

Basic earnings per share attributable to Ryerson Holding’s common stock is determined based on earnings for the period divided by the weighted 
average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share attributable to Ryerson Holding’s common stock considers 
the effect of potential common shares, unless inclusion of the potential common shares would have an antidilutive effect. Stock-based awards with a 
grant price greater than the average market price of our common stock are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the impact 
would have been antidilutive.  The weighted average number of shares excluded were zero, 100,068, and zero for the twelve-month periods ended 
December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.  

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:  

Basic and diluted earnings per share 

Numerator: 

Years Ended December 31, 
2018 
2017 
(In millions, except share and per share data) 

2016 

Net income attributable to Ryerson Holding Corporation 

   $ 

106.0   

  $ 

17.1   

  $ 

18.7   

Denominator: 

Weighted average shares outstanding 
Dilutive effect of stock-based awards 
Weighted average shares outstanding adjusted for dilutive securities 

37,329,580   
342,732   
37,672,312   

37,176,398   
117,804   
37,294,202   

34,295,829   
105,417   
34,401,246   

Earnings per share 

Basic 
Diluted 

   $ 
   $ 

2.84   
2.81   

  $ 
  $ 

0.46   
0.46   

  $ 
  $ 

0.55   
0.54 

91 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
  
  
  
     
    
    
    
    
    
     
    
    
    
    
    
     
    
    
     
    
    
     
    
    
  
     
    
    
    
    
    
     
    
    
    
    
    
Note 19: Subsequent Events 

In January 2019, a principal amount of $11.6 million of the 2022 Notes were repurchased for $11.8 million and retired, resulting in the recognition of 

a $0.2 million loss.  

RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES 
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)  
SUMMARY BY QUARTER  
(In millions except per share data)  

   Net Sales 

   Gross Profit    

Income (Loss) 
Before 
Income 
Taxes 

   Net Income 

Net Income 
Attributable 
to Ryerson 
Holding 
Corporation    

Basic 
Earnings per 
Share 

Diluted 
Earnings per 
Share 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

814.5   
875.4   
864.2   
810.6   
3,364.7   

941.3   
1,057.1   
1,250.0   
1,160.0   
4,408.4   

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

160.6      $ 
140.4        
145.0        
136.5        
582.5      $ 

164.9      $ 
185.3        
208.2        
199.7        
758.1      $ 

21.8      $ 
—        
1.2        
(6.3 )      
16.7      $ 

14.7      $ 
23.6        
79.7        
(1.3 )      
116.7      $ 

15.0      $ 
0.8        
1.9        
0.3        
18.0      $ 

10.6      $ 
17.4        
77.7        
0.7        
106.4      $ 

14.8      $ 
0.6        
1.7        
—        
17.1      $ 

10.4      $ 
17.5        
77.5        
0.6        
106.0      $ 

0.40      $ 
0.02        
0.05        
—        
0.46      $ 

0.28      $ 
0.47        
2.08        
0.01        
2.84      $ 

0.40   
0.02   
0.05   
—   
0.46   

0.28   
0.46   
2.06   
0.01   
2.81 

2017 
First Quarter 
Second Quarter (1) 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 
Year 
2018 
First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter (2) 
Fourth Quarter (3) 
Year 

(1) 

Included in the second quarter 2017 results is a $0.2 million charge due to an other-than-temporary impairment recognized on an equity investment. 

(2)  The third quarter 2018 includes a $73.2 million gain on bargain purchase related to our Central Steel and Wire acquisition. 

(3)  The fourth quarter 2018 includes a $3.2 million reduction to the gain on bargain purchase related to our Central Steel and Wire acquisition as well as a $1.7 million 

loss on the repurchase of $50.5 million principal of the 2022 Notes.  

92 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
         
         
         
         
         
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
         
         
         
         
         
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
SCHEDULE I—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT  

RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION  
(Parent Company Only)  

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS  
(In millions)  

Administrative and other expenses 
Interest income on intercompany loans 
Equity in income of subsidiaries 
Income before income taxes 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes 

Net income 

2018 

Year ended December 31, 
2017 

2016 

  $ 

  $ 

(0.9 )    $ 
6.4        
110.9        
116.4        
10.4        
106.0      $ 

(0.8 )    $ 
6.5        
23.6        
29.3        
12.2        
17.1      $ 

(0.8 ) 
—   
3.4   
2.6   
(16.1 ) 
18.7 

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.  

93 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
    
    
SCHEDULE I—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT 

RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION  
(Parent Company Only)  

STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  
(In millions)  

Net income 
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: 
Foreign currency translation adjustments 
Gain (loss) on intra-entity foreign currency transactions 
Unrealized loss on equity investments 
Other-than-temporary impairment on equity investments 
Liquidation of investment in foreign entity 
Gain on cash flow hedges 
Changes in defined benefit pension and other post-retirement benefit 
   plans 

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 
Income tax provision (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive 
   income (loss) 
Comprehensive income, after tax 

2018 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 

2016 

  $ 

106.0      $ 

17.1      $ 

(8.2 )      
(3.0 )      
—        
—        
—        
0.5        

(22.3 )      
(33.0 )      

(4.5 )      
77.5      $ 

5.4        
3.2        
(0.3 )      
0.2        
—        
1.0        

18.0        
27.5        

6.0        
38.6      $ 

  $ 

18.7   

1.1   
1.3   
(1.8 ) 
4.7   
1.2   
—   

(10.6 ) 
(4.1 ) 

(3.3 ) 
17.9 

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.  

94 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
         
         
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
SCHEDULE I—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT 

RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION  
(Parent Company Only)  

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
(In millions)  

Operating Activities: 

Net income 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by 
   operating activities: 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 
Deferred income taxes 
(Increase) decrease in receivables/payables from subsidiaries 
Increase in other assets 
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities 

Net adjustments 
Net cash provided by operating activities 
Investing Activities: 

Loan to related company 

Net cash used in investing activities 
Financing activities: 

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock 

Net cash provided by financing activities 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period 
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period 

  $ 

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.  

95 

2018 

Year ended December 31, 
2017 

2016 

  $ 

106.0      $ 

17.1      $ 

18.7   

(110.9 )      
10.4        
(5.4 )      
(0.1 )      
—        
(106.0 )      
—        

—        
—        

—        
—        
—        
0.1        
0.1      $ 

(23.6 )      
12.2        
(5.6 )      
—        
—        
(17.0 )      
0.1        

—        
—        

—        
—        
0.1        
—        
0.1      $ 

(3.4 ) 
(16.1 ) 
1.5   
—   
(0.5 ) 
(18.5 ) 
0.2   

(71.7 ) 
(71.7 ) 

71.5   
71.5   
—   
—   
— 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
         
         
    
    
         
         
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
         
         
    
    
    
    
         
         
    
    
    
    
    
SCHEDULE I—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT  

RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION  
(Parent Company Only)  

BALANCE SHEETS  
(In millions, except shares)  

Assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Prepaid expenses and other assets 
Receivable from subsidiaries 
Total current assets 

Long-term receivable from subsidiaries 
Deferred income taxes 

Total assets 

Liabilities 
Accrued liabilities 

Total current liabilities 

Dividends in excess of investment in subsidiaries 

Total liabilities 

Ryerson Holding Corporation Stockholders’ equity (deficit) 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 7,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued at 
   2018 and 2017 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized and 37,656,505 
   shares issued at 2018; 100,000,000 shares authorized and 37,421,081 issued at 2017 
Capital in excess of par value 
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 
Treasury stock at cost – Common stock of 212,500 shares in 2018 and 2017 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 

Total Ryerson Holding Corporation stockholders’ equity (deficit) 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity 

At December 31, 

2018 

2017 

0.1      $ 
0.1        
9.5        
9.7        
71.7        
23.4        
104.8      $ 

0.1      $ 
0.1        
31.5        
31.6        

—        

0.4        
381.0        
14.2        
(6.6 )      
(315.8 )      
73.2        
104.8      $ 

0.1   
—   
4.1   
4.2   
71.7   
33.8   
109.7   

0.1   
0.1   
119.6   
119.7   

—   

0.4   
377.6   
(95.1 ) 
(6.6 ) 
(286.3 ) 
(10.0 ) 
109.7 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.  

96 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
    
         
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
         
    
    
    
    
    
         
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
SCHEDULE I—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT  

RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION  
(Parent Company Only)  

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(In millions)  

Note 1: Basis of presentation  

In the parent company only financial statements, Ryerson Holding’s investment in subsidiaries is stated at cost plus equity in undistributed 
earnings of subsidiaries since the date of acquisition. Ryerson Holding’s share of net income (loss) of its unconsolidated subsidiaries is included in 
consolidated income using the equity method. The parent company only financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 
consolidated financial statements.  

Note 2: Guarantees  

Ryerson Holding unconditionally guarantees the 2022 Notes, jointly and severally with the other guarantors of the 2022 Notes.  

Note 3: Dividends from subsidiaries  

There were no cash dividends paid to Ryerson Holding from its consolidated subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016.  

97 

  
  
  
RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES 
SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS  
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018, 2017, AND 2016  
(In millions)  

Year Ended December 31, 2018 
Allowance for doubtful accounts 
Valuation allowance—deferred tax assets 
Year Ended December 31, 2017 
Allowance for doubtful accounts 
Valuation allowance—deferred tax assets 
Year Ended December 31, 2016 
Allowance for doubtful accounts 
Valuation allowance—deferred tax assets 

NOTES:  

Balance at 
Beginning 
of Period 

Additions 
Charged 
(Credited) 
to Income 

Deductions 
from 
Reserves 

Balance 
at End 
of Period 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

4.9      $ 
24.4        

4.6      $ 
20.0        

5.2      $ 
22.6        

2.4      $ 
7.0        

1.5      $ 
4.4        

3.1      $ 
(2.6 )     

(4.8 ) (A) (B)   $ 
(2.1 ) (C)         

(1.2 ) (A)       $ 
—   

(3.7 ) (A)       $ 
—   

2.5   
29.3   

4.9   
24.4   

4.6   
20.0 

(A)  Bad debts written off during the year of $1.8 million, $1.2 million, and $3.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.  

(B)   Reclassed $3.0 million to contract liability as a result of ASC 606 adoption. 

(C)   Reversals of valuation allowances due to the expiration of state and foreign net operating losses. 

98 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
       
     
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
     
  
    
         
         
    
  
       
    
    
    
         
         
    
  
       
    
    
  
       
    
         
         
    
  
       
    
    
  
       
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 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules 
and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, 
management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of 
achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible 
controls and procedures.  

As required by SEC Rule 15d-15(b), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including 

the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures 
pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-15 as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2018.  

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting 
Firm 

The report of management on our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 and the attestation report of our independent 
registered public accounting firm on our internal control over financial reporting are set forth in Part II, "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary 
Data" in this report. 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting  

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to 

materially affect the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2018.  

ITEM  9B. 

OTHER INFORMATION.  

None.  

99 

  
  
  
PART III  

ITEM 10. 

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.  

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed 

with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. 

Code of Ethics  

Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct applicable to all officers, directors, and employees, which contains 

the ethical principles by which our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and general counsel, among others, are expected to conduct themselves 
when carrying out their duties and responsibilities. A copy of our Code of Ethics may be found on our Investor Relations website under “Governance 
Documents” at http://www.ir.ryerson.com. Our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report. We will provide a copy of our Code of 
Ethics to any person, without charge, upon request, by writing to the Compliance Officer, Ryerson Holding Corporation, 227 West Monroe Street, 27th 
Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60606 (telephone number (312) 292-5000). We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding 
an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct by posting such information on our website at 
http://www.ir.ryerson.com or by filing a Form 8-K with the SEC.  

ITEM 11. 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.  

Information concerning compensation of our executive officers and directors for the year ended December 31, 2018, is presented under the 

captions “Executive Compensation,” “Compensation Tables,” and “Director Compensation” in our proxy statement. This information is incorporated 
herein by reference.  

Information concerning compensation committee interlocks is presented under the caption “Compensation Committee—Compensation Committee 

Interlocks and Insider Participation” in our proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference.  

The report of our Compensation Committee can be found under the caption “Compensation Committee Report” in our proxy statement and is 

incorporated herein by reference.  

ITEM 12. 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS. 

Information concerning the security ownership of certain beneficial owners as of  February 28, 2019, is set forth under the caption “Stock 

Ownership—Ownership of More Than 5% of Ryerson Stock” in our proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference.  

Information concerning the security ownership of our directors and executive officers as of February 28, 2019, is set forth under the caption “Stock 

Ownership—Directors and Executive Officers” in our proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference.  

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans  

Our stockholders have approved our 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, or 2014 Plan, which is the Company’s only equity compensation plan.  

100 

  
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans  

The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2018, information concerning equity compensation plans under which our securities are 

authorized for issuance. The table does not reflect grants, awards, exercises, terminations, or expirations since that date.  

Plan Category 

Equity compensation plans approved by 
   security holders 
Equity compensation plans not approved by 
   security holders 

Total 

Number of securities 
to be issued upon 
exercise of 
outstanding options, 
warrants, and rights (1) 
(a) 

Weighted-average 
exercise price of 
outstanding 
options, warrants, 
and rights (2) 
(b) 

Number of securities 
remaining available for 
future issuance under 
equity compensation plans 
(excluding securities 
reflected in first column) (3)    
(c) 

888,989      $ 

—        
888,989      $ 

—        

—        
—        

399,506   

—   
399,506 

(1)  Includes (i) 618,930 shares of our common stock subject to performance units, which vest depending on continued employment or service 
and the level of attainment of certain performance metrics, and (ii) 270,059 shares of our common stock subject to restricted stock units, 
which vest depending on continued employment or service.  

(2)  Not applicable because all outstanding awards reflected in column (a) will be issued upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units. 
(3)  All of the shares of common stock that remained available for future issuance as of December 31, 2018, were available under the 2014 Plan. 

Subject to certain express limits of the 2014 Plan, shares available for award purposes under the 2014 Plan generally may be used for any 
type of award authorized under that plan including options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other 
stock-based awards. The number of common shares reserved and available for delivery under the 2014 Plan is subject to adjustment. 

ITEM 13. 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.  

Information concerning the independence of our directors, certain relationships, and related transactions during 2018, and our policies with 

respect to such transactions is set forth under the captions “Board of Directors” and “Related Party Transactions” in our proxy statement and is 
incorporated herein by reference.  

ITEM 14. 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.  

Information concerning principal accountant fees and services is set forth under the captions “Items You May Vote On—Ratification of the 
Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,” “Audit Committee—Audit, Audit-Related, and Other Non-Audit Services,” and 
“Audit Committee—Pre-Approval Policies” in our proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference. 

101 

  
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
     
     
  
    
    
    
  
  
  
ITEM 15. 

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.  

(a) Financial Statements and Schedules  

PART IV  

The following financial statements and schedules listed below are included in this Form 10-K:  

Financial Statements (See Item 8)  

Schedule I  

Schedule II  

All other schedules are omitted since the required information is not present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the 
schedules.  

(b) Exhibits  

EXHIBIT INDEX 

Exhibit 
Number 

2.1 

3.1 

3.2 

4.1 

4.2 

4.3 

   Exhibit Description 

   Incorporated by Reference 
   Form 

   File No. 

   Filing Date 

Filed 

   Herewith 

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 4, 2018, by 
and among Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, Inc., Hunter 
MergerCo, Inc., Central Steel and Wire Company, and Fortis 
Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, solely in 
its capacity as the Stockholder Representative thereunder.* 

8-K 

001-34735 

June 5, 2018 

Form of Third Amended and Restated Certificate of 
Incorporation of Ryerson Holding Corporation. 

S-1/A-22 

   333-164484 

   August 6, 2014 

Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Ryerson Holding 
Corporation. 

S-1/A-15 

   333-164484 

   May 6, 2013 

Form of Common Stock Certificate of Ryerson Holding 
Corporation. 

10-K 

   001-34735 

   March 9, 2016 

Indenture, dated as of May 24, 2016, by and among Joseph 
T. Ryerson & Son, Inc., as Issuer, the Guarantors party 
thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as the 
Trustee, relating to the Issuer’s 11.00% Senior Secured 
Notes due 2022. 

Form of Investor Rights Agreement, by and among Ryerson 
Holding Corporation, Platinum Equity Capital Partners, L.P., 
Platinum Equity Capital Partners-PF, L.P., Platinum Equity 
Capital Partners-A, L.P., Platinum Equity Capital Partners II, 
L.P., Platinum Equity Capital Partners-PF II, L.P., Platinum 
Equity Capital Partners-A II, L.P. and Platinum Rhombus 
Principals, LLC. 

8-K 

   001-34735 

   May 24, 2016 

S-1/A-15 

   333-164484 

   May 6, 2013 

10.1 

General Security Agreement, dated October 19, 2007, by and 
between Ryerson Canada, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., 
as Canadian Agent. 

S-4 

   333-152102 

   July 3, 2008 

102 

  
  
     
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
10.2 

10.3 

10.4 

10.5 

10.6 

10.7 

10.8 

10.9 

10.10 

10.11 

10.12 

10.13 

10.14 

10.15 

10.16 

   Ryerson Nonqualified Savings Plan. 

   S-4/A-2 

   333-152102 

   February 24, 2009 

   Ryerson Holding Corporation Retention Bonus Plan. 

   S-1/A-19 

   333-164484 

   June 24, 2014 

Ryerson Annual Incentive Plan (as amended through June 
14, 2007). 

S-1 

   333-164484 

   January 22, 2010 

   Ryerson Holding Corporation 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan.     S-1/A-21 

   333-164484 

   July 24, 2014 

Offer Letter Agreement, dated May 7, 2015, by and between 
Ryerson Holding Corporation and Edward J. Lehner. 

8-K 

   001-34735 

   May 8, 2015 

Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation 
Agreement, dated June 1, 2015, by and between Ryerson 
Holding Corporation and Edward J. Lehner. 

8-K 

   001-34735 

   June 5, 2015 

   Form of 2015 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. 

   10-Q 

   001-34735 

   August 12, 2015 

   Form of 2015 Performance Unit Agreement. 

   10-Q 

   001-34735 

   August 12, 2015 

   Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement. 

   S-1/A18 

   333-164484 

   March 27, 2014 

Form of Participation Agreement for the Ryerson Holding 
Corporation Retention Bonus Plan. 

S-1/A-19 

   333-164484 

   June 24, 2014 

Employment Agreement, dated December 10, 2004, between 
Ryerson Tull, Inc. and Kevin D. Richardson, as amended. 

10-Q 

   001-34735 

   May 7, 2015 

Employment Agreement, dated January 3, 2005, between 
Ryerson Tull, Inc. and Michael Burbach, as amended. 

10-Q 

   001-34735 

   May 7, 2015 

   Directors Compensation Summary Sheet. 

   10-K 

   001-34735 

   March 9, 2016 

Intercreditor Agreement by and between Bank of America, 
N.A. as ABL Collateral Agent and Wells Fargo Bank, 
National Association, as Notes Collateral Agent Dated as of 
October 10, 2012. 

Amendment No. 1, dated as of March 11, 2015, to the 
Intercreditor Agreement dated as of October 10, 2012, by 
and between Bank of America, N.A. as ABL Collateral Agent 
and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Notes 
Collateral Agent. 

103 

10-K 

   001-34735 

   March 9, 2016 

10-K 

   001-34735 

   March 9, 2016 

  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
10.17 

10.18 

10.19 

10.20 

10.21 

10.22 

10.23 

Joinder Agreement dated as of July 24, 2015, to Intercreditor 
Agreement dated as of October 10, 2012 and amended as of 
March 11, 2015 by and between Bank of America, N.A. as 
ABL Collateral Agent and Wells Fargo Bank, National 
Association, as Notes Collateral Agent. 

Credit Agreement, dated as of July 24, 2015, among Ryerson 
Holding Corporation, Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, Inc., 
Sunbelt-Turret Steel, Inc., Turret Steel Industries, Inc., 
Imperial Trucking Company, LLC, Wilcox-Turret Cold 
Drawn, Inc., Fay Industries, Inc., Ryerson Procurement 
Corporation, Ryerson Canada, Inc., and each of the other 
borrowers and guarantors, the lenders party thereto from 
time to time, and Bank of America, N.A., as the 
administrative agent and collateral agent. 

Amendment No. 1, dated as of November 16, 2016, to the 
Credit Agreement, dated as of July 24, 2015, by and among 
Ryerson Holding Corporation, Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, 
Inc., Ryerson Canada, Inc., and each of the other borrowers 
and guarantors, the lenders party thereto from time to time, 
and Bank of America, N.A., as the administrative agent and 
collateral agent. 

Security Agreement, dated as of July 24, 2015, Ryerson 
Holding Corporation, Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, Inc. 
(“Ryerson”), and the domestic subsidiaries of Ryerson from 
time to time party thereto in their capacities as pledgors, 
assignors and debtors thereunder in favor of Bank of 
America, N.A., in its capacity as collateral agent, as pledgee, 
assignee and secured party for the benefit of the secured 
parties. 

Canadian Security Agreement dated as of July 24, 2015 
between Ryerson Canada, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., in 
its capacity as collateral agent. 

Canadian Security Agreement dated as of July 24, 2015 
between Turret Steel Canada, ULC, and Bank of America, 
N.A., in its capacity as collateral agent. 

10-K 

   001-34735 

   March 9, 2016 

8-K 

   001-34735 

   July 29, 2015 

8-K 

   001-34735 

   November 17, 2016 

10-K 

   001-34735 

   March 9, 2016 

8-K 

   001-34735 

   July 29, 2015 

8-K 

   001-34735 

   July 29, 2015 

Employment Agreement, dated September 8, 2005, between 
Ryerson Tull, Inc. and Erich Schnaufer, as amended. 

10-K 

   001-34735 

   March 9, 2016 

104 

  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
10.24 

21.1 

23.1 

31.1 

31.2 

32.1 

32.2 

8-K 

   001-34735 

   June 29, 2018 

Amendment No. 2, dated as of June 28, 2018 to Credit 
Agreement dated as of July 24, 2015, among Ryerson 
Holding Corporation, Joseph T. Ryerson  & Son, Inc., 
Wilcox-Turret Cold Drawn, Inc., Ryerson Procurement 
Corporation, Southern Tool Steel, LLC, Ryerson Canada, 
Inc., and each of the other borrowers and guarantors, the 
lenders party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as the 
administrative agent and collateral agent. 

   List of Subsidiaries of Ryerson Holding Corporation. 

   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.      

Certificate of the Principal Executive Officer of the Company, 
as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act of 2002. 

Certificate of the Principal Financial Officer of the Company, 
as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act of 2002. 

Written Statement of Edward J. Lehner, President and Chief 
Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.** 

Written Statement of Erich S. Schnaufer, Chief Financial 
Officer, of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, 
as adopted 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. 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

*  Schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. Ryerson agrees to furnish supplementally to the Securities 
and Exchange Commission a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit upon request, subject to Ryerson’s right to request confidential treatment of 
any requested schedule or exhibit. 

**   Furnished herewith. 

105 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
     
     
     
     
     
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Ryerson Holding Corporation has duly caused this 

report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.  

SIGNATURES 

RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION 

By:     /s/ Erich S. Schnaufer 
   Erich S. Schnaufer 
   Chief Financial Officer (duly authorized signatory and 

principal financial officer of the registrant) 

     Date:  March 5, 2019  

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.  

Signature 

/s/ Edward J. Lehner 
Edward J. Lehner 

/s/ Erich S. Schnaufer 
Erich S. Schnaufer 

/s/ Kirk K. Calhoun 
Kirk K. Calhoun 

/s/ Court D. Carruthers 
Court D. Carruthers 

/s/ Eva M. Kalawski 
Eva M. Kalawski 

/s/ Jacob Kotzubei 
Jacob Kotzubei 

/s/ Stephen P. Larson 
Stephen P. Larson 

/s/ Philip E. Norment 
Philip E. Norment 

/s/ Mary Ann Sigler 
Mary Ann Sigler 

Title  

Date  

  President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive 

  March 5, 2019 

Officer) 

  Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and 

  March 5, 2019 

Principal Accounting Officer) 

  Director 

  Director 

  Director 

  Director 

  Director 

  Director 

  Director 

  March 5, 2019 

  March 5, 2019 

  March 5, 2019 

  March 5, 2019 

  March 5, 2019 

  March 5, 2019 

  March 5, 2019 

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Section 2: EX-21.1 (EX-21.1) 

106 

Ryerson Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation, owns, directly or indirectly, the following significant subsidiaries:  

SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES OF RYERSON HOLDING CORPORATION  

Name of Subsidiary 

State or Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization 

Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, Inc. 

Ryerson Procurement Corporation 

Ryerson Canada, Inc. 

Delaware 

Delaware 

Canada 

Exhibit 21.1  

  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
  
  
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Central Steel and Wire Company 

Delaware 

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Section 3: EX-23.1 (EX-23.1) 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements: Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-202816) pertaining to 
the Omnibus Incentive Plan of Ryerson Holding Corporation, Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-211966) of Ryerson Holding Corporation, and 
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-215381) of Ryerson Holding Corporation; of our reports dated March 5, 2019, with respect to the consolidated 
financial statements and schedules of Ryerson Holding Corporation and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Ryerson Holding 
Corporation, included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Ryerson Holding Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2018. 

Exhibit 23.1 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP 

Chicago, Illinois 
March 5, 2019 

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Section 4: EX-31.1 (EX-31.1) 

Exhibit 31.1  

I, Edward J. Lehner, President & Chief Executive Officer, certify that:  

CERTIFICATE OF THE  
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER  

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ryerson Holding Corporation;  

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(s) 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)  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;  

(b)  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under 
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial 
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; 

(c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about 
the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such 
evaluation; and  

(d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s 

most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is 

  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and  

5. 

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) 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 the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent 
functions):  

(a)  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  

(b)  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.  

Date: March 5, 2019  

Signature: 

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/s/    Edward J. Lehner       
Edward J. Lehner 
President & Chief Executive Officer 
(Principal Executive Officer) 

Section 5: EX-31.2 (EX-31.2) 

Exhibit 31.2  

I, Erich S. Schnaufer, as Chief Financial Officer, certify that:  

CERTIFICATE OF THE  
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER  

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ryerson Holding Corporation;  

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(s) 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)  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;  

(b)  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under 
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial 
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; 

(c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about 
the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such 
evaluation; and  

(d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s 

most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is 
reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and  

5. 

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) 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 the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent 
functions):  

(a)  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  

(b)  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.  

Date: March 5, 2019 

Signature: 

/s/    Erich S. Schnaufer       
Erich S. Schnaufer 
Chief Financial Officer 

  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
(Principal Financial Officer) 

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Section 6: EX-32.1 (EX-32.1) 

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 
2002  

In connection with the Annual Report of Ryerson Holding Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2018, as 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Edward J. Lehner, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the 
Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:  

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and  

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company 

as of the dates and for the periods expressed in the Report.  

Exhibit 32.1  

/s/ Edward J. Lehner 
Edward J. Lehner 
President & Chief Executive Officer 
(Principal Executive Officer) 

March 5, 2019  

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Section 7: EX-32.2 (EX-32.2) 

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 
2002  

In connection with the Annual Report of Ryerson Holding Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2018, as 

filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Erich S. Schnaufer, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, 
hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:  

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and  

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company 

as of the dates and for the periods expressed in the Report.  

Exhibit 32.2  

/s/    Erich S. Schnaufer      
Erich S. Schnaufer 
Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial Officer) 

Signature: 

March 5, 2019 

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