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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART IV

Table of Contents

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



FORM 10-K

(Mark One)    

ý

 

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

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011

Or

o

 

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

For the transition period from           to         

Commission File Number: 001-15491



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

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  57-0923789
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

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

 

29681
(Zip Code)

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

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, par value $0.01



         Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o    No ý

         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 o    No ý

         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 ý    No o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 332.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o    No o

         Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405) 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. o

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

Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer ý   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o    No ý

         Aggregate market value of voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of September 30, 2010, computed by reference to the closing sale price of the registrant's common stock was approximately $264,127,461.

         Number of shares of each class of common stock outstanding as of May 18, 2011: common stock, $0.01 par value, 37,146,787.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

         Portions of the definitive proxy statement to be delivered to stockholders in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held July 27, 2011 are incorporated by reference in Part III of this report.


Table of Contents


Index

ITEM 1.

 

BUSINESS

    3  

ITEM 1A.

 

RISK FACTORS

   
15
 

ITEM 1B.

 

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

   
22
 

ITEM 2.

 

PROPERTIES

   
22
 

ITEM 3.

 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   
24
 

ITEM 4.

 

[RESERVED AND REMOVED]

   
24
 

ITEM 4A.

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

   
24
 

ITEM 5.

 

MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

   
27
 

ITEM 6.

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

   
29
 

ITEM 7.

 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   
31
 

ITEM 7A.

 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   
65
 

ITEM 8.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

   
66
 

ITEM 9.

 

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

   
66
 

ITEM 9A.

 

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   
66
 

ITEM 9B.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

   
67
 

ITEM 10.

 

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

   
68
 

ITEM 11.

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   
68
 

ITEM 12.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

   
68
 

ITEM 14.

 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

   
68
 

ITEM 15.

 

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

   
69
 

SIGNATURES

   
145
 

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PART I

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

General

        We are a leading global manufacturer of a wide variety of capacitors. Our product offerings include tantalum, multilayer ceramic, solid and electrolytic aluminum and film and paper capacitors. Capacitors are fundamental components of most electronic circuits and are found in communication systems, data processing equipment, personal computers, cellular phones, automotive electronic systems, defense and aerospace systems, consumer electronics, power management systems and many other electronic devices and systems. Capacitors are typically used to filter out interference, smooth the output of power supplies, block the flow of direct current while allowing alternating current to pass and for many other purposes. We manufacture a broad line of capacitors in many different sizes and configurations using a variety of raw materials. Our product line consists of over 250,000 distinct part configurations distinguished by various attributes, such as dielectric (or insulating) material, configuration, encapsulation, capacitance level and tolerance, performance characteristics and packaging. Most of our customers have multiple capacitance requirements, often within each of their products. Our broad product offering allows us to meet the majority of those needs independent of application and end use. In fiscal year 2011, 2010, and 2009 we shipped 35 billion capacitors, 31 billion capacitors, and 32 billion capacitors, respectively. We believe the medium-to-long term demand for the various types of capacitors we offer will continue to grow on a regional and global basis due to a variety of factors, including increasing demand for and complexity of electronic products, growing demand for technology in emerging markets and the ongoing development of new solutions for energy generation and conservation. As used in this report, the terms "we", "us", "our", "KEMET" and the "Company" refer to KEMET Corporation and its predecessors, subsidiaries and affiliates, unless the context indicates otherwise.

        We operate 22 production facilities in Europe, Mexico, China, the United States and Indonesia and employ nearly 11,000 employees worldwide. Our customer base includes most of the world's major electronics original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") (including Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc., Apple Inc., Bosch Group, Cisco Systems, Inc., Continental AG, Dell Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, International Business Machines Corporation, Intel Corporation, Motorola, Inc., Nokia Corporation, and TRW Automotive Holdings Corporation), electronics manufacturing services providers ("EMSs") (including Celestica Inc., Elcoteq SE, Flextronics International Ltd., Jabil Circuit, Inc. and Sanmina-SCI Corporation) and electronics distributors (including TTI, Inc., Arrow Electronics, Inc. and Avnet, Inc.). For fiscal years 2011 and 2010, our consolidated net sales were $1,018.5 million and $736.3 million, respectively.

Background of Company

        KEMET's operations began in 1919 as a business of Union Carbide Corporation ("Union Carbide") to manufacture component parts for vacuum tubes. In the 1950s, Bell Laboratories invented solid-state transistors along with tantalum capacitors and other passive components necessary for their operation. As vacuum tubes were gradually replaced by transistors, we changed our manufacturing focus from vacuum tube parts to tantalum capacitors. We entered the market for tantalum capacitors in 1958 as one of approximately 25 United States manufacturers. By 1966, we were the United States' market leader in tantalum capacitors. In 1969, we began production of ceramic capacitors as one of approximately 35 United States manufacturers, and opened our first manufacturing facility in Mexico. In 2003, we expanded operations into Asia, opening our first facility in Suzhou, China. In fiscal year 2007, we acquired the tantalum business unit of EPCOS AG ("EPCOS"). In fiscal year 2008, we acquired Evox Rifa Group Oyj ("Evox Rifa") and Arcotronics Italia S.p.A. ("Arcotronics") and, as a result, entered into markets for film, electrolytic and paper capacitors. We are organized into three

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segments: the Tantalum Business Group ("Tantalum"), the Ceramic Business Group ("Ceramic") and the Film and Electrolytic Business Group ("Film and Electrolytic").

        KEMET Corporation is a Delaware corporation that was formed in 1990 by certain members of the Company's management at the time, Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd. and other investors that acquired the outstanding common stock of KEMET Electronics Corporation from Union Carbide. In 1992, we publicly issued shares of our common stock. Today, our common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol "KEM".

Recent Developments

        Net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 were $261.5 million, which is a 22.8% increase over the same quarter last fiscal year. Net income was $21.1 million, or $0.57 per basic share and $0.40 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 compared to net income of $0.3 million or $0.01 per basic and diluted share for the same quarter last year.

        On November 3, 2010, our shareholders approved a reverse stock split of our common stock (the "Reverse Stock Split") at a ratio of 1-for-3. The Reverse Stock Split became effective November 5, 2010 pursuant to a Certificate of Amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware. We had 27.1 million shares of common stock issued and outstanding immediately following the completion of the Reverse Stock Split. We are authorized in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to issue up to a total of 300.0 million shares of common stock at a $0.01 par value per share which was unchanged by the amendment. The Reverse Stock Split did not affect the registration of the common stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), or the listing of the common stock, under the symbol "KEM", although the post-split shares have a new CUSIP number. In the Consolidated Balance Sheets, the line item "Stockholders' equity" has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented by reducing the line item "Common stock" and increasing the line item "Additional paid-in capital", with no change to Stockholders' equity in the aggregate. In the Statement of Shareholders' Equity, the columns "Common Stock" and "Additional Paid-In Capital" have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented by reducing the column "Common stock" and increasing the column "Additional paid-in capital", with no change to Stockholders' equity in the aggregate. All share and per share computations have been retroactively adjusted for all periods presented to reflect the decrease in shares as a result of this transaction except as otherwise noted. Our board of directors intends to seek stockholder approval to reduce the number of authorized shares of common stock from 300,000,000 to 175,000,000 at our next annual meeting of stockholders.

        In connection with a credit facility (as subsequently amended and restated, the "Platinum Credit Facility") we entered into in May 2009 with K Financing, LLC ("K Financing"), we issued a warrant (which we sometimes refer to herein as the "Platinum Warrant") to K Financing, which was subsequently transferred to its affiliate K Equity, LLC ("K Equity"). K Financing and K Equity are each affiliates of Platinum Equity Capital Partners II, L.P. The Platinum Warrant entitled K Equity to purchase up to 26,848,484 shares of our common stock, subject to certain adjustments, which represented 49.9% of our common equity at the time of issuance on a post-exercise basis. On December 20, 2010, in connection with a secondary offering in which K Equity was the selling security holder, K Equity sold a portion of the Platinum Warrant representing the right to purchase 10.9 million shares of our common stock to the underwriters of the secondary offering, who exercised their full portion of the warrant in a cashless exercise, based on an exercise price of $1.05 per share and a closing price per share of $12.80, and received a net settlement of 10.0 million shares of our common stock. These shares were sold as part of a secondary offering and KEMET did not receive any of the proceeds from the transaction. K Equity retained the unsold portion of the warrant, representing the right to purchase 16.0 million shares of our common stock. In March 2011, the Company registered seven million shares subject to issuance upon the partial exercise of the remaining Platinum Warrant.

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Issuance of 10.5% Senior Notes

        On May 5, 2010, we completed a private placement of $230.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 10.5% Senior Notes due 2018 (the "10.5% Senior Notes"). The private placement of the 10.5% Senior Notes resulted in proceeds to us of $222.2 million. We used a portion of the proceeds of the private placement to repay all of the outstanding indebtedness under our credit facility with K Financing, our EUR 60 million credit facility and EUR 35 million credit facility with UniCredit and our term loan with a subsidiary of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. ("Vishay"). We used a portion of the remaining proceeds to fund a previously announced tender offer to purchase $40.5 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes (the "Convertible Notes") and to pay costs incurred in connection with the private placement, the tender offer and the foregoing repayments. We incurred $6.6 million in costs related to the execution of the offering.

        On October 26, 2010, we filed a Form S-4 to offer, in exchange for our outstanding 10.5% Senior Notes due 2018 ("Old Notes"), up to $230.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 10.5% Senior Notes due 2018 and the guarantees thereof which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Form S-4 was declared effective on December 14, 2010 and on January 13, 2011 we completed the exchange for all of the Old Notes.

Revolving Line of Credit

        On September 30, 2010, KEMET Electronics Corporation ("KEC") and KEMET Electronics Marketing (S) Pte Ltd. ("KEMET Singapore") (each a "Borrower" and, collectively, the "Borrowers") entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the "Loan and Security Agreement"), with Bank of America, N.A, as the administrative agent and the initial lender. The Loan and Security Agreement provides a $50 million revolving line of credit, which is bifurcated into a U.S. facility (for which KEC is the Borrower) and a Singapore facility (for which KEMET Singapore is the Borrower). The size of the U.S. facility and the Singapore facility can fluctuate as long as the Singapore facility does not exceed $30 million and the total facility does not exceed $50 million. A portion of the U.S. facility and the Singapore facility can be used to issue letters of credit. The Loan and Security Agreement expires on September 30, 2014.

Listing

        As announced on June 21, 2010, our common stock was approved for listing on the NYSE Amex. Trading commenced on the NYSE Amex on June 22, 2010 under the ticker symbol "KEM" (NYSE Amex: KEM).

        On November 11, 2010, we provided written notice to the NYSE Amex that we intended to transfer our listing to the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). We voluntarily ceased trading on the NYSE Amex, with the last day of trading on the NYSE Amex on November 12, 2010. Our common stock commenced trading on November 15, 2010 on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "KEM" (NYSE: KEM).

Outlook

        Looking out to the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, we anticipate an increase in net sales in a range of 5% to 7% when compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011. This increase is primarily due to Film and Electrolytic's machinery division while we anticipate a slight increase in our component sales. Consolidated gross margin is expected to be comparable to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011.

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Restructuring

        In fiscal year 2010, the Company initiated the first phase of a plan to restructure Film and Electrolytic and to reduce overhead within the Company as a whole. The restructuring plan includes implementing programs to make the Company more competitive by removing excess capacity, moving production to lower cost locations and eliminating unnecessary costs throughout the Company. Restructuring charges in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 relate to this new plan and are primarily comprised of manufacturing relocation costs of $6.0 million for relocation of equipment from various plants to Mexico and China as well as relocation of the European distribution center. In addition, the Company incurred $1.2 million in personnel reduction costs related to the following: headcount reductions in Italy, $0.8 million; the closure of our Nantong, China plant expected to be completed in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012, $0.6 million; and $1.5 million related to the Company's initiative to reduce overhead within the Company as a whole and headcount reductions in Mexico. These personnel reduction charges were offset by a $1.7 million reversal of prior expenses primarily associated with the Cassia Integrazione Guadagni Straordinaria ("CIGS") plan as it was determined that only 107 employees are expected to participate in the program through October 2012. The agreements with the labor unions allowed the Company to place up to 260 workers, on a rotation basis, on the CIGS plan to save labor costs. CIGS is a temporary plan to save labor costs whereby a company may temporarily "lay off" employees while the government continues to pay their wages for a maximum of 36 months for the program. The employees who are in CIGS are not working, but are still employed by the Company. Only employees that are not classified as management or executive level personnel can participate in the CIGS program. Upon termination of the plan, the affected employees return to work.

Our Industry

        Capacitors are electronic components consisting of conducting materials separated by a dielectric, or insulating material, which allows a capacitor to act as a filtering or an energy storage/delivery device. We manufacture a full line of capacitors, including tantalum, multilayer ceramic, film, paper, and aluminum (both wet electrolytic and solid polymer). We manufacture these types of capacitors in many different sizes and configurations. These configurations include surface-mount capacitors, which are attached directly to the circuit board without lead wires, leaded capacitors, which are attached to the circuit board using lead wires, and chassis-mount and other pin-through-hole board-mount capacitors, which utilize attachment methods such as screw terminal and snap-in.

        The choice of capacitor dielectric is driven by the engineering specifications and the application of the component product into which the capacitor is incorporated. Product design engineers in the electronics industry typically select capacitors on the basis of capacitance levels, voltage requirements, size and cost. Tantalum and ceramic capacitors are commonly used in conjunction with integrated circuits, and the same circuit may, and frequently does, contain both ceramic and tantalum capacitors. Generally, ceramic capacitors are more cost-effective at lower capacitance values, tantalum capacitors are more cost-effective at higher capacitance values, and solid aluminum capacitors can be more effective in applications requiring intermediate capacitance and very low equivalent series resistance. Although film, paper and electrolytic capacitors can also be used to support integrated circuits, a significant area of usage is the field of power electronics to provide energy for applications such as motor start, power factor correction, pulse power, electromagnetic interference filtering and safety.

        Capacitors account for the largest market within the passive component product grouping. According to a December 2010 report by Paumanok Publications, Inc. ("Paumanok"), a marketing research firm concentrating on the passive components industry, the global capacitor market in fiscal year 2010 was $15.1 billion in revenues and 1.3 trillion units. Although this represents a significant downturn in revenue and unit sales volume as compared to the high water mark set in fiscal year 2008 of $18 billion and 1.4 trillion units, according to the Paumanok report, the global capacitor market was

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expected to improve substantially to achieve revenue of $18.5 billion and 1.5 trillion pieces in fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. This represents a revenue increase of 23% over fiscal year 2010.

        Because capacitors are a fundamental component of electronic circuits, demand for capacitors tends to reflect the general demand for electronic products, as well as integrated circuits, which, though cyclical, continues to grow. We believe that growth in the electronics market and the resulting growth in demand for capacitors will be driven primarily by a number of recent trends which include:

Markets and Customers

        Our products are sold to a variety of OEMs in a broad range of industries including the computer, communications, automotive, military, consumer, industrial and aerospace industries. We also sell products to EMS providers, which also serve OEMs in these industries. Electronics distributors are an important channel of distribution in the electronics industry and represent the largest channel through which we sell our capacitors. TTI, Inc., an electronics distributor, accounted for over 10% of our net sales in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009. If our relationship with TTI, Inc. were to terminate, we would need to determine alternative means of delivering our products to the end-customers served by TTI, Inc. Our top 50 customers accounted for 76.8% of our net sales during fiscal year 2011.

        The following table presents an overview of the diverse industries that incorporate our capacitors into their products and the general nature of those products.

Industry
  Products
Automotive   Audio systems, tire pressure monitoring systems, power train electronics, instrumentation, airbag systems, anti-lock braking and stability systems, electric drive vehicles, electronic engine controls, air conditioning controls, and security systems

Business Equipment

 

Copiers, point-of-sale terminals, and fax machines

Communications

 

Cellular phones, telephones, switching equipment, relays, base stations, and wireless infrastructure

Computer-related

 

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

Industrial

 

Electronic controls, measurement equipment, instrumentation, solar and wind energy generation, and medical electronics

Consumer

 

DVD players, MP3 players, game consoles, LCD televisions, global positioning systems and digital still cameras

Military/Aerospace

 

Avionics, radar, guidance systems, and satellite communications

Alternative Energy

 

Wind generation systems, solar generation systems, geothermal generation systems, tidal generation systems and electric drive vehicles

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        We produce a small percentage of capacitors under military specification standards sold for both military and commercial uses. We do not sell any capacitors directly to the United States government. Certain of our customers purchase capacitors for products in the military and aerospace industries.

        It is impracticable to report revenues from external customers for each of the above noted products primarily due to approximately 50% of our external sales are to electronics distributors.

KEMET in the United States

        Our corporate headquarters is located in Simpsonville, South Carolina, which is part of the greater Greenville metropolitan area. Individual functions continue to evolve to support global activities in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, either from Greenville, South Carolina or through locations in appropriate parts of the world.

        Commodity manufacturing in the United States has been substantially relocated to our lower-cost manufacturing facilities in Mexico and China. Production that remains in the United States will focus primarily on early-stage manufacturing of new products and other specialty products for which customers are predominantly located in North America. In June 2011, we expect to begin the production of power film capacitors in the United States to support alternative energy products and emerging green technologies, such as hybrid electric drive vehicles. In fiscal year 2013, we expect to begin production of electrolytic capacitors to further support alternative energy products and emerging green technologies.

        To accelerate the pace of innovations, the KEMET Innovation Center was created in July 2003. The primary objectives of the KEMET Innovation Center are to ensure the flow of new products and robust manufacturing processes that are expected to keep us at the forefront of our customers' product designs, while enabling these products to be transferred rapidly to the most appropriate KEMET manufacturing location in the world for low-cost, high-volume production. The main campus of the KEMET Innovation Center is located in Simpsonville, South Carolina which is part of the greater Greenville metropolitan area.

KEMET in Mexico

        We believe our Mexican operations are among the most cost efficient in the world, and they will continue to be our primary production facilities supporting North American and European customers for Tantalum and Ceramic. One of the strengths of KEMET Mexico is that it is a Mexican operation, including Mexican management and workers. These facilities are responsible for maintaining KEMET's traditional excellence in quality, service, and delivery, while driving costs down. The facilities in Victoria and Matamoros will remain focused primarily on tantalum capacitors, while the facilities in Monterrey will continue to focus on ceramic capacitors. Following the Film and Electrolytic restructuring, in June 2010 we began production of standard and commodity Film and Electrolytic products in one of our existing facilities in Monterrey, Mexico.

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KEMET in Asia Pacific

        Over the past several years, low production costs and proximity to large, growing markets have caused many of our key customers to relocate production facilities to Asia, particularly China. We have a well-established sales and logistics network in Asia to support our customers' Asian operations. In calendar year 2003, we commenced shipments from our production facility in Suzhou, China, near Shanghai ("Suzhou Plant A"). In connection with the Evox Rifa acquisition, which was completed in April 2007, we added another Chinese operation in Nantong, China, as well as a manufacturing operation in Batam, Indonesia. With the Arcotronics acquisition, which was completed in October 2007, we have further expanded our presence in China with a manufacturing operation in Anting, China. These operations will continue to support the former Evox Rifa and Arcotronics customer bases in Asia with top quality film and electrolytic capacitors. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010, we began to manufacture aluminum polymer products in a facility in Suzhou, China ("Suzhou Plant B"). During the second quarter of fiscal year 2012, we expect to begin production of standard and commodity Film and Electrolytic products in a new facility in Suzhou, China ("Suzhou Plant C"). Manufacturing operations in China are expected to continue to grow and we anticipate that our production capacity in China may be equivalent to Mexico in the future. The vision for KEMET China is to be a Chinese operation, with Chinese management and workers, to help achieve our objective of being a global company. These facilities will be responsible for maintaining our traditional excellence in quality, service, and delivery, while accelerating cost-reduction efforts and supporting efforts to grow our customer base in Asia.

KEMET in Europe

        As previously mentioned we acquired the tantalum business unit of EPCOS in April 2006, acquired Evox Rifa in April 2007, and acquired Arcotronics in October 2007. These acquisitions have provided us with manufacturing operations in Europe. We currently have one or more manufacturing locations in Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In addition, we operate a research and development center in Farjestaden, Sweden. We will maintain and enhance our strong European sales and customer service infrastructure, allowing us to continue to meet the local preferences of European customers who remain an important focus for KEMET going forward.

        In September 2009, we announced plans to reduce operating costs by consolidating the manufacturing of certain products and by implementing other lean initiatives. Manufacturing consolidation plans include the movement of certain standard, high-volume products to lower cost manufacturing locations. We anticipate the plans will be completed in the second half of fiscal year 2014; however, the length of time required to complete the restructuring activities is dependent upon a number of factors, including the ability to continue to manufacture products required to meet customer demand while at the same time relocating certain production lines, and the progress of discussions with union and government representatives in certain European locations concerning the optimization of product mix and related headcount requirements in such manufacturing locations. In April 2010, we reported that we reached an agreement with three labor unions in Italy and with the regional government in Emilia Romagna, Italy to proceed with our planned restructuring process. In addition, in July 2010, we relocated our Amsterdam Hub facility from The Netherlands to the Czech Republic as part of our cost reduction measures. This relocation has allowed shipping lane optimization and customer consolidation (bi-weekly or weekly) for all import and export shipments. Our European manufacturing plants will continue to ship direct to 'local' customers (which are customers located in the same country as the plant). During the remainder of this restructuring effort, we expect to spend between $28 million to $33 million, primarily in our Film and Electrolytic Business Group. We expect our restructuring plan to result in a reduction in our European operating cost structure of approximately $3 million in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. We anticipate that benefits from the restructuring efforts will continue to grow during fiscal years 2013 and 2014. During fiscal year

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2014, we expect to realize the full potential of the restructuring plan, achieving total annualized operational cost reductions of approximately $24 million versus fiscal year 2011.

Global Sales and Logistics

        In recent years, it has become more complicated to do business in the electronics industry. Market-leading electronics manufacturers have spread their facilities globally. The growth of the electronics manufacturing services industry has resulted in a more challenging supply chain. New Asian electronics manufacturers are emerging rapidly. In order to drive down costs, the most successful business models in the electronics industry are based on tightly integrated supply chain logistics. Our direct worldwide sales force and a well-developed global logistics infrastructure distinguish us in the marketplace and will remain a hallmark of KEMET in meeting the needs of our global customers. The North America and South America ("Americas") sales staff is organized into four areas supported by regional offices. The sales staff for Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA") is organized into five areas, also supported by regional offices. The Asia and Pacific Rim ("APAC") sales staff is organized into four areas (China, Singapore, Taiwan and India), and is also supported by regional offices. We also have independent sales representatives located in seven countries worldwide including: Brazil, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the United States.

        In our major markets, we market and sell our products primarily through a direct sales force. In addition, we use independent commissioned representatives. We believe our direct sales force creates a distinct competence in the marketplace and has enabled us to establish and maintain strong relationships with our customers. With a global sales organization that is customer-focused, our direct sales personnel from around the world serve on KEMET Global Account Teams. These teams are committed to serving any customer location in the world with a dedicated KEMET representative. This approach requires a blend of accountability and responsibility for specific customer locations, guided by an overall account strategy for each customer.

        Electronics distributors are an important distribution channel in the electronics industry and accounted for 50%, 48%, and 47% of our net sales in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, TTI, Inc. accounted for more than 10% of net sales.

        A portion of our net sales is made to distributors under agreements allowing certain rights of return and price protection on unsold merchandise held by distributors. Our distributor policy includes inventory price protection and "ship-from-stock and debit" ("SFSD") programs common in the industry.

        The SFSD program provides a mechanism for the distributor to meet a competitive price after obtaining authorization from the local Company sales office. This program allows the distributor to ship its higher-priced inventory and debit us for the difference between our list price and the lower authorized price for that specific transaction. We establish reserves for the SFSD program based primarily on historical SFSD activity and the actual inventory levels of certain distributor customers.

Sales by Geography

        In fiscal year 2011 and 2010, net sales by region were as follows (dollars in millions):

 
  Fiscal Year 2011    
  Fiscal Year 2010  
 
  Net Sales   % of Total    
  Net Sales   % of Total  

Americas

  $ 254.1     25 %

Americas

  $ 180.1     24 %

APAC

    381.7     37 %

APAC

    285.0     39 %

EMEA

    382.7     38 %

EMEA

    271.2     37 %
                           

  $ 1,018.5             $ 736.3        
                           

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        We believe our regional balance of revenues is a benefit to our business. The geographic diversity of our net sales diminishes the impact of regional sales decreases caused by various holiday seasons. While sales in the U.S. are the lowest of the three regions, the U.S. remains the leading region in the world for product design-in activity where engagement with OEM design engineers determines product placement independent of the region of the world where the final product is manufactured.

Inventory and Backlog

        Although we manufacture and inventory standardized products, a portion of our products are produced to meet specific customer requirements. Cancellations by customers of orders already in production could have an impact on inventories. However, historically, cancellations have not been significant.

        Our customers often encounter uncertain or changing demand for their products. They historically order products from us based on their forecast. If demand does not meet their forecasts, they may cancel or reschedule the shipments included in our backlog, in many instances without penalty. Additionally, many of our customers have started to require shorter lead times and "just in time" delivery. As a result of these factors, the twelve month order backlog is no longer a meaningful trend indicator for us.

Competition

        The market for capacitors is highly competitive. The capacitor industry is characterized by, among other factors, a long-term trend toward lower prices, low transportation costs, and few import barriers. Competitive factors that influence the market for our products include product quality, customer service, technical innovation, pricing, and timely delivery. We believe that we compete favorably on the basis of each of these factors.

        Our major global competitors include AVX Corporation, EPCOS, Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, Ltd. (Panasonic), Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., NEC TOKIN Corporation, Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd., TDK Corporation, WIMA GmbH & Co., KG and Vishay. These competitors, among others, cover the breadth of our capacitor offerings.

Raw Materials

        The principal raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are tantalum powder, palladium, aluminum and silver. These materials are considered commodities and are subject to price volatility.

        Due to market constraints, we no longer purchase tantalum powder under long-term contracts. Instead, we forecast our tantalum needs for the short-term (twelve weeks) and make purchases based upon those forecasts; we currently have purchase agreements outstanding for three to six months. While the financial impact of these decisions are short-term in nature given that we are not currently party to any long-term supply agreements, they could impact our financial performance from period to period given that we do not hedge any of our raw material exposure and we may be unable to pass on to a significant number of our customers any fluctuations in our raw material costs. Additionally, any delays in obtaining raw materials for our products could hinder our ability to manufacture our products, negatively impacting our competitive position and our relationships with our customers.

        Presently, a finite number of suppliers process tantalum ore into capacitor-grade tantalum powder. If there are significant fluctuations in demand, based on leadtime of ore to tantalum smelter, an increase in the price of tantalum may result. If we are unable to pass the price increase on to our customers, it could have an adverse affect on our profitability.

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        Palladium is a precious metal used in the manufacture of multilayer ceramic capacitors ("MLCC") and is mined primarily in Russia and South Africa. We continue to pursue ways to reduce palladium usage in ceramic capacitors in order to minimize the price risk. The amount of palladium that we require has generally been available in sufficient quantities; however, the price of palladium is driven by the market which has shown significant price fluctuations. For instance, in fiscal year 2011 the price of palladium fluctuated between $415 and $855 per troy ounce. Price increases and the possibility of our inability to pass such increases on to our customers could have an adverse effect on profitability.

        Silver and aluminum have generally been available in sufficient quantities, and we believe there are a sufficient number of suppliers from which we can purchase our requirements. An increase in the price of silver and aluminum that we are unable to pass on to our customers, however, could have an adverse affect on our profitability.

Patents and Trademarks

        At March 31, 2011, we held the following patents and trademarks:

 
  Patents   Trademarks  

United States

    87     8  

Foreign

    43     119  

        We believe that the success of our business is not materially dependent on the existence or duration of any patent, license, or trademark other than the trademarks "KEMET" and "KEMET Charged". Our engineering and research and development staffs have developed and continue to develop proprietary manufacturing processes and equipment designed to enhance our manufacturing facilities and reduce costs.

Research and Development

        Research and development expenses were $25.9 million, $22.1 million and $29.0 million for fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These amounts include expenditures for product development and the design and development of machinery and equipment for new processes and cost reduction efforts. Most of our products and manufacturing processes have been designed and developed by our engineers. We continue to invest in new technology to improve product performance and production efficiencies.

Segment Reporting

        We are organized into three business groups: Tantalum, Ceramic, and Film and Electrolytic. Each business group is responsible for the operations of certain manufacturing sites as well as all related research and development efforts. The sales and marketing functions are shared by each of the business groups, the cost of which are allocated to the business groups based on their respective budgeted net sales. See Note 7, "Segment and Geographic Information" to our consolidated financial statements.

Tantalum Business Group

        Our Tantalum Business Group is a leading manufacturer of solid tantalum and aluminum capacitors. Over the past fifty years, we have made significant investments in our tantalum capacitor business and, based on net sales, we believe that we are the largest tantalum capacitor manufacturer in the world. We believe we have one of the broadest lines of tantalum product offerings and are one of the leaders in the growing market for high-frequency surface mount tantalum and aluminum polymer capacitors. For fiscal years 2011 and 2010, our Tantalum Business Group had consolidated net sales of $486.6 million and $343.8 million, respectively.

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        Our Tantalum Business Group's broad product portfolio, industry leading process and materials technology, global manufacturing base and on-time delivery capabilities allow us to serve a wide range of customers in a diverse group of end markets, including computing, telecommunications, consumer, medical, military, automotive and general industries. This business group operates five manufacturing sites in Portugal, Mexico and China and maintains a product innovation center in the United States. Our Tantalum Business Group employs over 4,700 employees worldwide.

Ceramic Business Group

        Our Ceramic Business Group offers an extensive line of multilayer ceramic capacitors in a variety of sizes and configurations. We are one of the two leading ceramic capacitor manufacturers in the United States and among the ten largest manufacturers worldwide. For fiscal years 2011 and 2010, our Ceramic Business Group had consolidated net sales of $210.5 million and $171.2 million, respectively.

        Our Ceramic Business Group high temperature and capacitance-stable product lines provide us with what we believe to be a significant advantage over many of our competitors, especially in high reliability markets, such as medical, industrial, defense and aerospace. Our other significant end markets include computing, telecommunications, automotive and general industries. This business group operates two manufacturing sites in Mexico and a finishing plant in China and maintains a product innovation center in the United States. Our Ceramic Business Group employs over 2,500 employees worldwide.

Film and Electrolytic Business Group

        Our Film and Electrolytic Business Group produces film, paper and wet aluminum electrolytic capacitors. We entered this market through the acquisitions of Evox Rifa and Arcotronics in fiscal year 2008. Film capacitors are preferred where high reliability is a determining factor, while wet aluminum electrolytic capacitors are preferred when high capacitance at a reasonable cost is required. We are one of the world's largest suppliers of film and one of the leaders in wet aluminum electrolytic capacitors for high-value custom applications. For fiscal years 2011 and 2010, our Film and Electrolytic Business Group had consolidated net sales of $321.4 million and $221.4 million, respectively.

        Our Film and Electrolytic Business Group primarily serves the industrial, automotive, consumer and telecom markets. We believe that our Film and Electrolytic Business Group's product portfolio, technology and experience position us to significantly benefit from the continued growth in alternative energy solutions. We operate fifteen film and electrolytic manufacturing sites throughout Europe, Asia and Mexico and operate a product innovation center in Sweden. In June 2011, we expect to begin the production of power film capacitors in the United States to support alternative energy products and emerging green technologies, such as hybrid electric drive vehicles. In fiscal year 2013, we expect to begin production of electrolytic capacitors to further support alternative energy products and emerging green technologies. Our Film and Electrolytic Business Group employs over 2,900 employees worldwide.

        In September 2009, we announced plans to reduce operating costs by consolidating the manufacturing of certain products and by implementing other lean initiatives. Manufacturing consolidation plans include the movement of certain standard, high-volume products to lower cost manufacturing locations. We anticipate the plans will be completed in the second half of fiscal year 2014; however, the length of time required to complete the restructuring activities is dependent upon a number of factors, including the ability to continue to manufacture products required to meet customer demand while at the same time relocating certain production lines and the progress of discussions with union and government representatives in certain European locations concerning the optimization of product mix and related headcount requirements in such manufacturing locations. In April 2010, we reported that we reached an agreement with three labor unions in Italy and with the regional

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government in Emilia Romagna, Italy to proceed with our planned restructuring process. In addition, in July 2010, we relocated our Amsterdam Hub facility from the Netherlands to the Czech Republic as part of our cost reduction measures. This relocation will allow shipping lane optimization and customer consolidation (bi-weekly or weekly) for all import shipments. Our European manufacturing plants will continue to ship direct to 'local' customers (which are customers located in the same country as the plant). During the remainder of this restructuring effort, we expect to spend between $28 million to $33 million, primarily in our Film and Electrolytic Business Group. We expect our restructuring plan to result in a reduction in our operating cost structure in Europe of approximately $3 million in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. We anticipate that benefits from the restructuring efforts will continue to grow during fiscal years 2013 and 2014. During fiscal year 2014, we expect to realize the full potential of the restructuring plan, achieving total annualized operational cost reductions of approximately $24 million versus fiscal year 2011.

Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

        We are subject to various North American, European, and Asian federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, including those governing the handling and management of certain chemicals and materials used and generated in manufacturing electronic components. Based on the annual costs incurred over the past several years, we do not believe that compliance with these laws and regulations will have a material adverse effect on our capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position. We believe, however, that it is reasonably likely that the trend in environmental litigation, laws, and regulations will continue to be toward stricter standards. Such changes in the laws and regulations may require us to make additional capital expenditures which, while not currently estimable with certainty, are not presently expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

        Our Guiding Principles support a strong commitment to economic, environmental, and socially sustainable development. As a result of this commitment, we have adopted the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct. The Electronic Industry Code of Conduct is a comprehensive code of conduct that addresses all aspects of corporate responsibility including Labor, Health and Safety, the Environment, and Business Ethics. It outlines standards to ensure working conditions in the electronic industry supply chain are safe, that workers are treated with respect and dignity, that manufacturing processes are environmentally friendly and that materials are sourced responsibly.

        Policies, programs, and procedures implemented throughout KEMET ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the content of the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct, and customer contractual requirements related to social and environmental responsibility.

        We are committed to these business ethics, labor, health and safety, and environmental standards.

        KEMET fully supports the position of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition ("EICC"), the Electronic Components, Assemblies and Materials Association ("ECA") and the Tantalum-Niobium International Study Center ("TIC") to avoid the use of conflict minerals which directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or adjoining countries, in line with full compliance to the EICC's Electronic Industry Code of Conduct. KEMET's tantalum supply base has been and continues to be certified to be sourced from conflict free zones. All of KEMET's tantalum material suppliers have complied with and issued signed Letters of Certification attesting that KEMET Corporation will not receive tantalum powders made from tantalum ores illegally mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This policy and certification process is being implemented for all conflict minerals. KEMET will immediately discontinue doing business with any supplier found to be purchasing materials which directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or adjoining countries. KEMET will continue to work through the EICC, ECA and TIC towards the goal of greater transparency in the supply chain.

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        KEMET is aware of section 1502 "Conflict Minerals" of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and will comply with all reporting requirements.

Employees

        We have approximately 11,000 employees as of March 31, 2011, of whom 600 are located in the United States, 5,400 are located in Mexico, 2,800 in Asia and 2,200 in Europe. We believe that our future success will depend in part on our ability to recruit, retain, and motivate qualified personnel at all levels of the Company. The number of employees represented by labor organizations at KEMET locations in each of the following countries is: 4,500 hourly employees in Mexico (as required by Mexican law), 760 employees in Italy, 750 employees in Indonesia, 360 employees in Portugal, 330 employees in China, 290 employees in Bulgaria, 210 employees in Finland and 90 employees in Sweden. In fiscal year 2011, we did not experience any major work stoppages. Our labor costs in Mexico, Asia and various locations in Europe are denominated in local currencies, and a significant depreciation or appreciation of the United States dollar against the local currencies would increase or decrease our labor costs.

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Reports

        We maintain an Internet website at the following address: http://www.kemet.com. KEMET makes available on or through our Internet website certain reports and amendments to those reports that are filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) in accordance with the Exchange Act. These include annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. This information is available on our website free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the information with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

Global Code of Conduct

        On May 3, 2010, we adopted a new Global Code of Conduct ("Code of Conduct"), effective August 1, 2010, which is applicable to all employees, officers, and directors of the Company. The Code of Conduct addresses among other things, ethics in the workplace and marketplace, guidance for making decisions and reporting violations of the law and the Code of Conduct, and the importance of protecting the Company's assets. The Code of Conduct was filed on May 6, 2010, with the SEC in our Current Report on Form 8-K. Effective August 1, 2010, the Code of Conduct and any amendments thereto will be immediately available at http://www.kemet.com.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS.

        This report contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, our forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates" and other similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "should," "would" and "could" are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers of this report should not rely solely on the forward-looking statements and should consider all uncertainties and risks throughout this report. The statements are representative only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

        All forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Our actual future results may differ materially from those set forth in our forward-looking statements. We face risks that are inherent in the businesses and the market places in which we operate. While management

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believes these forward-looking statements are accurate and reasonable, uncertainties, risks and factors, including those described below, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

        Factors that may cause the actual outcome and results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: (i) adverse economic conditions could impact our ability to realize operating plans if the demand for our products declines, and such conditions could adversely affect our liquidity and ability to continue to operate; (ii) adverse economic conditions could cause the write down of long-lived assets; (iii) an increase in the cost or a decrease in the availability of our principal raw materials; (iv) changes in the competitive environment; (v) uncertainty of the timing of customer product qualifications in heavily regulated industries; (vi) economic, political, or regulatory changes in the countries in which we operate; (vii) difficulties, delays or unexpected costs in completing the restructuring plan; (viii) inability to attract, train and retain effective employees and management; (ix) inability to develop innovative products to maintain customer relationships and offset potential price erosion in older products; (x) exposure to claims alleging product defects; (xi) the impact of laws and regulations that apply to our business, including those relating to environmental matters; (xii) volatility of financial and credit markets affecting our access to capital; (xiii) needing to reduce the total costs of our products to remain competitive; (xiv) potential limitation on the use of net operating losses to offset possible future taxable income; (xv) restrictions in our debt agreements that limit our flexibility in operating our business; (xvi) additional exercise of the warrant by K Equity which could potentially result in the existence of a significant stockholder who could seek to influence our corporate decisions; and (xvii) recent events in Japan could negatively impact our sales and supply chain.

        Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those included, contemplated or implied by the forward-looking statements made in this report, and the reader should not consider the above list of factors to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.

         Adverse economic conditions could impact our ability to realize operating plans if the demand for our products declines; and such conditions could adversely affect our liquidity and ability to continue to operate.

        While our operating plans provide for cash generated from operations to be sufficient to cover our future operating requirements, many factors, including reduced demand for our products, currency exchange rate fluctuations, increased raw material costs, and other adverse market conditions could cause a shortfall in net cash generated from operations. As an example, the electronics industry is a highly cyclical industry. The demand for capacitors tends to reflect the demand for products in the electronics market. Customers' requirements for our capacitors fluctuate as a result of changes in general economic activity and other factors that affect the demand for their products. During periods of increasing demand for their products, they typically seek to increase their inventory of our products to avoid production bottlenecks. When demand for their products peaks and begins to decline, they may rapidly decrease orders for our products while they use up accumulated inventory. Business cycles vary somewhat in different geographical regions, such as Asia, and within customer industries. We are also vulnerable to general economic events beyond our control and our sales and profits may suffer in periods of weak demand.

        TTI, Inc., an electronics distributor, accounted for over 10% of our net sales in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009. If our relationship with TTI, Inc. were to terminate, we would need to determine alternative means of delivering our products to the end-customers served by TTI, Inc.

        Our ability to realize operating plans is also dependent upon meeting our payment obligations and complying with any applicable financial covenants under our debt agreements. If cash generated from

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operating, investing and financing activities is insufficient to pay for operating requirements and to cover interest payment obligations under debt instruments, planned operating and capital expenditures may need to be reduced.

         Adverse economic conditions could cause the write down of long-lived assets.

        Long-lived assets and intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. In the event that the test shows that the carrying value of certain long-lived assets is impaired, we would be required to take an impairment charge to earnings under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. However, such a charge would have no direct effect on our cash.

         An increase in the cost or decrease in the availability of our principal raw materials could adversely affect profitability.

        The principal raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are tantalum powder, palladium, aluminum and silver. These materials are considered commodities and are subject to price volatility. Due to market constraints, we no longer purchase tantalum powder under long-term contracts. Instead, we forecast our tantalum needs for the short-term (twelve weeks) and make purchases based upon those forecasts; we currently have purchase agreements outstanding for three to six months. While the financial impact of these decisions is short-term in nature given that we are not currently party to any long-term supply agreements, they could impact our financial performance from period to period given that we do not hedge any of our raw material exposure and we may be unable to pass any fluctuations in our raw material costs on to our customers. Additionally, any delays in obtaining raw materials for our products could hinder our ability to manufacture our products, negatively impacting our competitive position and our relationships with our customers.

        Presently, a finite number of suppliers process tantalum ore into capacitor-grade tantalum powder. If there are significant fluctuations in demand, based on leadtime of ore to tantalum smelter, an increase in the price of tantalum may result. If we are unable to pass the price increase on to our customers it could have an adverse affect on our profitability.

        Palladium is a precious metal used in the manufacture of multilayer ceramic capacitors and is mined primarily in Russia and South Africa. We continue to pursue ways to reduce palladium usage in ceramic capacitors in order to minimize the price risk. The amount of palladium that we require has generally been available in sufficient quantities; however the price of palladium is driven by the market which has shown significant price fluctuations. For instance, in fiscal year 2011 the price of palladium fluctuated between $415 and $855 per troy ounce. Price increases and the possibility of our inability to pass such increases on to our customers could have an adverse effect on profitability.

        Silver and aluminum have generally been available in sufficient quantities, and we believe there are a sufficient number of suppliers from which we can purchase our requirements. An increase in the price of silver and aluminum that we are unable to pass on to our customers, however, could have an adverse affect on our profitability.

         Changes in the competitive environment could harm our business.

        The capacitor business is highly competitive worldwide, with low transportation costs and few import barriers. Competition is based on factors such as product quality and reliability, availability, customer service, timely delivery and price. The industry has become increasingly consolidated and globalized in recent years, and our primary U.S. and non-U.S. competitors, some of which are larger than us, have significant financial resources. The greater financial resources of such competitors may enable them to commit larger amounts of capital in response to changing market conditions. Some

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competitors may also have the ability to use profits from other operations to subsidize losses sustained in their businesses with which we compete. Certain competitors may also develop product or service innovations that could put us at a disadvantage.

         Uncertainty of the timing of customer product qualifications in heavily regulated industries could affect the timing of product revenues and profitability arising from these industries.

        Our capacitors are incorporated into products used in diverse industries. Certain of these industries, such as military, aerospace and medical, are heavily regulated, with long and sometimes unpredictable product approval and qualification processes. Due to such regulatory compliance issues, there can be no assurances as to the timing of product revenues and profitability arising from our product development and sales efforts in these industries.

         We manufacture many capacitors in Europe, Mexico and Asia and economic political or regulatory changes in any of these regions could adversely affect our profitability.

        Our international operations are subject to a number of special risks, in addition to the same risks as our domestic business. These risks include currency exchange rate fluctuations, differing protections of intellectual property, trade barriers, labor unrest, exchange controls, regional economic uncertainty, differing (and possibly more stringent) labor regulation, risk of governmental expropriation, domestic and foreign customs and tariffs, current and changing regulatory regimes, differences in the availability and terms of financing, political instability and potential increases in taxes. These factors could impact our production capability or adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.

         We may experience difficulties, delays or unexpected costs in completing our restructuring plan.

        In the second quarter of fiscal year 2010, we initiated a restructuring plan designed to improve the operating performance of our Film and Electrolytic business group. However, any anticipated benefits of this restructuring activity will not be realized until future periods. We anticipate the plan will be completed in the second half of fiscal year 2014.

        We may not realize, in full or in part, the anticipated benefits of the restructuring plan without encountering difficulties, which may include complications in the transfer of production knowledge, loss of key employees and/or customers, the disruption of ongoing business and possible inconsistencies in standards, controls and procedures. We are party to collective bargaining agreements in certain jurisdictions in which we operate which could potentially prevent or delay execution of parts of our restructuring plan.

         Our inability to attract, train and retain effective employees and management could harm our business.

        Our success depends upon the continued contributions of our executive officers and certain other employees, many of whom have many years of experience with us and would be extremely difficult to replace. We must also attract and retain experienced and highly skilled engineering, sales and marketing and managerial personnel. Competition for qualified personnel is intense in our industry, and we may not be successful in hiring and retaining these people. If we lost the services of our executive officers or our other highly qualified and experienced employees or cannot attract and retain other qualified personnel, our business could suffer through less effective management due to loss of accumulated knowledge of our business or through less successful products due to a reduced ability to design, manufacture and market our products.

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         We must continue to develop innovative products to maintain relationships with our customers and to offset potential price erosion in older products.

        While most of the fundamental technologies used in the passive components industry have been available for a long time, the market is nonetheless typified by rapid changes in product designs and technological advances allowing for better performance, smaller size and/or lower cost. New applications are frequently found for existing technologies, and new technologies occasionally replace existing technologies for some applications or open up new business opportunities in other areas of application. We believe that successful innovation is critical for maintaining profitability in the face of potential erosion of selling prices for existing products and to ensure the flow of new products and robust manufacturing processes that will keep us at the forefront of our customers' product designs. Non-customized commodity products are especially vulnerable to price pressure, but customized products have also experienced price pressure in recent years. Developing and marketing new products requires start-up costs that may not be recouped if these products or production techniques are not successful. There are numerous risks inherent in product development, including the risks that we will be unable to anticipate the direction of technological change or that we will be unable to develop and market new products and applications in a timely fashion to satisfy customer demands. If this occurs, we could lose customers and experience adverse effects on our results of operations.

         We may be exposed to claims alleging product defects.

        Our business exposes us to claims alleging product defects or nonconformance with product specifications. We may be held liable for, or incur costs related to, such claims if any of our products, or products in which our products are incorporated, are found to have caused end market product application failures, product recalls, property damage or personal injury. Provisions in our agreements with our customers and distributors which are designed to limit our exposure to potential material product defect claims, including warranty, indemnification, waiver and limitation of liability provisions, may not be effective under the laws of some jurisdictions. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product defect claims, we may incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of the merits or eventual outcome, defect claims could entail substantial expense and require the time and attention of key management personnel.

        Our commercial general liability insurance may not be adequate to cover all liabilities arising out of product defect claims and, at any time, insurance coverage may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If liability coverage is insufficient, a product defect claim could result in liability to us which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition. Even if we have adequate insurance coverage, product defect claims or recalls could result in negative publicity or force us to devote significant time and attention to those matters.

         Various laws and regulations that apply to our business, including those relating to environmental matters, could limit our ability to operate as we are currently and could result in additional costs.

        We are subject to various laws and regulations of federal, state and local authorities in the countries in which we operate regarding a wide variety of matters, including environmental, employment, land use, anti-trust, and others that affect the day-to-day operations of our business. The liabilities and requirements associated with the laws and regulations that affect us may be costly and time-consuming. There can be no assurance that we have been or will be at all times in compliance with such applicable laws and regulations. Failure to comply may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the issuance of injunctions to limit or cease operations, the suspension or revocation of permits and other enforcement measures that could have the effect of limiting our operations. If we are pursued for sanctions, costs or liabilities in respect of these matters, our operations and, as a result, our profitability could be materially and adversely affected.

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        We are subject to a variety of U.S. federal, state and local, as well as foreign, environmental laws and regulations relating, among other things, to wastewater discharge, air emissions, handling of hazardous materials, disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, and remediation of soil and groundwater contamination. We use a number of chemicals or similar substances, and generate wastes, that are considered hazardous. We are required to hold environmental permits to conduct many of our operations. Violations of environmental laws and regulations could result in substantial fines, penalties, and other sanctions. Changes in environmental laws or regulations (or in their enforcement) affecting or limiting, for example, our chemical uses, certain of our manufacturing processes, or our disposal practices, could restrict our ability to operate as we are currently operating or impose additional costs. In addition, we may experience releases of certain chemicals or discover existing contamination, which could cause us to incur material cleanup costs or other damages.

         Volatility of financial and credit markets could affect our access to capital.

        The continued uncertainty in the global financial and credit markets could impact our ability to implement new financial arrangements or to modify our existing financial arrangements. An inability to obtain new financing or to further modify existing financing could adversely impact the execution of our restructuring plans and delay the realization of the expected cost reductions. Our ability to generate adequate liquidity will depend on our ability to execute our operating plans and to manage costs in light of developing economic conditions. An unanticipated decrease in sales, or other factors that would cause the actual outcome of our plans to differ from expectations, could create a shortfall in cash available to fund our liquidity needs. Being unable to access new capital, experiencing a shortfall in cash from operations to fund our liquidity needs and the failure to implement an initiative to offset the shortfall in cash would likely have a material adverse effect on our business.

         We must consistently reduce the total costs of our products to remain competitive.

        Our industry is intensely competitive and prices for existing commodity products tend to decrease steadily over their life cycle. There is substantial and continuing pressure from customers to reduce the total cost of using our parts. To remain competitive, we must achieve continuous cost reductions through process and product improvements.

        We must also be in a position to minimize our customers' shipping and inventory financing costs and to meet their other goals for rationalization of supply and production. Our growth and the profit margins of our products will suffer if our competitors are more successful in reducing the total cost to customers of their products than we are. We must also continue to introduce new products that offer performance advantages over our existing products and can thereby achieve premium prices, offsetting the price declines in our more mature products.

         Our use of net operating losses to offset possible future taxable income could be limited by ownership changes.

        In addition to the general limitations on the carryback and carryforward of net operating losses under Section 172 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"), Section 382 of the Code imposes further limitations on the utilization of net operating losses by a corporation following ownership changes which result in more than a 50 percentage point change in ownership of a corporation within a three year period. Therefore, the future utilization of our net operating losses may be subject to limitation for federal income tax purposes related to regular and alternative minimum tax.

        The issuance of the Platinum Warrant to K Financing, as described above, may be deemed to have been an "ownership change" for purposes of Section 382 of the Code. If such an ownership change is deemed to have occurred, the amount of our taxable income that can be offset by our net operating loss carryforwards in taxable years after the ownership change will be severely limited. While we believe

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that the issuance of the Platinum Warrant did not result in an ownership change for purposes of Section 382 of the Code, there is no assurance that our view will be unchallenged. Moreover, the exercise of part or all of the Platinum Warrant may be deemed to have given rise to an ownership change in the future.

        The application of Section 382 of the Code now or in the future could limit a substantial part of our future utilization of available net operating losses. Such limitation could require us to pay substantial additional federal and state taxes and interest. Such tax and interest liabilities may adversely affect our liquidity and financial position.

         Our debt agreements contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business.

        The agreement governing our new revolving credit facility and the indenture governing the Exchange Notes and certain of our other debt agreements contain various covenants that limit our ability to engage in specified types of transactions. These covenants limit our and our restricted subsidiaries' ability to, among other things:

        The agreement governing our new revolving credit facility also includes a fixed charge coverage ratio covenant that we must satisfy if an event of default occurs or in the event that we do not meet certain excess availability requirements under our new revolving credit facility. Our ability to comply with this covenant is dependent on our future performance, which may be subject to many factors, some of which are beyond our control.

         K Equity may obtain significant influence over all matters submitted to a stockholder vote, which may limit the ability of other shareholders to influence corporate activities and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

        As part of the consideration for entering into the Platinum Credit Facility, K Financing received the Platinum Warrant to purchase up to 26,848,484 shares of our common stock (subject to certain adjustments), representing 49.9% of our outstanding common stock at the time of issuance on a post-exercise basis. This Platinum Warrant was subsequently transferred to K Equity, an affiliate of K Financing. On December 20, 2010, K Equity sold a portion of the Platinum Warrant equal to 10,893,608 shares which was exercised on a net exercise basis and the resulting 10,000,000 shares of which were sold by underwriters in an offering, leaving a remainder of 15,954,876 shares subject to the Platinum Warrant. To the extent that K Equity exercises the remainder of the Platinum Warrant in whole or in part but does not sell all or a significant part of the shares it acquires upon exercise, K Equity may own up to 30.1% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, K Equity may have substantial influence over the outcome of votes on all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors, the adoption of amendments to our restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws and approval of significant corporate transactions. K Equity could also take actions that have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us or discouraging others

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from making tender offers for our shares, which could prevent stockholders from receiving a premium for their shares. These actions make be taken even if other stockholders oppose them. Moreover, this concentration of stock ownership may make it difficult for stockholders to replace management. In addition, this significant concentration of stock ownership may adversely affect the trading price for our common stock because investors often perceive disadvantages in owning stock in companies with controlling stockholders. This concentration of control could be disadvantageous to other stockholders with interests different from those of our officers, directors and principal stockholders, and the trading price of shares of our common stock could be adversely affected.

         Recent events in Japan could negatively impact our sales and supply chain.

        To date, we have not experienced any decrease in our customers' demands for our products as a result of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. However, these events might impact the supply chains of our customers which could result in delays or cancellations of orders by our customers. Such delays or cancellations would adversely affect our results of operations.

        We currently have enough supply on hand to meet our short term needs. However, we could experience supply shortages or delays in receiving supplies in the future due to the recent events in Japan. Such shortages or delays could impact our ability to meet our customers' demands.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

        None.

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES.

        We are headquartered in Simpsonville, South Carolina, which is part of the greater Greenville metropolitan area, and have a total of 22 manufacturing plants located in the United States, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Some of our plants manufacture products for multiple business groups. Our existing manufacturing and assembly facilities have approximately 3 million square feet of floor space and are highly automated with proprietary manufacturing processes and equipment.

        Our facilities in Mexico operate under the Maquiladora Program. In general, a company that operates under this program is afforded certain duty and tax preferences and incentives on products brought into the United States. Our manufacturing standards, including compliance with worker safety laws and regulations, are essentially identical in the United States, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Our Mexican, European and Asian operations, similar to our United States operations, have won numerous quality, environmental and safety awards.

        We have developed just-in-time manufacturing and sourcing systems. These systems enable us to meet customer requirements for faster deliveries while minimizing the need to carry significant inventory levels. We continue to emphasize flexibility in all of our manufacturing operations to improve product delivery response times.

        We believe that substantially all of our property and equipment is in good condition, and that overall, we have sufficient capacity to meet our current and projected manufacturing and distribution needs.

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        The following table provides certain information regarding our principal facilities:

Location(1)
  Square
Footage
(in thousands)
  Type of
Interest
  Description
of Use

Simpsonville, South Carolina(2)

    372   Owned   Headquarters, Innovation Center and Advanced Tantalum Manufacturing

Tantalum Business Group

             

Matamoros, Mexico

    286   Owned   Manufacturing

Suzhou, China(3)

    353   Leased   Manufacturing

Ciudad Victoria, Mexico

    265   Owned   Manufacturing

Evora, Portugal

    233   Owned   Manufacturing

Ceramic Business Group

             

Monterrey, Mexico(4)

    532   Owned   Manufacturing

Film and Electrolytic Business Group

             

Sasso Marconi, Italy

    215   Owned   Manufacturing

Suzhou, China

    134   Leased   Manufacturing

Granna, Sweden

    132   Owned   Manufacturing

Suomussalmi, Finland

    121   Leased   Manufacturing

Batam, Indonesia

    86   Owned   Manufacturing

Kyustendil, Bulgaria

    82   Owned   Manufacturing

Landsberg, Germany

    81   Leased   Manufacturing

Weymouth, United Kingdom

    96   Leased   Manufacturing

Vergato, Italy

    78   Owned   Manufacturing

Monghidoro, Italy

    71   Owned   Manufacturing

Anting, China

    38   Owned   Manufacturing

Nantong, China

    30   Leased   Manufacturing

Farjestaden, Sweden

    28   Leased   Manufacturing

Northampton, United Kingdom

    8   Leased   Manufacturing

(1)
In addition to the locations listed within this table, the company has acquired land in Italy to be used as the site for a new manufacturing facility in order to consolidate our Italian operations.

(2)
In June 2011, we expect to begin the production of power film capacitors in this facility to support alternative energy products and emerging green technologies, such as hybrid electric drive vehicles. In fiscal year 2013, we expect to begin production of electrolytic capacitors to further support alternative energy products and emerging green technologies.

(3)
Includes two manufacturing facilities, one of which also performs finishing for Ceramic products.

(4)
Includes two manufacturing facilities and houses production of F&E product lines.

        Over the past several years, low production costs and proximity to large, growing markets have caused many of our key customers to relocate production facilities to Asia, particularly China. We have a well-established sales and logistics network in Asia to support our customers' Asian operations. In calendar year 2003, we commenced shipments from our production facility in Suzhou, China near Shanghai ("Suzhou Plant A"). In connection with the Evox Rifa acquisition, which was completed in April 2007, we added another Chinese operation in Nantong, China as well as a manufacturing operation in Batam, Indonesia. With the Arcotronics acquisition, which was completed in October 2007, we have further expanded our presence in China with a manufacturing operation in Anting, China. These operations will continue to support the former Evox Rifa and Arcotronics customer bases in Asia with top quality film and electrolytic capacitors. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010, we began

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to manufacture aluminum polymer products in a new leased facility in Suzhou Plant B. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2012, we expect to begin production of standard and commodity Film and Electrolytic products in a new leased facility in Suzhou, China ("Suzhou Plant C").

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

        We or our subsidiaries are at any one time parties to a number of lawsuits arising out of their respective operations, including workers' compensation or work place safety cases, some of which involve claims of substantial damages. Although there can be no assurance, based upon information known to us, we do not believe that any liability which might result from an adverse determination of such lawsuits would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 4.    [RESERVED AND REMOVED]

ITEM 4A.    EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

        The name, age, business experience, positions and offices held and period served in such positions or offices for each of the executive officers and certain key employees of the Company is as listed below.

Name
  Age   Position   Years with
Company(1)
 

Per-Olof Loof

    60   Chief Executive Officer and Director     6  

William M. Lowe, Jr. 

    58   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer     3  

Robert R. Argüelles

    44   Senior Vice President, Operational Excellence and Quality     3  

Conrado Hinojosa

    46   Executive Vice President, Tantalum Business Group     12  

Marc Kotelon

    47   Senior Vice President Sales—Global Sales     17  

Charles C. Meeks, Jr. 

    50   Executive Vice President, Ceramic Business Group     27  

Susan B. Barkal

    48   Vice President, Corporate Quality and Chief Compliance Officer     11  

Daniel E. LaMorte

    65   Vice President and Chief Information Officer     7  

Dr. Phillip M. Lessner

    52   Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer     15  

Larry C. McAdams

    59   Vice President, Human Resources     27  

Dr. Daniel F. Persico

    55   Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Business Development     10  

R. James Assaf

    51   Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary     3  

Michael W. Boone

    60   Vice President and Treasurer     24  

David S. Knox

    47   Vice President and Corporate Controller     3  

(1)
Includes service with Union Carbide Corporation.

Executive Officers

        Per-Olof Loof, Chief Executive Officer and Director, was named such in April 2005. Mr. Loof was previously the Managing Partner of QuanStar Unit LLC, a management consulting firm. Prior to this, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Sensormatic Electronics Corporation and in various management roles with Andersen Consulting, Digital Equipment Corporation, AT&T and NCR. Mr. Loof serves as a board member of Global Options Inc., and Devcon International Corporation. He received a "civilekonom examen" degree in economics and business administration from the Stockholm School of Economics.

        William M. Lowe, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, was named such in July 2008. Mr. Lowe was previously the Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial

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Officer of Unifi, Inc., a producer and processor of textured synthetic yarns from January 2004 to October 2007. Prior to holding that position, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Metaldyne, an automotive components manufacturer. He also held various financial management positions with ArvinMeritor, Inc., a premier global supplier of integrated automotive components. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a major in accounting from Tri-State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

        Robert R. Argüelles, Senior Vice President, Operational Excellence and Quality, joined KEMET as such in September 2008. Mr. Argüelles previously served as Vice President and Plant Manager with Continental Automotive Systems, which followed his role as a top research and development executive in Continental's North American Chassis & Safety division. Prior to Continental Automotive, Mr. Argüelles worked at Valeo Electronics/ITT Automotive where he was the Product Line Director for Valeo's North American Sensors and Electronics product lines. Mr. Argüelles began his career serving in technical roles at Electronic Data Systems in the Delco Chassis Division. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Dynamics and Controls, from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

        Conrado Hinojosa, Executive Vice President, Tantalum Business Group, was named such in May 2011. He joined KEMET in 1999 in the position of Plant Manager of the Monterrey 3 plant in Mexico. Mr. Hinojosa later served as the Operations Director for the Tantalum Division in Matamoros, Mexico and was later named Vice President, Tantalum Business Group in June 2005 and Senior Vice President, Tantalum Business Group in October 2007. Prior to joining KEMET, Mr. Hinojosa held numerous manufacturing positions with IBM de Mexico and had previous experience with Kodak. Mr. Hinojosa received a Masters of Business Administration degree from Instituto Technologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara.

        Marc Kotelon, Senior Vice President, Global Sales, was named such in August 2008. He joined KEMET in 1994 and has held various positions of increased responsibility in the sales area prior to the appointment to his current position. Mr. Kotelon received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics from Ecole Centrale d'Electronique/Paris.

        Charles C. Meeks, Jr., Executive Vice President, Ceramic, Film and Electrolytic Business Group, was named such in May 2011. He joined Union Carbide/KEMET in 1983 in the position of Process Engineer, and has held various positions of increased responsibility including the positions of Plant Manager and Director of Operations, Ceramic Business Group. He was named Vice President, Ceramic Business Group in June 2005, Senior Vice President, Ceramic Business Group in October 2007 and Senior Vice President, Ceramic, Film and Electrolytic Business Group in March 2010. In addition, since January 2000, Mr. Meeks has served as President of Top Notch Inc., a private company that offers stress management therapy services. Mr. Meeks received a Masters of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Ceramic Engineering from Clemson University.

        Susan B. Barkal, Vice President of Quality and Chief Compliance Officer, was named such in December 2008. Ms. Barkal joined KEMET in November 1999, and has served as Quality Manager for Tantalum Business Group, Technical Product Manager for all Tantalum product lines and Director of Tantalum Product Management. Ms. Barkal holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic University.

        Daniel E. LaMorte, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, joined KEMET as such in May 2004. Prior to joining KEMET, Mr. LaMorte held numerous Information Technology positions with Keycorp, Elf Acquitaine, Fisher Scientific and U.S. Steel Corp. Mr. LaMorte had previously served as Vice President of Worldwide Marketing and Sales for Chemcut, a manufacturer of capital equipment and chemicals in the electronics industry. Prior to Keycorp, Mr. LaMorte served as Chief Information

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Officer at Submit Order, an E-commerce start-up in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. LaMorte holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

        Dr. Philip M. Lessner, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Scientist, was named such in May 2011. He joined KEMET in 1996 as a Technical Associate in the Tantalum Technology Group. He has held several positions of increased responsibility in the Technology and Product Management areas including Senior Technical Associate, Director Tantalum Technology, Director Technical Marketing Services, Vice President Tantalum Technology and Vice President, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Scientist prior to his appointment to his current position. Mr. Lessner received a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from Cooper Union.

        Larry C. McAdams, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, joined Union Carbide/KEMET in 1983. He previously served as the site Human Resources Manager at the Columbus, GA; Shelby, NC; and Fountain Inn, SC, plants. Since 1991, he has been assigned to the corporate HR staff, where he was appointed a Director in 1999, Senior Director in 2002, and Vice President in 2003. Mr. McAdams received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Clemson University and attended the University of South Carolina School of Law.

        Dr. Daniel F. Persico, Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Business Development, joined KEMET in November 1997, and served as Director of Tantalum Technology, Vice President of Tantalum Technology, and Vice President of Organic Process Technology. Prior to his return to KEMET in December 2006, he held the position of the Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of H.W. Sands Corporation, a manufacturer and distributor of specialty chemicals. Dr. Persico holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Texas and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Boston College.

Other Key Employees

        R. James Assaf, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, was named such in July 2008. Mr. Assaf joined KEMET as Vice President, General Counsel in March 2008. Prior to joining KEMET, Mr. Assaf served as General Manager for InkSure Inc., a start-up seller of product authentication solutions. He had also previously held several positions with Sensormatic Electronics Corporation, including Associate General Counsel and Director of Business Development, Mergers & Acquisitions. Prior to Sensormatic, Mr. Assaf served as an Associate Attorney with the international law firm Squire Sanders & Dempsey. Mr. Assaf received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Kenyon College and his Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

        Michael W. Boone, Vice President and Treasurer, was named such in July 2008. Mr. Boone joined KEMET in June 1987 as Manager of Credit and Cash Management and has previously held the positions of Senior Director of Finance and Corporate Secretary before his appointment to his current position. Mr. Boone holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Georgia.

        David S. Knox, Vice President and Corporate Controller, joined KEMET as such in February 2008. From November 1999 through February 2008, Mr. Knox held various financial positions at Unifi, Inc. and was the Corporate Controller from August 2002 through February 2008. Mr. Knox received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a Certified Public Accountant.

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PART II

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

        On November 5, 2010, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware a Certificate of Amendment to its Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split of the Company's common stock at a ratio equal to one-for-three. The Reverse Stock Split was approved at a special meeting of our stockholders on November 3, 2010. All share and per share data in this Form 10-K gives effect to the Reverse Stock Split. On November 15, 2010, our common stock commenced trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "KEM" (NYSE: KEM).

        We had 73 stockholders of record as of April 30, 2011. The following table represents the high and low sale prices of our common stock for the periods indicated:

 
  Fiscal Year 2011   Fiscal Year 2010  
Quarter
  High   Low   High   Low  

First

  $ 7.35   $ 4.20   $ 0.84   $ 0.24  

Second

    11.88     6.78     1.60     0.45  

Third

    14.82     8.31     1.60     1.15  

Fourth

    16.49     12.90     1.74     1.24  

        We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock since our initial public offering in October 1992. We do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our Board and will depend upon, among other factors, the capital requirements, operating results, and our financial condition. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources."

        In fiscal year 2008, we reactivated our share buyback program and repurchased 1.2 million shares of our common stock. In fiscal year 2009, we indefinitely suspended the share buyback program and since that time we have not repurchased any shares of our common stock.

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PERFORMANCE GRAPH

        The following graph compares our cumulative total stockholder return for the past five fiscal years, beginning on April 1, 2006, with the Russell Microcap Index and a peer group (the "Peer Group") comprised of certain companies which manufacture capacitors and with which we generally compete. The Peer Group is comprised of AVX Corporation, Thomas & Betts Corporation and Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.


COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among KEMET Corporation, the Russell MicroCap Index
and a Peer Group

GRAPHIC


*
$100 invested on 3/31/06 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ended March 31.

 
  Cummulative Total Return, Fiscal Years Ended  
 
  2006   2007   2008   2009   2010   2011  

Kemet Corporatin

    100.00     80.78     42.66     2.59     14.78     52.20  

Russell MicroCap

    100.00     103.05     82.27     47.97     79.22     99.27  

Peer Group

    100.00     92.96     69.82     43.25     78.39     114.21  

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Equity Compensation Plan Disclosure

        The following table summarizes equity compensation plans approved by stockholders and equity compensation plans that were not approved by stockholders as of March 31, 2011:

 
  (a)   (b)   (c)  
Plan category
  Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants,
and rights
  Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants,
and rights
  Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))
 

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

    1,626,380   $ 15.03     568,995  

Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

             
                 

    1,626,380   $ 15.03     568,995  
                 

ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

        The following table summarizes our selected historical consolidated financial information for each of the last five years. The selected financial information under the captions "Income Statement Data," "Per Share Data," "Balance Sheet Data," and "Other Data" shown below has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. This selected financial information reflects the Reverse Stock Split of the Company's common stock at a ratio equal to one-for-three. This table should be read in conjunction with other consolidated financial information of KEMET, including "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements, included elsewhere herein. The data set forth below may not be indicative of our

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future financial condition or results of operations (see Item 1A, "Risk Factors") (amounts in thousands except per share amounts):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009   2008(3)   2007(1)  

Income Statement Data:

                               

Net sales

  $ 1,018,488   $ 736,335   $ 804,385   $ 850,120   $ 658,714  

Operating income (loss)

    129,261     7,697     (271,112 )   (8,881 )   7,078  

Interest income

    (218 )   (188 )   (618 )   (6,061 )   (6,283 )

Interest expense

    30,175     26,008     29,789     21,696     9,865  

Net income (loss)(7)

    63,044     (69,447 )   (285,209 )   (25,215 )   4,206  

Per Share Data:

                               

Net income (loss) per share—basic

  $ 2.11   $ (2.57 ) $ (10.62 ) $ (0.91 ) $ 0.15  

Net income (loss) per share—diluted

  $ 1.22   $ (2.57 ) $ (10.62 )   (0.91 )   0.15  

Balance Sheet Data:

                               

Total assets

  $ 884,309   $ 740,961   $ 714,151   $ 1,250,999   $ 942,373  

Working capital

    316,866     226,600     195,142     239,059     337,943  

Long-term debt(2)(4)(5)(6)

    231,215     231,629     280,752     269,354     195,931  

Other non-current obligations

    59,727     55,626     57,316     80,130     19,587  

Stockholders' equity(7)

    359,753     284,272     240,039     576,831     577,419  

Other Data:

                               

Cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities

  $ 113,968   $ 54,620   $ 5,725   $ (20,563 ) $ 21,933  

Capital expenditures

    34,989     12,921     30,541     43,605     28,670  

Research and development

    25,864     22,064     28,956     35,699     33,385  

(1)
In fiscal year 2007, the Company acquired the EPCOS tantalum business unit.

(2)
In fiscal year 2007, the Company issued $175.0 million in Convertible Notes.

(3)
In fiscal year 2008, the Company acquired Evox Rifa on April 24, 2007 and Arcotronics on October 12, 2007.

(4)
In fiscal year 2008, the Company entered into two Senior Facility Agreements with UniCredit whereby it borrowed a total of €96.8 million.

(5)
In fiscal year 2009, the Company paid the outstanding balance on its Senior Notes and refinanced Facility A with UniCredit totaling €60.0 million ($79.8 million). On April 3, 2009, the Company extended Facility B with UniCredit totaling €35.0 million ($46.6 million). The scheduled amortization of Facility A was amended effective June 30, 2009.

(6)
In fiscal year 2010, the Company repurchased $93.9 million in face value of Convertible Notes and incurred additional borrowings of $57.8 million with K Financing.

(7)
In fiscal year 2010, the Platinum Warrant was initially classified as a derivative and the Company recorded a mark-to-market adjustment of $81.1 million through earnings. As of September 29, 2009, the strike price of the Platinum Warrant became fixed and the Company reevaluated the Platinum Warrant concluding that the Platinum Warrant is indexed to the Company's own stock and should be classified as a component of equity. The Company reclassified the warrant liability of $112.5 million into the line item "Additional paid-in capital" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Platinum Warrant was no longer marked-to-market.

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

        The following discussion and analysis provides information that we believe is useful in understanding our operating results, cash flows, and financial condition for the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2011. The discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this report. Except for the historical information contained herein, the discussions in this document contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual future results could differ materially from those discussed here. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and, from time to time, in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Business Overview

        We are a leading global manufacturer of a wide variety of capacitors. Our product offerings include tantalum, multilayer ceramic, solid and electrolytic aluminum and film and paper capacitors. Capacitors are fundamental components of most electronic circuits and are found in communication systems, data processing equipment, personal computers, cellular phones, automotive electronic systems, defense and aerospace systems, consumer electronics, power management systems and many other electronic devices and systems. Capacitors are typically used to filter out interference, smooth the output of power supplies, block the flow of direct current while allowing alternating current to pass and for many other purposes. We manufacture a broad line of capacitors in many different sizes and configurations using a variety of raw materials. Our product line consists of over 250,000 distinct part configurations distinguished by various attributes, such as dielectric (or insulating) material, configuration, encapsulation, capacitance level and tolerance, performance characteristics and packaging. Most of our customers have multiple capacitance requirements, often within each of their products. Our broad product offering allows us to meet the majority of those needs independent of application and end use. In fiscal year 2011, fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2009, we shipped 35 billion, 31 billion and 32 billion capacitors, respectively. We believe the medium-to-long term demand for the various types of capacitors we offer will continue to grow on a regional and global basis due to a variety of factors, including increasing demand for and complexity of electronic products, growing demand for technology in emerging markets and the ongoing development of new solutions for energy generation and conservation.

Our Competitive Strengths

        We believe that we benefit from the following competitive strengths:

        Strong Customer Relationships.    We have a large and diverse customer base. We believe that our persistent emphasis on quality control and history of performance establishes loyalty with OEMs, EMSs and distributors. Our customer base includes most of the world's major electronics OEMs (including Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc., Apple Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc., Dell Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, International Business Machines Corporation, Intel Corporation, Motorola, Inc. and Nokia Corporation), EMSs (including Celestica Inc., Elcoteq SE, Flextronics International LTD, Jabil Circuit, Inc. and Sanmina-SCI Corporation) and distributors (including TTI, Inc., Arrow Electronics, Inc. and Avnet, Inc.). Our strong, extensive and efficient worldwide distribution network is one of our differentiating factors. We believe our ability to provide innovative and flexible service offerings, superior customer support and focus on speed-to-market result in a more rewarding customer experience, earning us a high degree of customer loyalty.

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        Breadth of Our Diversified Product Offering and Markets.    We believe that we have the most complete line of primary capacitor types, across a full spectrum of dielectric materials including tantalum, ceramic, solid and electrolytic aluminum, film and paper. As a result, we believe we can satisfy virtually all of our customers' capacitance needs, thereby strengthening our position as their supplier of choice. We sell our products into a wide range of different end markets, including computing, industrial, telecommunications, transportation, consumer, defense and healthcare markets across all geographic regions. No single end market segment accounted for more than 30% and only one customer, TTI, Inc., accounted for more than 10% of our net sales in fiscal year 2011. Our largest customer is a distributor, and no single end use customer accounted for more than 5% of our net sales in fiscal year 2011. We believe that well-balanced product, geographic and customer diversification help us mitigate some of the negative financial impact through economic cycles.

        Leading Market Positions and Operating Scale.    Based on net sales, we believe that we are the largest manufacturer of tantalum capacitors in the world and one of the largest manufacturers of direct current film capacitors in the world and have a significant market position in the specialty ceramics and custom wet aluminum electrolytic markets. We believe that our leading market positions and operating scale allow us to realize production efficiencies, leverage economies of scale and capitalize on growth opportunities in the global capacitor market.

        Strong Presence in Specialty Products.    We engage in design collaboration with our customers in order to meet their specific needs and provide them with customized products satisfying their engineering specifications. During fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively, specialty products accounted for 36.5% and 29.6% of our revenue. By allocating an increasing portion of our management resources and research and development investment to specialty products, we have established ourselves as one of the leading innovators in this fast growing emerging segment of the market, which includes healthcare, renewable energy, telecom infrastructure and oil and gas. For example, in August 2009, we were selected as one of thirty companies to receive a grant from the Department of Energy. Our $15.1 million award will enable us to produce film and electrolytic capacitors within the United States to support alternative energy products and emerging green technologies such as hybrid electric drive vehicles. Producing these parts in the United States will allow us to compete effectively in the alternative energy market in North America and South America.

        Low-Cost Production.    We believe we have some of the lowest cost production facilities in the industry. Many of our key customers have relocated their production facilities to Asia, particularly China. We believe our manufacturing facilities in China have low production costs and are in close proximity to the large and growing Chinese market; in addition, we have the ability to increase capacity and change product mix to meet our customers' needs. We believe our operations in Mexico, which are our primary production facilities supporting our North American and, to a larger extent, European customers, are among the most cost-efficient in the world.

        Our Brand.    Founded by Union Carbide in 1919 as KEMET Laboratories, we believe that we have a reputation as a high quality, efficient and affordable partner that sets our customers' needs as the top priority. This has allowed us to successfully attract loyal clientele and enabled us to expand our operations and market share over the past few years. We believe our commitment to addressing the needs of the industry in which we operate has differentiated us from our competitors and established us as the "Easy-To-Buy-From" company.

        Our People.    We believe that we have successfully developed a unique corporate culture based on innovation, customer focus and commitment. We have a strong, highly experienced and committed team in each of our markets. Many of our professionals have developed unparalleled experience in building leadership positions in new markets, as well as successfully integrating acquisitions. Our 16 member management team has an average of over 12 years of experience with us and an average of over 25 years of experience in the manufacturing industry.

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Business Strategy

        Our strategy is to use our position as a leading, high-quality manufacturer of capacitors to capitalize on the increasingly demanding requirements of our customers. Key elements of our strategy include:

        One KEMET Campaign.    We continue to focus on improving our business capabilities through various initiatives that all fall under our One KEMET campaign. The One KEMET campaign aims to ensure that we as a company are focused on the same goals and working with the same processes and systems to ensure consistent quality and service. This effort was launched to ensure that as we continue to grow we not only remain grounded in our core principles but that we use those principles, operating procedures and systems as the foundation from which to expand. These initiatives include our global Oracle software implementation which is on schedule, our Lean and Six Sigma culture evolution and our global customer accounts management system which is now in place and growing.

        Develop Our Significant Customer Relationships and Industry Presence.    We intend to continue to be responsive to our customers' needs and requirements and to make order entry and fulfillment easier, faster, more flexible and more reliable for our customers, by focusing on building products around customers' needs, by giving decision making authority to customer-facing personnel and by providing purpose-built systems and processes, such as our Easy-To-Buy-From order entry system.

        Continue to Pursue Low-Cost Production Strategy.    We are actively pursuing measures that will allow us to maintain our position as a low-cost producer of capacitors with facilities close to our customers. We have shifted and will continue to shift production to low cost locations in order to reduce material and labor costs. Additionally, we are focused on developing more cost-efficient manufacturing equipment and processes, designing manufacturing plants for more efficient production and reducing work-in-process ("WIP") inventory by building products from start to finish in one factory. Furthermore, we are implementing the Lean and Six Sigma methodology to drive towards zero product defects so that quality remains a given in the minds of our customers.

        Leverage Our Technological Competence and Expand Our Leadership in Specialty Products.    We continue to leverage our technological competence to introduce new products in a timely and cost-efficient manner and generate an increasing portion of our sales from new and customized solutions to meet our customers' varied and evolving capacitor needs as well as to improve financial performance. We believe that by continuing to build on our strength in the higher growth and higher margin specialty segments of the capacitor market, we will be well positioned to achieve our long-term growth objectives while also improving our profitability. During fiscal year 2011, we introduced 14,947 new products of which 129 were first to market, and specialty products accounted for 36.5% of our revenue over this period.

        Further Expand Our Broad Capacitance Capabilities.    We define ourselves as "The Capacitance Company" and strive to be the supplier of choice for all our customers' capacitance needs across the full spectrum of dielectric materials including tantalum, ceramic, solid and electrolytic aluminum, film and paper. While we believe we have the most complete line of capacitor technologies across these primary capacitor types, we intend to continue to research and pursue additional capacitance technologies and solutions in order to maximize the breadth of our product offerings.

        Selectively Target Complementary Acquisitions.    We expect to continue to evaluate and pursue strategic acquisition opportunities, some of which may be significant in size, which would enable us to enhance our competitive position and expand our market presence. Our strategy is to acquire complementary capacitor and other related businesses that would allow us to leverage our business model, potentially including those involved in other passive components that are synergistic with our customers' technologies and our current product offerings.

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        Promote the KEMET Brand Globally.    We are focused on promoting the KEMET brand globally by highlighting the high-quality and high reliability of our products and our superior customer service. We will continue to market our products to new and existing customers around the world in order to expand our business. We continue to be recognized by our customers as a leading global supplier. For example, in calendar year 2010, we received the "Supplier Excellence Award" from TTI, Inc., an electronics distributor.

        Global Sales & Marketing Strategy.    Our motto "Think Global Act Local" describes our approach to sales and marketing. Each of our three sales regions (Americas, EMEA and APAC) has account managers, field application engineers and strategic marketing managers in the region. In addition, we also have local customer and quality-control support in each region. This organizational structure allows us to respond to the needs of our customers on a timely basis and in their native language. The regions are managed locally and report to a senior manager who is on the KEMET Leadership Team. Furthermore, this organizational structure ensures the efficient communication of our global goals and strategies and allows us to serve the language, cultural and other region-specific needs of our customers.

        KEMET is organized into three business groups: Tantalum, Ceramic, and Film and Electrolytic. Each business group is responsible for the operations of certain manufacturing sites as well as all related research and development efforts. The sales and marketing functions are shared by each of the business groups, the costs of which are allocated to the business groups. In addition, all corporate costs are allocated to the business groups. See Note 7, "Segment and Geographic Information" to our consolidated financial statements.

Recent Developments and Trends

        Net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 were $261.5 million, which is a 22.8% increase over the same quarter last fiscal year. Net income was $21.1 million, or $0.57 per basic share and $0.40 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 compared to net income of $0.3 million or $0.01 per basic and diluted share for the same quarter last year.

        On November 3, 2010, our shareholders approved a Reverse Stock Split of our common stock at a ratio of 1-for-3. The Reverse Stock Split became effective November 5, 2010, pursuant to a Certificate of Amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware. We had 27.1 million shares of common stock issued and outstanding immediately following the completion of the Reverse Stock Split. We are authorized in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to issue up to a total of 300.0 million shares of common stock at a $0.01 par value per share, which was unchanged by the amendment. The Reverse Stock Split did not affect the registration of the common stock under the Exchange Act or the listing of the common stock, under the symbol "KEM", although the post-split shares have a new listing with a new CUSIP number. In the Consolidated Balance Sheets, the line item "Stockholders' equity" has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented by reducing the line item "Common stock" and increasing the line item "Additional paid-in capital", with no change to Stockholders' equity in the aggregate. All share and per share computations have been retroactively adjusted for all periods presented to reflect the decrease in shares as a result of this transaction except as otherwise noted.

        On December 20, 2010, in connection with a secondary offering in which K Equity was the selling security holder, K Equity sold a portion of the Platinum Warrant representing the right to purchase 10.9 million shares of our common stock to the underwriters of the secondary offering, who exercised their full portion of the warrant in a cashless exercise, based on an exercise price of $1.05 per share and a closing price of $12.80, and received a net settlement of 10.0 million shares of our common stock. These shares were sold as part of a secondary offering and KEMET did not receive any of the proceeds from the transaction. K Equity retained the unsold portion of the warrant, representing the

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right to purchase 16.0 million shares of our common stock. In March 2011, the Company registered seven million shares subject to issuance upon the partial exercise of the remaining Platinum Warrant.

        On April 8, 2010, we reported that we had reached an agreement with three labor unions in Italy and with the regional government in Emilia Romagna, Italy to proceed with the first phase of our restructuring plan. We intend to focus on producing specialty products in Europe and the U.S. and shift standard and commodity production to lower cost regions.

        On May 5, 2010, we completed a private placement of $230.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 10.5% Senior Notes due 2018 (the "10.5% Senior Notes"). The private placement of the 10.5% Senior Notes resulted in proceeds to us of $222.2 million. We used a portion of the proceeds of the private placement to repay all of the outstanding indebtedness under our credit facility with K Financing, LLC, our EUR 60 million credit facility and EUR 35 million credit facility with UniCredit and our term loan with a subsidiary of Vishay. We used a portion of the remaining proceeds to fund a previously announced tender offer to purchase $40.5 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes (the "Convertible Notes") and to pay costs incurred in connection with the private placement, the tender offer and the foregoing repayments. We incurred $6.6 million in costs related to the execution of the offering.

        On October 26, 2010, we filed a Form S-4 to offer, in exchange for our Old Notes, up to $230.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 10.5% Senior Notes due 2018 and the guarantees thereof which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"). The Form S-4 was declared effective on December 14, 2010 and on January 13, 2011 we completed the exchange for all of the Old Notes.

        On September 30, 2010, KEMET Electronics Corporation ("KEC") and KEMET Electronics Marketing (S) Pte Ltd. ("KEMET Singapore") (each a "Borrower" and, collectively, the "Borrowers") entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the "Loan and Security Agreement"), with Bank of America, N.A, as the administrative agent and the initial lender. The Loan and Security Agreement provides a $50 million revolving line of credit, which is bifurcated into a U.S. facility (for which KEC is the Borrower) and a Singapore facility (for which KEMET Singapore is the Borrower). The size of the U.S. facility and the Singapore facility can fluctuate as long as the Singapore facility does not exceed $30 million and the total facility does not exceed $50 million. A portion of the U.S. facility and the Singapore facility can be used to issue letters of credit. The Loan and Security Agreement expires on September 30, 2014.

        As announced on June 21, 2010, our common stock was approved for listing on the NYSE Amex. Trading commenced on the NYSE Amex on June 22, 2010, under the ticker symbol "KEM" (NYSE Amex: KEM).

        On November 11, 2010, we provided written notice to the NYSE Amex that we intended to transfer our listing to the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). We voluntarily ceased trading on the NYSE Amex, with the last day of trading on the NYSE Amex being on November 12, 2010. Our common stock commenced trading on November 15, 2010, on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "KEM" (NYSE: KEM).

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        Looking out to the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, we anticipate an increase in net sales in a range of 5% to 7% when compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011. This increase is primarily due to Film and Electrolytic's machinery division while we anticipate a slight increase in our component sales. Consolidated gross margin is expected to be comparable to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

        Other than operating lease commitments, we are not a party to any material off-balance sheet financing arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, revenues, expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Critical Accounting Policies

        Our accounting policies are summarized in Note 1, "Organization and Significant Accounting Policies" to the consolidated financial statements. The following identifies a number of policies which require significant judgments and estimates, or are otherwise deemed critical to our financial statements.

        Our estimates and assumptions are based on historical data and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. In addition, they affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

        Our judgments are based on our assessment as to the effect certain estimates, assumptions, or future trends or events may have on the financial condition and results of operations reported in the consolidated financial statements. Readers should understand that actual future results could differ from these estimates, assumptions, and judgments.

        A quantitative sensitivity analysis is provided where that information is reasonably available, can be reliably estimated and provides material information to investors. The amounts used to assess sensitivity (i.e., 1%, 10%, etc.) are included to allow readers of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to understand a general cause and effect of changes in the estimates and do not represent our predictions of variability. For all of these estimates, it should be noted that future events rarely develop exactly as forecast, and estimates require regular review and adjustment. We believe the following critical accounting policies contain the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements:

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Results of Operations

        Historically, revenues and earnings may or may not be representative of future operating results due to various economic and other factors. The following table sets forth the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods indicated (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Net sales

  $ 1,018,488   $ 736,335   $ 804,385  

Operating costs and expenses:

                   
 

Cost of sales

    752,846     611,638     736,551  
 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    104,607     86,085     93,505  
 

Research and development

    25,864     22,064     28,956  
 

Restructuring charges

    7,171     9,198     30,874  
 

Goodwill Impairment

            174,327  
 

Write down of long-lived assets

        656     67,624  
 

Net gain on sales and disposals of assets

    (1,261 )   (1,003 )   (25,505 )
 

Curtailment gains on benefit plans

            (30,835 )
               
   

Operating income (loss)

    129,261     7,697     (271,112 )

Other (income) expense, net

   
63,513
   
72,108
   
17,299
 
               
   

Income (loss) before income taxes

    65,748     (64,411 )   (288,411 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

    2,704     5,036     (3,202 )
               
   

Net income (loss)

  $ 63,044   $ (69,447 ) $ (285,209 )
               

Comparison of Fiscal Year 2011 to Fiscal Year 2010

Overview:

Net sales:

        Net sales for fiscal year 2011 were $1,018.5 million, which represents a 38.3% increase from fiscal year 2010 net sales of $736.3 million. Tantalum, Ceramic and Film and Electrolytic sales increased by $142.8 million, $39.4 million and $100.0 million, respectively. Unit sales volume for fiscal year 2011 increased 12.6% as compared to fiscal year 2010. Unit sales volume and revenue were positively affected by the global economic recovery which resulted in an increase in demand for capacitors. Average selling prices increased 22.8% for fiscal year 2011 as compared to fiscal year 2010 primarily due to a positive region mix shift to the Americas and EMEA and we increased prices to offset the increase in raw material prices. Improving economic conditions led to higher sales in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2011. Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 improved to $243.8 million, a 14.5% increase over the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010, and our net sales improved to $248.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, a 2.0% increase compared to first fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2011. Similarly, our net sales further improved to $264.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, a 6.5% increase compared to the second quarter of fiscal year 2011. The fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 showed a 1.2% decrease in our net sales to $261.5 million compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2011.

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        In fiscal year 2011 and 2010, net sales by region were as follows (dollars in millions):

 
  Fiscal Year 2011    
  Fiscal Year 2010  
 
  Net Sales   % of Total    
  Net Sales   % of Total  

Americas

  $   254.1     25 %

Americas

  $   180.1     24 %

APAC

    381.7     37 %

APAC

    285.0     39 %

EMEA

    382.7     38 %

EMEA

    271.2     37 %
                           

  $   1,018.5             $   736.3        
                           

        In fiscal year 2011 and 2010, net sales by channel were as follows:

 
  Fiscal Year
2011
  Fiscal Year
2010
 

Distributors

    50 %   48 %

EMS

    14 %   15 %

OEM

    36 %   37 %

Gross Margin:

        Gross margin for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 increased to 26.1% of net sales from 16.9% of net sales in the prior fiscal year. Several factors contributed to the increase in gross margin percentage in fiscal year 2011. The primary contributor to the higher gross margin was the increase in unit sales volume and overall average selling prices. During the remainder of this restructuring effort, we expect to spend between $28 million to $33 million, primarily in our Film and Electrolytic Business Group. We expect our restructuring plan to result in a reduction in our European operating cost structure of approximately $3 million in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. We anticipate that benefits from the restructuring efforts will continue to grow during fiscal years 2013 and 2014. During fiscal year 2014, we expect to realize the full potential of the restructuring plan, achieving total annualized operational cost reductions of approximately $24 million versus fiscal year 2011.

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A"):

        SG&A expenses were $104.6 million, or 10.3% of net sales for fiscal year 2011 compared to $86.1 million, or 11.7% of net sales for fiscal year 2010. The $18.5 million increase in SG&A expenses for fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010 includes the following increases: $8.0 million in selling expenses consistent with the increase in sales, $5.1 million related to incentive accruals, $2.6 million related to marketing expenses, $1.9 million related to ERP integration costs and $1.5 million in debt and stock registration related fees in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010. These higher expenses were offset by a decrease in expenses associated with the cancellation of an incentive plan of $0.9 million which was incurred in the second quarter of fiscal year 2010 and a $1.8 million decrease in depreciation in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010.

Restructuring charges:

        During fiscal year 2011, we incurred $7.2 million in restructuring charges compared to $9.2 million in restructuring charges in fiscal year 2010. The restructuring charges in fiscal year 2011 included $6.0 million in charges for the relocation of equipment to Mexico and China as well as relocation of the European distribution center, and $1.2 million for reductions in workforce. The $1.2 million in personnel reduction costs related to the following: headcount reductions in Italy, $0.8 million; the closure of our Nantong, China plant expected to be completed in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012, $0.6 million; and $1.5 million related to the Company's initiative to reduce overhead within the Company as a whole and headcount reductions in Mexico. These personnel reduction charges were

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offset by a $1.7 million reversal of prior expenses primarily associated with the Cassia Integrazione Guadagni Straordinaria ("CIGS") plan as it was determined that only 107 employees are expected to participate in the program through October 2012. The agreements with the labor unions allowed the Company to place up to 260 workers, on a rotation basis, on the CIGS plan to save labor costs. CIGS is a temporary plan to save labor costs whereby a company may temporarily "lay off" employees while the government continues to pay their wages for a maximum of 36 months for the program. The employees who are in CIGS are not working, but are still employed by the Company. Only employees that are not classified as management or executive level personnel can participate in the CIGS program. Upon termination of the plan, the affected employees return to work.

        During fiscal year 2010, we recognized charges of $9.2 million for reductions in workforce primarily associated with a headcount reduction of 32 employees in Portugal, a headcount reduction of 57 employees in Finland, and a headcount reduction of 85 employees in Italy. There were also headcount reductions at the executive level related to our initiative to reduce overhead within the Company as a whole. In addition to the headcount reduction in Portugal, management incurred charges related to the relocation of equipment from Portugal to Mexico. Machinery not used for production in Portugal and not relocated to Mexico was disposed of and as such the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.7 million to write down the equipment to scrap value. Overall, we incurred charges of $1.6 million related to the relocation of equipment to Mexico from Portugal and various other locations. The restructuring plan includes implementing programs to make the Company more competitive, removing excess capacity, moving production to lower cost locations, and eliminating unnecessary costs throughout the Company.

Research and development:

        Research and development expenses were $25.9 million, or 2.5% of net sales for fiscal year 2011, compared to $22.1 million, or 3.0% of net sales for fiscal year 2010. The 17.2% increase resulted from increased activities to ensure that products are available to support KEMET's growth and to meet customers' needs. The growth in spending also reflects KEMET's increased focus on specialty product development which requires an increase in sampling, tooling, and testing.

Operating income:

        Operating income for fiscal year 2011 was $129.3 million compared to $7.7 million in the prior fiscal year. Increased average selling prices and volume led to a gross margin increase of $140.9 million in fiscal year 2011 as compared to fiscal year 2010. Additionally, in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010, restructuring charges were $2.0 million lower, gain on disposal of assets improved $0.2 million and write down of long lived assets improved $0.7 million. These favorable items were offset by a $22.3 million increase in operating expenses in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010.

Other (income) expense, net:

        Other (income) expense, net was $63.5 million in fiscal year 2011 compared to $72.1 million in fiscal year 2010, a decrease of $8.6 million. The improvement is primarily attributable to the Platinum Warrant no longer being marked to market in fiscal year 2011 compared to a non-cash $81.1 million charge related to the increase in value of the Platinum Warrant in fiscal year 2010. In addition, we granted a supplier of tantalum powder and wire and related materials, a non-exclusive license, with a right to sublicense, concerning certain patents and patent applications which resulted in a net gain of $2.0 million in fiscal year 2011. Also, there was a gain on foreign currency translation of $(2.9) million in fiscal year 2011 as compared to a $4.1 million loss on foreign currency translation in fiscal year 2010, primarily due to the change in the value of the Euro compared to the dollar. These items were offset by a $38.2 million non-cash loss recognized on the early extinguishment of debt in fiscal year 2011 compared to a $38.9 million non-cash gain recognized on the early extinguishment of debt in fiscal year

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2010. Also offsetting the favorable items was a $4.1 million increase in net interest expense in fiscal year 2011 compared with fiscal year 2010 primarily related to the restructuring of our debt to the 10.5% Senior Notes.

Income taxes:

        The effective income tax rate for fiscal year 2011 was 4.1%, resulting in an income tax expense of $2.7 million. This compares to an effective income tax rate of (7.8)% for fiscal year 2010 that resulted in an income tax expense of $5.0 million. The fiscal year 2011 income tax expense is primarily comprised of an income tax expense resulting from operations in certain foreign jurisdictions totaling $2.5 million and state income tax expense of $0.2 million. The $2.5 million income tax expense from foreign operations includes a $4.4 million benefit from a net decrease in the valuation allowance reserve of certain foreign subsidiaries. No federal income tax expense is recognized for the U.S. taxable income for fiscal year 2011 due to the utilization of a portion of the federal net operating loss carryforward resulting in a partial release of the valuation allowance.

Segment Review:

        The following table sets forth the operating income (loss) for each of our business segments for the fiscal years 2011 and 2010. The table also sets forth each of the segments' net sales as a percentage

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of total net sales, the net income (loss) components as a percentage of total net sales (amounts in thousands, except percentages):

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended  
 
  March 31, 2011   March 31, 2010  
 
  Amount   % to Total
Sales
  Amount   % to Total
Sales
 

Net sales

                         
 

Tantalum

  $   486,595     47.8 % $   343,797     46.7 %
 

Ceramic

    210,509     20.7 %   171,153     23.2 %
 

Film and Electrolytic

    321,384     31.6 %   221,385     30.1 %
                   
   

Total

  $   1,018,488     100.0 % $   736,335     100.0 %
                   

Gross margin

                         
 

Tantalum

  $   147,298         $   77,882        
 

Ceramic

    67,864           50,490        
 

Film and Electrolytic

    50,480           (3,675 )      
                       
   

Total

    265,642     26.1 %   124,697     16.9 %

SG&A expenses

                         
 

Tantalum

    45,275           36,948        
 

Ceramic

    23,845           19,223        
 

Film and Electrolytic

    35,487           29,914        
                       
   

Total

    104,607     10.3 %   86,085     11.7 %

R&D expenses

                         
 

Tantalum

    12,678           11,139        
 

Ceramic

    6,362           6,167        
 

Film and Electrolytic

    6,824           4,758        
                       
   

Total

    25,864     2.5 %   22,064     3.0 %

Restructuring charges

                         
 

Tantalum

    864           1,941        
 

Ceramic

    444           543        
 

Film and Electrolytic

    5,863           6,714        
                       
   

Total

    7,171     0.7 %   9,198     1.2 %

Write down of long-lived assets

                         
 

Tantalum

              656        
                       
   

Total

            656     0.0 %

(Gain) loss on sales and disposals of assets

                         
 

Tantalum

    25           (1,226 )      
 

Ceramic

    (1,578 )         183        
 

Film and Electrolytic

    292           40        
                       
   

Total

    (1,261 )   (0.1 )%   (1,003 )   (0.1 )%

Operating income (loss)

                         
 

Tantalum

    88,456           28,424        
 

Ceramic

    38,791           24,374        
 

Film and Electrolytic

    2,014           (45,101 )      
                       
   

Total

    129,261     12.7 %   7,697     1.0 %

Other (income) expense, net

   
63,513
   
6.2

%
 
72,108
   
9.8

%
                       

Income (loss) before income taxes

    65,748     6.5 %   (64,411 )   (8.7 )%

Income tax expense

    2,704     0.3 %   5,036     0.7 %
                       

Net income (loss)

  $   63,044     6.2 % $   (69,447 )   (9.4 )%
                       

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Tantalum

        The table sets forth Net sales, Gross margin, Gross margin as a percentage of net sales, Operating income and Operating income as a percentage of net sales for our Tantalum business group for the fiscal years 2011 and 2010 (amounts in thousands, except percentages):

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended  
 
  March 31, 2011   March 31, 2010  
 
  Amount   % to
Net Sales
  Amount   % to
Net Sales
 

Net sales

  $ 486,595         $ 343,797        

Gross margin

    147,298     30.3 %   77,882     22.7 %

Operating income

    88,456     18.2 %   28,424     8.3 %

        Net sales—Net sales increased $142.8 million or 41.5% during fiscal year 2011, as compared to fiscal year 2010. Unit sales volume for fiscal year 2011 increased 11.5% as compared to fiscal year 2010. Average selling prices increased 26.9% in fiscal year 2011 as compared to fiscal year 2010. The increase in revenue was primarily driven by an increase in regional unit sales volumes in the Americas and EMEA as shown in the following table:

 
  Unit Sales
Volumes
as a % of
Total Unit
Sales
   
 
 
  Change in
Units Sold
 
 
  2011   2010  

Americas

    20.6 %   16.4 %   40.0 %

EMEA

    27.8 %   25.4 %   21.8 %

APAC

    51.6 %   58.1 %   (1.1 )%

        Gross Margin—Gross margin increased $69.4 million during fiscal year 2011 as compared to fiscal year 2010. The primary contributors to the higher gross margin percentage were the increase in unit sales volume and average selling prices.

        Operating income—Operating income for fiscal year 2011 was $88.5 million as compared to an operating income of $28.4 million for fiscal year 2010. Operating income was favorably impacted by a $69.4 million increase in gross margin, a $1.1 million decrease in restructuring costs, and a $0.7 million reduction in the write down of long-lived assets in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010. These improvements were offset by a $9.9 million increase in operating expenses in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010 as well as a decrease of $1.3 million primarily related to the receipt of $1.5 million in fiscal year 2011 that was held in escrow related to the fiscal year 2010 sale of wet tantalum capacitors .

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Ceramic

        The table sets forth Net sales, Gross margin, Gross margin as a percentage of net sales, Operating income and Operating income as a percentage of net sales for our Ceramic business group for the fiscal years 2011 and 2010 (amounts in thousands, except percentages):

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended  
 
  March 31, 2011   March 31, 2010  
 
  Amount   % to
Net Sales
  Amount   % to
Net Sales
 

Net sales

  $ 210,509         $ 171,153        

Gross margin

    67,864     32.2 %   50,490     29.5 %

Operating income

    38,791     18.4 %   24,374     14.2 %

        Net sales—Net sales increased $39.4 million or 23.0% during fiscal year 2011, as compared to fiscal year 2010. The increase was primarily attributable to higher unit sales volumes and average selling prices. Unit sales volume increased 12.2% during fiscal year 2011, as compared to fiscal year 2010 due to strong market demand across all regions. Average selling prices increased 9.2% due primarily to region mix improvements over fiscal year 2010. The increase in revenue was primarily driven by an increase in regional unit sales volume in EMEA and Americas as shown in the following table:

 
  Unit Sales
Volumes
as a % of
Total Unit
Sales
   
 
 
  Change in
Units Sold
 
 
  2011   2010  

Americas

    32.1 %   33.1 %   8.6 %

EMEA

    34.3 %   27.3 %   41.2 %

APAC

    33.5 %   39.6 %   (5.2 )%

        Gross Margin—Gross margin increased $17.4 million during fiscal year 2011 as compared to fiscal year 2010. The improvement in gross margin can be attributed primarily to higher unit sales volume and higher average selling prices.

        Operating income—Operating income improved to $38.8 million in fiscal year 2011 from $24.4 million during fiscal year 2010. The $14.4 million increase in operating income was attributable to the $17.4 million increase in gross margin as well as the gain on sales and disposals of assets of $1.6 million related to the sale of an idle U.S. facility in fiscal year 2011 compared to the $0.2 million loss on sales and disposals of assets in fiscal year 2010. These improvements were offset by a $4.8 million increase in operating expenses during fiscal year 2011 as compared to fiscal year 2010.

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Table of Contents

Film and Electrolytic

        The table sets forth Net sales, Gross margin, Gross margin as a percentage of net sales, Operating income (loss) and Operating income (loss) as a percentage of net sales for our Tantalum business group for the fiscal years 2011 and 2010 (amounts in thousands, except percentages):

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended  
 
  March 31, 2011   March 31, 2010  
 
  Amount   % to Net
Sales
  Amount   % to Net
Sales
 

Net sales

  $ 321,384         $ 221,385        

Gross margin

    50,480     15.7 %   (3,675 )   (1.7 )%

Operating income (loss)

    2,014     0.6 %   (45,101 )   (20.4 )%

        Net sales—Net sales increased by $100.0 million or 45.2% in fiscal year 2011, as compared to fiscal year 2010. Unit sales volume for the fiscal year 2011 increased 27.6% as compared to fiscal year 2010. Average selling prices increased 13.8% for fiscal year 2011 as compared to fiscal year 2010. The net sales increase relates to an increase in the automotive and industrial customer base across all regions, particularly by EMEA and APAC. Our increase in average selling prices was partially attributed to our effort to expand into alternative and energy saving products.

        Gross Margin—Gross margin increased $54.2 million during fiscal year 2011 as compared to fiscal year 2010. The increase was due to both improved average selling prices across all regions and product lines and increased unit sales volume. The manufacturing restructuring plan is ongoing with benefits expected beginning in fiscal year 2012.

        Operating income (loss)—Operating income was $2.0 million in fiscal year 2011, compared to a $45.1 million operating loss in fiscal year 2010. The improvement in operating income of $47.8 million was attributable primarily to the $54.9 million improvement in gross margin as well as the $0.9 million decrease in restructuring charges. These increases were offset by a $7.6 million increase in operating expenses and a $0.3 million increase in loss on sales and disposals of assets.

Comparison of Fiscal Year 2010 to Fiscal Year 2009

Overview:

Net sales:

        Net sales for fiscal year 2010 were $736.3 million, which represented an 8.5% decrease from fiscal year 2009 net sales of $804.4 million. Film and Electrolytic sales decreased $40.4 million while Tantalum and Ceramic sales decreased by $22.9 million and $4.8 million, respectively. Unit sales volume for fiscal year 2010 decreased 18.8% as compared to fiscal year 2009. Unit sales volume and revenue were negatively affected by the global economic downturn that adversely impacted all regions as well as the weak automotive market, a decline in the DC Film product line due to lower demand in the consumer, lighting, and automotive industries and a softening in the High Capacitance Value ("Hi-CV") market in Asia. Average selling prices increased 10.8% for fiscal year 2010 as compared to fiscal year 2009 primarily due to a positive product mix shift to polymer products for Tantalum. This increase was partially offset by an unfavorable product mix shift in Film and Electrolytic as our most significant sales decrease occurred with industrial customers who purchase our highest technology products that typically have the highest average selling price. Improving economic conditions led to higher sales in each of the quarters following the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009 when the impact of the economic downturn had its most adverse affect on our sales and net sales declined to $136.0 million. Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 improved to $150.2 million, a 10.4% increase over the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009, and our net sales improved to $173.3 million

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in the second quarter of fiscal year 2010, a 15.4% increase compared to first fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2010. Similarly, our net sales further improved to $199.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2010, a 15.3% increase compared to the second quarter of fiscal year 2010, and our net sales improved to $213.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010, a 6.5% increase compared to the third fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2010.

        By region, 24% of net sales for the year ended March 31, 2010 were to customers in the Americas, 39% were to customers in APAC, and 37% were to customers in EMEA. For the year ended March 31, 2009, 25% of net sales were to customers in the Americas, 35% were to customers in APAC, and 40% were to customers in EMEA.

        By channel, 48% of net sales for the year ended March 31, 2010, were to distribution customers, 15% were to EMS customers, and 37% were to OEM customers. For the year ended March 31, 2009, 47% of net sales were to distribution customers, 20% were to EMS customers, and 33% were to OEM customers.

Gross Margin:

        Gross margin for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 increased to 16.9% of net sales from 8.4% of net sales in the prior year. Several factors contributed to the increase in gross margin percentage in fiscal year 2010. Cost savings from several cost reduction plans that were initiated throughout fiscal year 2009 were partially responsible for the improvement. In fiscal year 2009, we incurred costs in conjunction with the relocation and start up of equipment in China and a $7.5 million lower of cost or market charge to adjust Ceramic Hi-CV inventory to its net realizable value. In addition, there was an overall increase in average selling prices which contributed to the increase in gross margin. These improvements were offset by the negative gross margin in Film and Electrolytic.

Selling, general and administrative expenses:

        SG&A expenses were $86.1 million, or 11.7% of net sales for fiscal year 2010 compared to $93.5 million, or 11.6% of net sales for fiscal year 2009. The $7.4 million decrease in SG&A expenses for fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009 includes a decrease of $5.9 million in selling expenses primarily attributable to cost reductions resulting from our reduction in workforce, a 10% wage reduction for all salaried employees effective January 1, 2009 (where possible) and the temporary suspension of the match in our U.S. defined contribution retirement plan, reducing it from 6% to 0%. Effective August 1, 2009, we reactivated our U.S. defined contribution retirement plan match, and in Mexico and China we retracted the 10% wage reduction. Effective October 1, 2009, we also retracted our 10% wage reduction in the U.S. In addition, during fiscal year 2010, costs related to integrating our acquisitions were $5.2 million lower, bad debt expense was $1.3 million lower and pension charges were $2.8 million lower. In addition, we reduced redundant administrative expenses primarily within Film and Electrolytic and reduced legal expenses. The reduction in these costs was offset by an increase of $10.0 million related to incentive accruals, information systems, and depreciation.

Restructuring charges:

        During fiscal year 2010, we recognized charges of $9.2 million for reductions in workforce primarily associated with a headcount reduction of 32 employees in Portugal, a headcount reduction of 57 employees in Finland, and a headcount reduction of 85 employees in Italy. There were also headcount reductions at the executive level related to our initiative to reduce overhead within the Company as a whole. In addition to the headcount reduction in Portugal, management incurred charges related to the relocation of equipment from Portugal to Mexico. Machinery not used for production in Portugal and not relocated to Mexico was disposed of and, as such, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.7 million to write down the equipment to scrap value. Overall, we incurred

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charges of $1.6 million related to the relocation of equipment to Mexico from Portugal and various other locations. The restructuring plan includes implementing programs to make the Company more competitive, removing excess capacity, moving production to lower cost locations, and eliminating unnecessary costs throughout the Company. During fiscal year 2009, we recognized charges of $30.9 million for reductions in workforce worldwide related to three cost reduction plans. We recognized charges of $4.9 million primarily for reductions in workforce in Film and Electrolytic. We recognized charges of $3.5 million related primarily to the reduction of approximately 1,500 manufacturing positions representing approximately 14% of our workforce. We recognized charges of $16.1 million related to the rationalization of corporate staff and manufacturing support functions in the U.S., Europe, Mexico, and Asia. Approximately 640 employees were affected by this action. Additionally, during fiscal year 2009, we incurred expenses of $5.5 million for the relocation of equipment.

Goodwill Impairment and Write Down of Long-Lived Assets:

        We tested goodwill for impairment during the first and second quarters of fiscal year 2009. Due to reduced earnings and cash flows caused by macro-economic factors, excess capacity issues and delays in integrating recently acquired businesses, we reduced our earnings forecast in conjunction with such testing. As a result, our impairment testing for fiscal year 2009 led to a $174.3 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge to write off all of the carrying value of our goodwill. We determined the business enterprise fair value by using both an income approach and a market approach. Film and Electrolytic recorded a $137.5 million impairment charge, Tantalum recorded a $24.4 million impairment charge, and Ceramic recorded a $12.4 million impairment charge.

        In addition, and partially as a result of the goodwill impairment testing, Ceramic recorded a $5.3 million impairment charge to write off all of its other intangible assets and recorded a $58.6 million impairment charge to write down its long-lived assets. Also, we closed a research and development facility located in Heidenheim, Germany that served Tantalum. As part of this closure, we abandoned certain long-lived assets and incurred $1.2 million in impairment charges related to the abandonment.

        In fiscal year 2010, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.7 million to write down equipment that was not being used in Portugal to scrap value.

Research and development:

        Research and development expenses were $22.1 million, or 3.0% of net sales for fiscal year 2010, compared to $29.0 million, or 3.6% of net sales for fiscal year 2009. The 23.8% decrease resulted from savings from our reduction in workforce, a 10% wage reduction for all salaried employees effective January 1, 2009 (where possible) and the temporary suspension of the match in our U.S. defined contribution retirement plan, reducing it from 6% to 0%.

Operating income (loss):

        Operating income for the fiscal year 2010 was $7.7 million compared to an operating loss of $271.1 million in the prior fiscal year. In fiscal year 2009, we incurred non-cash charges of $242.0 million for goodwill impairment and the write down of long-lived assets compared to $0.7 million in fiscal year 2010. Increased average selling prices and decreased costs led to a gross margin increase of $56.9 million in fiscal year 2010 as compared to fiscal year 2009. Additionally, operating expenses were $14.3 million lower than in fiscal year 2009 and restructuring charges were $21.7 million lower than fiscal year 2009. These favorable items were partially offset by a decrease in gains on the sales and disposals of assets of $24.5 million in fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2010 and curtailment gains on benefit plans of $30.8 million in fiscal year 2009.

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Table of Contents

Other (income) expense, net:

        Other (income) expense, net was $72.1 million in fiscal year 2010 compared to $17.3 million in fiscal year 2009, an increase of $54.8 million. The increase in expense primarily related to an $81.1 million increase in value of the Platinum Warrant, an increase of $18.2 million in foreign currency translation losses and a $0.4 million decrease in interest income. These increases in expense and decrease in income were partially offset by a $3.8 million decrease in interest expense and a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $38.9 million in fiscal year 2010 compared to a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $2.2 million in fiscal year 2009.

Income taxes:

        The effective income tax rate for fiscal year 2010 was (7.8)%, resulting in an income tax expense of $5.0 million. This compares to an effective income tax rate of 1.1% for fiscal year 2009 that resulted in an income tax benefit of $3.2 million. The fiscal year 2010 income tax expense is primarily comprised of an income tax expense resulting from operations in certain foreign jurisdictions totaling $4.1 million. The $4.1 million income tax expense from foreign operations includes a $2.8 million increase in the valuation allowance reserve of a subsidiary operating in Italy. In addition, there is a $1.0 million state income tax expense, primarily due to the gain on the early extinguishment of debt. No federal income tax expense is recognized for the U.S. taxable income for fiscal year 2010 due to the utilization of a portion of the federal net operating loss carryforward resulting in a partial release of the valuation allowance. Future fluctuations in the valuation allowance are expected to result in an income tax rate below the 30% to 36% historical average.

Segment Review:

        The following table sets forth the operating income (loss) for each of our business segments for the fiscal years 2010 and 2009 respectively. The table also sets forth each of the segments' net sales as

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Table of Contents


a percentage of total net sales, the net income (loss) components as a percentage of total net sales(amounts in thousands, except percentages):

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended  
 
  March 31, 2010   March 31, 2009  
 
  Amount   % to Total
Sales
  Amount   % to Total
Sales
 

Net sales

                         
 

Tantalum

  $ 343,797     46.7 % $ 366,675     45.6 %
 

Ceramic

    171,153     23.2 %   175,916     21.9 %
 

Film and Electrolytic

    221,385     30.1 %   261,794     32.5 %
                   
   

Total

  $ 736,335     100.0 % $ 804,385     100.0 %
                   

Gross margin

                         
 

Tantalum

  $ 77,882         $ 52,709        
 

Ceramic

    50,490           9,874        
 

Film and Electrolytic

    (3,675 )         5,251        
                       
   

Total

    124,697     16.9 %   67,834     8.4 %

SG&A expenses

                         
 

Tantalum

    36,948           37,062        
 

Ceramic

    19,223           21,803        
 

Film and Electrolytic

    29,914           34,640        
                       
   

Total

    86,085     11.7 %   93,505     11.6 %

R&D expenses

                         
 

Tantalum

    11,139           13,999        
 

Ceramic

    6,167           8,291        
 

Film and Electrolytic

    4,758           6,666        
                       
   

Total

    22,064     3.0 %   28,956     3.6 %

Restructuring charges

                         
 

Tantalum

    1,941           11,388        
 

Ceramic

    543           7,143        
 

Film and Electrolytic

    6,714           12,343        
                       
   

Total

    9,198     1.2 %   30,874     3.8 %

Goodwill impairment charges

                         
 

Tantalum

              24,378        
 

Ceramic

              12,418        
 

Film and Electrolytic

              137,531        
                       
   

Total

            174,327     21.7 %

Write down of long-lived assets

                         
 

Tantalum

    656           1,855        
 

Ceramic

              65,769        
                       
   

Total

    656     0.1 %   67,624     8.4 %

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Table of Contents

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended  
 
  March 31, 2010   March 31, 2009  
 
  Amount   % to Total
Sales
  Amount   % to Total
Sales
 

(Gain) loss on sales and disposals of assets

                         
 

Tantalum

    (1,226 )         (26,435 )      
 

Ceramic

    183           1,123        
 

Film and Electrolytic

    40           (193 )      
                       
   

Total

    (1,003 )   (0.1 )%   (25,505 )   (3.2 )%

Curtailment gain on benefit plans

                         
 

Tantalum

            (22,856 )      
 

Ceramic

            (7,979 )      
 

Film and Electrolytic

                   
                       
   

Total

            (30,835 )   (3.8 )%

Operating income (loss)

                         
 

Tantalum

    28,424           13,318        
 

Ceramic

    24,374           (98,694 )      
 

Film and Electrolytic

    (45,101 )         (185,736 )      
                       
   

Total

    7,697     1.0 %   (271,112 )   (33.7 )%

Other expense, net

   
72,108
   
9.8

%
 
17,299
   
2.2

%
                       

Loss before income taxes

    (64,411 )   (8.7 )%   (288,411 )   (35.9 )%

Income tax expense (benefit)

    5,036     0.7 %   (3,202 )   (0.4 )%
                       

Net loss

  $ (69,447 )   (9.4 )% $ (285,209 )   (35.5 )%
                       

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Table of Contents

Tantalum

        The table sets forth Net sales, Gross margin, Gross margin as a percentage of net sales, Operating income and Operating income as a percentage of net sales for our Tantalum business group for the fiscal years 2011 and 2010 (amounts in thousands, except percentages):

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended  
 
  March 31, 2010   March 31, 2009  
 
  Amount   % to Net
Sales
  Amount   % to Net
Sales
 

Net sales

  $ 343,797         $ 366,675        

Gross margin

    77,882     22.7 %   52,709     14.4 %

Operating income

    28,424     8.3 %   13,318     3.6 %

        Net sales—Net sales decreased $22.9 million or 6.2% during fiscal year 2010, as compared to fiscal year 2009. Unit sales volume for fiscal year 2010 decreased 18.2% as compared to fiscal year 2009. Unit sales volume and revenue were negatively affected by the global economic downturn that adversely impacted all regions as well as the weak automotive market in the U.S. and Europe. Average selling prices increased 14.6% for fiscal year 2010 as compared to fiscal year 2009 due to a favorable product mix shift to polymer products. Volumes for Tantalum products continued to be very strong in Asia, where sales represented 47.9% of total tantalum revenue.

        Gross Margin—Gross margin increased $25.2 million during fiscal year 2010 as compared to fiscal year 2009. The primary contributors to the higher gross margin percentage were the cost savings initiated throughout fiscal year 2009 through reductions in headcount and other manufacturing expenses, which were realized in fiscal year 2010. Additionally, there was an increase in sales of higher margin polymer and specialty products which contributed to the increase in gross margin percentage.

        Operating income—Operating income for fiscal year 2010 was $28.4 million as compared to an operating income of $13.3 million for fiscal year 2009. Operating income was favorably impacted by a $25.2 million increase in gross margin, a $9.4 million decrease in restructuring costs, no charges for goodwill impairment in fiscal year 2010 compared to charges of $24.4 million in fiscal year 2009, a reduction of $1.2 million in the write down of long-lived assets in fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009, the reduction in operating expenses of $3.0 million related to the closure of a research and development facility located in Heidenheim, Germany, and company-wide restructuring efforts. Offsets to the gains were a decrease of $25.2 million in gains on the sales and disposals of assets and a decrease of $22.9 million in curtailment gains on benefit plans.

Ceramic

        The table sets forth Net sales, Gross margin, Gross margin as a percentage of net sales, Operating income (loss) and Operating income (loss) as a percentage of net sales for our Ceramic business group for the fiscal years 2011 and 2010 (amounts in thousands, except percentages):

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended  
 
  March 31, 2010   March 31, 2009  
 
  Amount   % to Net
Sales
  Amount   % to Net
Sales
 

Net sales

  $ 171,153         $ 175,916        

Gross margin

    50,490     29.5 %   9,874     5.6 %

Operating income (loss)

    24,374     14.2 %   (98,694 )   (56.1 )%

        Net sales—Net sales decreased $4.8 million or 2.7% during fiscal year 2010, as compared to fiscal year 2009. The decrease was attributable to lower volumes. Volumes decreased 2.8% during fiscal year

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2010, as compared to fiscal year 2009 due primarily to the lingering effects of the global economic downturn as well as softening in the Hi-CV market in Asia and a weakening of the automotive markets in the U.S. and Europe. Average selling prices in fiscal year 2010 increased 1% compared to fiscal year 2009.

        Gross Margin—Gross margin increased $40.6 million during fiscal year 2010 as compared to fiscal year 2009. A significant contributor to the lower gross margin in fiscal year 2009 was a $7.5 million lower-of-cost-or-market charge to adjust Hi-CV inventory to its net realizable value. Price decreases in Hi-CV products in Asia caused the net realizable value of the inventory to fall below its carrying value. Additionally, we continue to improve our gross margin through cost reductions, product and region mix improvements and improvements in production efficiencies.

        Operating income (loss)—Operating income improved from a loss of $98.7 million during fiscal year 2009 to an operating income of $24.4 million during fiscal year 2010. The increase in operating income of $123.1 million was attributable to the $40.6 million increase in gross margin as well as the absence in fiscal year 2010 of charges for goodwill impairment and the write down of long-lived assets compared to charges of $78.2 million in fiscal year 2009. In addition, compared to fiscal year 2009, restructuring charges decreased by $6.6 million, operating expenses decreased $4.7 million, and loss on sales and disposals of assets decreased $0.9 million in fiscal year 2010.

Film and Electrolytic

        The table sets forth Net sales, Gross margin, Gross margin as a percentage of net sales, Operating loss and Operating loss as a percentage of net sales for our Film and Electrolytic business group for the fiscal years 2011 and 2010

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended  
 
  March 31, 2010   March 31, 2009  
 
  Amount   % to Net
Sales
  Amount   % to Net
Sales
 

Net sales

  $ 221,385         $ 261,794        

Gross margin

    (3,675 )   (1.7 )%   5,251     2.0 %

Operating (loss)

    (45,101 )   (20.4 )%   (185,736 )   (70.9 )%

        Net sales—Net sales decreased by $40.4 million or 15.4% in fiscal year 2010, as compared to fiscal year 2009. Unit sales volume for the fiscal year 2010 decreased 19.1% as compared to fiscal year 2009. Average selling prices decreased 2.0% for fiscal year 2010 as compared to fiscal year 2009. Sales volumes declined in the DC Film product line due to lower demand in the consumer, lighting, and automotive industries. The average sales price decreased due to a mix shift in Film and Electrolytic as our most significant sales decrease occurred with industrial customers who purchase our highest technology products that typically have the highest average selling price.

        Gross Margin—Gross margin decreased $8.9 million during fiscal year 2010 as compared to fiscal year 2009. The primary contributors to the lower gross margin percent were the decline in volume and average selling prices mentioned above. The lower sales levels were not sufficient to cover fixed costs; and therefore, gross margin declined by $8.9 million in fiscal year 2010 as compared to fiscal year 2009. In fiscal year 2010, we initiated a restructuring plan primarily designed to improve the operating results of Film and Electrolytic. We anticipate the plan will be completed in the second half of fiscal year 2014.

        Operating loss—Operating loss was $45.1 million in fiscal year 2010, compared to an operating loss of $185.7 million in fiscal year 2009. The improvement in operating loss of $140.6 million was attributable primarily to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $137.5 million taken in fiscal year

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2009. Additionally, operating expenses decreased $6.6 million and restructuring charges decreased $5.6 million in fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009. Offsetting these items was a decrease of $8.9 million in gross margin in fiscal year 2010, compared to fiscal year 2009, and no losses on the sales and disposals of assets in fiscal year 2010 compared to a loss on sales and disposals of assets of $0.2 million in fiscal year 2009.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Our liquidity needs arise from working capital requirements, acquisitions, capital expenditures, principal and interest payments on debt, and costs associated with the implementation of our restructuring plan. Historically, these cash needs have been met by cash flows from operations, borrowings under credit agreements and existing cash balances.

Issuance of 10.5% Senior Notes

        On May 5, 2010, we completed a private placement of $230.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 10.5% Senior Notes due 2018 (the "10.5% Senior Notes") to several Initial Purchasers (the "Initial Purchasers") represented by Banc of America Securities LLC pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Initial Purchasers subsequently sold the 10.5% Senior Notes to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to persons outside of the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

        The private placement of the 10.5% Senior Notes resulted in proceeds to us of $222.2 million. We used a portion of the proceeds of the private placement to repay all of the outstanding indebtedness under our credit facility with K Financing, LLC, our EUR 60 million credit facility and EUR 35 million credit facility with UniCredit and our term loan with a subsidiary of Vishay. We used a portion of the remaining proceeds to fund a previously announced tender offer to purchase $40.5 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes (the "Convertible Notes") and to pay costs incurred in connection with the private placement, the tender offer and the foregoing repayments. We incurred approximately $6.6 million in costs related to the execution of the offering, and these costs are capitalized and will be amortized over the term of the 10.5% Senior Notes.

        The 10.5% Senior Notes were issued pursuant to a 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture, dated as of May 5, 2010, by and among us, our domestic restricted subsidiaries (the "Guarantors") and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The 10.5% Senior Notes will mature on May 1, 2018, and bear interest at a stated rate of 10.5% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2010. The 10.5% Senior Notes are our senior obligations and are guaranteed by each of the Guarantors and secured by a first priority lien on 51% of the capital stock of certain of our foreign restricted subsidiaries.

        The terms of the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to (i) incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends on, or make distributions in respect of, our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock; (iii) make certain investments or other restricted payments; (iv) sell certain assets; (v) create liens or use assets as security in other transactions; (vi) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (vii) merge, consolidate or transfer or dispose of substantially all assets; (viii) engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and (ix) designate subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions that are described in the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture.

        The 10.5% Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time on or after May 1, 2014, at the redemption prices specified in the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture. At any time prior to May 1, 2013, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 10.5% Senior Notes with the

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net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 110.5% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. In addition, at any time prior to May 1, 2014, we may redeem the 10.5% Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 10.5% Senior Notes so redeemed, plus a "make whole" premium and together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.

        Upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event specified in the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture, we must offer to purchase the 10.5% Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase.

        The 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include nonpayment, breach of covenants in the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture, payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness, a failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. The 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture also provides for events of default with respect to the collateral, which include default in the performance of (or repudiation, disaffirmation or judgment of unenforceability or assertion of unenforceability) by us or a Guarantor with respect to the provision of security documents under the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture. These events of default are subject to a number of important qualifications, limitations and exceptions that are described in the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture. Generally, if an event of default occurs, the Trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding 10.5% Senior Notes may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest, including additional interest, on all the 10.5% Senior Notes to be due and payable.

        On May 17, 2010, we consummated a tender offer to purchase $40.5 million in aggregate principal amount of our Convertible Notes. We used $37.9 million from the bond offering discussed above to extinguish the tendered notes. We incurred approximately $0.2 million in costs related to the execution of this tender offer, and these costs were included in the line item "(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Registration Rights Agreement

        On May 5, 2010, in connection with the private placement of the 10.5% Senior Notes, we, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers of the 10.5% Senior Notes entered into the Registration Rights Agreement. The terms of the Registration Rights Agreement require the Company and the Guarantors to (i) use our commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 210 days after the date of the initial issuance of the 10.5% Senior Notes, a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange the 10.5% Senior Notes for a new issue of debt securities registered under the Securities Act, with terms substantially identical to those of the 10.5% Senior Notes (except for provisions relating to the transfer restrictions and payment of additional interest); (ii) use our commercially reasonable efforts to consummate such exchange offer within 270 days after the date of the initial issuance of the 10.5% Senior Notes; and (iii) in certain circumstances, file a shelf registration statement for the resale of the 10.5% Senior Notes. On October 26, 2010, we filed a Form S-4 to offer, in exchange for our Old Notes, up to $230.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 10.5% Senior Notes due 2018 and the guarantees thereof which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Form S-4 was declared effective on December 14, 2010, and on January 13, 2011, we completed the exchange for all of the Old Notes.

        The foregoing description of the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture and Registration Rights Agreement.

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Revolving Line of Credit

        On September 30, 2010, KEMET Electronics Corporation ("KEC") and KEMET Electronics Marketing (S) Pte Ltd. ("KEMET Singapore") (each a "Borrower" and, collectively, the "Borrowers") entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the "Loan and Security Agreement"), with Bank of America, N.A, as the administrative agent and the initial lender. The Loan and Security Agreement provides a $50 million revolving line of credit, which is bifurcated into a U.S. facility (for which KEC is the Borrower) and a Singapore facility (for which KEMET Singapore is the Borrower). The size of the U.S. facility and the Singapore facility can fluctuate as long as the Singapore facility does not exceed $30 million and the total facility does not exceed $50 million. A portion of the U.S. facility and the Singapore facility can be used to issue letters of credit. The Loan and Security Agreement expires on September 30, 2014.

        Revolving loans may be used to pay fees and transaction expenses associated with the closing of the credit facilities, to pay obligations outstanding under the Loan and Security Agreement and for working capital and other lawful corporate purposes of KEC and KEMET Singapore. Borrowings under the U.S. and Singapore facilities are subject to a borrowing base. The borrowing base consists of:

        Interest is payable on borrowings monthly at a rate equal to the London Interbank Offer Rate ("LIBOR") or the base rate, plus an applicable margin, as selected by the Borrower. Depending upon the fixed charge coverage ratio of KEMET Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of the latest test date, the applicable margin under the U.S. facility varies between 3.00% and 3.50% for LIBOR advances and 2.00% and 2.50% for base rate advances, and under the Singapore facility varies between 3.25% and 3.75% for LIBOR advances and 2.25% and 2.75% for base rate advances.

        The base rate is subject to a floor that is 100 basis points above LIBOR.

        An unused line fee is payable monthly in an amount equal to 0.75% per annum of the average daily unused portion of the facilities during any month; provided, that such percentage rate is reduced to (a) 0.50% per annum for any month in which the average daily balance of the facilities is greater than 33.3% of the total revolving commitment and less than 66.6% of the total revolving commitment, and (b) 0.375% per annum for any month in which the average daily balance of the facilities is greater than or equal to 66.6% of the total revolving commitment. A customary fee is also payable to the administrative agent on a quarterly basis.

        KEC's ability to draw funds under the U.S. facility and KEMET Singapore's ability to draw funds under the Singapore facility are conditioned upon, among other matters:

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        The parent corporation of KEC—KEMET Corporation—and the Guarantors guarantee the U.S. facility obligations and the U.S. facility obligations are secured by a lien on substantially all of the assets of KEC and the Guarantors (other than assets that secure the 10.5% Senior Notes). The collection accounts of the Borrowers and Guarantors are subject to a daily sweep into a concentration account and the concentration account will become subject to full cash dominion in favor of the administrative agent (i) upon an event of default, (ii) if for five consecutive business days, aggregate availability of all facilities has been less than the greater of (A) 15% of the aggregate revolver commitments at such time and (B) $7.5 million, or (iii) if for five consecutive business days, availability of the U.S. facility has been less than $3.75 million (each such event, a "Cash Dominion Trigger Event").

        KEC and the Guarantors guarantee the Singapore facility obligations. In addition to the assets that secure the U.S. facility, the Singapore obligations are also secured by a pledge of 100% of the stock of KEMET Singapore and a security interest in substantially all of KEMET Singapore's assets. As required by the Loan and Security Agreement, KEMET Singapore's bank accounts were transferred over to Bank of America and upon a Cash Dominion Trigger Event (as defined in the Loan and Security Agreement) will become subject to full cash dominion in favor of the administrative agent.

        A fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.1:1.0 must be maintained as of the last day of each fiscal quarter ending immediately prior to or during any period in which any of the following occurs and is continuing until none of the following occurs for a period of at least forty-five consecutive days: (i) an event of default, (ii) aggregate availability of all facilities has been less than the greater of (A) 15% of the aggregate revolver commitments at such time and (B) $7.5 million, or (iii) availability of the U.S. facility has been less than $3.75 million. The fixed charge coverage ratio tests the EBITDA and fixed charges of KEMET Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

        In addition, the Loan and Security Agreement includes negative covenants that, subject to exceptions, limit the ability of KEMET Corporation and its direct and indirect subsidiaries to, among other things:

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        The Loan and Security Agreement includes certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants and events of default, which are set forth in more detail in the Loan and Security Agreement.

        As of March 31, 2011, there were no borrowings against the Loan and Security Agreement.

Short Term Liquidity

        Based on our current operating plans management believes that cash generated from operations will be sufficient to cover our operating requirements for the next twelve months, including $43.7 million in principal and $25.2 million interest payments and expected capital expenditures in the range of $50 million to $60 million.

        Our cash and cash equivalents increased by $72.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2011, and $40.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2010 and decreased by $42.2 million for the year ended March 31, 2009 as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Cash provided by operating activities

  $ 113,968   $ 54,620   $ 5,725  

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    (29,564 )   (11,421 )   7,229  

Cash used in financing activities

    (13,338 )   (2,912 )   (53,495 )

Effects of foreign currency fluctuations on cash

    1,786     (292 )   (1,638 )
               
 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  $ 72,852   $ 39,995   $ (42,179 )
               

Fiscal Year 2011 compared to Fiscal Year 2010

        Cash flows from operations were $114.0 million which was an improvement of $59.3 million in fiscal year 2011 as compared to fiscal year 2010. The improvement is primarily a result of $119.7 million increase related to operations (net income adjusted for: the loss on early extinguishment of debt, depreciation and amortization, amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs, write down of long-lived assets and stock-based compensation) for fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010. In addition, we generated $18.6 million by increasing our operating liabilities (primarily our accrued expenses) in fiscal year 2011 compared to $5.9 million in fiscal year 2010. Offsetting these increases was a $48.8 million increase in inventories in fiscal year 2011 compared to a decrease in inventories of $7.2 million in fiscal year 2010. In fiscal year 2011, raw material inventories increased $14.0 million primarily due to price increases in raw materials as well as an increase in the volume of raw material purchases. The increase in raw material quantities was driven by increased sales levels and accelerated purchases of raw materials that were expected to increase in price. Work in process and finished goods increased $37.5 million as a result of the increase in sales and demand for our products and an increase in raw material prices. In addition in fiscal year 2010 we increased accounts payable through the negotiation of better terms by $26.6 million compared to only $9.6 million in fiscal year 2011.

        Cash used in investing activities increased $18.1 million in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010 due primarily to a $22.1 million increase in capital expenditures. The capital expenditure amount for fiscal year 2011 included EUR 2.1 million ($2.9 million) for the acquisition of land in Italy to be used as the site for a new manufacturing facility in order to consolidate our Italian operations. The

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remaining purchase price for the land in Italy will be paid in seven equal annual payments of EUR 489 thousand ($694 thousand) beginning on April 28, 2013. The remainder of the increase in capital expenditures is primarily due to machinery and equipment purchases to increase capacity, to assist in new product development and improve product quality. Capital expenditures were offset by $5.4 million in proceeds from the sale of assets in fiscal year 2011 compared to $1.5 million in proceeds from the disposal of assets in fiscal year 2010.

        Cash used in financing activities was $13.3 million in fiscal year 2011 as compared to $2.9 million in fiscal year 2010.

        In fiscal year 2011, proceeds from the issuance of debt resulted from the private placement of $230.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 10.5% Senior Notes. Proceeds of $182.5 million were used to repay all of the outstanding indebtedness under our credit facilities with K Financing, LLC ($62.9 million including the Success Fee), outstanding indebtedness of EUR 45.5 million ($60.7 million) under the EUR 60 million credit facility and outstanding indebtedness of EUR 33 million ($44.0 million) under the EUR 35 million credit facility with UniCredit and the term loan with a subsidiary of Vishay ($15.0 million). In addition, we used $38.1 million of the proceeds to retire $40.5 million in aggregate principal amount of our Convertible Notes and $6.6 million of the proceeds to pay costs incurred in connection with the private placement, the tender offer and the foregoing repayments. We made a principal payment related to UniCredit Facility A on April 1, 2010 for EUR 7.7 million ($10.3 million), $1.5 million to pay costs incurred in connection with the revolving line of credit and $2.5 million in payments related to short term debt. Our next significant maturity is November 15, 2011 when the Convertible Note holders have the right to require us to repurchase for cash all or a portion of the Convertible Notes outstanding of $40.6 million.

        In fiscal year 2010, proceeds from the issuance of debt resulted primarily from the Platinum Term Loan, the Platinum Line of Credit Loan, and the Platinum Working Capital Loan. Approximately $37.8 million in proceeds from the Platinum Term Loan were used to retire $93.9 million in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes (representing 53.7% of the outstanding Convertible Notes) that were validly tendered on June 26, 2009. Proceeds of $10.0 million from the Platinum Line of Credit Loan were used primarily to pay the fees and expenses related to execution of the tender offer. Proceeds of $10.0 million from the Platinum Working Capital Loan were used for general corporate purposes. The gain on the early extinguishment of the Convertible Notes is shown on the line item "(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        In fiscal year 2010, payments of debt related primarily to retirement of the Convertible Notes discussed above as well as principal payments on UniCredit Facility A and Facility B.

        In fiscal year 2009, our payments of debt related primarily to the outstanding portion of the senior notes that the Company sold in May 1998 ("Senior Notes"). In the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, we paid $20.0 million of the outstanding principal balance on our Senior Notes in accordance with the Senior Note agreement. On September 19, 2008, we prepaid our remaining obligations under the Senior Notes, including the outstanding principal balance of $40.0 million, a make-whole amount of $2.0 million and a prepayment fee of $0.2 million. The make-whole amount and prepayment fee are shown on the line item "Loss on early retirement of debt" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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        In fiscal year 2009, our proceeds from the issuance of debt related primarily to a loan from a subsidiary of Vishay. As part of the sale of the wet tantalum capacitor assets to a subsidiary of Vishay, we entered into a three-year term loan agreement. The loan was for $15 million and carried an interest rate of LIBOR plus 4% which was payable monthly. The entire principal amount of $15 million was scheduled to mature on September 15, 2011 and could be prepaid without penalty. The loan was secured by certain accounts receivable of KEMET. On May 5, 2010, the Vishay loan was paid in full.

Commitments

        At March 31, 2011, we had contractual obligations in the form of non-cancelable operating leases and debt, including interest payments (see Note 2, "Debt" to our consolidated financial statements), European social security, pension benefits, and other post-retirement benefits as follows (amounts in thousands):

Contractual obligations
  Total   Year 1   Years 2 - 3   Years 4 - 5   More than
5 years
 

Debt obligations(1)

  $ 277,677   $ 43,670   $ 3,397   $ 610   $ 230,000  

Interest obligations(1)

    172,258     25,217     48,361     48,301     50,379  

European social security

    7,417     5,343     2,074          

Employee separation liability

    20,989     1,279     568     568     18,574  

Pension benefits(2)

    24,704     4,173     3,580     4,151     12,800  

Operating lease obligations

    24,726     8,759     11,815     3,509     643  

Purchase commitments

    3,841     3,841              

Other post-retirement benefits(2)

    1,281     150     297     280     554  
                       

  $ 532,893   $ 92,432   $ 70,092   $ 57,419   $ 312,950  
                       

(1)
Holders of the Convertible Notes have the right to require us to repurchase for cash all or a portion of their Convertible Notes on November 15, 2011, 2016 and 2021 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, in each case, up to but not including, the date of repurchase. The $40.6 million of Convertible Notes have been included in the "Year 1" column above.

(2)
Reflects the expected benefit payments through 2020.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

        To complement our consolidated statements of operations and cash flows, we use non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted operating income (loss), Adjusted net income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA. We believe that Adjusted operating income (loss), Adjusted net income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA are complements to U.S. GAAP amounts and such measures are useful to investors. The presentation of these non-GAAP measures is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income as an indicator of our performance, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity.

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        Adjusted operating income (loss) is calculated as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Operating income (loss)

  $ 129,261   $ 7,697   $ (271,112 )

Adjustments:

                   

Restructuring charges

    7,171     9,198     30,874  

Debt and stock registration related fees

    1,531          

ERP integration costs

    1,915          

Stock-based compensation

    1,783     1,865     1,070  

Gain on sales and disposals of assets

    (1,261 )   (1,003 )   (25,505 )

Inventory write downs

    2,991         16,500  

Write down of long-lived assets

        656     67,624  

Cancellation of incentive plan

        1,161      

Write off of capitalized advisor fees

        413      

Goodwill impairment

            174,327  

Curtailment gains on benefit plans

            (30,835 )

Acquisitions integration costs

            5,254  
               

Total adjustments

    14,130     12,290     239,309  
               

Adjusted operating income (loss)

  $ 143,391   $ 19,987   $ (31,803 )
               

        Adjusted net income (loss) is calculated as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Net income (loss)

  $ 63,044   $ (69,447 ) $ (285,209 )

Adjustments:

                   

Amortization included in interest expense

    4,930     13,392     9,918  

Net foreign exchange (gain) loss

    (2,888 )   4,106     (14,079 )

Share-based compensation expense

    1,783     1,865     1,070  

Restructuring charges

    7,171     9,198     30,874  

Debt and stock registration related fees

    1,531          

ERP integration costs

    1,915          

Gain on licensing of patents

    (2,000 )        

Gain on sales and disposals of assets

    (1,261 )   (1,003 )   (25,505 )

(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt

    38,248     (38,921 )   2,212  

Write down of long-lived assets

        656     67,624  

Increase in value of warrant

        81,088      

Cancellation of incentive plan

        1,161      

Write off of capitalized advisor fees

        413      

Goodwill impairment

            174,327  

Curtailment gains on benefit plans

            (30,835 )

Inventory write downs

    2,991         16,500  

Acquisitions integration costs

            5,254  

Tax impact of adjustments

    (1,256 )   65     (10,140 )
               

Total adjustments

    51,164     72,020     227,220  
               

Adjusted net income (loss)

  $ 114,208   $ 2,573   $ (57,989 )
               

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        Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009(1)  

Net income (loss)

  $ 63,044   $ (69,447 ) $ (285,209 )

Adjustments:

                   

Income tax expense (benefit)

    2,704     5,036     (3,202 )

Interest expense, net

    29,957     25,820     29,171  

Depreciation and amortization

    52,932     52,644     58,125  

Stock-based compensation

    1,783     1,865     1,070  

Restructuring charges

    7,171     9,198     30,874  

Debt and stock registration related fees

    1,531          

ERP integration costs

    1,915          

Gain on licensing of patents

    (2,000 )        

Gain on sales and disposals of assets

    (1,261 )   (1,003 )   (25,505 )

(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt

    38,248     (38,921 )   2,212  

Net foreign exchange (gain)/loss

    (2,888 )   4,106     (14,079 )

Inventory write downs

    2,991         16,500  

Write down of long-lived assets

        656     67,624  

Increase in value of warrant

        81,088      

Goodwill impairment

            174,327  

Curtailment gains on benefit plans

            (30,835 )

Acquisitions integration costs

            5,254  
               

Total adjustments

    133,083     140,489     311,536  
               

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 196,127   $ 71,042   $ 26,327  
               

(1)
Certain prior periods have been adjusted to conform to current period presentation which is determined by management.

        Adjusted operating income (loss) represents operating income (loss), excluding adjustments which are outlined in the quantitative reconciliation provided above. We use Adjusted operating income (loss) to facilitate our analysis and understanding of our business operations and believe that Adjusted operating income (loss) is useful to investors because it provides a supplemental way to understand the underlying operating performance of the Company. Adjusted operating income (loss) should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or any other performance measure derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

        Adjusted net income (loss) represents net loss, excluding adjustments which are more specifically outlined in the quantitative reconciliation provided above. We use Adjusted net loss to evaluate the Company's operating performance and believe that Adjusted net loss is useful to investors because it provides a supplemental way to understand the underlying operating performance of the Company. Adjusted net loss should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

        Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (loss) before income tax expense, interest expense, net, and depreciation and amortization, adjusted to exclude restructuring charges, debt and stock registration related fees, ERP integration costs, gain on licensing of patents, write down of long-lived assets, stock-based compensation expense, increase in value of warrant, curtailment gains on benefit plans, gain on sales and disposals of assets, gain/loss on the early extinguishment of debt, net foreign exchange gain/loss, inventory write downs and acquisitions integration costs. We present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance and ability to service debt. We also present

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Adjusted EBITDA because we believe such measure is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry.

        We believe Adjusted EBITDA is an appropriate supplemental measure of debt service capacity because cash expenditures on interest are, by definition, available to pay interest, and tax expense is inversely correlated to interest expense because tax expense goes down as deductible interest expense goes up; depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges. The other items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are excluded in order to better reflect our continuing operations.

        In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments noted above. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by these types of adjustments. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of our financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity.

        Our Adjusted EBITDA measure has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

        Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business or as a measure of cash that will be available to us to meet our obligations. You should compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our U.S. GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

        In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2010-06, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements". The updated guidance (i) requires separate disclosure of significant transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements, (ii) requires disclosure of Level 3 fair value measurements activity on a gross basis, (iii) clarifies existing disaggregation requirements and (iv) clarifies existing input and valuation

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technique disclosure requirements. The updated guidance was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the Level 3 fair value measurement disclosure requirements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU No. 2010-06 did not have an impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position.

        In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-29, "Business Combinations (Topic 805)", that updates existing disclosure requirements related to supplementary pro forma information for business combinations. Under the updated guidance, a public entity that presents comparative financial statements should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The guidance also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. This guidance was effective for us on April 1, 2011, and will be applied prospectively to any business combinations that have an acquisition date on or after April 1, 2011.

Effect of Inflation

        Inflation generally affects us by increasing the cost of labor, equipment, and raw materials. We do not believe that inflation has had any material effect on our business over the past three fiscal years except for the following discussion in Commodity Price Risk.

ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Interest Rate Risk

        We are exposed to interest rate risk through our other borrowing activities, which had an outstanding balance as of March 31, 2011, of $7.1 million. The other debt has a variable interest rate and a 1% change in the interest rate would yield a $0.1 million change in interest expense.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

        Given our international operations and sales, we are exposed to movements in foreign exchange rates. Of these, the most significant are currently the Euro and the Mexican peso. A portion of our sales to our customers and operating costs in Europe are denominated in Euro creating an exposure to foreign currency exchange rates. Also, a portion of our costs in our Mexican operations are denominated in Mexican pesos, creating an exposure to foreign currency exchange rates. Additionally, certain of our non-U.S. subsidiaries make sales denominated in U.S. dollars which expose them to foreign currency transaction gains and losses. Historically, in order to minimize our exposure, we periodically entered into forward foreign exchange contracts in which the future cash flows were hedged against the U.S. dollar. The Company does not presently have in place any forward foreign exchange contracts, but does periodically evaluate the use of such contracts as a means of hedging its foreign exchange exposure.

Commodity Price Risk

        The principal raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are tantalum powder, palladium, aluminum and silver. These materials are considered commodities and are subject to price volatility. Due to market constraints, we no longer purchase tantalum powder under long-term contracts. Instead, we forecast our tantalum needs for the short-term (twelve weeks) and make purchases based upon those forecasts; we currently have purchase agreements outstanding for three to six months. While the financial impact of these decisions are short-term in nature given that we are not currently party to any long-term supply agreements, they could impact our financial performance from

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period to period given that we do not hedge any of our raw material exposure and we may be unable to pass on to a significant number of our customers any fluctuations in our raw material costs. Additionally, any delays in obtaining raw materials for our products could hinder our ability to manufacture our products, negatively impacting our competitive position and our relationships with our customers.

        Presently, a finite number of suppliers process tantalum ore into capacitor grade tantalum powder. If there are significant fluctuations in demand, based on leadtime of ore to tantalum smelter, an increase in the price of tantalum may result. If we are unable to pass the price increase on to our customers, it could have an adverse effect on our profitability.

        Palladium is a precious metal used in the manufacture of multilayer ceramic capacitors and is mined primarily in Russia and South Africa. We continue to pursue ways to reduce palladium usage in ceramic capacitors in order to minimize the price risk. The amount of palladium that we require has generally been available in sufficient quantities, however the price of palladium is driven by the market which has shown significant price fluctuations. For instance, in fiscal year 2011 the price of palladium fluctuated between $415 and $855 per troy ounce. Price increases and the possibility of our inability to pass such increases on to our customers could have an adverse effect on profitability.

        Silver and aluminum have generally been available in sufficient quantities, and we believe there are a sufficient number of suppliers from which we can purchase our requirements. An increase in the price of silver and aluminum that we are unable to pass on to our customers, however, could have an adverse effect on our profitability.

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

        The response to this item is submitted as a separate section of this Form 10-K. See Item 15.

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

        None.

ITEM 9A.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

        As of March 31, 2011, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act) was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based on that evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in its reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

        The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting is a process, designed by, or under the

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supervision of, an entity's principal executive and principal financial officers, and effected by an entity's board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the dispositions of the assets of the entity; (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 entity are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the management and directors of the entity; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the entity's assets that could have a material effect on its consolidated 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.

        Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company's management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth in the Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

        Based on that assessment, as of March 31, 2011, the Company's management concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was effective.

        Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the Company's internal control over financial reporting, which is on page 74 of this annual report on Form 10-K.

(d)   Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

        There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION.

        None.

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PART III

ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

        Other than the information under "Executive Officers" and "Key Employees" under Part I, Item 4A, the other information required by Item 10 is incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement for its annual stockholders meeting to be held on July 27, 2011 under the headings "Nominees for Board of Directors," "Continuing Directors," "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" and "Information about the Board of Directors."

ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

        The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement for its annual stockholders' meeting to be held on July 27, 2011 under the headings "Compensation Discussion & Analysis," "Summary Compensation Table," "Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table," "Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table," "Options Exercises and Stock Vested Table," "Pension Benefits Table," "Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table," "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control Table," "Director Compensation Table," "All Other Compensation Table," "Perquisites Table," "Compensation Committee Report," and "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation."

ITEM 12.    SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

        The information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement for its annual stockholders' meeting to be held on July 27, 2011 under the heading "Security Ownership", and from "Equity Compensation Plan Disclosure" in Item 5 hereof.

ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

        The information required by Item 13 is incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement for its annual stockholders' meeting to be held on July 27, 2011 under the headings "Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons" and "Information about the Board of Directors."

ITEM 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

        The information required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement for its annual stockholders' meeting to be held on July 27, 2011 under the heading "Audit and Non-Audit Fees."

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PART IV

ITEM 15.    EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(a)
(1) Financial Statements

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

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    78  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   
79
 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   
80
 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   
82
 

Consolidated Financial Statements:

       
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2011 and 2010

   
83
 
 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009

   
84
 
 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009

   
85
 
 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009

   
86
 
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   
87
 

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(a)
(2) Financial Statement Schedules

        Financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

(a)
(3) List of Exhibits

        The following exhibits are filed herewith or are incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed with the SEC:

  2.1   Asset and Share Purchase Agreement dated December 12, 2005, between EPCOS AG, KEMET Electronics GmbH, KEMET Electronics S.A., and KEMET Corporation (the "Company" or KEMET Corporation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated April 20, 2006).

 

2.2

 

Amendment Agreement dated April 13, 2006, to the Asset and Share Purchase Agreement dated December 12, 2005 between EPCOS AG, KEMET Electronics GmbH, KEMET Electronics S.A., and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.7 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated April 20, 2006).

 

2.3

 

Asset Purchase Agreement dated December 12, 2005, as amended on April 13, 2006, between EPCOS AG, KEMET Electronics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated April 20, 2006).

 

2.4

 

Restated Heidenheim Manufacturing and Supply Agreement dated April 13, 2006, between EPCOS AG, EPCOS Portugal, the Company, and KEMET Electronics Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated April 20, 2006).

 

2.5

 

Substitution Agreement (Asset and Share Purchase Agreement) dated April 13, 2006, between EPCOS AG, KEMET Electronics GmbH, KEMET Electronics S.A., the Company, and KEMET Electronics Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated April 20, 2006).

 

2.6

 

Substitution Agreement (regarding Asset Purchase Agreement dated December 12, 2005) dated April 13, 2006, between EPCOS AG, KEMET Electronics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., KEMET Electronics Corporation, and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated April 20, 2006).

 

2.7

 

Sale and Purchase Agreement dated August 10, 2007 between Blue Skye (Lux) S.a r.l. and KEMET Electronics Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 16, 2007).

 

3.1

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to date (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed with the SEC on October 21, 2010 (File No. 333-170073)).

 

3.2

 

Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 4, 2010).

 

3.3

 

Amended and Restated By-laws of KEMET Corporation, effective June 5, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 3, 2008).

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  4.1   Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's registration statement on Form S-3, filed with the SEC on October 21, 2010 (File No. 333-170073)).

 

4.2

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2006, by and among the Company, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 [Reg. No. 333-140943] filed on February 28, 2007).

 

4.3

 

Indenture, dated as of November 1, 2006, by and among the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 [Reg. No. 333-140943] filed on February 28, 2007).

 

4.4

 

Form of 2.25% Convertible Senior Note due 2026 (included in Exhibit 4.3).

 

4.5

 

Indenture, dated May 5, 2010, by and among the Company, certain subsidiary guarantors named therein and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 5, 2010).

 

4.6

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 5, 2010, by and among the Company, certain subsidiary guarantors named therein and the initial purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 5, 2010).

 

10.1

 

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

 

10.2

 

Form of Amendment No. 1 to Registration Agreement, dated as of April 28, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Reg. No. 33-61898]).

 

10.3

 

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

 

10.4

 

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

 

10.5

 

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

 

10.6

 

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

 

10.7

 

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

 

10.8

 

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

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

 

10.10

 

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

 

10.11

 

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

 

10.12

 

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

 

10.13

 

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

 

10.14

 

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

 

10.15

 

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

 

10.16

 

1992 Key Employee Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).*

 

10.17

 

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

 

10.18

 

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

 

10.19

 

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

 

10.20

 

Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2006, by and among the Company, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.01 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 [Reg. No. 333-140943] filed on February 28, 2007).

 

10.21

 

Amendment to the Compensation Plan of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers effective May 3, 2006 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 9, 2006).*

 

10.22

 

Amendment to the Compensation Plan of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers effective July 19, 2006 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 25, 2006).*

 

10.23

 

Amendment to the Compensation Plan of Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers effective March 28, 2007 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 3, 2007).*

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  10.24   Amendment to the Compensation Plan of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers effective May 8, 2007 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 14, 2007).*

 

10.25

 

Amendment to the Compensation Plan of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers effective May 16, 2007 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 23, 2007).*

 

10.26

 

Amendment to the Compensation Plan of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers dated May 5, 2008 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 5, 2008).*

 

10.27

 

Confidential Separation Agreement between David E. Gable and KEMET Corporation, dated as of June 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 13, 2008).*

 

10.28

 

Loan Agreement by Certified Private Agreement dated September 29, 2008 between UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A. and KEMET Corporation (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 21, 2008).

 

10.29

 

Mortgage Deed dated September 29, 2008 between UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A. and Arcotronics Industries S.r.l. (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 21, 2008).

 

10.30

 

Addendum dated April 3, 2009, to Mortgage Deed dated September 29, 2008 between UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A. and Arcotronics Industries S.r.l. (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).

 

10.31

 

Deed of Pledge of Stocks dated October 21, 2008 among UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A., KEMET Electronics Corporation and Arcotronics Italia S.p.A. (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 21, 2008).

 

10.32

 

Deed of Pledge of Shares dated October 21, 2008 among UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A., Arcotronics Italia S.p.A. and Arcotronics Industries S.r.l. (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 21, 2008).

 

10.33

 

Deed of Assignment of Credit for Guaranty Purposes dated October 21, 2008 among UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A., KEMET Corporation, KEMET Electronics Corporation, Arcotronics Italia S.p.A., Arcotronics Industries S.r.l., Arcotronics Hightech S.r.l. and Arcotronics Technologies S.r.l. (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 21, 2008).

 

10.34

 

Letter of Extension Agreement dated April 3, 2009 to Credit Line Granted by UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A. to KEMET Corporation dated October, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).

 

10.35

 

Loan Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2008 between KEMET Electronics Corporation and Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Quarterly Report Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008).

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  10.36   Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2008 made by KEMET Electronics Corporation in favor of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008).

 

10.37

 

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2008, by and between KEMET Electronics Corporation and Siliconix Technology C.V. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008).

 

10.38

 

Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2008).*

 

10.39

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 22, 2009).*

 

10.40

 

Credit Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2009, by and among the Company, K Financing, LLC and the other guarantor parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(1) filed with the Company's Schedule TO, filed on May 5, 2009).

 

10.41

 

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2009, by and among the Company, K Financing, LLC and the other parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(1) filed with the Company's Amendment No. 3 to Schedule TO, filed on June 8, 2009).

 

10.42

 

Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement entered into on June 7, 2009, by and among the Company, K Financing, LLC and the other parties thereto, dated June 21, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(2) filed with the Company's Amendment No. 5 to Schedule TO, filed with the SEC on June 22, 2009).

 

10.43

 

Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement entered into on June 7, 2009, by and among the Company, K Financing, LLC and other parties thereto, dated September 30, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 6, 2009).

 

10.44

 

Amendment Agreement to the Credit Line Agreement entered into on October 3, 2007 by and between UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A. and the Company, dated April 30, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(12) filed with the Company's Schedule TO, filed on June 15, 2009).

 

10.45

 

Amendment to the Credit Line Agreement entered into on October 3, 2007 as amended on April 30, 2009 and May 25, 2009, by and between UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A. and the Company, dated May 25, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(13) filed with the Company's Schedule TO, filed on June 15, 2009).

 

10.46

 

Amendment to the Loan Agreement entered into on April 30, 2009, by and between UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A. and the Company, dated June 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) filed with the Company's Schedule TO, filed on June 15, 2009).

 

10.47

 

Commitment Letter to the Company by UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A., dated April 30, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) filed with the Company's Schedule TO, filed on June 15, 2009).

 

10.48

 

Amendment to the Loan Agreement by Certified Private Agreement entered into September 29, 2008 by and between UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A. and the Company, dated April 30, 2009 (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(16) filed with the Company's Schedule TO, filed on June 15, 2009).

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  10.49   Amendment to the Loan Agreement by Certified Private Agreement entered into September 29, 2008 as amended on April 30, 2009 by and between UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A. and the Company, dated June 1, 2009 (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(17) filed with the Company's Schedule TO, filed on June 15, 2009).

 

10.50

 

Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement entered into on June 7, 2009, by and among the Company, K Financing, LLC and other parties thereto, dated September 30, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 30, 2009).

 

10.51

 

Amendment to the Loan Agreement by Certified Private Agreement entered into September 29, 2008 by and between UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A. and the Company, dated October 1, 2009 (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 30, 2009).

 

10.52

 

Amendment to the Compensation Plan of the Company's executive officers (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 29, 2009).*

 

10.53

 

Warrant to Purchase Common Stock, dated June 30, 2009, issued by the Company to K Financing, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 2009).

 

10.54

 

Investor Rights Agreement, dated June 30, 2009, between the Company and K Financing, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 2009).

 

10.55

 

Corporate Advisory Services Agreement, dated June 30, 2009, between the Company and Platinum Equity Advisors, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 2009).

 

10.56

 

Purchase Agreement, dated April 21, 2010, by and among the Company, certain subsidiary guarantors named therein and Banc of America Securities LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 21, 2010).

 

10.57

 

Employment Agreement between the Company and Per Olof-Loof dated January 27, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 27, 2010).*

 

10.58

 

Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement dated July 28, 2008, between the Company and Per-Olof Loof (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).*

 

10.59

 

Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement dated July 28, 2008, between the Company and William M. Lowe, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).*

 

10.60

 

Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement dated September 8, 2008, between the Company and Robert Argüelles (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).*

 

10.61

 

Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement dated July 28, 2008, between the Company and Conrado Hinojosa (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).*

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  10.62   Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement dated July 28, 2008, between the Company and Marc Kotelon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).*

 

10.63

 

Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement dated July 28, 2008, between the Company and Charles C. Meeks, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).*

 

10.64

 

Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement dated July 28, 2008, between the Company and Kirk D. Shockley (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).*

 

10.65

 

Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement dated July 28, 2008, between the Company and Daniel E. LaMorte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.52 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).*

 

10.66

 

Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement dated July 28, 2008, between the Company and Dr. Philip M. Lessner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.53 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).*

 

10.67

 

Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement dated July 28, 2008, between the Company and Larry C. McAdams (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.54 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).*

 

10.68

 

Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement dated July 28, 2008, between the Company and Daniel F. Persico (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.55 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).*

 

10.69

 

Second Amended and Restated KEMET Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.56 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009).*

 

10.70

 

Amendment No. 1 to Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement—William M. Lowe, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010).*

 

10.71

 

Amendment No. 1 to Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement—Robert R. Argüelles (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010).*

 

10.72

 

Amendment No. 1 to Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement—Conrado Hinojosa (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010).*

 

10.73

 

Amendment No. 1 to Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement—Marc Kotelon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010).*

 

10.74

 

Amendment No. 1 to Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement—Charles C. Meeks, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010).*

 

10.75

 

Amendment No. 1 to Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement—Daniel E. LaMorte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010).*

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  10.76   Amendment No. 1 to Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement—Dr. Philip M. Lessner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010).*

 

10.77

 

Amendment No. 1 to Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement—Larry C. McAdams (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010).*

 

10.78

 

Amendment No. 1 to Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreement—Dr. Daniel F. Persico (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010).*

 

10.79

 

Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2010, by and among KEMET Electronics Corporation, KEMET Electronics Marketing (S) Pte Ltd., and Bank of America, N.A., as agent and Banc of America Securities LLC, as lead arranger and bookrunner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 30, 2010).

 

10.80

 

KEMET Executive Secured Benefit Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2010).*

 

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of KEMET Corporation

 

23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Ernst & Young LLP

 

23.2

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, KPMG LLP

 

23.3

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Deloitte & Touche S.P.A.

 

23.4

 

Consent of Paumanok Publications, Inc.

 

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302

 

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302

 

32.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906

 

32.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906

 

101

 

The following financial information from KEMET Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2011, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2011, and March 31, 2010, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

*
Exhibit is a management contract or a compensatory plan or arrangement.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of KEMET Corporation

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of KEMET Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2011 and 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for the two years in the period ended March 31, 2011. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

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

        In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of KEMET Corporation and subsidiaries at March 31, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the two years ended March 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

        We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), KEMET Corporation's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated May 20, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

    /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Greenville, South Carolina

May 20, 2011

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of KEMET Corporation

        We have audited KEMET Corporation's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). KEMET Corporation's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting 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 conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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.

        In our opinion, KEMET Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2011, based on the COSO criteria.

        We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of KEMET Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, and our report dated May 20, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Greenville, South Carolina

May 20, 2011

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

KEMET Corporation:

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows of KEMET Corporation for the year ended March 31, 2009. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We did not audit the consolidated financial statements of Arcotronics Italia S.p.A and subsidiaries (Arcotronics Group), a wholly-owned subsidiary, which statements reflect total net sales constituting approximately 19 percent in 2009, of the related consolidated total net sales. Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Arcotronics Group, is based solely on the report of the other auditors.

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

        In our opinion, based on our audit and the report of the other auditors, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of KEMET Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended March 31, 2009 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

        As discussed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements as previously filed November 5, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109), as of April 1, 2007.

        As discussed in Note 2b to the consolidated financial statements as previously filed November 5, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Staff Position No. APB 14-1, Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement), as of April 1, 2009, and accordingly, adjusted the previously issued consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2009 and 2008 and related statements of operations, stockholders' equity and comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2009.

        The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2a to the consolidated financial statements as previously filed November 5, 2009, the Company has experienced a decline in net sales, profitability and liquidity during the year ended March 31, 2009. As further disclosed in Note 2a, the Company currently forecasts that it will meet the financial covenants required by its debt agreements with lenders at each of the measurement dates during fiscal year 2010. Given the degree of uncertainty with respect to the near-term outlook for the global economy and the possible effects on the Company's operations, there is significant uncertainty as to whether the Company's forecasts will be achieved. Furthermore, the Company currently anticipates that it will continue to experience severe pressure on its liquidity during fiscal year 2010. These matters raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2a to the consolidated financial statements as previously filed November 5, 2009.

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The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

/s/ KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP
   

Greenville, South Carolina

June 30, 2009, except with respect to the change in accounting for convertible debt to reflect the adoption of the provisions of FASB Staff Position No. APB 14-1, as to which the date is as of November 5, 2009 and with respect to Note 19 as to which the date is as of October 26, 2010.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of

ARCOTRONICS ITALIA S.p.A.

Sasso Marconi, Italy

        We have audited the consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows of Arcotronics Italia S.p.A. (which has since changed its legal name to Kemet Electronics S.p.A.) and subsidiaries (the "Company") (a wholly owned subsidiary of KEMET Electronics Corporation, the "Parent Company") for the year ended March 31, 2009 (all expressed in euros and not separately presented herein). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

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

        In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Arcotronics Italia S.p.A. and subsidiaries for the year ended March 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

        The consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2009, have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company's recurring losses from operations, stockholders' deficit, and inability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet its obligations and sustain its operations, including restructuring plans, raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE S.p.A.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE S.p.A.

Bologna, Italy

June 29, 2009

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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Amounts in thousands except per share data)

 
  March 31,  
 
  2011   2010  

ASSETS

             

Current assets:

             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 152,051   $ 79,199  
 

Accounts receivable, net

    160,708     137,385  
 

Inventories, net

    206,440     150,508  
 

Prepaid and other current assets

    18,020     18,790  
 

Deferred income taxes

    5,301     2,129  
           
   

Total current assets

    542,520     388,011  
           

Property, plant and equipment, net

    310,412     319,878  

Intangible assets, net

    20,092     21,806  

Other assets

    11,285     11,266  
           
   

Total assets

  $ 884,309   $ 740,961  
           

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

             

Current liabilities:

             
 

Current portion of long-term debt

  $ 42,101   $ 17,880  
 

Accounts payable

    90,997     78,829  
 

Accrued expenses

    88,291     63,606  
 

Income taxes payable

    4,265     1,096  
           
   

Total current liabilities

    225,654     161,411  
           

Long-term debt

    231,215     231,629  

Other non-current obligations

    59,727     55,626  

Deferred income taxes

    7,960     8,023  

Commitments and contingencies

             

Stockholders' equity:

             
 

Common stock, par value $0.01, authorized 300,000 shares, issued 39,508 and 29,508 shares at March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively

    395     295  
 

Additional paid-in capital

    479,322     479,705  
 

Retained deficit

    (87,745 )   (150,789 )
 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    22,555     11,990  
 

Treasury stock, at cost (2,370 and 2,463 shares at March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively)

    (54,774 )   (56,929 )
           
   

Total stockholders' equity

    359,753     284,272  
           

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

  $ 884,309   $ 740,961  
           

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Amounts in thousands except per share data)

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Net sales

  $ 1,018,488   $ 736,335   $ 804,385  

Operating costs and expenses:

                   
 

Cost of sales

    752,846     611,638     736,551  
 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    104,607     86,085     93,505  
 

Research and development

    25,864     22,064     28,956  
 

Restructuring charges

    7,171     9,198     30,874  
 

Net gain on sales and disposals of assets

    (1,261 )   (1,003 )   (25,505 )
 

Write down of long-lived assets

        656     67,624  
 

Goodwill impairment

            174,327  
 

Curtailment gains on benefit plans

            (30,835 )
               
   

Total operating costs and expenses

    889,227     728,638     1,075,497  
               
     

Operating income (loss)

    129,261     7,697     (271,112 )

Other (income) expense:

                   
 

Interest income

    (218 )   (188 )   (618 )
 

Interest expense and amortization of debt discount

    30,175     26,008     29,789  
 

(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt

    38,248     (38,921 )   2,212  
 

Increase in value of warrant

        81,088      
 

Other (income) expense, net

    (4,692 )   4,121     (14,084 )
               
   

Income (loss) before income taxes

    65,748     (64,411 )   (288,411 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

    2,704     5,036     (3,202 )
               
     

Net income (loss)

  $ 63,044   $ (69,447 ) $ (285,209 )
               

Net income (loss) per share:

                   
 

Basic

  $ 2.11   $ (2.57 ) $ (10.62 )
 

Diluted

  $ 1.22   $ (2.57 ) $ (10.62 )

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Amounts in thousands)

 
  Shares
Outstanding
  Common
Stock
  Additional
Paid-In
Capital
  Retained
Earnings
(Deficit)
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  Treasury
Stock
  Total
Stockholders'
Equity
 

Balance at March 31, 2008

    80,290   $ 882   $ 367,711   $ 203,867   $ 65,565   $ (61,194 ) $ 576,831  

Adjustment to reflect reverse stock split

    (53,527 )   (588 )   588                  

Comprehensive income (loss):

                                           
 

Net loss

                (285,209 )           (285,209 )
 

Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange contracts, net

                    (763 )       (763 )
 

Changes in pension net prior service credit and actuarial gains, net

                    (2,677 )       (2,677 )
 

Changes in retirement plan net prior service credit and actuarial gains, net

                    (19,209 )       (19,209 )
 

Foreign currency translation

                    (30,253 )       (30,253 )
                                           

Total comprehensive income (loss)

                                        (338,111 )

Vesting of restricted stock

    79         (1,770 )           1,770      

Stock-based compensation expense

            1,070                 1,070  

Purchases of stock by employee savings plan

    95     1     248                 249  
                               

Balance at March 31, 2009

    26,937     295     367,847     (81,342 )   12,663     (59,424 )   240,039  

Comprehensive income (loss):

                                           
 

Net loss

                (69,447 )           (69,447 )
 

Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange contracts, net

                             
 

Changes in pension net prior service credit and actuarial gains, net

                    (560 )       (560 )
 

Changes in retirement plan net prior service credit and actuarial gains, net

                    (2,090 )       (2,090 )
 

Foreign currency translation

                    1,977         1,977  
                                           

Total comprehensive income (loss)

                                        (70,120 )

Issuance of warrant

            112,488                       112,488  

Vesting of restricted stock

    108         (2,495 )           2,495      

Stock-based compensation expense

            1,865                 1,865  
                               

Balance at March 31, 2010

    27,045     295     479,705     (150,789 )   11,990     (56,929 )   284,272  

Comprehensive income (loss):

                                           
 

Net income

                63,044             63,044  
 

Changes in pension net prior service credit and actuarial gains, net

                    (300 )       (300 )
 

Changes in retirement plan net prior service credit and actuarial gains, net

                    (2,019 )       (2,019 )
 

Foreign currency translation

                    12,884         12,884  
                                           

Total comprehensive income

                                        73,609  

Vesting of restricted shares

    47         (1,078 )           1,078      

Stock-based compensation expense

            1,783                 1,783  

Issuance of shares to K Equity, LLC

    10,000     100     (100 )                

Exercise of stock options

    46         (988 )           1,077     89  
                               

Balance at March 31, 2011

    37,138   $ 395   $ 479,322   $ (87,745 ) $ 22,555   $ (54,774 ) $ 359,753  
                               

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Amounts in thousands)

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Sources (uses) of cash and cash equivalents

                   
 

Operating activities:

                   
   

Net income (loss)

  $ 63,044   $ (69,447 ) $ (285,209 )
   

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

                   
     

Depreciation and amortization

    52,932     52,644     58,125  
     

Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs

    4,930     13,392     9,918  
     

Net gain on sales and disposals of assets

    (1,261 )   (1,003 )   (25,505 )
     

Stock-based compensation expense

    1,783     1,865     1,070  
     

Pension and other post-retirement benefits

    (2,319 )   (2,716 )   (3,742 )
     

Deferred income taxes

    (3,403 )   2,051     (8,146 )
     

(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt

    38,248     (38,921 )    
     

Write down of long-lived assets

        656     67,624  
     

Goodwill impairment

            174,327  
     

Increase in value of warrant

        81,088      
     

Curtailment gains on benefit plans

            (30,835 )
     

Other, net

    (2,446 )   339      
 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                   
     

Accounts receivable

    (14,466 )   (18,263 )   44,777  
     

Inventories

    (48,817 )   7,168     71,308  
     

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    (6,647 )   (5,647 )   4,055  
     

Accounts payable

    9,567     26,605     (67,356 )
     

Accrued income taxes

    4,315     421     (490 )
     

Other operating liabilities

    18,508     4,388     (4,196 )
               
       

Net cash provided by operating activities

    113,968     54,620     5,725  
               
 

Investing activities:

                   
   

Capital expenditures

    (34,989 )   (12,921 )   (30,541 )
   

Proceeds from sales of assets

    5,425     1,500     34,870  
   

Acquisitions, net of cash received

            (1,000 )
   

Change in restricted cash

            3,900  
               
       

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    (29,564 )   (11,421 )   7,229  
               
 

Financing activities:

                   
   

Proceeds from issuance of debt

    227,525     58,949     16,190  
   

Payment of long-term debt

    (230,413 )   (54,525 )   (67,949 )
   

Net (payments) borrowings under other credit facilities

    (2,479 )   475     (411 )
   

Debt issuance costs

    (7,853 )   (4,206 )   (1,574 )
   

Debt extinguishment costs

    (207 )   (3,605 )    
   

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

    89          
   

Other

            249  
               
       

Net cash used in financing activities

    (13,338 )   (2,912 )   (53,495 )
               
         

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    71,066     40,287     (40,541 )
 

Effect of foreign currency fluctuations on cash

    1,786     (292 )   (1,638 )
 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of fiscal year

    79,199     39,204     81,383  
               
 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of fiscal year

  $ 152,051   $ 79,199   $ 39,204  
               

Supplemental Cash Flow Statement Information:

                   
 

Interest paid, net of capitalized interest

  $ 17,304   $ 16,107   $ 21,255  
 

Income taxes paid

    2,408     3,910     5,199  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1: Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business and Organization

        KEMET Corporation which together with its subsidiaries is referred to herein as "KEMET" or the "Company" is a leading manufacturer of tantalum capacitors, multilayer ceramic capacitors, film capacitors, electrolytic capacitors, paper capacitors and solid aluminum capacitors. The Company is headquartered in Simpsonville, South Carolina, which is part of the greater Greenville metropolitan area, and has manufacturing plants and distribution centers located in the United States, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Additionally, the Company has wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries which primarily provide sales support for KEMET's products in foreign markets.

        KEMET is organized into three business groups: the Tantalum Business Group ("Tantalum"), the Ceramic Business Group ("Ceramic") and the Film and Electrolytic Business Group ("Film and Electrolytic"). Each business group is responsible for the operations of certain manufacturing sites as well as all related research and development efforts. The sales and marketing functions are shared by each of the business groups and the costs of which are allocated to the business groups based on the business groups' respective budgeted net sales.

        During fiscal year 2009, the Company had experienced declines in net sales, profitability and liquidity and had forecasted that it would meet the financial covenants required by its debt agreements with lenders at each of the measurement dates during fiscal year 2010 by a narrow margin. Given the degree of uncertainty at the time with respect to the near-term outlook for the global economy and the possible effects on the Company's operations, there was significant uncertainty as to whether the Company's forecasts would be achieved. Furthermore, the Company anticipated that it would continue to experience severe pressure on its liquidity during fiscal year 2010. These matters raised substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The Company's previous independent registered public accounting firms included an explanatory paragraph in their audit reports for the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements and the consolidated financial statements of Arcotronics Italia S.p.A. ("Arcotronics") that indicated there was uncertainty that the Company would continue as a going concern.

Basis of Presentation

        Certain amounts for fiscal years 2010 and 2009 have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal year 2011 presentation. On November 5, 2010, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware a Certificate of Amendment to its Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the Company's common stock at a ratio equal to one-for-three (the "Reverse Stock Split"). The Reverse Stock Split was approved at a special meeting of our stockholders on November 3, 2010. All share and per share data in this Form 10-K gives effect to the Reverse Stock Split.

        The Company has evaluated events and material transactions for potential recognition or disclosure occurring between the end of the Company's most recent fiscal year end and through the time that this Form 10-K was filed with the SEC.

Principles of Consolidation

        The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 1: Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Cash Equivalents

        Cash equivalents of $51.2 million and $28.8 million at March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, consist of money market accounts with an original term of three months or less. For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

        A guarantee was issued by a European bank on behalf of the Company in August 2006 in conjunction with the establishment of a Valued-Added Tax ("VAT") registration in The Netherlands.

        The bank guarantee is in the amount of €1.5 million ($2.0 million). An interest-bearing deposit was placed with a European bank for €1.7 million ($2.3 million). The deposit is in KEMET's name and KEMET receives all interest earned by this deposit. However, the deposit is pledged to the European bank, and the bank can use the money should a valid claim be made. The bank guarantee will remain valid until it is discharged by the beneficiary.

Inventories

        Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The carrying value of inventory is reviewed and adjusted based on slow moving and obsolete items, historical shipments, customer forecasts and backlog and technology developments. Inventory costs include material, labor and manufacturing overhead and are determined by the "first-in, first-out" ("FIFO") method. The Company has consigned inventory at certain customer locations totaling $7.6 million at March 31, 2011 and 2010.

Property and Equipment

        Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is calculated principally using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the terms of the respective leases. Maintenance costs are expensed; expenditures for renewals and improvements are generally capitalized. Upon sale or retirement of property and equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed and any gain or loss is recognized. A long-lived asset classified as held for sale is initially measured and reported at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Long-lived assets to be disposed of other than by sale are classified as held and used until the long-lived asset is disposed of. Depreciation expense was $50.6 million, $50.0 million and $54.5 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Reviews are regularly performed to determine whether facts and circumstances exist which indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. The Company assesses the recoverability of its assets by comparing the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their remaining lives against their respective carrying amounts. If it is determined that the book value of a long-lived asset is not recoverable, an impairment loss would be calculated equal to the excess of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset over its fair value. The fair value is calculated as the discounted cash flows of the underlying assets. The Company has to make certain assumptions as to

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 1: Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


the future cash flows to be generated by the underlying assets. Those assumptions include the amount of volume increases, average selling price decreases, anticipated cost reductions, and the estimated remaining useful life of the equipment. Future changes in assumptions may negatively impact future valuations. Fair market value is based on the undiscounted cash flows that the assets will generate over their remaining useful lives or other valuation techniques. In future tests for recoverability, adverse changes in undiscounted cash flow assumptions could result in an impairment of certain long-lived assets that would require a non-cash charge to the Consolidated Statements of Operations and may have a material effect on the Company's financial condition and operating results. The Company recorded $0.0 million, $0.7 million and $62.3 million in impairment charges for fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Goodwill

        Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests during the first quarter of each fiscal year and when otherwise warranted. During fiscal year 2009, the Company recorded an impairment for its entire goodwill balance.

        The Company is organized into three business groups: Tantalum, Ceramic, and Film and Electrolytic. The Company evaluates its goodwill and intangible asset with indefinite useful lives on a reporting unit basis. This requires the Company to estimate the fair value of the reporting units based on the future net cash flows expected to be generated. The impairment test involves a comparison of the fair value of each reporting unit, with the corresponding carrying amounts. If the reporting unit's carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then an indication exists that the reporting unit's goodwill and intangible asset with indefinite useful lives may be impaired. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill being measured exceeds its implied fair value. The implied fair value of goodwill is the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the sum of the amounts assigned to identified net assets. As a result, the implied fair value of goodwill is generally the residual amount that results from subtracting the value of net assets including all tangible assets and identified intangible assets from the fair value of the reporting unit's fair value. The Company determined the fair value of its reporting units using an income-based, discounted cash flow ("DCF") analysis, and market-based approaches (Guideline Publicly Traded Company Method and Guideline Transaction Method) which examine transactions in the marketplace involving the sale of the stocks of similar publicly owned companies, or the sale of entire companies engaged in operations similar to KEMET. In addition to the above described reporting unit valuation techniques, the Company's goodwill and intangible asset with indefinite useful lives impairment assessment also considers the Company's aggregate fair value based upon the value of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock.

        The impairment review of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are highly subjective and involve the use of significant estimates and assumptions in order to calculate the impairment charges. Estimates of business enterprise fair value use discounted cash flow and other fair value appraisal models and involve making assumptions for future sales trends, market conditions, growth rates, cost reduction initiatives and cash flows for the next several years. Future changes in assumptions may negatively impact future valuations.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 1: Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Deferred Income Taxes

        Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in fiscal years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets unless it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized.

Stock-based Compensation

        The value of each equity-based award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes model takes into account volatility in the price of the Company's stock, the risk-free interest rate, the estimated life of the equity-based award, the closing market price of the Company's stock on the grant date and the exercise price. The estimates utilized in the Black-Scholes calculation involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. In addition, we are required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those options expected to vest.

Concentrations of Credit and Other Risks

        The Company sells to customers globally. Credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition are performed periodically, and the Company generally does not require collateral from its customers. TTI, Inc., an electronics distributor, accounted for over $133.5 million, $86.5 million and $81.6 million of the Company's net sales in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. There were no customers' accounts receivable balances exceeding 10% of gross accounts receivable at March 31, 2011 or March 31, 2010.

        The Company, as well as the industry, utilizes electronics distributors for a large percentage of its sales. Electronics distributors are an effective means to distribute the products to the end-users. For fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, net sales to electronics distributors accounted for 50%, 48%, and 47%, respectively, of the Company's total net sales.

Foreign Subsidiaries

        Financial statements of certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are prepared using the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. Translation of these foreign operations, as well as gains and losses from non-U.S. dollar foreign currency transactions, such as those resulting from the settlement of foreign receivables or payables, are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        Translation of other foreign operations to U.S. dollars occurs using the current exchange rate for balance sheet accounts and an average exchange rate for results of operations. Such translation gains or losses are recognized as a component of equity in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI").

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 1: Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

        Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (losses), currency forward contract gains (losses), currency translation gains (losses), unrealized investment gains (losses) from available-for-sale securities, defined benefit plan adjustments including those adjustments which result from changes in net prior service credit and actuarial gains (losses), and is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

        The following summary sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) contained in the stockholders' equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets (amounts in thousands):

 
  Foreign
Currency
Translation
Gains (Losses)
  Defined Benefit
Post-retirement
Plan
Adjustments
  Defined
Benefit
Pension
Plans
  Net
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 

Balance at March 31, 2009

  $ 12,215   $ 2,971   $ (2,523 ) $ 12,663  

2010 Activity(1)

    1,977     (560 )   (2,090 )   (673 )
                   

Balance at March 31, 2010

    14,192     2,411     (4,613 )   11,990  

2011 Activity(2)

    12,884     (300 )   (2,019 )   10,565  
                   

Balance at March 31, 2011

  $ 27,076   $ 2,111   $ (6,632 ) $ 22,555  
                   

(1)
Activity within the defined benefit pension plans is net of a tax benefit of $1.1 million.

(2)
Activity within the defined benefit pension plans is net of a tax benefit of $1.5 million.

Warrant Liability

        Concurrent with the consummation of the tender offer as discussed in Note 2, "Debt", the Company issued K Financing, LLC ("K Financing") a warrant (the "Platinum Warrant") to purchase up to 26,848,484 shares of the Company's common stock, subject to certain adjustments, representing approximately 49.9% of the Company's outstanding common stock at the time of issuance on a post-exercise basis. The Platinum Warrant was subsequently transferred to K Equity, LLC ("K Equity"). The Platinum Warrant was exercisable at a purchase price of $1.50 per share, subject to an adjustment which reduced the exercise price to a floor of $1.05 per share based on a sliding scale once the aggregate borrowings under the Platinum Line of Credit Loan (as defined below) and the Platinum Working Capital Loan (as defined below) exceeded $12.5 million, at any time prior to the tenth anniversary of the Platinum Warrant's date of issuance. The floor exercise price was reached on September 29, 2009 when the aggregate borrowings under the Platinum Line of Credit Loan and the Platinum Working Capital Loan reached $20.0 million. The Platinum Warrant may be exercised in exchange for cash, by means of net settlement of a corresponding portion of amounts owed by the Company under the Revised Amended and Restated Platinum Credit Facility, by cashless exercise to the extent of appreciation in the value of the Company's common stock above the exercise price of the Platinum Warrant, or by combination of the preceding alternatives.

        Warrants may be classified as assets or liabilities (derivative accounting), temporary equity, or permanent equity, depending on the terms of the specific warrant agreement. The Platinum Warrant

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 1: Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

issued to K Financing under the Platinum Credit Facility (as defined below) was reviewed as of June 30, 2009, the date of issuance, to determine whether it met the definition of a derivative. The Company's evaluation of the Platinum Warrant as of the date of issuance concluded that it was not indexed to the Company's stock since the strike price was not fixed and as such was treated as a freestanding derivative liability. On September 29, 2009, the Company borrowed $10.0 million from the Platinum Working Capital Loan for general corporate purposes. As a result of this additional borrowing, the strike price of the Platinum Warrant was fixed at $1.05 per share as of September 29, 2009 and the Company assessed whether the Platinum Warrant still met the definition of a derivative. The Company's evaluation of the Platinum Warrant as of September 29, 2009, concluded that the Platinum Warrant is indexed to the Company's own stock and should be classified as a component of equity. The Company valued the Platinum Warrant immediately prior to the strike price becoming fixed and recorded a mark-to-market adjustment of $81.1 million through earnings. Subsequent to the strike price becoming fixed, the Company reclassified the warrant liability of $112.5 million into the line item "Additional paid-in capital" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Platinum Warrant will no longer be marked-to-market.

        The Company estimated the fair value of the Platinum Warrant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:

 
  September 30,
2009
 

Expected life

    9.75 years  

Expected volatility

    66.0 %

Risk-free interest rate

    3.5 %

Dividends

    0 %

        On December 20, 2010, in connection with a secondary offering in which K Equity was the selling security holder, K Equity exercised a portion of the Platinum Warrant representing the right to purchase 10.9 million shares of the Company's common stock to the underwriters of the secondary offering, who exercised their full portion of the warrant in a cashless exercise, based on an exercise price of $1.05 per share and a closing price per share of $12.80, and received a net settlement of 10.0 million shares of the Company's common stock. These shares were sold as part of the secondary offering, and KEMET did not receive any of the proceeds from the transaction. K Equity retained the remaining portion of the warrant, representing the right to purchase 16.0 million shares of the Company's common stock.

Fair Value Measurement

        The Company utilizes three levels of inputs to measure the fair value of (a) nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the Company's consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) and (b) all financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 1: Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        The first two inputs are considered observable and the last is considered unobservable. The levels of inputs are as follows:

        Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2011 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
   
  Fair Value Measurement Using    
  Fair Value Measurement Using  
 
  Fair Value
March 31,
2011
  Fair Value
March 31,
2010
 
 
  Level 1(3)   Level 2(2)   Level 3   Level 1   Level 2(2)   Level 3  

Assets:

                                                 

Money markets(1)

  $ 51,157   $ 51,157   $   $   $ 28,761   $ 28,761   $   $  

Long-term debt

    307,543     301,379     6,164         260,496     70,492     190,004      

(1)
Included in the line item "Cash and cash equivalents" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2)
The valuation approach used to calculate fair value was a discounted cash flow for each respective debt facility.

(3)
In the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Company utilized a bid quote to quantify the fair value of its 10.5% Senior Notes which was considered a Level 2. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, the fair value of the 10.5% Senior Notes was transferred to Level 1 since they are now publicly traded.

Revenue Recognition

        The Company recognizes revenue only when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the seller's price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Net sales is presented net of any taxes collected from customers and remitted to government entities.

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

        A portion of sales is made to distributors under agreements allowing certain rights of return and price protection on unsold merchandise held by distributors. The Company's distributor policy includes

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 1: Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


inventory price protection and "ship-from-stock and debit" ("SFSD") programs common in the industry.

        The SFSD program provides a mechanism for the distributor to meet a competitive price after obtaining authorization from the local Company sales office. This program allows the distributor to ship its higher-priced inventory and debit the Company for the difference between KEMET's list price and the lower authorized price for that specific transaction. The Company establishes reserves for its SFSD program based primarily on historical SFSD activity and on the actual inventory levels of certain distributor customers. The actual inventory levels at these distributors comprise approximately 80% of the total global distributor inventory related to customers who participate in the SFSD Program.

        Substantially all of the Company's distributors have the right to return to KEMET a certain portion of the purchased inventory, which, in general, will not exceed 6% of their purchases from the previous fiscal quarter. KEMET estimates future returns based on historical patterns of the distributors and records an allowance on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company also offers volume based rebates.

        The establishment of sales allowances is recognized as a component of the line item "Net sales" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, while the associated reserves are included in the line item "Accounts receivable, net" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

        The Company provides a limited warranty to its customers that the products meet certain specifications. The warranty period is generally limited to one year, and the Company's liability under the warranty is generally limited to a replacement of the product or refund of the purchase price of the product. Warranty costs were less than 1% of net sales for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. The Company recognizes warranty costs when losses are both probable and reasonably estimable.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

        The Company evaluates the collectability of trade receivables through the analysis of customer accounts. When the Company becomes aware that a specific customer has filed for bankruptcy, has begun closing or liquidation proceedings, has become insolvent or is in financial distress, the Company records a specific allowance for the doubtful account to reduce the related receivable to the amount the Company believes is collectible. If circumstances related to specific customers change, the Company's estimates of the recoverability of receivables could be adjusted. Accounts are written off after all means of collection, including legal action, have been exhausted.

Factoring of Receivables

        Film and Electrolytic factors a portion of its accounts receivables through factoring transactions. As of March 31, 2011 and 2010 all factoring transactions were with recourse to the seller. These transactions do not meet the derecognition requirements. Consequently, as of March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, €0.4 million ($0.6 million) and €1.7 million ($2.3 million) of receivables sold through factoring transactions are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the line item "Accounts receivable, net." A corresponding liability, amounting to zero and €1.1 million ($1.5 million) as of March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively related to the advanced cash received from the factoring agent, is recorded in the line item "Current portion of long-term debt" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 1: Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Shipping and Handling Costs

        The Company's shipping and handling costs are reflected in the line item "Cost of sales" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Shipping and handling costs were $24.8 million, $21.1 million, and $26.6 million in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Income (Loss) per Share

        Basic income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding. Diluted income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding adjusted for the incremental shares attributed to the Platinum Warrant, outstanding options to purchase common stock and for any put options issued by the Company, if such effects are dilutive.

Environmental Cost

        The Company recognizes liabilities for environmental remediation when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and can be reasonably estimated. The Company determines its liability on a site-by-site basis, and it is not discounted or reduced for anticipated recoveries from insurance carriers. In the event of anticipated insurance recoveries, such amounts would be presented on a gross basis in other current or non-current assets, as appropriate. Expenditures that extend the life of the related property or mitigate or prevent future environmental contamination are capitalized.

Use of Estimates

        The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make a number of estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. In addition, they affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include impairment of property and equipment, intangibles and goodwill; valuation allowances for accounts receivables, price protection and customers' returns, and deferred income taxes; environmental liabilities; valuation of derivative instruments and assets and obligations related to employee benefits. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

        In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2010-06, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements". The updated guidance (i) requires separate disclosure of significant transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements, (ii) requires disclosure of Level 3 fair value measurements activity on a gross basis, (iii) clarifies existing disaggregation requirements and (iv) clarifies existing input and valuation technique disclosure requirements. The updated guidance was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the Level 3 fair value measurement disclosure requirements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU No. 2010-06 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 1: Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-29, "Business Combinations (Topic 805)", that updates existing disclosure requirements related to supplementary pro forma information for business combinations. Under the updated guidance, a public entity that presents comparative financial statements should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The guidance also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. This guidance was effective for KEMET on April 1, 2011 and will be applied prospectively to any business combinations that have an acquisition date on or after April 1, 2011.

Note 2: Debt

        A summary of debt is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  March 31,  
 
  2011   2010  

10.5% Senior Notes, net of discount of $2,792 as of March 31, 2011

  $ 227,208   $  

Convertible Debt, net of discount of $1,569 and $7,861 as of March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010, respectively

    39,012     73,220  

UniCredit Agreement—A (€53,201 as of March 31, 2010)

        71,710  

UniCredit Agreement—B (€33,000 as of March 31, 2010)

        44,481  

Platinum Term Loan, net of discount of $22,308 as of March 31, 2010

        15,525  

Platinum Line of Credit, net of discount of $4,056 as of March 31, 2010

        5,944  

Platinum Working Capital Loan

        10,000  

Vishay

        15,000  

Other

    7,096     13,629  
           

Total debt

    273,316     249,509  

Current maturities

    (42,101 )   (17,880 )
           

Total long-term debt

  $ 231,215   $ 231,629  
           

        The line item "Interest expense" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Contractual interest expense

  $ 25,110   $ 12,616   $ 19,871  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

    1,137     2,788     1,588  

Amortization of debt discount

    3,928     10,604     8,330  
               
 

Total interest expense

  $ 30,175   $ 26,008   $ 29,789  
               

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 2: Debt (Continued)

10.5% Senior Notes

        On May 5, 2010, the Company completed a private placement of $230.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company's 10.5% Senior Notes due 2018 (the "10.5% Senior Notes") to several initial purchasers (the "Initial Purchasers") represented by Banc of America Securities LLC pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Initial Purchasers subsequently sold the 10.5% Senior Notes to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to persons outside of the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

        On May 5, 2010, in connection with the private placement of the 10.5% Senior Notes, the Company, the Company's domestic restricted subsidiaries (the "Guarantors") and the Initial Purchasers entered into the Registration Rights Agreement. The terms of the Registration Rights Agreement require the Company and the Guarantors to (i) use their commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 210 days after the date of the initial issuance of the 10.5% Senior Notes, a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange the 10.5% Senior Notes for a new issue of debt securities registered under the Securities Act, with terms substantially identical to those of the 10.5% Senior Notes (except for provisions relating to the transfer restrictions and payment of additional interest); (ii) use our commercially reasonable efforts to consummate such exchange offer within 270 days after the date of the initial issuance of the 10.5% Senior Notes; and (iii) in certain circumstances, file a shelf registration statement for the resale of the 10.5% Senior Notes. On October 26, 2010, the Company filed a Form S-4 to offer, in exchange for its outstanding 10.5% Senior Notes, up to $230.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 10.5% Senior Notes due 2018 and the guarantees thereof which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

        The private placement of the 10.5% Senior Notes resulted in net proceeds to the Company of $222.2 million. The Company used a portion of the proceeds of the private placement to repay all of its outstanding indebtedness under the Company's credit facility with K Financing, LLC, the Company's €60 million credit facility and €35 million credit facility with UniCredit Corporate Banking S.p.A. ("UniCredit") and the Company's term loan with a subsidiary of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. ("Vishay") and used a portion of the remaining proceeds to fund a previously announced tender offer to purchase $40.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company's 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes (the "Convertible Notes") and to pay costs incurred in connection with the private placement, the tender offer and the foregoing repayments. Debt issuance costs related to the 10.5% Senior Notes, net of amortization, were $6.1 million as of March 31, 2011; these costs will be amortized over the term of the 10.5% Senior Notes.

        The 10.5% Senior Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture (the "10.5% Senior Notes Indenture"), dated as of May 5, 2010, by and among the Company, Guarantors and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The 10.5% Senior Notes will mature on May 1, 2018, and bear interest at a stated rate of 10.5% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2010. The 10.5% Senior Notes are senior obligations of the Company and will be guaranteed by each of the Guarantors and secured by a first priority lien on 51% of the capital stock of certain of the Company's foreign restricted subsidiaries.

        The terms of the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture, among other things, limit the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to (i) incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 2: Debt (Continued)


stock; (ii) pay dividends on, or make distributions in respect of, their capital stock or repurchase their capital stock; (iii) make certain investments or other restricted payments; (iv) sell certain assets; (v) create liens or use assets as security in other transactions; (vi) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (vii) merge, consolidate or transfer or dispose of substantially all of their assets; (viii) engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and (ix) designate their subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions that are described in the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture.

        The 10.5% Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time on or after May 1, 2014, at the redemption prices specified in the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture. At any time prior to May 1, 2013, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 10.5% Senior Notes with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 110.5% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. In addition, at any time prior to May 1, 2014, the Company may redeem the 10.5% Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 10.5% Senior Notes so redeemed, plus a "make whole" premium and together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.

        Upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event specified in the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture, the Company must offer to purchase the 10.5% Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase.

        The 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include nonpayment, breach of covenants in the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture, payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness, a failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. The 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture also provides for events of default with respect to the collateral, which include default in the performance of (or repudiation, disaffirmation or judgment of unenforceability or assertion of unenforceability) by the Company or a Guarantor with respect to the provision of security documents under the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture. These events of default are subject to a number of important qualifications, limitations and exceptions that are described in the 10.5% Senior Notes Indenture. Generally, if an event of default occurs, the Trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding 10.5% Senior Notes may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest, including additional interest, on all the 10.5% Senior Notes to be due and payable.

        The Company had interest payable related to the 10.5% Senior Notes included in the line item "Accrued expenses" on its Consolidated Balance Sheets of $10.1 million at March 31, 2011.

Platinum Credit Facility

        On May 5, 2009, the Company executed a credit facility with K Financing, an affiliate of Platinum Equity Capital Partners II, L.P. (the "Platinum Credit Facility"). The Platinum Credit Facility consisted of a term loan of $37.8 million ("Platinum Term Loan"), a line of credit loan ("Platinum Line of Credit Loan") that could be borrowed from time to time (but not reborrowed after being repaid) of up to $12.5 million and a working capital loan ("Platinum Working Capital Loan") of up to $12.5 million. The Platinum Term Loan was used to purchase $93.9 million of the Company's Convertible Notes that are more fully described below. On June 30, 2009, the Company drew $10.0 million from the Platinum Line of Credit Loan and used it primarily to pay the fees and expenses related to the execution of the

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 2: Debt (Continued)


tender offer (described below) and the execution of the Platinum Credit Facility. The Company incurred $3.6 million in fees and expense reimbursements related to the execution of the tender offer, $4.2 million related to the execution of the Platinum Credit Facility, and $1.4 million related to the amendments of the UniCredit facilities. On September 29, 2009, the Company borrowed $10.0 million on the Platinum Working Capital Loan for general corporate purposes.

        On May 5, 2010, the Platinum Term Loan, the Platinum Line of Credit Loan, and the Platinum Working Capital Loan were extinguished. The extinguishment of the Platinum facilities resulted in a $33.3 million loss on early extinguishment of debt. The calculation of the loss is as follows (amounts in thousands):

Reacquisition price:

       
 

Cash paid

  $ 57,861  
 

Success fee

    5,000  
       

    62,861  
       

Extinguished debt:

       
 

Carrying amount of debt

    32,135  
 

Carrying amount of success fee

    2,001  
 

Unamortized debt cost

    (4,619 )
       

    29,517  
       

Net loss

  $ (33,344 )
       

        The Platinum Term Loan accrued interest at an annual rate of 9% for cash payment. The Platinum Working Capital Loan and the Platinum Line of Credit Loan accrued interest at a rate equal to the greater of (i) LIBOR plus 7%, or (ii) 10%, payable monthly in arrears. The Company's obligations to K Financing arising under the Revised Amended and Restated Platinum Credit Facility were secured by substantially all of the Company's assets located in the United States, Mexico, Indonesia and China (other than accounts receivable owing by account debtors located in the United States, Singapore and Hong Kong, which exclusively secured obligations due to a subsidiary of Vishay). As further described in the Offer to Purchase for the Convertible Notes, in connection with entering into the Revised Amended and Restated Platinum Credit Facility, K Financing and UniCredit entered into a letter of understanding with respect to their respective guarantor and collateral pools and the Company's assets in Europe that were not pledged to either lender. The letter of understanding also set forth each lender's agreement not to interfere with the other lender's exercise of remedies pertaining to their respective collateral pools.

        Concurrent with the consummation of the tender offer, the Company issued K Financing the Platinum Warrant to purchase up to 26,848,484 shares of its common stock, subject to certain adjustments, representing approximately 49.9% of the Company's outstanding common stock at the time of issuance on a post-exercise basis. The Platinum Warrant was subsequently transferred to K Equity. On December 20, 2010, K Equity sold a portion of the Platinum Warrant equal to 10,893,608 shares, which was exercised on a net exercise basis and the resulting 10,000,000 shares of which were sold by underwriters in an offering.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 2: Debt (Continued)

        The Company also entered into an Investor Rights Agreement (the "Investor Rights Agreement") with K Financing, which subsequently transferred its rights thereunder to K Equity. Pursuant to the terms of the Investor Rights Agreement, the Company has, subject to certain terms and conditions, granted Board of Directors ("Board") observation rights to K Financing which would permit K Financing to designate up to three individuals to observe Board meetings and receive information provided to the Board. In addition, the Investor Rights Agreement provides K Financing with certain preemptive rights. Subject to the terms and limitations described in the Investor Rights Agreement, in connection with any proposed issuance of equity securities or securities convertible into equity, the Company would be required to offer to sell to K Financing a pro rata portion of such securities equal to the percentage determined by dividing the number of shares of common stock held by K Financing plus the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Platinum Warrant, by the total number of shares of common stock then outstanding on a fully diluted basis. The Investor Rights Agreement also provides K Financing with certain registration and information rights.

        The Company also entered into a Corporate Advisory Services Agreement with Platinum Equity Advisors, LLC ("Platinum Advisors") for a term of the later of (i) June 30, 2013 and (ii) the termination of the Credit Facility, pursuant to which the Company pays an annual fee of $1.5 million to Platinum Advisors for certain advisory services. In addition, the Platinum Credit Facility included various fees totaling $0.7 million per year for administration and collateral management and the Company incurred a fee of 1% per annum for unused capacity under the Platinum Line of Credit Loan and the Company paid K Financing a success fee of $5.0 million in May 2010. This fee was payable at the time of repayment in full of the Platinum Term Loan, whether at maturity or otherwise.

        At the date of issuance, the Company allocated $31.4 million of the proceeds from the issuance of the Platinum Term Loan and the draw-down on the Platinum Line of Credit Loan to warrant liability. The Company allocated the remainder of the issuance proceeds to the Platinum Term Loan and the Platinum Line of Credit Loan ($12.0 million and $4.4 million, respectively) based upon their relative fair values. The carrying amount of the Platinum Term Loan and the Platinum Line of Credit Loan were increased by quarterly accretion to the line item "Interest expense" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations under the effective interest method, the remaining balance at the time of extinguishment was included in the calculation of the loss on extinguishment of debt.

        The Company recorded deferred financing costs of $5.5 million at the issuance date, and a long-term obligation has been recognized related to the unpaid success fee. These deferred financing costs were allocated between the various loan components and amortized under the effective interest method. The remaining balance at the time of extinguishment was included in the calculation of the loss on extinguishment of debt.

Convertible Notes

        In November 2006, the Company sold and issued its Convertible Notes which are unsecured obligations and rank equally with the Company's existing and future unsubordinated and unsecured obligations and are junior to any of the Company's future secured obligations to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations. In connection with the issuance and sale of the Convertible Notes, the Company entered into an indenture (the "Convertible Notes Indenture") dated as of November 1, 2006, with Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 2: Debt (Continued)

        The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.25% per annum, payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on each May 15 and November 15. The Convertible Notes are convertible into (i) cash in an amount equal to the lesser of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes and the conversion value of the Convertible Notes on the conversion date and (ii) cash or shares of the Company's common stock ("Common Stock") or a combination of cash and shares of the Common Stock, at the Company's option, to the extent the conversion value at that time exceeds the principal amount of the Convertible Notes, at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date of the Convertible Notes, unless the Company has redeemed or purchased the Convertible Notes, subject to certain conditions. The conversion rate was 34.364 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes, which represents a conversion price of approximately $29.1 per share, subject to adjustments. The Convertible Notes are currently not convertible.

        The holder may surrender the holder's Convertible Notes for conversion if any of the following conditions are satisfied:

        The Company received net proceeds from the sale of the Convertible Notes of approximately $170.2 million, after deducting discounts and estimated offering expenses of approximately $4.8 million. Net proceeds from the sale were used to repurchase 1.1 million shares of Common Stock at a cost of approximately $24.9 million (concurrent with the initial closing of the Convertible Notes offering). Debt issuance costs are being amortized over a period of five years.

        Issuance and transaction costs incurred at the time of the issuance of the Convertible Notes with third parties are allocated to the liability and equity components and accounted for as debt issuance costs and equity issuance costs, respectively. Debt issuance costs related to the Convertible Notes, net of amortization, were $0.1 million and $0.5 million as of March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Equity issuance costs were $1.3 million as of March 31, 2011 and 2010. The deferred tax liability and a corresponding valuation allowance adjustment in the same amount related to the Convertible Notes were $0.6 million and $3.0 million as of March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

        As of March 31, 2011, the remaining unamortized debt discount of the Convertible Notes will be amortized over a period of 7 months, the remaining expected term of the Convertible Notes. The effective interest rate on the liability component is 9.1% on an annual basis.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 2: Debt (Continued)

        On June 26, 2009, $93.9 million in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes were validly tendered (representing 53.7% of the outstanding Convertible Notes). As a result of the retrospective adoption effective April 1, 2009 of new guidance within ASC 470-20, "Debt With Conversion and Other Options", the carrying value of the aggregate principal value of the tendered Convertible Notes was $81.0 million. Holders of the Convertible Notes received $400 for each $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes purchased in the tender offer, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the date of payment for the Convertible Notes accepted for payment. As a result of the consummated tender offer, on June 30, 2009, the Company used the $37.8 million Platinum Term Loan under the Revised Amended and Restated Platinum Credit Facility to extinguish the tendered Convertible Notes. The extinguishment of these Convertible Notes resulted in a $38.9 million net gain ($1.44 per basic share) included in the line item "(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.

        The calculation of the gain is as follows (amounts in thousands):

Reacquisition price:

       
 

Cash paid

  $ 37,568  
 

Tender offer fees

    3,605  
       

    41,173  
       

Extinguished debt:

       
 

Carrying amount of debt

    80,987  
 

Unamortized debt cost

    (893 )
       

    80,094  
       

Net gain

  $ 38,921  
       

        On May 17, 2010, $40.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes was extinguished. The extinguishment resulted in a further $1.6 million loss on extinguishment of debt. The calculation of the loss is as follows (amounts in thousands):

Reacquisition price:

       
 

Cash paid

  $ 37,867  
 

Tender offer fees

    207  
       

    38,074  
       

Extinguished debt:

       
 

Carrying amount of debt

    36,770  
 

Unamortized debt cost

    (248 )
       

    36,522  
       

Net loss

  $ (1,552 )
       

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 2: Debt (Continued)

        The terms of the Convertible Notes are governed by the Convertible Notes Indenture. The Convertible Notes mature on November 15, 2026 unless earlier redeemed, repurchased or converted. The Company may redeem the Convertible Notes for cash, either in whole or in part, anytime after November 20, 2011 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, including additional interest, if any, up to but not including the date of redemption. In addition, holders of the Convertible Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase for cash all or a portion of their Convertible Notes on November 15, 2011, 2016 and 2021, at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, in each case, up to but not including, the date of repurchase.

        The Convertible Notes are convertible into Common Stock at a rate equal to 34.364 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes (equal to an initial conversion price of approximately $29.10 per share), subject to adjustment as described in the Convertible Notes Indenture. Upon conversion, the Company will deliver for each $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, an amount consisting of cash equal to the lesser of $1,000 and the conversion value (as defined in the Convertible Notes Indenture) and, to the extent that the conversion value exceeds $1,000, at the Company's election, cash or shares of Common Stock with respect to the remainder. The contingent conversion feature was not required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately.

        If the Company undergoes a "fundamental change", holders of the Convertible Notes will have the right, subject to certain conditions, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all or a portion of their Convertible Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, including contingent interest and additional amounts, if any. One occurrence creating a "fundamental change" is the Company's common stock ceasing to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") or another national securities exchange in the United States, without then being quoted on an established automated over-the-counter trading market in the United States. The transfer of the trading of the Company's stock from the NYSE to the OTC Bulletin Board did not constitute a "fundamental change." The Company will pay a make-whole premium on the Convertible Notes converted in connection with any fundamental change that occurs prior to November 20, 2011. The amount of the make-whole premium, if any, will be based on the Company's stock price and the effective date of the fundamental change. The maximum make-whole premium, expressed as a number of additional shares of the Common Stock to be received per $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes, would be 10.32 upon the conversion of Convertible Notes in connection with the occurrence of a fundamental change prior to November 20, 2011 if the stock price at that date is $22.38 per share of Common Stock. The Convertible Notes Indenture contains a detailed description of how the make-whole premium will be determined and a table showing the make-whole premium that would apply at various stock prices and fundamental change effective dates. No make-whole premium will be paid if the price of the Common Stock on the effective date of the fundamental change is less than $22.38 per share. Any make-whole premium will be payable in shares of Common Stock (or the consideration into which the Company's Common Stock has been exchanged in the fundamental change) on the conversion date for the Convertible Notes converted in connection with the fundamental change.

        The estimated fair value of the Convertible Notes, based on quoted market prices as of March 31, 2011, and March 31, 2010, was approximately $40 million and $71 million, respectively. The Company had interest payable related to the Convertible Notes included in the line item "Accrued expenses" on

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 2: Debt (Continued)


its Consolidated Balance Sheets of $0.3 million and $0.7 million at March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010, respectively.

UniCredit Credit Facility

        As of March 31, 2010, the Company had two Senior Facility Agreements outstanding with UniCredit. As of March 31, 2010, Facility A had EUR 53.2 million ($71.7 million) outstanding and Facility B had EUR 33.0 million ($44.5 million) outstanding.

        On May 5, 2010, Facility A and Facility B were extinguished. The extinguishment resulted in a $3.3 million loss on extinguishment of debt. The calculation of the loss is as follows (amounts in thousands):

Reacquisition price:

       
 

Cash paid

  $ 104,683  

Extinguished debt:

       
 

Carrying amount of debt

    104,674  
 

Unamortized debt cost

    (3,343 )
       

    101,331  
       

Net loss

  $ (3,352 )
       

        Material terms and conditions of Facility A were as follows:

(i ) Maturity:   April 1, 2013

(ii

)

Interest Rate:

 

Floating at six-month EURIBOR plus 2.5%

(iii

)

Structure:

 

Secured with Italian real property, certain European accounts receivable and shares of two of the Company's Italian subsidiaries

        Material terms and conditions of Facility B were as follows:

(i ) Maturity:   April 1, 2013

(ii

)

Interest Rate:

 

Floating at six-month EURIBOR plus 2.5%

(iii

)

Structure:

 

Unsecured

        Effective as of September 30, 2009, the Company entered into an amendment to Facility A. Under the terms of the amendment, the amortization schedule of Facility A was modified, including the addition of an October 1, 2009, principal installment. In connection with the amendment, the Company simultaneously executed a fee letter in which it agreed to pay to UniCredit an amendment fee and reimburse it for certain legal expenses incurred in relation to the amendment. These fees were $1.5 million and were amortized as an adjustment of interest expense over the term of the Facility, the remaining balance at the time of extinguishment was included in the calculation of the loss on extinguishment of debt.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 2: Debt (Continued)

Vishay Loan

        In the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company sold assets related to the production and sale of wet tantalum capacitors to a subsidiary of Vishay. The Company received $33.7 million in cash proceeds, net of amounts held in escrow, from the sale of these assets. At the same time, the Company entered into a three-year term loan agreement for $15.0 million and a security agreement with a subsidiary of Vishay. The loan carried an interest rate of LIBOR plus 4% which was payable monthly. The entire principal amount of $15.0 million was scheduled to mature on September 15, 2011 and could be prepaid without penalty. Pursuant to the security agreement, the loan was secured by certain accounts receivable of the Company. On May 5, 2010, the Vishay loan was paid in full.

Revolving Line of Credit

        On September 30, 2010, KEMET Electronics Corporation ("KEC") and KEMET Electronics Marketing (S) Pte Ltd. ("KEMET Singapore") (each a "Borrower" and, collectively, the "Borrowers") entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the "Loan and Security Agreement"), with Bank of America, N.A, as the administrative agent and the initial lender. The Loan and Security Agreement provides a $50 million revolving line of credit, which is bifurcated into a U.S. facility (for which KEC is the Borrower) and a Singapore facility (for which KEMET Singapore is the Borrower). The size of the U.S. facility and Singapore facility can fluctuate as long as the Singapore facility does not exceed $30 million and the total facility does not exceed $50 million. A portion of the U.S. facility and the Singapore facility can be used to issue letters of credit. The Loan and Security Agreement expire on September 30, 2014.

        Revolving loans may be used to pay fees and transaction expenses associated with the closing of the credit facilities, to pay obligations outstanding under the Loan and Security Agreement and for working capital and other lawful corporate purposes of KEC and KEMET Singapore. Borrowings under the U.S. and Singapore facilities are subject to a borrowing base. The borrowing base consists of:

        Interest is payable on borrowings monthly at a rate equal to the London Interbank Offer Rate ("LIBOR") or the base rate, plus an applicable margin, as selected by the Borrower. Depending upon the fixed charge coverage ratio of KEMET Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of the latest test date, the applicable margin under the U.S. facility varies between 3.00% and 3.50% for LIBOR advances and 2.00% and 2.50% for base rate advances, and under the Singapore facility varies between 3.25% and 3.75% for LIBOR advances and 2.25% and 2.75% for base rate advances.

        The base rate is subject to a floor that is 100 basis points above LIBOR.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 2: Debt (Continued)

        An unused line fee is payable monthly in an amount equal to 0.75% per annum of the average daily unused portion of the facilities during any month; provided, that such percentage rate is reduced to (a) 0.50% per annum for any month in which the average daily balance of the facilities is greater than 33.3% of the total revolving commitment and less than 66.6% of the total revolving commitment, and (b) 0.375% per annum for any month in which the average daily balance of the facilities is greater than or equal to 66.6% of the total revolving commitment. A customary fee is also payable to the administrative agent on a quarterly basis.

        KEC's ability to draw funds under the U.S. facility and KEMET Singapore's ability to draw funds under the Singapore facility are conditioned upon, among other matters:

        The parent corporation of KEC—KEMET Corporation—and the Guarantors guarantee the U.S. facility obligations and the U.S. facility obligations are secured by a lien on substantially all of the assets of KEC and the Guarantors (other than assets that secure the 10.5% Senior Notes due 2018). The collection accounts of the Borrowers and Guarantors are subject to a daily sweep into a concentration account and the concentration account will become subject to full cash dominion in favor of the administrative agent (i) upon an event of default, (ii) if for five consecutive business days, aggregate availability of all facilities has been less than the greater of (A) 15% of the aggregate revolver commitments at such time and (B) $7.5 million, or (iii) if for five consecutive business days, availability of the U.S. facility has been less than $3.75 million (each such event, a "Cash Dominion Trigger Event").

        KEC and the Guarantors guarantee the Singapore facility obligations. In addition to the assets that secure the U.S. facility, the Singapore obligations are also secured by a pledge of 100% of the stock of KEMET Singapore and a security interest in substantially all of KEMET Singapore's assets. As required by the Loan and Security Agreement, KEMET Singapore's bank accounts were transferred over to Bank of America and upon a Cash Dominion Trigger Event will become subject to full cash dominion in favor of the administrative agent.

        A fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.1:1.0 must be maintained as at the last day of each fiscal quarter ending immediately prior to or during any period in which any of the following occurs and is continuing until none of the following occurs for a period of at least forty-five consecutive days: (i) an event of default, (ii) aggregate availability of all facilities has been less than the greater of (A) 15% of the aggregate revolver commitments at such time and (B) $7.5 million, or (iii) availability of the U.S. facility has been less than $3.75 million. The fixed charge coverage ratio tests the EBITDA and fixed charges of KEMET Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 2: Debt (Continued)

        In addition, the Loan and Security Agreement includes negative covenants that, subject to exceptions, limit the ability of KEMET Corporation and its direct and indirect subsidiaries to, among other things:

        The Loan and Security Agreement includes certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants and events of default, which are set forth in more detail in the Loan and Security Agreement.

        Debt issuance costs related to the Loan and Security Agreement, net of amortization, were $1.3 million as of March 31, 2011; these costs will be amortized over the term of the Loan and Security Agreement. There were no borrowings against the revolving line of credit as of March 31, 2011.

        The following table highlights the Company's annual maturities of debt (amounts in thousands):

 
  Annual Maturities of Debt
Fiscal Years Ended March 31,
 
 
  2012   2013   2014   2015   2016   Thereafter  

10.5% Senior Notes

  $   $   $   $   $   $ 230,000  

Convertible Debt(1)

    40,581                   $  

Other

    3,089     2,048     1,349     610          
                           

  $ 43,670   $ 2,048   $ 1,349   $ 610   $   $ 230,000  
                           

(1)
Holders of the Convertible Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase for cash all or a portion of their Convertible Notes on November 15, 2011, 2016 and 2021 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, in each case, up to but not including, the date of repurchase.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 3: Restructuring

        Since the end of fiscal year 2002, the Company has initiated several restructuring programs in order to reduce costs, to remove excess capacity, and to make the Company more competitive on a world-wide basis. Since the goals of each of these restructuring programs fall into one of the rationales listed above, the Company has elected to disclose the impacts on an annual basis rather than by each restructuring program.

        A summary of the expenses aggregated on the Consolidated Statements of Operations line item "Restructuring charges" in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Manufacturing relocation costs

  $ 5,974   $ 1,559   $ 5,451  

Personnel reduction costs

    1,197     7,639     25,423  
               

Restructuring charges

  $ 7,171   $ 9,198   $ 30,874  
               

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2011

        In fiscal year 2010, the Company initiated the first phase of a plan to restructure Film and Electrolytic and to reduce overhead within the Company as a whole. The restructuring plan includes implementing programs to make the Company more competitive by removing excess capacity, moving production to lower cost locations and eliminating unnecessary costs throughout the Company. Restructuring charges in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 relate to this new plan and are primarily comprised of manufacturing relocation costs of $6.0 million for relocation of equipment from various plants to Mexico and China as well as relocation of the European distribution center. In addition, the Company incurred $1.2 million in personnel reduction costs related to the following: headcount reductions in Italy, $0.8 million; the closure of our Nantong, China plant expected to be completed in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012, $0.6 million; and $1.5 million related to the Company's initiative to reduce overhead within the Company as a whole and headcount reductions in Mexico. These personnel reduction charges were offset by a $1.7 million reversal of prior expenses primarily associated with the Cassia Integrazione Guadagni Straordinaria ("CIGS") plan (see below for a description of this program) as it was determined that only 107 employees are expected to participate in the program through October 2012.

        During the remainder of this restructuring effort, we expect to spend between $28 million to $33 million, primarily in our Film and Electrolytic Business Group. The Company expects the restructuring plan to be completed in the second half of fiscal year 2014; however, the length of time required to complete the restructuring activities is dependent upon a number of factors, including the ability to continue to manufacture products required to meet customer demand while at the same time relocating certain production lines, and the progress of discussions with union and government representatives in certain European locations concerning the optimization of product mix and related headcount requirements in such manufacturing locations.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 3: Restructuring (Continued)

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2010

        In fiscal year 2010, the Company initiated the first phase of a restructuring plan to restructure Film and Electrolytic and to reduce overhead within the Company as a whole. Restructuring expense in fiscal year 2010 relates to this new plan and is primarily comprised of a headcount reduction of 57 employees in Finland, a headcount reduction of 32 employees in Portugal and a headcount reduction of 85 employees in Italy. There were also several headcount reductions at the executive level related to the Company's initiative to reduce overhead within the Company as a whole. In addition to the headcount reduction in Portugal, the Company incurred charges related to the relocation of equipment from Portugal to Mexico. Machinery not used for production in Portugal and not relocated to Mexico was disposed of and as such the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.7 million to write down the equipment to scrap value. Overall, the Company incurred charges of $1.6 million related to the relocation of equipment to Mexico from Portugal and various other locations. The restructuring plan includes implementing programs to make the Company more competitive, removing excess capacity, moving production to lower cost locations, and eliminating unnecessary costs throughout the Company. Restructuring charges of $9.2 million were incurred in fiscal year 2010 and $8.4 million remains as a liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2010. Restructuring payments in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 primarily related to a plan that was initiated in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 to reduce the workforce in the Film and Electrolytic Business Group in the United Kingdom and France and to negotiate agreements with the labor unions representing employees at the Company's facilities in Italy. Restructuring expenses related to this plan were incurred in fiscal year 2009. The agreements with the labor unions allowed the Company to place up to 260 workers, on a rotation basis, on the CIGS plan to save labor costs. CIGS is a temporary plan to save labor costs whereby a company may temporarily "lay off" employees while the government continues to pay their wages for a maximum of 36 months for the program. The employees who are in CIGS are not working, but are still employed by the Company. Only employees that are not classified as management or executive level personnel can participate in the CIGS program. Upon termination of the plan, the affected employees return to work. Total expenses incurred related to this plan were $5.2 million; restructuring charges of $2.4 million remain as a liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2010.

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2009

        Restructuring charges incurred during fiscal year 2009 totaled $30.9 million. The Company announced three initiatives to reduce fixed costs to be more in line with lower sales volumes. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company recognized charges of $4.9 million primarily for reductions in workforce in Film and Electrolytic. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company recognized charges of $16.1 million related to the rationalization of corporate staff and manufacturing support functions in the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Asia. Approximately 640 employees were affected by this action. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company recognized charges of $3.5 million related primarily to the reduction of approximately 1,500 manufacturing positions representing approximately 14% of the Company's workforce. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company incurred expenses of $0.9 million primarily related to the closing of sales offices. The Company also incurred expenses of $5.5 million related to the Company's manufacturing relocation plan.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 3: Restructuring (Continued)

        A reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability balances for restructuring charges included in the line items "Accrued expenses" and "Other non-current obligations" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Personnel
Reductions
  Manufacturing
Relocations
 

Balance at March 31, 2008

  $ 1,835   $  

Costs charged to expense

    25,423     5,451  

Costs paid or settled

    (18,832 )   (5,451 )

Change in foreign exchange

    (533 )    
           

Balance at March 31, 2009

    7,893      

Costs charged to expense

   
7,639
   
1,559
 

Costs paid or settled

    (7,343 )   (1,559 )

Change in foreign exchange

    209      
           

Balance at March 31, 2010

    8,398      

Costs charged to expense

   
1,197
   
5,974
 

Costs paid or settled

    (7,936 )   (5,974 )

Change in foreign exchange

    168      
           

Balance at March 31, 2011

  $ 1,827   $  
           

Note 4: Impairment Charges

        During fiscal years 2010 and 2009, the Company incurred impairment charges totaling $0.7 million and $242.0 million, respectively.

        The Company's goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least on an annual basis. The impairment test involves a comparison of the fair value of its reporting units, with their respective carrying amounts. If the reporting unit's aggregate carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then an indication exists that the reporting unit's goodwill may be impaired. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill being measured exceeds its implied fair value, up to the total amount of its assets. The Company determines the fair value of a reporting unit using an income-based approach, discounted cash flow analysis, and market based approaches (Guideline Publicly Traded Company Method and Guideline Transaction Method).

        For purposes of the goodwill impairment test, the Company has identified the following three reporting units: Tantalum, Ceramic, and Film and Electrolytic. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested annually for impairment during the first quarter of each fiscal year and upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances. In fiscal year 2010, the Company initiated the first phase of a restructuring plan to reduce costs in Film and Electrolytic. Machinery not used for production in Portugal and not relocated to Mexico was disposed of and as such the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.7 million to write down the equipment to scrap value.

        In connection with the performance of its fiscal year 2009 annual impairment analyses, the Company hired an independent appraisal firm to test goodwill for impairment. The Company recorded

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 4: Impairment Charges (Continued)


goodwill impairments of $88.6 million in connection with its 2009 annual impairment test. This impairment was a result of the Company revising its earnings forecast used in the Company's analysis due to reduced earnings and cash flows caused by macro-economic factors, excess capacity issues in the industry and delays in integrating recently acquired businesses. The asset impairments recorded reduced the carrying values of goodwill in Film and Electrolytic and Ceramic by $76.2 million and $12.4 million, respectively.

        One of the factors that determine whether or not goodwill is impaired is the market value of the Company's common stock. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company's stock price declined significantly below the level the Company considered in performing its annual impairment review as of June 30, 2008. As such, the Company hired an independent appraisal firm to test goodwill for impairment again as of September 30, 2008. This impairment test resulted in a second quarter goodwill impairment charge of $85.7 million to write off all of the remaining goodwill of Film and Electrolytic, and Tantalum. These impairment charges are aggregated and reported in the line item "Goodwill impairment" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        Long-lived assets and intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or group of assets may not be recoverable.

        Based in part upon the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 impairment of goodwill, the Company determined that there was an indication that the carrying amount of certain long-lived asset groups might not be recoverable and tested the long-lived assets of Ceramic for impairment. The Company hired an independent appraisal firm to estimate the fair value of the Company's asset groups for impairment purposes. Tests for the recoverability of a long-lived asset to be held and used are performed by comparing the carrying amount of the long-lived asset to the sum of the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. In estimating the future undiscounted cash flows, the Company uses future projections of cash flows directly associated with, and which are expected to arise as a direct result of, the use and eventual disposition of the assets. These assumptions include, among other estimates, periods of operation and projections of sales and cost of sales. Changes in any of these estimates could have a material effect on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, it was determined that the book value of the long-lived assets of Ceramic was not fully recoverable, and an impairment charge of $58.6 million was recorded, equal to the excess of the carrying amount of the long-lived assets over their fair value. The fair value was established on the basis of fair value in exchange. Fair value in exchange is defined as the price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or sell and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts. In addition in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, Ceramic recorded a $5.3 million impairment charge to write off all of its other intangible assets. These impairment charges are reported in the line item "Write down of long-lived assets" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        Utilizing an independent appraisal firm, KEMET also completed long-lived asset impairment tests in the second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2009 and concluded that no further impairment existed.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 4: Impairment Charges (Continued)

        At March 31, 2009, the Company recognized an impairment of $2.5 million which primarily relates to a manufacturing facility as the carrying amount of the facility is considered not fully recoverable based on an independent appraisal dated February 28, 2009. In addition, a research and development facility located in Heidenheim, Germany was closed and $1.2 million was recognized as an impairment due to the abandonment of long-lived assets.

Note 5: Goodwill and Intangible Assets

        The following table highlights the Company's other intangible assets (amounts in thousands):

 
  March 31, 2011   March 31, 2010  
 
  Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
 

Indefinite Lived Intangibles:

                         
   

Trademarks

  $ 7,644   $   $ 7,617   $  
                   

Amortized Intangibles:

                         
 

Customer relationships, patents and other (3-18 years)

    20,910     8,462     18,911     4,729  
                   

  $ 28,554   $ 8,462   $ 26,528   $ 4,729  
                   

        For fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 amortization related to intangibles was $2.3 million, $2.6 million and $3.7 million, respectively. The weighted average useful life of amortized intangibles was 13 years in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. Estimated amortization of intangible assets for the next five fiscal years and thereafter is $1.5 million, $1.1 million, $0.7 million, $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $7.8 million.

        The Company tests goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives for impairment at least on an annual basis. During fiscal year 2009, the Company recognized an impairment of $174.3 million, reducing its goodwill balance to zero. Additionally, the Company recognized an impairment of $5.3 million related to intangible assets in Ceramic.

        The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended March 31, 2009 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Year
2009
 

Balance at the beginning of fiscal year

  $ 182,273  

Acquisitions

     

Impairment charges

    (174,327 )

Adjustment related to prior year opening balance sheet deferred tax calculation

    (2,902 )

Effect of foreign currency fluctuations

    (5,044 )
       

Balance at the end of fiscal year

  $  
       

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 6: Asset Sales

        During the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Company sold a building and related equipment for net proceeds of $3.4 million resulting in a net gain of $1.6 million which is recognized as a component of the line item "Net (gain) loss on sales and disposals of assets" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        Tantalum completed two sales of fixed assets during fiscal year 2009. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company sold assets related to the production and sale of wet tantalum capacitors to a subsidiary of Vishay. Cash proceeds of $33.7 million were received, net of amounts held in escrow, from the sale of these assets. At the same time, the Company entered into a three-year term loan for $15.0 million with a subsidiary of Vishay. The sale resulted in a pre-tax gain of $28.3 million, which is net of related fees and amounts held in escrow. Proceeds of $1.5 million were held in escrow to secure the Company's obligations under the sales agreement and the Company received the $1.5 million in March 2010. The Company recorded the release of escrow funds as an additional gain of $1.5 million in fiscal year 2010 in the line item "Net gain on sales and disposals of assets" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Annual revenues generated from these assets were approximately $16.0 million.

        Also during the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company sold a property which was classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2008. Proceeds from this sale were $1.2 million which approximated the carrying value.

        In the ordinary course of business, the Company incurs losses due to the obsolescence and disposal of fixed assets. The net losses incurred in the ordinary course of business totaled $0.3 million, $0.5 million and $2.8 million in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively and are included in the line item "Net gain on sales and disposals of assets" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Note 7: Segment and Geographic Information

        The Company is organized into three business groups: Tantalum, Ceramic, and Film and Electrolytic based primarily on products lines. Each business group is responsible for the operations of certain manufacturing sites as well as all related research and development efforts. The sales and marketing functions are shared by each of the business groups and the costs of which are allocated to the business groups based on the business groups' respective budgeted net sales.

Tantalum

        Tantalum operates in five manufacturing sites in Portugal, Mexico and China and maintains a product innovation center in the United States. This business group produces tantalum and aluminum polymer capacitors. Tantalum products are sold in all regions of the world.

Ceramic

        Ceramic operates in two manufacturing locations in Mexico and a finishing plant in China and maintains a product innovation center in the United States. This business group produces ceramic capacitors. Ceramic products are sold in all regions of the world.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 7: Segment and Geographic Information (Continued)

Film and Electrolytic

        Film and Electrolytic operates fifteen manufacturing sites throughout Europe and Asia and maintains a product innovation center in Sweden. This business group produces film, paper, and electrolytic capacitors. Film and Electrolytic products are sold in all regions in the world.

        The following tables summarize information about each segment's net sales, operating income (loss), depreciation and amortization, capitalized expenditures and total assets (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Net sales:

                   
 

Tantalum

  $ 486,595   $ 343,797   $ 366,675  
 

Ceramic

    210,509     171,153     175,916  
 

Film and Electrolytic

    321,384     221,385     261,794  
               

  $ 1,018,488   $ 736,335   $ 804,385  
               

Operating income (loss)(1)(2)(3):

                   
 

Tantalum

  $ 88,456   $ 28,424   $ 13,318  
 

Ceramic

    38,791     24,374     (98,694 )
 

Film and Electrolytic

    2,014     (45,101 )   (185,736 )
               

  $ 129,261   $ 7,697   $ (271,112 )
               

Depreciation and amortization:

                   
 

Tantalum

  $ 31,215   $ 29,938   $ 32,921  
 

Ceramic

    8,627     9,012     11,432  
 

Film and Electrolytic

    13,090     13,694     13,772  
               

  $ 52,932   $ 52,644   $ 58,125  
               

Capital expenditures:

                   
 

Tantalum

  $ 11,264   $ 6,572   $ 10,766  
 

Ceramic

    5,760     2,603     10,662  
 

Film and Electrolytic

    17,965     3,746     9,113  
               

  $ 34,989   $ 12,921   $ 30,541  
               

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 7: Segment and Geographic Information (Continued)

 

 
  March 31,  
 
  2011   2010  

Total assets:

             
 

Tantalum

  $ 435,311   $ 378,344  
 

Ceramic

    179,639     169,564  
 

Film and Electrolytic

    269,359     193,053  
           

  $ 884,309   $ 740,961  
           

(1)
Restructuring charges included in Operating income (loss) were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Total restructuring:

                   
 

Tantalum

  $ 864   $ 1,941   $ 11,388  
 

Ceramic

    444     543     7,143  
 

Film and Electrolytic

    5,863     6,714     12,343  
               

  $ 7,171   $ 9,198   $ 30,874  
               
(2)
Impairment charges and write downs included in Operating income (loss) were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Impairment charges and write downs:

                   
 

Tantalum

  $   $ 656   $ 26,233  
 

Ceramic

            78,187  
 

Film and Electrolytic

            137,531  
               

  $   $ 656   $ 241,951  
               
(3)
(Gain) loss on sales and disposals of assets included in Operating income (loss) were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

(Gain) loss on sales and disposals of assets:

                   
 

Tantalum

  $ 25   $ (1,226 ) $ (26,435 )
 

Ceramic

    (1,578 )   183     1,123  
 

Film and Electrolytic

    292     40     (193 )
               

  $ (1,261 ) $ (1,003 ) $ (25,505 )
               

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 7: Segment and Geographic Information (Continued)

        The following highlights net sales by geographic location (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,(1)  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

United States

  $ 240,775   $ 167,638   $ 184,496  

Hong Kong

    171,129     128,292     111,460  

Europe(2)(3)

    131,107     106,807     132,439  

Germany

    136,552     89,737     105,288  

China

    114,879     71,963     86,140  

Asia Pacific(2)(3)

    37,443     41,551     29,815  

Italy

    39,525     25,155     36,977  

Singapore

    37,118     29,045     40,649  

United Kingdom

    34,321     19,485     20,809  

Malaysia

    21,138     14,194     13,960  

Finland

    20,796     17,084     17,069  

Netherlands

    20,426     12,902     12,129  

Other countries(2)

    13,279     12,482     13,154  
               

  $ 1,018,488   $ 736,335   $ 804,385  
               

(1)
Revenues are attributed to countries or regions based on the location of the customer. The Company sold $133.5 million, $86.5 million and $81.6 million in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, to one customer, TTI, Inc.

(2)
No country included in this caption exceeded 2% of consolidated net sales for 2011, 2010, and 2009.

(3)
Excluding the specific countries listed in this table.

        The following geographic information includes long-lived assets, based on physical location (amounts in thousands):

 
  March 31,  
 
  2011   2010  

Mexico

  $ 64,993   $ 74,148  

Italy

    61,719     57,351  

Portugal

    60,459     66,451  

United States

    57,625     56,478  

China

    42,928     43,597  

Indonesia

    7,974     7,210  

Finland

    8,860     10,222  

United Kingdom

    8,300     8,967  

Other

    17,646     17,260  
           

  $ 330,504   $ 341,684  
           

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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 8: Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans

        The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans which include seven in Europe, one in Singapore and two in Mexico. The Company funds the pension liabilities in accordance with laws and regulations applicable to those plans.

        The Company has two post-retirement benefit plans: health care and life insurance benefits for certain retired United States employees who reach retirement age while working for the Company. The health care plan is contributory, with participants' contributions adjusted annually. The life insurance plan is non-contributory.

        Effective March 1, 2009, the Company amended its post-retirement health care and life insurance benefit plans to eliminate all obligations for non-Union Carbide Corporation ("Union Carbide") grandfathered retirees. As a result of this amendment, the Company recognized a curtailment gain of $30.6 million.

        A summary of the changes in benefit obligations and plan assets is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Pension   Other Benefits  
 
  2011   2010   2011   2010  

Change in Benefit Obligation

                         

Benefit obligation at beginning of the year

  $ 36,775   $ 29,992   $ 1,395   $ 1,554  

Service cost

    1,060     977          

Interest cost

    1,836     1,775     62     77  

Plan participants' contributions

    66     58     557     441  

Actuarial (gain) loss

    3,550     3,569     (7 )   172  

Foreign currency exchange rate change

    3,030     1,402          

Gross benefits paid

    (1,436 )   (1,492 )   (668 )   (849 )

Plan amendments and other

    270     494          

Curtailments and settlements

    (749 )            
                   

Benefit obligation at end of year

  $ 44,402   $ 36,775   $ 1,339   $ 1,395  
                   

Change in Plan Assets

                         

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

  $ 12,866   $ 10,730   $   $  

Actual return on plan assets

    1,308     1,600          

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

    1,521     627          

Employer contributions

    1,841     1,343     111     408  

Settlements

    (247 )            

Plan participants' contributions

    66     58     557     441  

Gross benefits paid

    (1,436 )   (1,492 )   (668 )   (849 )
                   

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

  $ 15,919   $ 12,866   $   $  
                   

Funded status at end of year

                         

Fair value of plan assets

  $ 15,919   $ 12,866   $   $  

Benefit obligations

    (44,402 )   (36,775 )   (1,339 )   (1,395 )
                   

Amount recognized at end of year

  $ (28,483 ) $ (23,909 ) $ (1,339 ) $ (1,395 )
                   

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 8: Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans (Continued)

        The Company expects to contribute $4.2 million to the pension plans in fiscal year 2012, which includes benefit payments to be made for unfunded plans.

        The Company does not prefund its post-retirement health care and life insurance benefit plans. As a result, the Company is annually responsible for the payment of benefits as incurred by the plans. We anticipate making payments of $150 thousand during fiscal year 2012. Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following (amounts in thousands):

 
  Pension   Other Benefits  
 
  2011   2010   2011   2010  

Current liability

    (3,313 )   (1,953 )   (147 )   (159 )

Noncurrent liability

    (25,170 )   (21,956 )   (1,192 )   (1,236 )
                   

Amount recognized, end of year

  $ (28,483 ) $ (23,909 ) $ (1,339 ) $ (1,395 )
                   

        Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of $1.5 million and $1.1 million as of March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, consist of the following (amounts in thousands):

 
  Pension   Other Benefits  
 
  2011   2010   2011   2010  

Net actuarial loss (gain)

  $ 8,655   $ 5,677   $ (2,111 ) $ (2,410 )

Prior service cost

    162     165          
                   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

  $ 8,817   $ 5,842   $ (2,111 ) $ (2,410 )
                   

        Components of benefit costs consist of the following (amounts in thousands):

 
  Pension   Other Benefits  
 
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009  

Net service cost

  $ 1,060   $ 977   $ 662   $   $   $ 89  

Interest cost

    1,836     1,725     1,441     62     77     638  

Expected return on plan assets

    (677 )   (586 )   (676 )            

Amortization:

                                     
 

Actuarial gain

    126     (541 )   (3 )   (306 )   (388 )   (218 )
 

Prior service (credit) cost

    22     21     24             (1,459 )
                           
   

Recurring activity

    2,367     1,596     1,448     (244 )   (311 )   (950 )

One time curtailment expense/(income)

    291         (201 )           (30,634 )
                           

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

  $ 2,658   $ 1,596   $ 1,247   $ (244 ) $ (311 ) $ (31,584 )
                           

        The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit costs in fiscal year 2012 are actuarial gains of $0.4 million, and prior service costs of $24 thousand.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 8: Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans (Continued)

        The asset allocation for the Company's defined benefit pension plans at March 31, 2011 and the target allocation for 2011, by asset category, are as follows:

Asset Category
  Target
Allocation
  Plan Assets at
March 31,
2011
 

Insurance(1)

    60 %   57.0 %

International equities

    15     21  

International bonds

    15     21  

Other

    10     1  
           

    100 %   100 %
           

(1)
Primarily comprised of assets held by the defined benefit pension plan in Switzerland. These assets are fully insured and the insurance company guarantees that the defined benefit pension plan is fully funded. These assets are also guaranteed by the government in Switzerland.

        The Company's investment strategy for its defined benefit pension plans is to maximize long-term rate of return on plan assets within an acceptable level of risk in order to minimize the cost of providing pension benefits. The investment policy establishes a target allocation range for each asset class and the fund is managed within those ranges. The plans use a number of investment approaches including insurance products, equity and fixed income funds in which the underlying securities are marketable in order to achieve this target allocation. Certain plans invest solely in insurance products. The Company continuously monitors the performance of the overall pension assets portfolio, asset allocation policies, and the performance of individual pension asset managers and makes adjustments and changes, as required. The Company does not manage any assets internally, does not have any passive investments in index funds, and does not directly utilize futures, options, or other derivative instruments or hedging strategies with regard to the pension plans; however, the investment mandate of some pension asset managers allows the use of the foregoing as components of their portfolio management strategies.

        The expected rate of return was determined by modeling the expected long-term rates of return for broad categories of investments held by the plan against a number of various potential economic scenarios.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 8: Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans (Continued)

        Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Pension   Other Benefits  
 
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009  

Curtailment effects

  $   $   $   $   $   $ 30,311  

Current year actuarial (gain) loss

    2,918     2,556     3,129     (7 )   172     (935 )

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

    728     243     (402 )   306     388      

Amortization of actuarial gain

    (649 )   541     3             218  

Current year prior service (credit) cost

    270         (29 )           (12,167 )

Amortization of prior service credit (cost)

    (292 )   (21 )   (24 )           1,782  
                           

Total recognized in other comprehensive income

  $ 2,975   $ 3,319   $ 2,677   $ 299   $ 560   $ 19,209  
                           

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)

  $ 5,633   $ 4,915   $ 3,924   $ 55   $ 249   $ (12,375 )
                           

        In fiscal year 2009, the Company amended its post-retirement plan to eliminate all obligations for non-Union Carbide grandfathered retirees.

        Each of these changes has been factored into the following benefit payments schedule for the next ten fiscal years. The Company expects to have benefit payments in the future as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Expected benefit payments  
 
  2012   2013   2014   2015   2016   2017 - 2021  

Pension benefits

  $ 4,173   $ 1,749   $ 1,831   $ 1,950   $ 2,201   $ 12,800  

Other benefits

    150     150     147     143     137     554  
                           

  $ 4,323   $ 1,899   $ 1,978   $ 2,093   $ 2,338   $ 13,354  
                           

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 8: Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans (Continued)

        The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the projected benefit obligation at the measurement date and the net periodic cost for the pension and post-retirement plan (amounts in thousands except percentages):

 
  Pension   Other Benefits  
 
  2011   2010   2011   2010  

Projected benefit obligation:

                         
 

Discount rate

    5.0 %   5.1 %   4.4 %   4.7 %
 

Rate of compensation increase

    2.9 %   2.9 %        
 

Health care cost trend on covered charges

            8.0 %   8.0 %

                decreasing to
ultimate trend
of 5% in 2016
    decreasing to
ultimate trend
of 5% in 2016
 

Net periodic benefit cost:

                         
 

Discount rate

    5.1 %   5.6 %   4.7 %   5.9 %
 

Rate of compensation increase

    2.9 %   2.3 %        
 

Expected return on plan assets

    5.1 %   5.5 %        
 

Health care cost trend on covered charges

            7.5 %   8.0 %

                decreasing to
ultimate trend
of 5% in 2016
    decreasing to
ultimate trend
of 5% in 2016
 

Sensitivity of retiree welfare results

                         
 

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

                         
   

—On total service and interest costs components

              $ 2   $ 2  
   

—On post-retirement benefits obligation

                40     33  
 

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

                         
   

—On total service and interest costs components

                (2 )   (2 )
   

—On post-retirement benefits obligation

                (37 )   (30 )

        The measurement date used to determine pension and post-retirement benefits is March 31.

        The Company evaluated input from its third-party actuary to determine the appropriate discount rate. The determination of the discount rate is based on various factors such as the rate on bonds, term of the expected payouts, and long-term inflation factors.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 8: Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans (Continued)

        The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy as described in Note 1, the pension plan's assets, required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010 (amounts in thousands):

 
   
  Fair Value
Measurement Using
   
  Fair Value
Measurement Using
 
 
  Fair Value
March 31,
2011
  Fair Value
March 31,
2010
 
 
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3  

Cash and cash equivalents

  $   $   $   $   $ 50   $ 50   $   $  

Equity securities:

                                                 
 

International equities

    3,354     3,354             3,619     3,619          

Fixed income securities:

                                                 
 

International bonds

    3,272     3,272             2,295     2,295          

Insurance contracts

    9,145             9,145     6,902             6,902  

Other

    148     148                          
                                   

  $ 15,919   $ 6,774   $   $ 9,145   $ 12,866   $ 5,964   $   $ 6,902  
                                   

        The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the defined benefit pension plan's Level 3 assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Year
2011
 

Balance as of April 1, 2010

  $ 6,902  

Actual return on plan assets

    894  

Employer contributions

    660  

Employee contributions

    66  

Benefits paid

    (517 )

Foreign currency exchange rate change

    1,140  
       

Balance as of March 31, 2011

  $ 9,145  
       

        The Company also sponsors a deferred compensation plan for highly compensated employees. The plan is non-qualified and allows certain employees to contribute to the plan. Gains net of the Company matches related to the deferred compensation plan were $6 thousand in fiscal year 2011, $0.5 million in fiscal year 2010, and $0.7 million in fiscal year 2009. Total benefits accrued under this plan were $2.1 million and $1.5 million at March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010, respectively.

        In addition, the Company has a defined contribution retirement plan (the "Savings Plan") in which all United States employees who meet certain eligibility requirements may participate. A participant may direct the Company to contribute amounts, based on a percentage of the participant's compensation, to the Savings Plan through the execution of salary reduction agreements. In addition, the participants may elect to make after-tax contributions. Until January 1, 2009, the Company matched contributions to the Savings Plan up to 6% of the employee's salary. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company temporarily suspended its matching contributions, reducing contributions from 6% to 0%. Effective August 1, 2009, the Company reactivated its U.S. defined contribution retirement plan match. The Company made matching contributions of $1.7 million, $1.0 million, and $1.6 million in fiscal years 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. As part of the Savings Plan, employees were previously able to elect

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 8: Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans (Continued)


to purchase the Company's stock. Effective January 1, 2009, the option to elect purchases of KEMET stock was eliminated. For fiscal year 2009, the Savings Plan purchased 94,922 shares of KEMET stock.

Note 9: Stock-Based Compensation

        The Company's stock-based compensation plans are broad-based, long-term retention programs intended to attract and retain talented employees and align stockholder and employee interests. The major components of stock-based compensation expense are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Employee stock options

  $ 566   $ 665   $ 1,158  

Restricted stock

    329     39     238  

Long-term incentive plan

    888     1,161     (326 )
               

  $ 1,783   $ 1,865   $ 1,070  
               

        For fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, compensation expense associated with all stock-based compensation plans of $1.6 million, $1.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively was recorded in the line item "Selling, general and administrative expense" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, compensation expense associated with all stock-based compensation plans of $0.2 million, $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively was recorded in the line item "Cost of sales" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Employee Stock Options

        At March 31, 2011, the Company had three option plans that reserved shares of common stock for issuance to executives and key employees: the 1992 Key Employee Stock Option Plan, the 1995 Executive Stock Plan, and the 2004 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan. All of these plans were approved by the Company's stockholders. These plans authorized the grant of up to 4.0 million shares of the Company's common stock. The Company has no plans to purchase additional shares in conjunction with its employee stock option program in the near future. Options issued under these plans vest in one or two years and expire ten years from the grant date.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 9: Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

        Employee stock option activity for fiscal year 2011 is as follows (amounts in thousands, except exercise price, fair value and contractual life):

 
  Options   Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 

Outstanding at March 31, 2010

    1,547   $ 16.05  

Granted

    194     8.90  

Exercised

    (47 )   1.92  

Forfeited

    (108 )   15.99  

Expired

    (43 )   52.50  
             

Outstanding at March 31, 2011

    1,543     14.54  
             

Exercisable at March 31, 2011

    824   $ 23.16  

Remaining weighted average contractual life of options exercisable (years)

         
4.7
 

        The weighted average grant-date fair value during fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $5.55, $1.47 and $1.41. The total estimated fair value of shares vested during fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $0.2 million, $1.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised in fiscal year 2011 was $0.6 million.

        The following table sets forth the exercise prices, the number of options outstanding and exercisable and the remaining contractual lives of the Company's stock options as of March 31, 2011 (amounts in thousands except exercise price and contractual life):

Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable  
Range of
Exercise
Prices ($)
  Number
Outstanding
at 3/31/11
  Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life (years)
  Weighted-Average
Exercise
Price ($)
  Number
Exercisable
at 3/31/11
  Weighted-Average
Exercise
Price ($)
 
0.87 to 1.92     336     8.1     1.75     77     1.92  
1.93 to 4.47     296     8.5     4.34     33     3.72  
4.48 to 8.64     223     9.2     8.51     35     8.17  
8.65 to 21.75     185     4.8     20.56     175     20.92  
21.76 to 23.16     194     6.2     22.70     194     22.70  
23.17 to 34.11     149     3.1     25.32     150     25.32  
34.12 to 52.50     160     2.0     41.64     160     41.64  
                             
      1,543     7.6     14.54     824     23.16  
                             

        As of March 31, 2011, the intrinsic value related to options outstanding was $8.9 million. Total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to non-vested options was $1.8 million as of March 31, 2011. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.8 years. At March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, the weighted average exercise price of stock options expected to vest was $4.62 and $3.12, respectively.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 9: Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

        The Company measures the fair value of each employee stock option grant at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. This model requires the input of assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables that will usually have a significant impact on the fair value estimate. The following table summarizes the weighted average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model to value stock option grants:

 
  Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
 
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Assumptions:

                   
 

Expected volatility

    85.9 %   64.6 %   58.8 %
 

Risk-free interest rate

    1.0 %   3.2 %   3.5 %
 

Expected option lives in years

    4.1     3.2     3.5  
 

Dividend yield

             

        The expected volatility is based on historical volatility calculation of the Company's stock price. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield with a maturity commensurate with the expected term, which was between three years and four years for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. The expected term is based on the Company's historical option term which considers the weighted-average vesting, contractual term and two-year cliff vesting. In addition, stock-based compensation expense is calculated based on the number of awards that are ultimately expected to vest, and therefore has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. The Company's estimate of expected forfeitures is based on the Company's actual historical annual forfeiture rate of 2.5%. The estimated forfeiture rate, which is evaluated each balance sheet date throughout the life of the award, provides a time-based adjustment of forfeited shares. The estimated forfeiture rate is reassessed at each balance sheet date and may change based on new facts and circumstances. The dividend yield is based on a set dividend rate of 0.0% as the Company has not paid and does not anticipate paying dividends.

        All options plans provide that options to purchase shares be supported by the Company's authorized but unissued common stock or treasury stock. All restricted stock and performance awards are also supported by the Company's authorized but unissued common stock or treasury stock. The prices of the options granted pursuant to these plans are not less than 100% of the value of the shares on the date of the grant.

Performance Vesting Stock Options

        During fiscal year 2006, the Company issued 166,667 performance awards with a weighted-average exercise price of $24.15 to the Chief Executive Officer which will entitle him to receive shares of common stock if and when the stock price maintains certain thresholds. These awards are open ended until they vest and will have a ten-year life after vesting or will expire on the third year following retirement, whichever comes first. Effective March 4, 2010, 83,333 of these awards were voluntarily relinquished and no concurrent grant, replacement award or other valuable consideration was provided.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 9: Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

        Restricted stock activity for fiscal year 2011 is as follows (amounts in thousands except fair value):

 
  Shares   Weighted-
average
Fair Value
on Grant
Date
 

Non-vested restricted stock at beginning of year

    89   $ 4.32  

Granted

    47     9.96  

Vested

    (6 )   4.50  
             

Non-vested restricted stock at end of year

    130     6.34  
             

Restricted Stock

        The Company grants shares of restricted stock to members of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer. Restricted stock granted to the Board of Directors vests in one year while restricted stock granted to the Chief Executive Officer vests immediately. The contractual term on restricted stock is indefinite. As of March 31, 2011, unrecognized compensation costs related to the unvested restricted stock share based compensation arrangements granted was $0.5 million. The expense is being recognized over a period of one year. As of March 31, 2010, unrecognized compensation costs related to the unvested restricted stock share based compensation arrangements granted was $0.4 million. The costs were recognized over a period of one year.

Restricted Stock and Long-Term Incentive Plans ("LTIP")

2008/2009 LTIP

        In fiscal year 2008, the Board of Directors approved a long-term incentive plan ("2008/2009 LTIP") which entitled the participants to receive up to 134,153 shares of common stock of the Company in May 2009 if certain performance measures were met as compared to the S&P 600 Smallcap Index and up to 249,140 shares if the Company met a prescribed two year earnings per share target. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, all of the participants in the 2008/2009 LTIP entered into cancellation agreements; and accordingly, the 2008/2009 LTIP was cancelled.

        The Company measured the fair value of each peer company performance stock award at the date of grant using the Monte Carlo option pricing model with the following assumptions:

 
  Fiscal
Year 2008
 

Assumptions:

       
 

Expected volatility

    38.0 %
 

Risk-free interest rate

    4.8 %
 

Expected option lives in years

    1.5  
 

Dividend yield

     

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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 9: Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

2009/2010 LTIP

        During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Board of Directors approved a long-term incentive plan ("2009/2010 LTIP") based upon the achievement of an earnings per share target for the combined fiscal years ending in March 2009 and 2010. These awards vest on the measurement date of May 15, 2010.

        The 2009/2010 LTIP entitles the participants to receive up to 685,799 shares of KEMET common stock if the target financial metric is realized. Each fiscal quarter, the Company assessed the likelihood of meeting the target financial metric and concluded in each quarter that the target would not be achieved. Accordingly, no compensation expense was recorded during fiscal years 2010 or 2009.

2010/2011 LTIP

        During the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, the Board of Directors approved a new long-term incentive plan ("2010/2011 LTIP") based upon the achievement of an ADJUSTED EBITDA target for the combined fiscal years ending in March 2010 and 2011. The 2010/2011 LTIP provides for an award which up to 15% can be paid out in restricted shares of the Company's common stock.

        The 2010/2011 LTIP entitles the participants to receive cash and at the time of the award and at the sole discretion of the compensation committee they may receive up to 15% of the award as shares of KEMET common stock. The Company assesses the likelihood of meeting the Adjusted EBITDA financial metric on a quarterly basis and has recorded an expense of $2.8 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, based on this assessment. In total, the Company has accrued $4.5 million based upon this assessment and the related liability is reflected in the line item "Accrued expenses" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $0.5 million in the line item "Additional paid-in capital" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

2011/2012 LTIP

        During the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a new long-term incentive plan ("2011/2012 LTIP") based upon the achievement of an Adjusted EBITDA target for the two-year period comprised of fiscal years ending in March 2011 and 2012. At the time of the award, participants will receive at least 10% of the award, in restricted shares of the Company's common stock; and the remainder will be realized in cash. The Company assesses the likelihood of meeting the ADJUSTED EBITDA financial metric on a quarterly basis and has recorded an expense of $4.9 million in fiscal year 2011, based on this assessment, $4.4 million is reflected in the line item "Other non-current obligations" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $0.4 million in the line item "Additional paid-in capital" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company will continue to monitor the likelihood of whether the Adjusted EBITDA financial metric will be realized and will adjust compensation expense to match expectations.

        In the Operating activities section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, stock-based compensation expense was treated as an adjustment to net income (loss) for fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009.

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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 10: Income Taxes

        The components of Income (loss) before income taxes consist of (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Domestic (U.S.)

  $ 27,473   $ (72,265 ) $ (140,663 )

Foreign (Outside U.S.)

    38,275     7,854     (147,748 )
               

  $ 65,748   $ (64,411 ) $ (288,411 )
               

        The provision for Income tax expense (benefit) is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Current:

                   
 

Federal

  $   $   $ 274  
 

State and local

    58     627     96  
 

Foreign

    6,049     2,358     4,574  
               

    6,107     2,985     4,944  
               

Deferred:

                   
 

Federal

  $ 21   $   $  
 

State and local

    99     358     (227 )
 

Foreign

    (3,523 )   1,693     (7,919 )
               

    (3,403 )   2,051     (8,146 )
               

Income tax expense (benefit)

  $ 2,704   $ 5,036   $ (3,202 )
               

        A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate is as follows:

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Statutory federal income tax rate

    35.0 %   35.0 %   35.0 %

Goodwill impairment

            (21.3 )

Platinum warrant

        (49.1 )    

Taxable foreign source income

    6.8     (12.1 )   (4.3 )

Tax credits

        (9.4 )   3.3  

Other permanent items

    1.5     (0.9 )   (0.1 )

Change in valuation allowance

    (22.9 )   31.5     (10.8 )

State income taxes, net of federal taxes

    0.2     (0.7 )   0.4  

Effect of foreign operations

    (16.3 )   (2.0 )   (0.9 )

Change in tax exposure

    (0.2 )   (0.1 )   (0.1 )

Other

            (0.1 )
               

Effective income tax rate

    4.1 %   (7.8 )%   1.1 %
               

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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 10: Income Taxes (Continued)

        The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  March 31,  
 
  2011   2010  

Deferred tax assets:

             
 

Net operating loss carry forwards

  $ 127,626   $ 150,081  
 

Tax credits

    11,690     16,156  
 

Medical and employee benefits

    7,576     9,313  
 

Sales allowances and inventory reserves

    10,182     7,049  
 

Stock options

    3,712     3,727  
 

Other

    6,411     8,060  
           
   

Gross deferred tax assets

    167,197     194,386  
 

Less valuation allowance

    (143,216 )   (162,217 )
           
   

Net deferred tax assets

    23,981     32,169  
           

Deferred tax liabilities:

             
 

Depreciation and differences in basis

    (20,372 )   (18,278 )
 

Amortization of intangibles and debt discounts

    (2,792 )   (15,166 )
 

Non-amortized intangibles

    (2,595 )   (2,581 )
 

Other

    (881 )   (2,038 )
           
   

Gross deferred tax liabilities

    (26,640 )   (38,063 )
           

Net deferred tax liability

  $ (2,659 ) $ (5,894 )
           

        The change in net deferred income tax asset (liability) for the current year is presented below (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal
Year 2011
 

Balance at March 31, 2010

  $ (5,894 )

Deferred income taxes related to continuing operations

    3,403  

Deferred income taxes related to other comprehensive income

    373  

Foreign currency translation

    (541 )
       

Balance at March 31, 2011

  $ (2,659 )
       

        As of March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company's gross deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance of $143.2 million and $162.2 million, respectively. A full valuation allowance on U.S. and certain foreign jurisdiction's net deferred tax assets was determined to be necessary based on the existence of significant negative evidence such as a cumulative three-year loss of the Company. The valuation allowance decreased $19.0 million during fiscal year 2011. The valuation allowance decrease resulted primarily from the utilization of federal and state net operating loss carryforwards during fiscal year 2011 and from the release of valuation allowance of certain foreign subsidiaries.

        In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the

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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 10: Income Taxes (Continued)


periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the existing valuation allowances as of March 31, 2011. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable; however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced.

        As of March 31, 2011, the Company had U.S. net operating loss carryforwards for federal and state income tax purposes of $237.2 million and $368.0 million, respectively. These net operating losses are available to offset future federal and state taxable income, if any, through 2030. Foreign subsidiaries in Italy, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, and Bulgaria had net operating loss carryforwards totaling $137.7 million of which $25.2 million will expire in one year if unused. For the U.S. and Bulgaria there is a greater likelihood of not realizing the future tax benefits of these deferred tax assets; and accordingly, the Company has recorded valuation allowances related to the net deferred tax assets in these jurisdictions. For the remaining foreign jurisdictions with net operating loss carryforwards a valuation allowance has been recorded where the Company does not expect to fully realize the deferred tax assets in the future.

        Utilization of the Company's net operating loss carryforwards may be subject to substantial annual limitation due to the ownership change limitations provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and similar state provisions. Such an annual limitation could result in the expiration of the net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards before utilization. The issuance of the Platinum Warrant may have given rise to an "ownership change" for purposes of Section 382 of the Code. If such an ownership change were deemed to have occurred, the amount of our taxable income that could be offset by the Company's net operating loss carryovers in taxable years after the ownership change would be severely limited. While the Company believes that the issuance of the Platinum Warrant did not result in an ownership change for purposes of Section 382 of the Code, there is no assurance that the Company's view will be unchallenged. Moreover, a future exercise of part or all of the Platinum Warrant may give rise to an ownership change in the future.

        At March 31, 2011, $0.5 million of the $127.6 million deferred tax asset for net operating losses represented losses generated by stock option deductions in excess of book expense. The valuation allowance related to the $0.5 million deferred tax asset generated by stock option deductions would be credited to equity when recognized.

        The Company conducts business in China through subsidiaries that qualify for a tax holiday. The tax holiday will terminate on January 1, 2012 for one subsidiary, and January 1, 2013 for two other subsidiaries. For calendar years 2011, 2010 and 2009 the statutory tax rate of 25% is reduced to 24%, 11% and 10%, respectively for the one subsidiary. For the other two subsidiaries, for calendar years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, the statutory rate of 25% is reduced to 0%, 12.5%, 12.5% and 12.5%, respectively. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, the Company realized a tax benefit of $0.8 million from the tax holiday.

        At March 31, 2011, unremitted earnings of the subsidiaries outside the United States were deemed to be permanently invested. The Company has $59.1 million of unremitted foreign earnings. No current plans are expected for repatriation and no deferred tax liability was recognized with regard to such

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 10: Income Taxes (Continued)


earnings. It is not practicable to estimate the income tax liability that might be incurred if such earnings were remitted to the United States.

        At March 31, 2011, the Company had $5.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits. A reconciliation of gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Beginning of fiscal year

  $ 5,010   $ 5,010   $ 4,995  

Additions for tax positions of the current year

    247     266     283  

Additions for tax positions of prior years

    29     56     430  

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

            (128 )

Lapse in statute of limitations

    (130 )       (48 )

Settlements

        (322 )   (522 )
               

End of fiscal year

  $ 5,156   $ 5,010   $ 5,010  
               

        At March 31, 2011, $0.3 million of the $5.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits would affect the Company's effective tax rate, if recognized. The Company does not expect that the balances with respect to its uncertain tax positions will change significantly during fiscal year 2012.

        The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and multiple foreign jurisdictions, including various state and local jurisdictions. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service concluded its examinations of the Company's U.S. federal tax returns for all tax years through 2003. Because of net operating losses, the Company's U.S. federal returns for 2003 and later years will remain subject to examination until the losses are utilized. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before fiscal year 2005.

        The Company recognizes potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within its global operations in income tax expense. The Company had $0.2 million of accrued interest and penalties at March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010, which is included as a component of income tax expense. To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to uncertain tax positions, amounts accrued will be reduced and reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 11: Supplemental Balance Sheets and Statements of Operations Detail (amounts in thousands)

 
  March 31,  
 
  2011   2010  

Accounts receivable:

             
 

Trade

  $ 167,705   $ 140,479  
 

Other

    10,333     10,731  
           

    178,038     151,210  
 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   
(1,985

)
 
(2,925

)
 

Ship-from-stock and debit

    (11,773 )   (7,404 )
 

Returns

    (1,449 )   (1,685 )
 

Rebates

    (787 )   (1,096 )
 

Price protection

    (374 )   (346 )
 

Other

    (962 )   (369 )
           

  $ 160,708   $ 137,385  
           

Inventories:

             
 

Raw materials and supplies

  $ 78,913   $ 64,927  
 

Work in process

    78,681     63,238  
 

Finished goods

    64,310     42,261  
           

    221,904     170,426  
 

Inventory reserves

    (15,464 )   (19,918 )
           

  $ 206,440   $ 150,508  
           

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 11: Supplemental Balance Sheets and Statements of Operations Detail (amounts in thousands) (Continued)

 

 
   
  March 31,  
 
  Useful life (years)   2011   2010  

Property, plant and equipment:

                 
 

Land and land improvements

  20   $ 27,562   $ 22,939  
 

Buildings

  20 - 40     129,560     141,617  
 

Machinery and equipment

  10     806,899     775,899  
 

Furniture and fixtures

  4 - 10     56,741     53,520  
 

Construction in progress

        30,423     12,861  
               
 

Total property and equipment

        1,051,185     1,006,836  
 

Accumulated depreciation

        (740,773 )   (686,958 )
               

      $ 310,412   $ 319,878  
               

Accrued expenses:

                 
 

Salaries, wages, and related employee costs

      $ 37,084   $ 22,382  
 

Vacation

        13,602     10,673  
 

Interest

        10,535     2,661  
 

Distribution expense

        4,550     2,592  
 

European social security accrual

        5,343     5,057  
 

Current portion of pension and post-retirement medical plans

        3,460     2,112  
 

Restructuring

        1,827     8,121  
 

Other

        11,890     10,008  
               

      $ 88,291   $ 63,606  
               

 

 
  March 31,  
 
  2011   2010  

Other non-current obligations:

             
 

Pension plans

  $ 25,170   $ 21,956  
 

Employee separation liability

    20,989     20,059  
 

European social security accrual

    2,074     7,037  
 

Long-term incentive plan accrual

    4,442     2,170  
 

Other

    7,052     4,404  
           

  $ 59,727   $ 55,626  
           

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 11: Supplemental Balance Sheets and Statements of Operations Detail (amounts in thousands) (Continued)

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Other (income) expense, net:

                   
 

Net foreign exchange (gains) losses

  $ (2,888 ) $ 4,105   $ (14,079 )
 

Gain on licensing of patents

    (2,000 )        
 

Other

    196     16     (5 )
               

  $ (4,692 ) $ 4,121   $ (14,084 )
               

Note 12: Income/Loss Per Share

        Basic earnings per share calculation is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share calculation is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding adjusted by the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding had the potentially dilutive common shares been issued. Potentially dilutive shares of common stock include stock options and Platinum Warrant.

        The following table presents the basic and diluted weighted-average number of shares of common stock (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Net income (loss)

  $ 63,044   $ (69,447 ) $ (285,209 )

Weighted-average common shares outstanding(1):

                   
 

Basic

    29,847     26,971     26,857  
 

Assumed conversion of employee stock options

    312          
 

Assumed conversion of Platinum Warrant

    21,318          
               

Weighted-average shares outstanding (diluted)

    51,477     26,971     26,857  
               

Basic income (loss) per share

  $ 2.11   $ (2.57 ) $ (10.62 )

Diluted income (loss) per share

    1.22     (2.57 )   (10.62 )

(1)
All outstanding share amounts and computations using such amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.

        Common stock equivalents that could potentially dilute net income per basic share in the future, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the impact would have been antidilutive, were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
 
 
  2011   2010   2009  

Assumed conversion of employee stock options

    815     1,354     1,162  

Assumed conversion of Platinum Warrant

        16,504      

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 13: Common Stock and Stockholders' Equity

        The Board of Directors previously authorized a share buyback program to purchase up to 3.8 million shares of its common stock on the open market. On February 1, 2008, the Company announced that it was reactivating its share buyback program. Under the terms of the approval by its Board, the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 2.0 million shares of its common stock. Through March 31, 2008, the Company purchased 1.2 million shares for $18.2 million. In fiscal year 2009, the Company indefinitely suspended the share buyback program and since that time the Company has not repurchased any shares of the Company's common stock. At March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company held 2.4 million shares and 2.5 million shares, respectively, of treasury stock at a cost of $54.8 million and $56.9 million, respectively.

        On November 3, 2010, the shareholders of the Company approved a reverse stock split of the Company's common stock at a ratio of 1-for-3. The Reverse Stock Split became effective November 5, 2010, pursuant to a Certificate of Amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware. The Company had 27.1 million shares of common stock issued and outstanding immediately following the completion of the Reverse Stock Split. The Company is authorized in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to issue up to a total of 300.0 million shares of common stock at a $0.01 par value per share which was unchanged by the amendment. The Reverse Stock Split did not affect the registration of the common stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended or the listing of the common stock, under the symbol "KEM", although the post-split shares have a new CUSIP number. In the Consolidated Balance Sheets, the line item "Stockholders' equity" has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented by reducing the line item "Common stock" and increasing the line item "Additional paid-in capital", with no change to Stockholders' equity in the aggregate. All share and per share computations have been retroactively adjusted for all periods presented to reflect the decrease in shares as a result of this transaction except as otherwise noted.

Note 14: Commitments and Contingencies

        The Company has agreements with distributors and certain other customers that, under certain conditions, allow for returns of overstocked inventory, provide protection against price reductions initiated by the Company and grant other sales allowances. Allowances for these commitments are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as reductions in trade accounts receivable. The Company adjusts sales based on historical experience. Charges against sales in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $69.5 million, $56.5 million and $58.0 million, respectively. Actual applications against the allowances in fiscal years 2011, 2010, and 2009 were $65.7 million, $55.5 million and $58.9 million, respectively.

        The Company's leases are primarily for distribution facilities or sales offices that expire principally between 2012 and 2017. A number of leases require the Company to pay certain executory costs (taxes, insurance, and maintenance) and contain certain renewal and purchase options. Annual rental expenses for operating leases were included in results of operations and were $10.0 million, $7.3 million and $4.1 million in fiscal years 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

        Beginning in fiscal year 2005, the Company subleased to a third party a 60,000 square foot facility and then leased back 5,000 square feet of this facility. Annual rental income from the sublease is included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and was $0.2 million for fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009. The sublease rental expense was $0.2 million in fiscal years 2011, 2010, and 2009.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 14: Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

        Future minimum lease payments over the next five fiscal years and thereafter under non-cancelable operating leases at March 31, 2011, are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 
  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,    
   
 
 
  2012   2013   2014   2015   2016   Thereafter   Total  

Minimum lease payments

  $ 8,997   $ 7,194   $ 5,124   $ 2,749   $ 1,033   $ 643   $ 25,740  

Sublease rental income

    (238 )   (251 )   (252 )   (252 )   (21 )       (1,014 )
                               

Net minimum lease payments

  $ 8,759   $ 6,943   $ 4,872   $ 2,497   $ 1,012   $ 643   $ 24,726  
                               

        The Company or its subsidiaries are at any one time parties to a number of lawsuits arising out of their respective operations, including workers' compensation or work place safety cases, some of which involve claims of substantial damages. Although there can be no assurance, based upon information known to the Company, the Company does not believe that any liability which might result from an adverse determination of such lawsuits would have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

Note 15: Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

        The following table sets forth certain quarterly information for fiscal years 2011 and 2010. This information, in the opinion of our management, reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly this information when read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein (amounts in thousands except per share data):

 
  Fiscal Year 2011 Quarters Ended  
 
  Jun-30   Sep-30   Dec-31   Mar-31  

Net sales

  $ 243,794   $ 248,588   $ 264,654   $ 261,452  

Operating income(1)

    28,535     37,962     36,991     25,773  

Net income (loss)

    (20,099 )   34,911     27,167     21,065  

Net income (loss) per share (basic)

 
$

(0.74

)

$

1.29
 
$

0.96
 
$

0.57
 

Net income (loss) per share (diluted)

  $ (0.74 ) $ 0.68   $ 0.52   $ 0.40  

 

 
  Fiscal Year 2010 Quarters Ended  
 
  Jun-30   Sep-30   Dec-31   Mar-31  

Net sales

  $ 150,167   $ 173,265   $ 199,923   $ 212,980  

Operating income (loss)(1)

    (2,501 )   (2,887 )   6,236     6,849  

Net income (loss)

    25,090     (93,075 )   (1,779 )   317  

Net income (loss) per share (basic)

 
$

0.93
 
$

(3.45

)

$

(0.07

)

$

0.01
 

Net income (loss) per share (diluted)

  $ 0.90   $ (3.45 ) $ (0.07 ) $ 0.01  

(1)
Operating income (loss) as a percentage of net sales fluctuates from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, including net sales fluctuations, restructuring charges, product mix, the timing and expense of moving product lines to lower-cost locations, and the relative mix of sales among distributors, original equipment manufacturers, electronic manufacturing service providers and non-recurring charges including goodwill impairment, the write-down of long lived assets, the net gain on sales and disposals of assets and curtailment gains on benefit plans.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16: Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

        As discussed in Note 2, "Debt", the Company's 10.5% Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior basis by certain of the Company's 100% owned domestic subsidiaries ("Guarantor Subsidiaries") and secured by a first priority lien on 51% of the capital stock of certain of the Company's foreign restricted subsidiaries ("Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries"). The Company's Guarantor Subsidiaries are not consistent with the Company's business groups or geographic operations; accordingly this basis of presentation is not intended to present the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows for any purpose other than to comply with the specific requirements for subsidiary guarantor reporting. We are required to present condensed consolidating financial information in order for the subsidiary guarantors of the Company's public debt to be exempt from reporting under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

        Condensed consolidating financial statements for the Company's Guarantor Subsidiaries and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries are presented in the following tables (amounts in thousands):


Consolidating Balance Sheet
March 31, 2011

 
  Parent   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Reclassifications
and Eliminations
  Consolidated  

ASSETS

                               

Current assets:

                               
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 6,417   $ 119,326   $ 26,308   $   $ 152,051  
 

Accounts receivable, net

        65,257     95,451         160,708  
 

Intercompany receivable

    190,973     176,233     197,329     (564,535 )    
 

Inventories, net

        113,908     92,830     (298 )   206,440  
 

Prepaid expenses and other

    302     10,418     7,300         18,020  
 

Deferred income taxes

    (596 )   1,373     4,524         5,301  
                       
   

Total current assets

    197,096     486,515     423,742     (564,833 )   542,520  
 

Property and equipment, net

    122     82,962     227,328         310,412  
 

Investments in subsidiaries

    347,997     333,801     (5,686 )   (676,112 )    
 

Intangible assets, net

        8,666     11,426         20,092  
 

Other assets

    6,160     4,095     1,030         11,285  
 

Long-term intercompany receivable

    84,231     102,324         (186,555 )    
                       

Total assets

  $ 635,606   $ 1,018,363   $ 657,840   $ (1,427,500 ) $ 884,309  
                       

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

                               

Current liabilities:

                               
 

Current portion of long-term debt

  $ 39,012   $   $ 3,089   $   $ 42,101  
 

Accounts payable, trade

    40     32,762     58,195         90,997  
 

Intercompany payable

    732     419,043     145,058     (564,833 )    
 

Accrued expenses

    10,837     31,330     46,124         88,291  
 

Income taxes payable

    (1,380 )   1,434     4,211         4,265  
                       
   

Total current liabilities

    49,241     484,569     256,677     (564,833 )   225,654  
 

Long-term debt, less current portion

    227,208         4,007         231,215  
 

Other non-current obligations

        7,989     51,738         59,727  
 

Deferred income taxes

    (596 )   2,169     6,387         7,960  
 

Long-term intercompany payable

        84,231     102,324     (186,555 )    

Stockholders' equity

    359,753     439,405     236,707     (676,112 )   359,753  
                       

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

  $ 635,606   $ 1,018,363   $ 657,840   $ (1,427,500 ) $ 884,309  
                       

137


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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16: Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)


Consolidating Balance Sheet
March 31, 2010

 
  Parent   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Reclassifications
and Eliminations
  Consolidated  

ASSETS

                               

Current assets:

                               
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 11,602   $ 54,707   $ 12,890   $   $ 79,199  
 

Accounts receivable, net

        44,387     92,998         137,385  
 

Intercompany receivable

    189,207     170,268     138,548     (498,023 )    
 

Inventories, net

        85,603     65,182     (277 )   150,508  
 

Prepaid expenses and other

    1,476     10,318     6,996         18,790  
 

Deferred income taxes

    42     (1,066 )   3,153         2,129  
                       
   

Total current assets

    202,327     364,217     319,767     (498,300 )   388,011  
 

Property and equipment, net

    158     88,155     231,565         319,878  
 

Investments in subsidiaries

    213,201     327,617         (540,818 )    
 

Intangible assets, net

        9,615     12,191         21,806  
 

Other assets

    8,690     1,651     925         11,266  
 

Long-term intercompany receivable

    85,576     97,083         (182,659 )    
                       

Total assets

  $ 509,952   $ 888,338   $ 564,448   $ (1,221,777 ) $ 740,961  
                       

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

                               

Current liabilities:

                               
 

Current portion of long-term debt

  $ 10,387   $   $ 7,493   $   $ 17,880  
 

Accounts payable, trade

    40     32,481     46,308         78,829  
 

Intercompany payable

    165     393,011     105,125     (498,301 )    
 

Accrued expenses

    4,551     19,771     39,284         63,606  
 

Income taxes payable

            1,096         1,096  
                       
   

Total current liabilities

    15,143     445,263     199,306     (498,301 )   161,411  
 

Long-term debt, less current portion

    210,495     14,999     6,135         231,629  
 

Other non-current obligations

        5,383     50,243         55,626  
 

Deferred income taxes

    42     (386 )   8,367         8,023  
 

Long-term intercompany payable

        85,576     97,082     (182,658 )    

Stockholders' equity

    284,272     337,503     203,315     (540,818 )   284,272  
                       

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

  $ 509,952   $ 888,338   $ 564,448   $ (1,221,777 ) $ 740,961  
                       

138


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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16: Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)

Consolidating Statements of Operations
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2011

 
  Parent   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Reclassifications
and Eliminations
  Consolidated  

Net sales

  $   $ 948,292   $ 983,594   $ (913,398 ) $ 1,018,488  

Operating costs and expenses:

                               

Cost of sales

        738,855     889,886     (875,895 )   752,846  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    36,607     64,521     38,978     (35,499 )   104,607  

Research and development

        19,148     6,961     (245 )   25,864  

Restructuring charges

        4,378     2,793         7,171  

Net (gain) loss on sales and disposals of assets

        (1,705 )   444         (1,261 )
                       
 

Total operating costs and expenses

    36,607     825,197     939,062     (911,639 )   889,227  
                       
   

Operating income (loss)

    (36,607 )   123,095     44,532     (1,759 )   129,261  

Interest income

   
(20

)
 
(110

)
 
(88

)
 
   
(218

)

Interest expense

    28,399     260     1,516         30,175  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    38,248                 38,248  

Other (income) expense, net

    (30,751 )   25,631     331     97     (4,692 )

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

    (135,521 )           135,521      
                       
 

Income before income taxes

    63,038     97,314     42,773     (137,377 )   65,748  

Income tax expense (benefit)

   
(6

)
 
9
   
2,701
   
   
2,704
 
                       
   

Net income

  $ 63,044   $ 97,305   $ 40,072   $ (137,377 ) $ 63,044  
                       

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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16: Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)


Consolidating Statements of Operations
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2010

 
  Parent   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Reclassifications
and Eliminations
  Consolidated  

Net sales

  $   $ 706,700   $ 757,587   $ (727,952 ) $ 736,335  

Operating costs and expenses:

                               

Cost of sales

        606,361     698,823     (693,546 )   611,638  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    32,339     50,047     38,368     (34,669 )   86,085  

Research and development

        16,820     5,244         22,064  

Restructuring charges

        1,486     7,712         9,198  

Write down of long-lived assets

            656         656  

Net (gain) loss on sales and disposals of assets

        2,717     (3,720 )       (1,003 )
                       
 

Total operating costs and expenses

    32,339     677,431     747,083     (728,215 )   728,638  
                       
   

Operating income (loss)

    (32,339 )   29,269     10,504     263     7,697  

Interest income

   
   
(119

)
 
(69

)
 
   
(188

)

Interest expense

    24,849     238     921         26,008  

Increase in value of warrant

    81,088                 81,088  

Gain on early extinguishment of debt

    (38,921 )               (38,921 )

Other (income) expense, net

    (32,196 )   35,893     424         4,121  

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

    1,789             (1,789 )    
                       
 

Income (loss) before income taxes

    (68,948 )   (6,743 )   9,228     2,052     (64,411 )

Income tax expense

   
499
   
485
   
4,052
   
   
5,036
 
                       
   

Net income (loss)

  $ (69,447 ) $ (7,228 ) $ 5,176   $ 2,052   $ (69,447 )
                       

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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16: Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)


Consolidating Statements of Operations
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2009

 
  Parent   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Reclassifications
and Eliminations
  Consolidated  

Net sales

  $   $ 708,272   $ 820,228   $ (724,115 ) $ 804,385  

Operating costs and expenses:

                               

Cost of sales

        652,757     772,160     (688,366 )   736,551  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    27,428     55,457     44,422     (33,802 )   93,505  

Research and development

        20,292     8,757     (93 )   28,956  

Restructuring charges

        16,831     14,043         30,874  

Goodwill impairment

        43,528     130,799         174,327  

Write down of long-lived assets

        58,002     9,622         67,624  

Net (gain) loss on sales and disposals of assets

    13     (25,810 )   (35 )   327     (25,505 )

Curtailment gains on benefit plans

        (30,835 )           (30,835 )
                       
 

Total operating costs and expenses

    27,441     790,222     979,768     (721,934 )   1,075,497  
                       
   

Operating loss

    (27,441 )   (81,950 )   (159,540 )   (2,181 )   (271,112 )

Interest income

   
(4,550

)
 
(409

)
 
(203

)
 
4,544
   
(618

)

Interest expense

    22,752     6,316     5,265     (4,544 )   29,789  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    2,212                 2,212  

Other (income) expense, net

    (28,816 )   33,282     (18,761 )   211     (14,084 )

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

    266,131             (266,131 )    
                       
 

Loss) before income taxes

    (285,170 )   (121,139 )   (145,841 )   263,739     (288,411 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

   
39
   
104
   
(3,345

)
 
   
(3,202

)
                       
   

Net loss

  $ (285,209 ) $ (121,243 ) $ (142,496 ) $ 263,739   $ (285,209 )
                       

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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16: Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2011

 
  Parent   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Reclassifications
and Eliminations
  Consolidated  

Sources (uses) of cash and cash equivalents

                               
 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  $ (13,967 ) $ 90,445   $ 37,490   $   $ 113,968  
                       
 

Investing activities:

                               
   

Capital expenditures

        (15,842 )   (19,147 )       (34,989 )
   

Proceeds from sale of assets

        5,425             5,425  
                       
     

Net cash used in investing activities

        (10,417 )   (19,147 )       (29,564 )
                       
 

Financing activities:

                               
   

Proceeds from issuance of debt

    226,976         549         227,525  
   

Payments of long-term debt

    (210,604 )   (15,000 )   (4,809 )       (230,413 )
   

Net (payments) borrowings under other credit facilities

            (2,479 )       (2,479 )
   

Debt issuance costs

    (7,472 )   (381 )           (7,853 )
   

Debt extinguishment costs

    (207 )               (207 )
   

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

    89                 89  
                       
     

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    8,782     (15,381 )   (6,739 )       (13,338 )
                       
       

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (5,185 )   64,647     11,604         71,066  
 

Effect of foreign currency fluctuations on cash

        (28 )   1,814         1,786  
 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of fiscal year

    11,602     54,707     12,890         79,199  
                       
 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of fiscal year

  $ 6,417   $ 119,326   $ 26,308   $   $ 152,051  
                       

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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16: Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)


Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2010

 
  Parent   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Reclassifications
and Eliminations
  Consolidated  

Sources (uses) of cash and cash equivalents

                               
 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  $ (885 ) $ 33,746   $ 21,759   $   $ 54,620  
                       
 

Investing activities:

                               
   

Capital expenditures

    (56 )   (3,200 )   (9,665 )       (12,921 )
   

Proceeds from sale of assets

        1,500             1,500  
                       
     

Net cash used in investing activities

    (56 )   (1,700 )   (9,665 )       (11,421 )
                       
 

Financing activities:

                               
   

Proceeds from issuance of debt

    57,830         1,119         58,949  
   

Payments of long-term debt

    (49,565 )       (4,960 )       (54,525 )
   

Net (payments) borrowings under other credit facilities

            475         475  
   

Permanent intercompany financing

    12,062     (12,062 )            
   

Debt issuance costs

    (4,206 )               (4,206 )
   

Debt extinguishment costs

    (3,605 )               (3,605 )
   

Dividends received (paid)

        8,883     (8,883 )        
                       
     

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    12,516     (3,179 )   (12,249 )       (2,912 )
                       
       

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    11,575     28,867     (155 )       40,287  
 

Effect of foreign currency fluctuations on cash

        (28 )   (264 )       (292 )
 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of fiscal year

    27     25,868     13,309         39,204  
                       
 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of fiscal year

  $ 11,602   $ 54,707   $ 12,890   $   $ 79,199  
                       

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KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16: Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Continued)


Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2009

 
  Parent   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Reclassifications
and Eliminations
  Consolidated  

Sources (uses) of cash and cash equivalents

                               
 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  $ (3,143 ) $ (2,610 ) $ 11,478   $   $ 5,725  
                       
 

Investing activities:

                               
   

Capital expenditures

    (135 )   (13,921 )   (16,485 )       (30,541 )
   

Proceeds from sale of assets

        34,870             34,870  
   

Acquisitions net of cash received

        (1,000 )           (1,000 )
   

Change in restricted cash

        3,900             3,900  
                       
     

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    (135 )   23,849     (16,485 )       7,229  
                       
 

Financing activities:

                               
   

Proceeds from issuance of debt

        15,000     1,190         16,190  
   

Payments of debt

    (62,575 )       (5,374 )       (67,949 )
   

Net (payments) borrowings under other credit facilities

            (411 )         (411 )
   

Permanent intercompany financing

    62,575     (62,575 )            
   

Debt issuance costs

    (1,574 )               (1,574 )
   

Proceeds from sale of common stock to employee savings plan

    249                 249  
   

Dividends received (paid)

    1,346     25,541     (26,887 )        
                       
     

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    21     (22,034 )   (31,482 )       (53,495 )
                       
       

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    (3,257 )   (795 )   (36,489 )       (40,541 )
 

Effect of foreign currency fluctuations on cash

        455     (2,093 )       (1,638 )
 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of fiscal year

    3,284     26,208     51,891         81,383  
                       
 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of fiscal year

  $ 27   $ 25,868   $ 13,309   $   $ 39,204  
                       

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

    KEMET CORPORATION
(Registrant)

Date: May 20, 2011

 

/s/ WILLIAM M. LOWE, JR.

William M. Lowe, Jr.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Date: May 20, 2011   /s/ PER-OLOF LOOF

Per-Olof Loof
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: May 20, 2011

 

/s/ WILLIAM M. LOWE, JR.

William M. Lowe, Jr.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)

Date: May 20, 2011

 

/s/ FRANK G. BRANDENBERG

Frank G. Brandenberg
Chairman and Director

Date: May 20, 2011

 

/s/ DR. WILFRIED BACKES

Dr. Wilfried Backes
Director

Date:

 

  

Gurminder S. Bedi
Director

Date: May 20, 2011

 

/s/ JOSEPH V. BORRUSO

Joseph V. Borruso
Director

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Table of Contents

Date: May 20, 2011   /s/ E. ERWIN MADDREY, II

E. Erwin Maddrey, II
Director

Date: May 20, 2011

 

/s/ ROBERT G. PAUL

Robert G. Paul
Director

Date: May 20, 2011

 

/s/ JOSEPH D. SWANN

Joseph D. Swann
Director

146