Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)

Registration No. 333-172199

 

PROSPECTUS

 

Novelis Inc.

Offer to Exchange

Up to $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount

of our 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017

and the guarantees thereof which have been registered

under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,

for any and all of our outstanding

8.375% Senior Notes due 2017 and the guarantees thereof

Up to $1,400,000,000 aggregate principal amount

of our 8.75% Senior Notes due 2020

and the guarantees thereof which have been registered

under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,

for any and all of our outstanding

8.75% Senior Notes due 2020 and the guarantees thereof

 

We are offering to exchange, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal, (i) up to $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 new notes”) and the guarantees thereof which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for any and all of our outstanding 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 old notes”) and the guarantees thereof and (ii) up to $1,400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our 8.75% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “2020 new notes” and together with the 2017 new notes, the “new notes”) and the guarantees thereof which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for any and all of our outstanding 8.75% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “2020 old notes” and together with the 2020 old notes, the “old notes”) and the guarantees thereof. We refer to the old notes and new notes collectively as the “notes.”

 

The New Notes:

 

The terms of the new notes are substantially identical to the old notes, except that some of the transfer restrictions, registration rights and additional interest provisions relating to the old notes will not apply to the new notes.

 

 

The Exchange Offer:

 

 

 

The exchange offer involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is March 10, 2011

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. The letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where such old notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the consummation of the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

This prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about the Company that is not included or delivered with this prospectus. We will provide without charge, upon written or oral request, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, a copy of all documents referred to below which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents.

 

In order to obtain timely delivery, you must request the information no later than March 31, 2011, which is five business days before the expiration date of the exchange offer. Any such request should be directed to us at:

 

Corporate Secretary
Novelis Inc.
3560 Lenox Road
Suite 2000
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
(404) 760-4000

 

ENFORCEABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL LIABILITIES

 

We are formed in Canada under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or the CBCA. Our registered office, as well as a substantial portion of our assets are located outside the United States. Also, some of our directors, controlling persons and officers and some of the experts named in this prospectus reside in Canada or other jurisdictions outside the United States and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. We have agreed in the indentures under which the notes have been or will be issued, as applicable, to accept service of process in New York City, by an agent designated for such purpose, with respect to any suit, action or proceeding relating to the indenture or the notes that is brought in any federal or state court located in New York City, and to submit to the jurisdiction of such courts in connection with such suits, actions or proceedings. However, it may be difficult for holders of notes to effect service of process in the United States on our directors, controlling persons, officers and the experts named in this prospectus who are not residents of the United States or to enforce against them in the United States judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. In addition, there is doubt as to the enforceability in Canada against us or against our directors, controlling persons, officers and experts named in this prospectus who are not residents of the United States, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of United States courts, of liabilities predicated solely upon U.S. federal securities laws.

 

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

 

The data included in this prospectus regarding markets and the industry in which we operate, including the size of certain markets and our position and the position of our competitors within these markets, are based on reports of government agencies, independent industry sources such as Commodity Research Unit International Limited (“CRU”), an independent business analysis and consultancy group focused on the mining, metals, power, cables, fertilizer and chemical sectors, and our own estimates relying on our management’s knowledge and experience in the markets in which we operate. Our management’s knowledge and experience is based on information obtained from our customers, distributors, suppliers, trade and business organizations and other contacts in the markets in which we operate. We believe these estimates to be accurate as of the date of this prospectus. However, this information may prove to be inaccurate because of the method by which we obtained some of the data for our estimates or because this information cannot always be verified with complete certainty due to the limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties. As a result, you should be aware that market, ranking and other industry data included in this prospectus, and our estimates and beliefs based on that data, may not be reliable. Neither we nor the initial purchasers can guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information contained in this prospectus.

 

TRADEMARKS

 

We have proprietary rights to a number of trademarks important to our business, including Novelis Fusion^tm. All other trademarks or service marks referred to in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners and are not our property.

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND MARKET DATA

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about us and the industry in which we operate and beliefs and assumptions made by our management. Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under the headings “Prospectus Summary,” “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek” and “estimate” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including those described below. Therefore,

actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. We do not intend, and we disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

 

Information in this prospectus concerning our markets and products generally includes forward-looking statements, which are based on a variety of assumptions regarding the ways in which these markets and product categories will develop. These assumptions have been derived from information currently available to us and to the third party industry analysts quoted in this prospectus. This information includes, but is not limited to, product shipments and share of production. Actual market results may differ from those predicted. We do not know what impact any of these differences may have on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.

 

Factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ from the results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, among other things:

 

 

 

The above list of factors is not exclusive. Some of these and other factors are discussed in more detail under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors.”

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

	•	hot mills — that require sheet ingot, a rectangular slab of aluminum, as starter material; and
	•	continuous casting mills — that can convert molten metal directly into semi-finished sheet.

Novelis		Worldwide
End-Use Markets		End-Use Markets

Source: Novelis		Source: CRU

Beverage and Food Cans		Transportation
Anheuser-Busch InBev		Audi Worldwide Company
Affiliates of Ball Corporation		BMW Group International
Can-Pack S.A.		Ford Motor Company
Various bottlers of the Coca-Cola System		Hyundai Motor Company
Crown Cork & Seal Company		Jaguar Land Rover
Rexam plc

Construction, Industrial and Other		Electronics
Agfa-Gevaert N.V.		LG
Amcor Limited		Samsung
Lotte Aluminum Co. Ltd.
Kodak Polychrome Graphics GmbH
Pactiv Corporation
Ryerson Inc.
Tetra Pak Ltd.

The Exchange Offer		We are offering to exchange $1,000 principal amount of the new notes of each series, which have been registered under the Securities Act, for each $1,000 principal amount of the old notes of the same series, which have not been registered under the Securities Act. We issued the old notes on December 17, 2010.
		In order to exchange your old notes, you must promptly tender them before the expiration date (as described herein). All old notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn will be exchanged. We will issue the new notes on or promptly after the expiration date.
		You may tender your old notes for exchange in whole or in part in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; provided that the untendered portion of an old note must be in a minimum denomination of $2,000.
Registration Rights Agreements		We sold the old notes on December 17, 2010 to Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, RBS Securities Inc., UBS Securities LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Natixis Securities North American Inc., the initial purchasers. Simultaneously with that sale, we signed registration rights agreements with the initial purchasers relating to the old notes that require us to conduct this exchange offer.
		You have the right under the applicable registration rights agreement to exchange your old notes for new notes. The exchange offer is intended to satisfy such right. After the exchange offer is complete, you will no longer be entitled to any exchange or registration rights with respect to your old notes.
		For a description of the procedures for tendering old notes, see the section “The Exchange Offer — Exchange Offer Procedures.”
Consequences of Failure to Exchange		If you do not exchange your old notes for new notes in the exchange offer, you will still have the restrictions on transfer provided in the old notes and in the applicable indenture that governs both the old notes and the new notes. In general, the old notes may not be offered or sold unless registered or exempt from registration under the Securities Act, or in a transaction not subject to the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Upon completion of the exchange offer, we will have no further obligations to register, and we do not currently plan to register, the old notes under the Securities Act. See the section “Risk Factors — If you do not exchange your old notes for new notes, your ability to sell your old notes will be restricted.”

Expiration Date		The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 7, 2011, unless we extend the exchange offer in our sole

		and absolute discretion. In that case, the expiration date will be the latest date and time to which we extend the exchange offer. See the section “The Exchange Offer — Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments.”
Conditions to the Exchange Offer		The exchange offer is subject to customary conditions, including, if in our reasonable judgment:
		• the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder of old notes, would violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC; or
		• any action or proceeding has been instituted or threatened in writing in any court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to the exchange offer that, in our judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offer.
		We may choose to waive some of these conditions. For more information, see “The Exchange Offer — Conditions to the Exchange Offer.”
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes		If you hold old notes through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and wish to participate in the exchange offer, you must comply with the Automated Tender Offer Program procedures of DTC. See the section “The Exchange Offer — Exchange Offer Procedures.” If you are not a DTC participant, you may tender your old notes by book-entry transfer by contacting your broker, dealer or other nominee or by opening an account with a DTC participant, as the case may be.
		By accepting the exchange offer, you will represent to us that, among other things:
		• any new notes that you receive will be acquired in the ordinary course of your business;
		• you have no arrangement or understanding with any person or entity, including any of our affiliates, to participate in the distribution of the new notes;
		• you are not our “affiliate” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, or, if you are an affiliate, you will comply with any applicable registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;
		• if you are not a broker-dealer, that you are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, the distribution of the new notes; and
		• if you are a broker-dealer that will receive new notes for your own account in exchange for old notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities, that you will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale of the new notes.
Withdrawal Rights		You may withdraw the tender of your old notes at any time before the expiration date. To do this, you should deliver a written notice of your withdrawal to the exchange agent according to the

		withdrawal procedures described in the section “The Exchange Offer — Withdrawal Rights.”
Exchange Agent		The exchange agent for the exchange offer is The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. The address, telephone number and facsimile number of the exchange agent are provided in the section “The Exchange Offer — Exchange Agent,” as well as in the letter of transmittal.
Use of Proceeds		We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the new notes. See the section “Use of Proceeds.”
Principal Canadian and U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences		Your participation in the exchange offer generally will not be a taxable event for Canadian or U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, you will not recognize any taxable gain or loss or any interest income as a result of the exchange. See the section “Principal Canadian and U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer.”

Issuer		Novelis Inc., a Canadian corporation.
Securities Offered		$1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of 8.375% senior notes due 2017 and $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount of 8.75% senior notes due 2020.
Maturity Date		The 2017 new notes will mature on December 15, 2017, and the 2020 new notes will mature on December 15, 2020.
Interest		The 2017 new notes will bear interest at the rate of 8.375% per annum, and the 2020 new notes will bear interest at the rate of 8.75% per annum. Interest on the new notes will be payable semiannually in arrears on June 15 and December 15, commencing June 15, 2011.
Guarantees		The new notes will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis, by all of our existing and future Canadian and U.S. restricted subsidiaries, certain of our existing foreign restricted subsidiaries and our other restricted subsidiaries that guarantee debt in the future under any credit facilities, provided that the borrower of such debt is a Canadian or a U.S. subsidiary. For the year ended March 31, 2010 and the nine months ended December 31, 2010, our subsidiaries that will not be guarantors of the new notes had net sales of $2.5 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively.
Ranking		The new notes will be:
		• our senior unsecured obligations;

		• effectively junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets securing that debt, including the debt under the senior secured credit facilities;
		• effectively junior in right of payment to all debt and other liabilities (including trade payables) of any of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the new notes; and
		• senior in right of payment to all of our future subordinated debt.
		The guarantees of each guarantor will be:
		• senior unsecured obligations of that guarantor;
		• effectively junior in right of payment to all existing and future secured debt of that guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing that debt, including the debt or guarantee of debt of that guarantor under our senior secured credit facilities, which debt or guarantee is secured by the assets of that guarantor; and
		• senior in right of payment to all of that guarantor’s future subordinated debt.
		As of December 31, 2010, we and the guarantors had $1.6 billion of secured debt. The indentures governing the new notes will permit us, subject to specified limitations, to incur additional debt, which may be secured debt.
Optional Redemption		Prior to December 15, 2013 in the case of the 2017 new notes and prior to December 15, 2015 in the case of the 2020 new notes, we may, from time to time, redeem all or any portion of the new notes by paying a special “make-whole” premium specified in this prospectus under “Description of the Notes — Optional Redemption.”
		Commencing December 15, 2013 in the case of the 2017 new notes and commencing December 15, 2015 in the case of the 2020 new notes, we may, from time to time, redeem all or any portion of the new notes at the redemption prices specified in this prospectus under “Description of the Notes — Optional Redemption.”
		In addition, at any time and from time to time prior to December 15, 2013, we may also redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of each series of the new notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings, at a price equal to 108.375% of the principal amount thereof in the case of the 2017 new notes and 108.75% of the principal amount thereof in the case of the 2020 new notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, provided that at least 65% of the original aggregate principal amount of the applicable series of new notes issued remains outstanding after the redemption.
Additional Amounts and Tax Redemption		Any payments made by us or any guarantor with respect to the new notes will be made without withholding or deduction, unless required by law. If we or any guarantor would be required by law to withhold or deduct for taxes with respect to a payment to the holders of a series of new notes, we or any guarantor, as applicable,

		will, subject to certain exceptions, pay the additional amounts necessary so that the net amount received by the holder of new notes of such series (other than certain excluded holders) after the withholding or deduction is not less than the amount they would have received in the absence of such withholding or deduction.
		If we are required to pay additional amounts as a result of changes in laws applicable to tax-related withholdings or deductions in respect of payments on a series of new notes but not the guarantees, we will have the option to redeem such series of new notes, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such series of new notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption and any additional amounts that may be then payable.
Certain Covenants		We will issue the new notes under indentures among us, the guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. The indentures governing the new notes will contain covenants that limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:
		• incur additional debt and provide additional guarantees;
		• pay dividends beyond certain amounts and make other restricted payments;
		• create or permit certain liens;
		• make certain asset sales;
		• use the proceeds from the sales of assets and subsidiary stock;
		• create or permit restrictions on the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us;
		• engage in certain transactions with affiliates;
		• enter into sale and leaseback transactions;
		• designate subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries; and
		• consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets and the assets of our restricted subsidiaries.
		During any future period in which either Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard & Poor’s”), or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) has assigned an investment grade credit rating to a series of the new notes and no default or event of default under the indenture governing such series of new notes has occurred and is continuing, most of the covenants under such indenture will be suspended. If either of these ratings agencies then withdraws its ratings or downgrades the ratings assigned to such series of new notes below the required investment grade rating, or a default or event of default occurs and is continuing, the suspended covenants will again be in effect with respect to such series of new notes. See “Description of the Notes — Certain Covenants — Covenant Suspension.”

		These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. See “Description of the Notes — Certain Covenants.”
Change of Control Offer		Following a change of control, we will be required to offer to purchase all of the new notes at a purchase price of 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. See “Description of the Notes — Change of Control Offer.”
Transfer Restrictions		The new notes are not being offered for sale or exchange and may not be offered for sale or exchange directly or indirectly in Canada except in accordance with applicable securities laws of the provinces and territories of Canada. We are not required, and do not intend, to qualify by prospectus in Canada the new notes, and accordingly, the new notes will be subject to restriction on resale in Canada.
Risk Factors		Investing in the new notes involves substantial risks. See “Risk Factors” for a description of some of the risks you should consider before investing in the new notes.
Certain Income Tax Considerations		You should carefully read the information under the heading “Principal Canadian and U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer.”

		April 1,					May 16,												Nine				Nine
		2007					2007												Months				Months
		through					through				Year Ended				Year Ended				Ended				Ended
		May 15,					March 31,				March 31,				March 31,				December 31,				December 31,
		2007(1)					2008(1)				2009				2010				2009				2010
		Predecessor					Successor				Successor				Successor				Successor				Successor
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Statement of Operations:
Net sales		$	1,281				$	9,965			$	10,177			$	8,673			$	6,253			$	7,617
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)			1,209					9,063				9,276				7,213				5,066				6,628
Selling, general and administrative expenses			91					298				294				337				243				272
Depreciation and amortization			28					375				439				384				285				307
Research and development expenses			6					46				41				38				27				27
Interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs			27					214				182				175				131				125
Interest income			(1	)				(18	)			(14	)			(11	)			(8	)			(10	)
(Gain) loss on change in fair value of derivative instruments, net			(20	)				(22	)			556				(194	)			(192	)			(58	)
Impairment of goodwill			—					—				1,340				—				—				—
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt			—					—				(122	)			—				—				74
Restructuring charges, net			1					6				95				14				7				35
Equity in net (income) loss of non-consolidated affiliates			(1	)				(25	)			172				15				12				11
Other (income) expenses, net			35					(6	)			86				(25	)			(21	)			5
			1,375					9,931				12,345				7,946				5,550				7,416
Income (loss) before income taxes			(94	)				34				(2,168	)			727				703				201
Income tax provision (benefit)			4					83				(246	)			262				247				104
Net income (loss)			(98	)				(49	)			(1,922	)			465				456				97

		April 1,					May 16,												Nine				Nine
		2007					2007												Months				Months
		through					through				Year Ended				Year Ended				Ended				Ended
		May 15,					March 31,				March 31,				March 31,				December 31,				December 31,
		2007(1)					2008(1)				2009				2010				2009				2010
		Predecessor					Successor				Successor				Successor				Successor				Successor
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			(1	)				4				(12	)			60				50				31
Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change			(97	)				(53	)			(1,910	)			405				406				66
Cumulative effect of accounting change — net of tax			—					—				—				—				—				—
Net income (loss) attributable to our common shareholder		$	(97	)			$	(53	)		$	(1,910	)		$	405			$	406			$	66

		April 1,					May 16,												Nine				Nine
		2007					2007												Months				Months
		through					through				Year Ended				Year Ended				Ended				Ended
		May 15,					March 31,				March 31,				March 31,				December 31,				December 31,
		2007(1)					2008(1)				2009				2010				2009				2010
		Predecessor					Successor				Successor				Successor				Successor				Successor
(In millions)
Statement of Cash Flows Data:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	(230	)			$	401			$	(220	)		$	844			$	630			$	218
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			2					(94	)			(127	)			(484	)			(484	)			(14	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			201					(96	)			286				(188	)			(159	)			(344	)

		April 1,					May 16,												Nine				Nine
		2007					2007												Months				Months
		through					through				Year Ended				Year Ended				Ended				Ended
		May 15,					March 31,				March 31,				March 31,				December 31,				December 31,
		2007(1)					2008(1)				2009				2010				2009				2010
		Predecessor					Successor				Successor				Successor				Successor				Successor
(In millions, except shipments which are in kt)
Other Financial and Operating Data:
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(2)			—					1.0	x			—				5.1	x			6.2	x			2.6	x
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
Total assets							$	10,737			$	7,567			$	7,762			$	7,602			$	7,748
Long-term debt (including current portion)								2,575				2,559				2,596				2,642				4,081
Short-term borrowings								115				264				75				61				121
Cash and cash equivalents								326				248				437				252				297
Shareholders’ equity								3,490				1,419				1,869				1,937				250

(1)		The acquisition of Novelis by Hindalco on May 15, 2007 was recorded in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 103, Push Down Basis of Accounting Required in Certain Limited Circumstances (“SAB 103”). In our consolidated balance sheets, the consideration and related costs paid by Hindalco in connection with the acquisition have been “pushed down” to us and have been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 141, Business Combinations (“FASB 141”). Due to the impact of push down accounting, our financial statements and certain note presentations for the year ended March 31, 2008 included elsewhere in this prospectus are presented in two distinct periods to indicate the application of two different bases of accounting between the periods presented: (1) the period up to, and including, the acquisition date

		(April 1, 2007 through May 15, 2007, labeled “Predecessor”) and (2) the period after that date (May 16, 2007 through March 31, 2008, labeled “Successor”). The financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus include a black line division which indicates that the Predecessor and Successor reporting entities shown are not comparable.

(2)		Earnings consist of income from continuing operations before the cumulative effect of accounting changes, before fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) and income taxes, and eliminating undistributed income of persons owned less than 50% by us. Fixed charges consist of interest expenses and amortization of debt discount and expense and premium and that portion of rental payments which is considered as being representative of the interest factor implicit in our operating leases. The ratios shown above are based on our consolidated and combined financial information, which was prepared in accordance with GAAP. Due to losses incurred in certain of the periods presented above, the ratio coverage was less than 1:1. The table below presents the amount of additional earnings required to bring the fixed charge ratio to 1:1 for each such period.

April 1,

May 16,

Nine

Nine

2007

2007

Months

Months

through

through

Year Ended

Year Ended

Ended

Ended

May 15,

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2007

2008

2009

2010

2009

2010

Predecessor

Successor

Successor

Successor

Successor

Successor

(In millions)

Additional earnings required to bring fixed charge ratio to 1:1

$

93

N/A

$

1,996

N/A

N/A

N/A

 

An investment in the new notes involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information contained in this prospectus, prospective investors should carefully consider the following risks before investing in the new notes. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flow and market position could be materially adversely affected, which, in turn, could adversely affect our ability to pay interest and principal on the new notes. The risks discussed below also include forward-looking statements, and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Market Data.”

 

Risks Related to our Business and the Market Environment

 

Certain of our customers are significant to our revenues, and we could be adversely affected by changes in the business or financial condition of these significant customers or by the loss of their business.

 

Our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 48%, 48% and 45% of our total net sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2010; the year ended March 31, 2010; the year ended March 31, 2009, respectively, with Rexam Plc, a leading global beverage can maker, and its affiliates representing approximately 16%, 16% and 17% of our total net sales in the respective periods. A significant downturn in the business or financial condition of our significant customers could materially adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows. In addition, if our existing relationships with significant customers materially deteriorate or are terminated in the future, and we are not successful in replacing business lost from such customers, our results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected. Some of the longer term contracts under which we supply our customers, including under umbrella agreements such as those described under “Business — Our Customers,” are subject to renewal, renegotiation or re-pricing at periodic intervals or upon changes in competitive supply conditions. Our failure to successfully renew, renegotiate or re-price such agreements could result in a reduction or loss in customer purchase volume or revenue, and if we are not successful in replacing business lost from such customers, our results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected. The markets in which we operate are competitive and customers may seek to consolidate supplier relationships or change suppliers to obtain cost savings and other benefits.

 

Our results and short term liquidity can be negatively impacted by timing differences between the prices we pay under purchase contracts and metal prices we charge our customers.

 

Most of our purchase and sales contracts are based on the LME price for high grade aluminum, and there are typically timing differences between the pricing periods for purchases and sales where purchase prices tend to be fixed earlier than sales prices. This creates a price exposure that we call “metal price lag.” To mitigate this exposure, we sell short-term LME futures contracts to protect the value of priced metal purchases and inventory until the sale price is established. We settle these derivative contracts in advance of collecting from our customers, which impacts our short-term liquidity position.

 

In addition, from time to time, customers request fixed prices for longer term sales commitments, and we in turn enter into futures purchase contracts to hedge against these fixed forward priced sales to customers. The mismatch between the settlement of these derivative contracts and the recognition of revenue from shipments hedged with these derivative contracts also leads to volatility in our GAAP operating results. The lag between derivative settlement and customer collection typically ranges from 30 to 60 days.

 

Our operations consume energy and our profitability and cash flows may decline if energy costs were to rise, or if our energy supplies were interrupted.

 

We consume substantial amounts of energy in our rolling operations, cast house operations and Brazilian smelting operations. The factors that affect our energy costs and supply reliability tend to be specific to each of our facilities. A number of factors could materially adversely affect our energy position including:

 

 

 

In addition, global climate change may increase our costs for energy sources, supplies or raw materials. See “— We may be affected by global climate change or by legal, regulatory or market responses to such change.” If energy costs were to rise, or if energy supplies or supply arrangements were disrupted, our profitability and cash flows could decline.

 

A deterioration of our financial position or a downgrade of our ratings by a credit rating agency could increase our borrowing costs and our business relationships could be adversely affected.

 

A deterioration of our financial position or a downgrade of our ratings for any reason could increase our borrowing costs and have an adverse effect on our business relationships with customers, suppliers and hedging counterparties. From time to time, we enter into various forms of hedging activities against currency or metal price fluctuations and trade metal contracts on the LME. Financial strength and credit ratings are important to the availability and pricing of these hedging and trading activities. As a result, any downgrade of our credit ratings may make it more costly for us to engage in these activities, and changes to our level of indebtedness may make it more difficult or costly for us to engage in these activities in the future.

 

Adverse changes in currency exchange rates could negatively affect our financial results or cash flows and the competitiveness of our aluminum rolled products relative to other materials.

 

Our businesses and operations are exposed to the effects of changes in the exchange rates of the U.S. dollar, the euro, the British pound, the Brazilian real, the Canadian dollar, the Korean won and other currencies. We have implemented a hedging policy that attempts to manage currency exchange rate risks to an acceptable level based on management’s judgment of the appropriate trade-off between risk, opportunity and cost; however, this hedging policy may not successfully or completely eliminate the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in U.S. dollars, but a portion of our earnings and expenditures are denominated in other currencies, primarily the euro, the Korean won and the Brazilian real. Changes in exchange rates will result in increases or decreases in our operating results and may also affect the book value of our assets located outside the U.S.

 

Most of our facilities are staffed by a unionized workforce, and union disputes and other employee relations issues could materially adversely affect our financial results.

 

Approximately 69% of our employees are represented by labor unions under a large number of collective bargaining agreements with varying durations and expiration dates. We may not be able to satisfactorily renegotiate our collective bargaining agreements when they expire. In addition, existing collective bargaining agreements may not prevent a strike or work stoppage at our facilities in the future. For example, we experienced a work stoppage at our Korean facilities for 12 days in August 2010. While this work stoppage resulted in a wage increase of approximately 15% for the workers at our Korean facilities, it did not have a material impact on our results of operations. However, any future extended work stoppages could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

We could be adversely affected by disruptions of our operations.

 

Breakdown of equipment or other events, including catastrophic events such as war or natural disasters, leading to production interruptions at our plants could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows. Further, because many of our customers are, to varying degrees, dependent on planned deliveries from our plants, those customers that have to reschedule their own production due to our missed deliveries could pursue claims against us and reduce their future business with us. We may incur costs to correct any of these problems, in addition to facing claims from customers. Further, our reputation among

actual and potential customers may be harmed, resulting in a loss of business. While we maintain insurance policies covering, among other things, physical damage, business interruptions and product liability, these policies would not cover all of our losses.

 

Our operations have been and will continue to be exposed to various business and other risks, changes in conditions and events beyond our control in countries where we have operations or sell products.

 

We are, and will continue to be, subject to financial, political, economic and business risks in connection with our global operations. We have made investments and carry on production activities in various emerging markets, including Brazil, Korea and Malaysia, and we market our products in these countries, as well as China and certain other countries in Asia, the Middle East and emerging markets in South America. While we anticipate higher growth or attractive production opportunities from these emerging markets, they also present a higher degree of risk than more developed markets. In addition to the business risks inherent in developing and servicing new markets, economic conditions may be more volatile, legal and regulatory systems less developed and predictable, and the possibility of various types of adverse governmental action more pronounced. In addition, inflation, fluctuations in currency and interest rates, competitive factors, civil unrest and labor problems could affect our revenues, expenses and results of operations. Our operations could also be adversely affected by acts of war, terrorism or the threat of any of these events as well as government actions such as controls on imports, exports and prices, tariffs, new forms of taxation, or changes in fiscal regimes and increased government regulation in the countries in which we operate or service customers. Unexpected or uncontrollable events or circumstances in any of these markets could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

In addition, although relations between the Republic of Korea (which we refer to as Korea) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (which we refer to as North Korea) have been tense throughout Korea’s modern history, North Korea’s recent artillery attack on Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island has vastly increased such tensions. There can be no assurance that the level of tension on the Korean peninsula will not escalate in the future. Further attacks may occur on Korea, including on areas in which we operate, which could have a material adverse affect on our operations. If military hostilities continue or increase between North Korea and Korea or the United States, the region could become further destabilized and our operations could be halted, and any such hostilities could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

 

Economic conditions could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our financial condition and results of operations depend significantly on worldwide economic conditions. These economic conditions deteriorated significantly in many countries and regions in which we do business during and after the difficult global capital market conditions in 2008 and 2009, which resulted in a tightening in the credit markets, a low level of liquidity in many financial markets and extreme volatility in fixed income, currency and equity markets.

 

We are unable to predict the timing and rate at which industry variables may fully recover or future adverse changes in worldwide economic conditions. Uncertainty about current or future global economic conditions poses a risk as our customers may postpone purchases in response to tighter credit and negative financial news, which could adversely impact demand for our products. In addition, there can be no assurance that the actions we have taken or may take in response to the economic conditions will be sufficient to counter any continuation or reoccurrence of the downturn or disruptions. A significant global economic downturn or disruptions in the financial markets could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our results of operations, cash flows and liquidity could be adversely affected if we were unable to purchase derivative instruments or if counterparties to our derivative instruments fail to honor their agreements.

 

We use various derivative instruments to manage the risks arising from fluctuations in aluminum prices, exchange rates, energy prices and interest rates. If for any reason we were unable to purchase derivative

instruments to manage these risks or were unsuccessful in passing through the costs of our risk management activities, our results of operations, cash flows and liquidity could be adversely affected. In addition, we may be exposed to losses in the future if the counterparties to our derivative instruments fail to honor their agreements. In particular, deterioration in the financial condition of our counterparties and any resulting failure to pay amounts owed to us or to perform obligations or services owed to us could have a negative effect on our business and financial condition. Further, if major financial institutions continue to consolidate and are forced to operate under more restrictive capital constraints and regulations, there could be less liquidity in the derivative markets, which could have a negative effect on our ability to hedge and transact with creditworthy counterparties.

 

New derivatives legislation could have an adverse impact on our ability to hedge risks associated with our business and on the cost of our hedging activities.

 

We use over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives products to hedge our metal commodity risks and, to a lesser extent, our interest rate and currency risks. Recent legislation has been adopted to increase the regulatory oversight of the OTC derivatives markets and impose restrictions on certain derivative transactions, which could affect the use of derivatives in hedging transactions. Final regulations pursuant to this legislation defining which companies will be subject to the legislation have not yet been adopted. If future regulations subject us to additional capital or margin requirements or other restrictions on our trading and commodity positions, they could have an adverse effect on our ability to hedge risks associated with our business and on the cost of our hedging activities.

 

During many operating periods, we utilize substantially all of our production capacity, which may put us at a competitive disadvantage since we may be unable to take on additional volumes to meet our customers’ needs or acquire new business. Therefore, we may lose future business to competitors with available capacity.

 

During the nine months ended December 31, 2010, we operated at or near capacity across our system of plants worldwide. We anticipate that we will continue to make capital investments in our facilities to upgrade our technology and processes and attempt to expand the output capacity of our existing equipment and facilities, but our capacity expansion may not be sufficient to match the level of future demand increases. To the extent other rolled aluminum products manufacturers have available capacity at levels that exceed ours, we may be at a competitive disadvantage in our efforts to increase volumes from a current customer or to win significant new customer opportunities.

 

Our goodwill and other intangible assets could become impaired, which could require us to take non-cash charges against earnings.

 

We assess, at least annually and potentially more frequently, whether the value of our goodwill and other intangible assets has been impaired. Any impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets as a result of such analysis would result in a non-cash charge against earnings, which charge could materially adversely affect our reported results of operations.

 

A significant and sustained decline in our future cash flows, a significant adverse change in the economic environment or slower growth rates could result in the need to perform additional impairment analysis in future periods. If we were to conclude that a write-down of goodwill or other intangible assets is necessary, then we would record such additional charges, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations.

As part of our ongoing evaluation of our operations, we may undertake additional restructuring efforts in the future which could in some instances result in significant severance-related costs, environmental remediation expenses and impairment and other restructuring charges.

 

We recorded restructuring charges of $35 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2010, $14 million for the year ended March 31, 2010 and $95 million for the year ended March 31, 2009. During these periods, we announced, among others, the following restructuring actions and programs:

 

 

We may take additional restructuring actions in the future. Any additional restructuring efforts could result in significant severance-related costs, environmental remediation expenses, impairment charges, restructuring charges and related costs and expenses, which could adversely affect our profitability and cash flows.

 

We may not be able to successfully develop and implement new technology initiatives in a timely manner.

 

We have invested in, and are involved with, a number of technology and process initiatives. Several technical aspects of these initiatives are still unproven, and the eventual commercial outcomes cannot be assessed with any certainty. Even if we are successful with these initiatives, we may not be able to deploy them in a timely fashion. Accordingly, the costs and benefits from our investments in new technologies and the consequent effects on our financial results may vary from present expectations.

 

Loss of our key management and other personnel, or an inability to attract such management and other personnel, could adversely impact our business.

 

We depend on our senior executive officers and other key personnel to run our business. The loss of any of these officers or other key personnel could materially adversely affect our operations. Competition for qualified employees among companies that rely heavily on engineering and technology is intense, and the loss of qualified employees or an inability to attract, retain and motivate additional highly skilled employees required for the operation and expansion of our business could hinder our ability to improve manufacturing operations, conduct research activities successfully and develop marketable products.

 

Future acquisitions or divestitures may adversely affect our financial condition.

 

As part of our strategy for growth, we may pursue acquisitions, divestitures or strategic alliances, which may not be completed or, if completed, may not be ultimately beneficial to us. There are numerous risks commonly encountered in strategic transactions, including the risk that we may not be able to complete a transaction that has been announced, effectively integrate businesses acquired or generate the cost savings and synergies anticipated. Failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Capital investments in debottlenecking or other organic growth initiatives may not produce the returns we anticipate.

 

A significant element of our strategy is to invest in opportunities to increase the production capacity of our operating facilities through modifications of and investments in existing facilities and equipment and to evaluate other investments in organic growth in our target markets. These projects involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including the risk that actual capital investment requirements exceed projected levels, that our forecasted demand levels prove to be inaccurate, that we do not realize the production increases or other benefits anticipated, that we experience scheduling delays in connection with the commencement or completion of the project, that the project disrupts existing plant operations causing us to temporarily lose a portion of our available production capacity, or that key management devotes significant time and energy focused on one or more initiatives that divert attention from other business activities.

 

We could be required to make unexpected contributions to our defined benefit pension plans as a result of adverse changes in interest rates and the capital markets.

 

Most of our pension obligations relate to funded defined benefit pension plans for our employees in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada, unfunded pension benefits in Germany and lump sum indemnities payable to our employees in France, Italy, Korea and Malaysia upon retirement or termination. Our pension plan assets consist primarily of funds invested in listed stocks and bonds. Our estimates of liabilities and expenses for pensions and other postretirement benefits incorporate a number of assumptions, including expected long-term rates of return on plan assets and interest rates used to discount future benefits. Our results of operations, liquidity or shareholders’ equity in a particular period could be adversely affected by capital market returns that are less than their assumed long-term rate of return or a decline of the rate used to discount future benefits.

 

If the assets of our pension plans do not achieve assumed investment returns for any period, such deficiency could result in one or more charges against our earnings for that period. In addition, changing economic conditions, poor pension investment returns or other factors may require us to make unexpected cash contributions to the pension plans in the future, preventing the use of such cash for other purposes.

 

We face risks relating to certain joint ventures and subsidiaries that we do not entirely control. Our ability to access cash from these entities may be more restricted than if these entities were wholly-owned subsidiaries.

 

Some of our activities are, and will in the future be, conducted through entities that we do not entirely control or wholly own. These entities include our Norf, Germany; Logan, Kentucky; and Evermore Recycling joint ventures, as well as our majority-owned Korean and Malaysian subsidiaries. Our Malaysian subsidiary is a public company whose shares are listed for trading on the Bursa Malaysia. Under the governing documents, agreements or securities laws applicable to or stock exchange listing rules relative to certain of these joint ventures and subsidiaries, our ability to fully control certain operational matters may be limited. In addition, we do not solely determine certain key matters, such as the timing and amount of cash distributions from these entities. As a result, our ability to access cash from these entities may be more restricted than if they were wholly-owned entities. Further, in some cases we do not have rights to prevent a joint venture partner from selling its joint venture interests to a third party.

 

In addition, our Korean subsidiary incurred a loss from capital reduction in connection with the cancellation of treasury shares, which reduced its retained earnings to a level that will prevent the declaration of any dividends by our Korean subsidiary based on earnings generated by our Korean business during the calendar year ending December 31, 2010. This will limit our ability to access cash flows from our Asian operations in the short-term.

Hindalco and its interests as equity holder may conflict with our interest or your interests as holders of the notes in the future.

 

Novelis is an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Hindalco. As a result, Hindalco may exercise control over our decisions to enter into any corporate transaction or capital restructuring and has the ability to approve or prevent any transaction that requires the approval of our shareholders, regardless of whether or not holders of the notes believe that any such transactions are in their own best interests. The interests of Hindalco and the actions it is able to undertake as our sole shareholder may differ or adversely affect your interests as holders of the notes. Hindalco may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures, financings or other transactions that, in its judgment, could enhance its equity investment, even though such transactions might involve risks to holders of the notes. For example, Hindalco could cause us to make acquisitions that increase the amount of indebtedness that is secured, or to sell revenue-generating assets, impairing our ability to make payments under the notes. Hindalco may be able to strongly influence or effectively control our decisions as long as they own a significant portion of our equity, even if such amount is less than 50%. Additionally, Hindalco operates in the aluminum industry and may from time to time acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete, directly or indirectly, with us. Hindalco may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. Hindalco has no obligation to provide us with financing and is able to sell their equity ownership in us at any time.

 

If we are unable to obtain sufficient quantities of primary aluminum, recycled aluminum, sheet ingot and other raw materials used in the production of our products, our ability to produce and deliver products or to manufacture products on a timely basis could be adversely affected.

 

We rely on a limited number of suppliers for our raw materials requirements. Based on CRU estimates, aluminum demand levels were expected to increase over 15% from December 31, 2009 levels through the end of 2010. Increasing aluminum demand levels have caused supply constraints in the industry. Further increases in demand levels could exacerbate these supply issues. If we are unable to obtain sufficient quantities of primary aluminum, recycled aluminum, sheet ingot and other raw materials used in the production of our rolled aluminum products due to supply constraints in the future, our ability to produce and deliver products or to manufacture products on a timely basis could be adversely affected.

 

Our sheet ingot requirements have historically been, in part, supplied by Rio Tinto Alcan pursuant to agreements with us. For the year ended March 31, 2010, we purchased the majority of our third party sheet ingot requirements from Rio Tinto Alcan’s primary metal group. If Rio Tinto Alcan or any other significant supplier of sheet ingot is unable to deliver sufficient quantities of this material on a timely basis, our production may be disrupted and our net sales, profitability and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. Although aluminum is traded on the world markets, developing alternative suppliers of sheet ingot could be time consuming and expensive.

 

In addition, our continuous casting operations at our Saguenay Works, Canada facility depend upon a local supply of molten aluminum from Rio Tinto Alcan. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, Rio Tinto Alcan’s primary metal group supplied most of the molten aluminum used at Saguenay Works. If this supply were to be disrupted, our Saguenay Works production could be interrupted and our net sales, profitability and cash flows materially adversely affected.

 

We face significant price and other forms of competition from other aluminum rolled products producers, which could hurt our results of operations and cash flows.

 

Generally, the markets in which we operate are highly competitive. We compete primarily on the basis of our value proposition, including price, product quality, ability to meet customers’ specifications, range of products offered, lead times, technical support and customer service. Some of our competitors may benefit from greater capital resources, have more efficient technologies, have lower raw material and energy costs and may be able to sustain longer periods of price competition. In particular, we face increased competition from

producers in China, which have significantly lower production costs and pricing. This lower pricing could erode the market prices of our products in the Chinese market and elsewhere.

 

In addition, our competitive position within the global aluminum rolled products industry may be affected by, among other things, the recent trend toward consolidation among our competitors, exchange rate fluctuations that may make our products less competitive in relation to the products of companies based in other countries (despite the U.S. dollar-based input cost and the marginal costs of shipping) and economies of scale in purchasing, production and sales, which accrue to the benefit of some of our competitors. For example, the price gap between the Shanghai Futures Exchange (“SHFE”) and the LME may make products manufactured in China with SHFE prices for aluminum more competitive compared to our products manufactured in Asia with LME prices for aluminum.

 

Increased competition could cause a reduction in our shipment volumes and profitability or increase our expenditures, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

The end-use markets for certain of our products are highly competitive and customers are willing to accept substitutes for our products.

 

The end-use markets for certain aluminum rolled products are highly competitive. Aluminum competes with other materials, such as steel, plastics, composite materials and glass, among others, for various applications, including in beverage and food cans and automotive end-use markets. In the past, customers have demonstrated a willingness to substitute other materials for aluminum. For example, changes in consumer preferences in beverage containers have increased the use of PET plastic containers and glass bottles in recent years. These trends may continue. The willingness of customers to accept substitutes for aluminum products could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

The seasonal nature of some of our customers’ industries could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

The construction industry and the consumption of beer and soda are sensitive to weather conditions and as a result, demand for aluminum rolled products in the construction industry and for can feedstock can be seasonal. Our quarterly financial results could fluctuate as a result of climatic changes, and a prolonged series of cold summers in the different regions in which we conduct our business could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

We are subject to a broad range of environmental, health and safety laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate, and we may be exposed to substantial environmental, health and safety costs and liabilities.

 

We are subject to a broad range of environmental, health and safety laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. These laws and regulations impose increasingly stringent environmental, health and safety protection standards and permitting requirements regarding, among other things, air emissions, wastewater storage, treatment and discharges, the use and handling of hazardous or toxic materials, waste disposal practices, the remediation of environmental contamination, post-mining reclamation and working conditions for our employees. Some environmental laws, such as Superfund and comparable laws in U.S. states and other jurisdictions worldwide, impose joint and several liability for the cost of environmental remediation, natural resource damages, third party claims, and other expenses, without regard to the fault or the legality of the original conduct.

 

The costs of complying with these laws and regulations, including participation in assessments and remediation of contaminated sites and installation of pollution control facilities, have been, and in the future could be, significant. In addition, these laws and regulations may also result in substantial environmental liabilities associated with divested assets, third party locations and past activities. In certain instances, these costs and liabilities, as well as related action to be taken by us, could be accelerated or increased if we were to close, divest of or change the principal use of certain facilities with respect to which we may have environmental liabilities or remediation obligations. Currently, we are involved in a number of compliance

efforts, remediation activities and legal proceedings concerning environmental matters, including certain activities and proceedings arising under Superfund and comparable laws in U.S. states and other jurisdictions worldwide in which we have operations, including Brazil and certain countries in the European Union.

 

We have established reserves for environmental remediation activities and liabilities where appropriate. However, the cost of addressing environmental matters (including the timing of any charges related thereto) cannot be predicted with certainty, and these reserves may not ultimately be adequate, especially in light of potential changes in environmental conditions, changing interpretations of laws and regulations by regulators and courts, the discovery of previously unknown environmental conditions, the risk of governmental orders to carry out additional compliance on certain sites not initially included in remediation in progress, our potential liability to remediate sites for which provisions have not been previously established and the adoption of more stringent environmental laws. Such future developments could result in increased environmental costs and liabilities and could require significant capital expenditures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results or cash flows. Furthermore, the failure to comply with our obligations under the environmental laws and regulations could subject us to administrative, civil or criminal penalties, obligations to pay damages or other costs, and injunctions or other orders, including orders to cease operations. In addition, the presence of environmental contamination at our properties could adversely affect our ability to sell property, receive full value for a property or use a property as collateral for a loan.

 

Some of our current and potential operations are located or could be located in or near communities that may regard such operations as having a detrimental effect on their social and economic circumstances. Environmental laws typically provide for participation in permitting decisions, site remediation decisions and other matters. Concern about environmental justice issues also may affect our operations. Should such community objections be presented to government officials, the consequences of such a development may have a material adverse impact upon the profitability or, in extreme cases, the viability of an operation. In addition, such developments may adversely affect our ability to expand or enter into new operations in such location or elsewhere and may also have an effect on the cost of our environmental remediation projects.

 

We use a variety of hazardous materials and chemicals in our rolling processes, as well as in our smelting operations in Brazil and in connection with maintenance work on our manufacturing facilities. Because of the nature of these substances or related residues, we may be liable for certain costs, including, among others, costs for health-related claims or removal or re-treatment of such substances. Certain of our current and former facilities incorporate asbestos-containing materials, a hazardous substance that has been the subject of health-related claims for occupational exposure. In addition, although we have developed environmental, health and safety programs for our employees, including measures to reduce employee exposure to hazardous substances, and conduct regular assessments at our facilities, we are currently, and in the future may be, involved in claims and litigation filed on behalf of persons alleging injury predominantly as a result of occupational exposure to substances or other hazards at our current or former facilities. It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of these claims and lawsuits due to the unpredictable nature of personal injury litigation. If these claims and lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, were finally resolved against us, our results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.

 

We may be exposed to significant legal proceedings or investigations.

 

From time to time, we are involved in, or the subject of, disputes, proceedings and investigations with respect to a variety of matters, including environmental, health and safety, product liability, employee, tax, personal injury, contractual and other matters as well as other disputes and proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. Certain of these matters are discussed in the preceding risk factor. Any claims against us or any investigations involving us, whether meritorious or not, could be costly to defend or comply with and could divert management’s attention as well as operational resources. Any such dispute, litigation or investigation, whether currently pending or threatened or in the future, may have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

Product liability claims against us could result in significant costs or negatively impact our reputation and could adversely affect our business results and financial condition.

 

We are sometimes exposed to warranty and product liability claims. There can be no assurance that we will not experience material product liability losses arising from individual suits or class actions alleging product liability defects or related claims in the future and that these will not have a negative impact on us. We generally maintain insurance against many product liability risks, but there can be no assurance that this coverage will be adequate for any liabilities ultimately incurred. In addition, there is no assurance that insurance will continue to be available on terms acceptable to us. A successful claim that exceeds our available insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.

 

We may be affected by global climate change or by legal, regulatory, or market responses to such change.

 

There is a growing concern over climate change, which has led to new and proposed legislative and regulatory initiatives, such as cap-and-trade systems and additional limits on emissions of greenhouse gases. New laws enacted could directly and indirectly affect our customers and suppliers (through an increase in the cost of production or their ability to produce satisfactory products) or our business (through an impact on our inventory availability, cost of sales, operations or demand for the products we sell), which could result in an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Compliance with any new or more stringent laws or regulations, or stricter interpretations of existing laws, could require additional expenditures by us, our customers or our suppliers. Also, we rely on natural gas, electricity, fuel oil and transport fuel to operate our facilities. Any increased costs of these energy sources because of new laws could be passed along to us and our customers and suppliers, which could also have a negative impact on our profitability.

 

We may see increased costs arising from health care reform.

 

In March 2010, the United States government enacted comprehensive health care reform legislation which, among other things, includes guaranteed coverage requirements, eliminates pre-existing condition exclusions and annual and lifetime maximum limits, restricts the extent to which policies can be rescinded and imposes new and significant taxes on health insurers and health care benefits. The legislation imposes implementation effective dates beginning in 2010 and extending through 2020, and many of the changes require additional guidance from government agencies or federal regulations. Therefore, due to the phased-in nature of the implementation and the lack of interpretive guidance, it is difficult to determine at this time what impact the health care reform legislation will have on our financial results. Possible adverse effects of the health reform legislation include increased costs, exposure to expanded liability and requirements for us to revise ways in which we provide healthcare and other benefits to our employees. In addition, our results of operations, financial position and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

 

Income tax payments may ultimately differ from amounts currently recorded by the Company. Future tax law changes may materially increase the Company’s prospective income tax expense.

 

We are subject to income taxation in many jurisdictions in the U.S. as well as numerous foreign jurisdictions. Judgment is required in determining our worldwide income tax provision and accordingly there are many transactions and computations for which our final income tax determination is uncertain. We are routinely audited by income tax authorities in many tax jurisdictions. Although we believe the recorded tax estimates are reasonable, the ultimate outcome from any audit (or related litigation) could be materially different from amounts reflected in our income tax provisions and accruals. Future settlements of income tax audits may have a material effect on earnings between the period of initial recognition of tax estimates in the financial statements and the point of ultimate tax audit settlement. Additionally, it is possible that future income tax legislation in any jurisdiction to which we are subject may be enacted that could have a material impact on our worldwide income tax provision beginning with the period that such legislation becomes effective.

If we fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, we may have material misstatements in our financial statements and we may not be able to report our financial results in a timely manner.

 

Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we are required to provide a report by management in our Form 10-K on internal control over financial reporting, including management’s assessment of the effectiveness of such control. Internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls or fraud. Therefore, even effective internal controls can provide only some assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, we may be unable to provide financial information in a timely and reliable manner. Any such difficulties or failure may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

 

Risks Related to the Notes

 

Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our business and therefore make it more difficult for us to fulfill our obligations under the notes.

 

We are highly leveraged. As of December 31, 2010, we had $4.1 billion of indebtedness outstanding. Our substantial indebtedness and interest expense could have important consequences to our company and holders of notes, including:

 

 

Despite the level of our indebtedness, we may still incur significantly more indebtedness. This could further increase the risks associated with our indebtedness.

 

Despite our current level of indebtedness, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur significant additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, in the future. Although our senior secured credit facilities and the indentures governing the notes contain restrictions on our and our subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and, under certain circumstances, the indebtedness incurred in compliance with such restrictions could be substantial. If new indebtedness is added to our and our subsidiaries’ current debt levels, the related risks that we and they face would be increased and we may not be able to meet all our debt obligations, including repayment of the notes, in whole or in part.

 

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all our indebtedness, including the notes, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.

 

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We may not be able to maintain such a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, including the notes.

 

If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, or to sell assets, seek additional capital or

restructure or refinance our indebtedness, including the notes. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. The terms of existing or future debt instruments and the indentures governing the notes may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives. In addition, any failure to make payments of interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness on a timely basis would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which could harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations.

 

The covenants in our senior secured credit facilities and the indentures governing the notes impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us.

 

Our senior secured credit facilities and the indentures governing the notes impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries, among other things, to:

 

 

In addition, under our $800 million five-year multi-currency asset-backed revolving credit line and letter of credit facility (the “ABL Facility”), if (a) our excess availability under the ABL Facility is less than the greater of (i) 12.5% of the lesser of (x) the total ABL Facility commitment at any time and (y) the then applicable borrowing base and (ii) $90 million, at any time or (b) any event of default has occurred and is continuing, we are required to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.1 to 1 until (1) such excess availability has subsequently been at least the greater of (i) 12.5% of the lesser of (x) the total ABL Facility commitments at such time and (y) the then applicable borrowing base for 30 consecutive days and (ii) $90 million and (2) no default is outstanding during such 30 day period.

 

Further, under our $1.5 billion six-year term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) we may not permit our total net leverage ratio as of the last day of our four consecutive quarters ending with any fiscal quarter to exceed ratios expected to begin at 4.75 to 1 and stepping down periodically at specified levels over the life of the facility. See “Description of Other Indebtedness — Senior Secured Credit Facilities — Covenants.”

 

If we default on our obligations to pay our other indebtedness, we may not be able to make payments on the notes.

 

Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, including a default under our senior secured credit facilities, that is not waived by the required lenders or holders of such indebtedness, and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness, could prevent us from paying principal, premium, if any, and interest on the notes and substantially decrease the market value of the notes. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow or are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal,

premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the agreements governing our indebtedness, including the covenants contained in our senior secured credit facilities, we would be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness. In the event of such default:

 

 

As a result of such default and any actions the lenders may take in response thereto, we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

 

If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to obtain waivers from the required lenders under our senior secured credit facilities to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under our senior secured credit facilities and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders. If this occurs, we could be in default under our senior secured credit facilities, the lenders could exercise their rights, as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

 

While the indentures governing the notes contain restrictions on our ability to make restricted payments, there are a number of exceptions to these restrictions.

 

Although the indentures governing the notes contain restrictions on our ability to make restricted payments, we are able to make such restricted payments under certain circumstances under the indentures, including, but not limited to, up to $150 million per fiscal year in restricted payments, with unused amounts carrying over to future fiscal years (provided our Total Liquidity (as defined below under “Description of the Notes”) is equal to or greater than $750 million and certain other requirements, are satisfied) and unlimited restricted payments when our Net Total Leverage Ratio (as defined below under “Description of the Notes”) does not exceed 3.0 to 1. If we make significant restricted payments in the future, there will be less available cash to service our indebtedness, which will increase the risk that we may not be able to meet all our debt obligations, including repayment of the notes.

 

We are primarily a holding company and depend on our subsidiaries to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations, including payments on the notes.

 

We are primarily a holding company and a large portion of our assets is the capital stock of our subsidiaries and the equity interests in our joint ventures. As a holding company, we conduct substantially all of our business through our subsidiaries and joint ventures. Consequently, our cash flow and ability to service our debt obligations, including the notes, are dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries and joint ventures and the distribution of those earnings to us, or upon loans, advances or other payments made by these entities to us. The ability of these entities to pay dividends or make other loans, advances or payments to us will depend upon their operating results and will be subject to applicable laws and contractual restrictions contained in the instruments governing their debt, and we may not exercise sufficient control to cause distributions to be made to us. Although our senior secured credit facilities and the indentures governing the notes each limit the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to enter into consensual restrictions on their ability to pay dividends and make other payments to us, these limitations do not apply to our existing joint ventures or unrestricted subsidiaries and the limitations are also subject to important exceptions and qualifications.

 

The ability of our subsidiaries to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to allow us to make scheduled payments on our debt obligations, including the notes, will depend on their future financial performance, which will be affected by a range of economic, competitive and business factors, many of which are outside of our control. We cannot assure you that the cash flow and earnings of our operating subsidiaries and the amount that they are able to distribute to us as dividends or otherwise will be adequate for us to

service our debt obligations, including the notes. If our subsidiaries do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to satisfy our debt obligations, including payments on the notes, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or restructuring our debt, selling assets, reducing or delaying capital investments or seeking to raise additional capital. We cannot assure you that any such alternative refinancing would be possible, that any assets could be sold, or, if sold, of the timing of the sales and the amount of proceeds realized from those sales, that additional financing could be obtained on acceptable terms, if at all, or that additional financing would be permitted under the terms of our various debt instruments then in effect. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our obligations on commercially reasonable terms, would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow, as well as on our ability to satisfy our obligations on the notes.

 

Your right to receive payments on the notes is effectively junior in right of payment to all existing and future secured indebtedness of ours or the guarantors up to the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

 

Our obligations under the notes are unsecured. The notes are effectively junior to all existing and future secured indebtedness of ours or the guarantors up to the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. For example, the notes and the related guarantees effectively rank junior to $1.6 billion of secured debt under our senior secured credit facilities at December 31, 2010, which debt is secured by our assets and the assets of our principal subsidiaries. Although the indentures contain restrictions on our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to create or incur liens to secure indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to important limitations and exceptions that permit us to secure a substantial amount of additional indebtedness. Accordingly, in the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization affecting us or any guarantor, your rights to receive payment will be effectively subordinated to those of secured creditors up to the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. Holders of the notes will participate ratably with all holders of our unsecured indebtedness that is deemed to be of the same class as the notes, and potentially with all of our other general creditors, based upon the respective amounts owed to each holder or creditor, in our remaining assets. In any of the foregoing events, we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient assets to pay amounts due on the notes. As a result, holders of the notes may receive less, ratably, than holders of secured indebtedness. In addition, if the secured lenders were to declare a default with respect to their loans and enforce their rights with respect to their collateral, there can be no assurance that our remaining assets would be sufficient to satisfy our other obligations, including our obligations with respect to the notes.

 

Your right to receive payments on the notes could be adversely affected if any of our non-guarantor subsidiaries declares bankruptcy, liquidates or reorganizes.

 

Some, but not all, of our subsidiaries guarantee the notes. As a result, you are creditors of only our company and our subsidiaries that do guarantee the notes. In the case of subsidiaries that are not guarantors, all the existing and future liabilities of those subsidiaries, including any claims of trade creditors, debtholders and preferred shareholders, are effectively senior to the notes and related guarantees. Subject to limitations in our senior secured credit facilities and the indentures governing the notes, non-guarantor subsidiaries may incur additional indebtedness in the future (and may incur other liabilities without limitation). In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of our non-guarantor subsidiaries, their creditors will generally be entitled to payment of their claims from the assets of those subsidiaries before any assets are made available for distribution to us. For the year ended March 31, 2010 and the nine months ended December 31, 2010, our subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the notes had sales and operating revenues of $2.5 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively.

 

We may be unable to repurchase the notes upon a change of control.

 

Upon the occurrence of specific kinds of change of control events, we will be required to offer to repurchase all outstanding notes. The source of funds for any such purchase of the notes will be our available cash or cash generated from our subsidiaries’ operations or other sources, including borrowings, sales of assets or sales of equity. We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a change of control because we may not

have sufficient financial resources to repurchase all such notes that are tendered upon a change of control. Accordingly, we may not be able to satisfy our obligations to repurchase the notes unless we are able to refinance or obtain waivers under our senior secured credit facilities. Our failure to repurchase the notes upon a change of control would cause a default under the indentures governing the notes and a cross default under our senior secured credit facilities.

 

Also, we can not assure you that a repurchase of the notes following such a change in control would be permitted pursuant to any of our indebtedness agreements that would be in effect at the time of such change in control, which could cause our other indebtedness to be accelerated. Our senior secured credit facilities provide that certain change of control events will constitute a default that permits lenders to accelerate the maturity of borrowings thereunder. If we cannot obtain a waiver of such default or seek to refinance such indebtedness, this could result in the acceleration of such indebtedness. Any future indebtedness agreement may contain similar provisions. If such indebtedness were to be accelerated, we may not have sufficient funds to repurchase the notes and repay such indebtedness.

 

In addition, the change of control provision and other covenants in the indentures governing the notes do not cover all corporate reorganizations, mergers, amalgamations or similar transactions and may not provide you with protection in a transaction, including a highly leveraged transaction, unless such transaction constitutes a change of control under the indentures governing the notes.

 

Most of the covenants in the indentures applicable to a series of notes will be suspended during any future period that we have an investment grade rating from one rating agency with respect to such series of notes, and during any such period you will not have the benefit of those covenants if you hold such series of notes.

 

Most of the covenants in the indentures governing a series of notes, as well as our obligation to offer to repurchase such series of notes following certain asset sales or upon a change of control, will be suspended if that series of notes obtains an investment grade rating from either one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and we are not in default under the applicable indenture. If such a suspension occurs, the protections afforded to you by the covenants that have been suspended will not be restored until the investment grade rating assigned by either Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s, as the case may be, to the series of notes should subsequently decline and as a result such series of notes does not carry an investment grade rating from one rating agency. See “Description of the Notes — Certain Covenants — Covenant Suspension.”

 

Changes in our credit ratings or the financial and credit markets could adversely affect the market prices of the notes.

 

The future market prices of the notes will be affected by a number of factors, including:

 

 

The condition of the financial and credit markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future. These fluctuations could have an adverse effect on the trading prices of the notes. In addition, credit rating agencies continually revise their ratings for companies that they follow, including us. We cannot assure you that credit rating agencies will continue to rate the notes or that they will maintain their ratings on the notes. The withdrawal of a rating or a negative change in our rating could have an adverse effect on the market prices of the notes.

Fraudulent conveyance laws and other legal restrictions may permit courts to void or subordinate the notes or our subsidiaries’ guarantees of the notes in specific circumstances, which would prevent or limit payment under the notes or the guarantees. Certain limitations contained in the guarantees, which are designed to avoid this result, may render the guarantees worthless.

 

The notes are guaranteed by a number of our subsidiaries. Also, we made a distribution of $1.7 billion of the proceeds of the old notes to our parent company. Federal, state and foreign statutes may allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void or subordinate the notes or any or all of our subsidiaries’ guarantees of the notes. If the notes or any guarantees are voided or subordinated, our noteholders might be required to return payments received from us or our subsidiaries. The criteria for application of such fraudulent conveyance and other statutes vary, but, in general, under United States federal bankruptcy law, comparable provisions of state fraudulent conveyance laws and applicable Canadian federal or provincial law, the notes or a guarantee could be set aside or subordinated if, among other things, we or the guarantor, as applicable, at the time we issued the notes or the guarantor provided the guarantee:

 

 

 

Under certain Canadian federal and provincial statutes, a rebuttable presumption of an entity’s intent to prefer one creditor or hinder another may arise depending on the period of time that has elapsed between the assumption of the obligation and the date of the entity’s insolvency.

 

A court might find that the issuer of the notes did not receive reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the notes and did not substantially benefit directly or indirectly from the issuance of the notes to the extent that the proceeds from the issuance of the notes are used to make a distribution to the issuer’s shareholders. In addition, a court would likely find that a guarantor did not receive reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for its guarantee to the extent such guarantor did not substantially benefit directly or indirectly from the issuance of its guarantee. As a general matter, value is given for an obligation if, in exchange for the obligation, property is transferred or an antecedent debt is secured or satisfied.

 

The definition and test for insolvency will vary depending upon the law of the jurisdiction that is being applied. Generally, however, an entity would be considered insolvent if, at the time the it incurred indebtedness:

 

 

The tests for fraudulent conveyance, including the criteria for insolvency, will vary depending upon the law of the jurisdiction that is being applied. We cannot be sure which tests and standards a court would apply to determine whether or not we or the guarantors were solvent at the relevant time or, regardless of the tests and standards, whether the issuance of the notes or the guarantee would be voided or subordinated to our or the guarantor’s other debt.

 

If a court were to find that the issuance of the notes or incurrence of the guarantee was a fraudulent transfer or conveyance or should be set aside on other grounds, the court could void the payment obligations under the notes or such guarantee or further subordinate the notes or such guarantee to presently existing and future indebtedness of the issuer or the related guarantor, as the case may be, or require the holders of the notes to repay any amounts received with respect to the notes or such guarantee.

 

Each guarantee contains a provision intended to limit the guarantor’s liability to the maximum amount that it could incur without causing its guarantee to be a fraudulent transfer. However, this provision may automatically reduce the guarantor’s obligations to an amount that effectively makes the guarantee worthless and, in any case, this provision may not be effective to protect a guarantee from being avoided under fraudulent transfer laws. For example, in a recent Florida bankruptcy case, a similar provision was found to be ineffective to protect similar guarantees.

 

Because each subsidiary guarantor’s liability under its guarantee may be reduced to zero, avoided or released under certain circumstances, you may not receive any payments from some or all of the subsidiary guarantors.

 

You have the benefit of the guarantees of the subsidiary guarantors. However, the guarantees by the subsidiary guarantors are limited to the maximum amount that the subsidiary guarantors are permitted to guarantee under applicable law. As a result, a subsidiary guarantor’s liability under its guarantee could be reduced to zero, depending upon the amount of other obligations of such subsidiary guarantor. Further, under the circumstances discussed more fully above, a court under federal or state fraudulent conveyance and transfer statutes and applicable Canadian federal or provincial law could void the obligations under a guarantee or further subordinate it to all other obligations of the subsidiary guarantor. In addition, you will lose the benefit of a particular guarantee if it is released under certain circumstances described under “Description of the Notes — Subsidiary Guarantees.”

 

U.S. investors in the notes may have difficulties enforcing civil liabilities.

 

We are formed in Canada under the CBCA. Our registered office, as well as a substantial portion of our assets, is located outside the United States. Also, some of our directors, controlling persons and officers and some of the experts named in this prospectus reside in Canada or other jurisdictions outside the United States and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. We have agreed in the indentures under which the notes have been or will be issued, as applicable, to accept service of process in New York City, by an agent designated for such purpose, with respect to any suit, action or proceeding relating to the indentures or the notes that is brought in any federal or state court located in New York City, and to submit to the jurisdiction of such courts in connection with such suits, actions or proceedings. However, it may be difficult for holders of notes to effect service of process in the United States on our directors, controlling persons, officers and the experts named in this prospectus who are not residents of the United States or to enforce against them in the United States judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. In addition, there is doubt as to the enforceability in Canada against us or against our directors, controlling persons, officers and experts named in this prospectus who are not residents of the United States, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of United States courts, of liabilities predicated solely upon U.S. federal securities laws.

 

Canadian bankruptcy and insolvency laws may impair the enforcement of remedies under the notes.

 

The rights of the trustee under the indentures pursuant to which the notes have been or will be issued, as applicable, to enforce remedies could be significantly impaired by the restructuring provisions of applicable

Canadian federal bankruptcy, insolvency and other restructuring legislation if the benefit of such legislation is sought with respect to us and/or any of the guarantors. For example, both the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) contain provisions enabling an insolvent person to obtain a stay of proceedings against its creditors and others and to prepare and file a proposal to be voted on by the various classes of its affected creditors. A restructuring proposal, if accepted by the requisite majorities of each affected class of creditors, and if approved by the relevant Canadian court, would be binding on all creditors within each affected class whether or not such creditor voted to accept the proposal. Moreover, this legislation permits the insolvent debtor to retain possession and administration of its property, subject to court oversight, even though it may be in default under the applicable debt instrument during the period the stay against proceedings remains in place.

 

The powers of the court under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) and particularly under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) have been exercised broadly to protect a restructuring entity from actions taken by creditors and other parties. Accordingly, we cannot predict whether payments under the notes would be made during any proceedings in bankruptcy, insolvency or other restructuring, whether or when the trustee for the notes could exercise its rights under the notes indentures or whether, and to what extent, holders of notes would be compensated for any delays in payment, if any, of principal, interest and costs, including the fees and disbursements of the trustee for the notes. Typically, the stay of proceedings would prevent payments from being made under the notes or the guarantees and the trustee from exercising its rights while the insolvent company is under court protection.

 

Risks Related to the Exchange Offer

 

If you do not exchange your old notes for new notes, your ability to sell your old notes will be restricted.

 

If you do not exchange your old notes for new notes in the exchange offer, you will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer described in the legend on your old notes. The new notes, like the old notes, will remain subject to restrictions on resale in Canada. The restrictions on transfer of your old notes arise because we issued the old notes in a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. In general, you may only offer to sell the old notes if they are registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or offered or sold pursuant to an exemption from those requirements. If you are still holding any old notes after the expiration date of the exchange offer and the exchange offer has been consummated, you will not be entitled to have those old notes registered under the Securities Act or to any similar rights under the registration rights agreement, subject to limited exceptions, if applicable. After the exchange offer is completed, we will not be required, and we do not intend, to register the old notes under the Securities Act. In addition, if you do exchange your old notes in the exchange offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the new notes, you may be deemed to have received restricted securities and, if so, will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction. To the extent old notes are tendered and accepted in the exchange offer, the trading market, if any, for the old notes would be adversely affected.

 

Your ability to transfer the new notes may be limited by the absence of an active trading market, and there is no assurance that any active trading market will develop for the new notes.

 

There is no established public market for the new notes. We do not intend to list the new notes on any securities exchange or automated quotation system. We cannot assure you that an active market for the new notes will develop or, if developed, that it will continue. Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt, such as the new notes, has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the new notes. We cannot assure you that the market, if any, for the new notes will be free from similar disruptions, and any such disruptions may adversely affect the prices at which you may sell your new notes.

 

Purpose of the Exchange Offer

 

We have entered into registration rights agreements with the initial purchasers of the old notes, in which we agreed to file one or more registration statements with the SEC relating to an offer to exchange the old notes for new notes. The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part was filed in compliance with this obligation. We also agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause a registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act by December 17, 2011, to offer the new notes in exchange for the old notes as soon as practicable after the effectiveness of the registration statement and to keep the exchange offer registration statement effective for not less than 30 days after the date notice of the exchange offer is mailed to holders of the old notes. If we do not comply with certain of our obligations under the registration rights agreements, we will incur additional interest expense. The new notes will have terms substantially identical to the old notes except that the new notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions in the United States and registration rights and additional interest payable for the failure to comply with certain obligations. Old notes consisting of $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our 8.375% Senior Notes due 2017 and $1,400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our 8.75% Senior Notes due 2020 were issued on December 17, 2010.

 

Under the circumstances set forth below, we will promptly file a shelf registration statement with the SEC covering resales of the old notes or the new notes, as the case may be, use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the shelf registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act and use our commercially reasonable efforts to keep the shelf registration statement effective until the earliest of (i) the time when the notes covered by the registration statement can be sold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act without any limitations, (ii) two (2) years and (iii) the date on which all notes registered under the shelf registration statement are disposed of in accordance therewith. These circumstances include:

 

 

Each holder of old notes that wishes to exchange such old notes for transferable new notes in the exchange offer will be required to make the following representations:

 

 

In addition, each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange for old notes, where such old notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must, in the absence of an exemption, comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with secondary resales of new notes and cannot rely on the

position of the SEC staff set forth in “Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation,” “Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated” or similar no-action letters. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

Resale of New Notes

 

Based on interpretations of the SEC staff set forth in no-action letters issued to unrelated third parties, we believe that new notes issued in the exchange offer in exchange for old notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by any exchange note holder without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, if:

 

 

Any holder who tenders in the exchange offer with the intention of participating in any manner in a distribution of the new notes:

 

 

If, as stated above, a holder cannot rely on the position of the staff of the SEC set forth in “Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation” or similar interpretive letters, any effective registration statement used in connection with a secondary resale transaction must contain the selling security holder information required by Item 507 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

 

This prospectus may be used for an offer to resell, for the resale or for other retransfer of new notes only as specifically set forth in this prospectus. With regard to broker-dealers, only broker-dealers that acquired the old notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities may participate in the exchange offer. Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange for old notes, where such old notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the new notes. Please read the section captioned “Plan of Distribution” for more details regarding these procedures for the transfer of new notes. We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the exchange offer is consummated, we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale of the new notes.

 

Terms of the Exchange Offer

 

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus, we will accept for exchange any old notes properly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration date. We will issue $1,000 principal amount of new notes of each series in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of old notes of the same series surrendered under the exchange offer; provided that the minimum principal amount of a new note must be $2,000. Old notes may be tendered only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; provided that the untendered portion of an old note must be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000.

 

The respective forms and terms of the new notes will be substantially identical to the respective forms and terms of the old notes except the new notes will be registered under the Securities Act, will not bear legends restricting their transfer in the United States and will not provide for any additional interest upon our failure to fulfill our obligations under the applicable registration rights agreement to file, and cause to become effective, a registration statement and to consummate the exchange offer. The new notes of a series will evidence the same debt as the old notes of that series. The new notes will be issued under and entitled to the benefits of the same indenture that authorized the issuance of the outstanding old notes. Consequently, the old and new notes issued under their respective indenture will be treated as a single class of debt securities under that indenture.

The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of old notes being tendered for exchange.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2017 old notes and $1,400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2020 old notes are outstanding. There will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders of old notes entitled to participate in the exchange offer.

 

We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the provisions of the registration rights agreements, the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Old notes that are not tendered for exchange in the exchange offer will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest and will be entitled to the rights and benefits such holders have under the indenture relating to the old notes.

 

We will be deemed to have accepted for exchange properly tendered old notes when we have given oral (confirmed in writing) or written notice of the acceptance to the exchange agent. The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders for the purposes of receiving the new notes from us and delivering new notes to such holders. Subject to the terms of the registration rights agreements, we expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer, and not to accept for exchange any old notes not previously accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions specified below under the caption “— Conditions to the Exchange Offer.”

 

Holders who tender old notes in the exchange offer will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees, or transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of old notes. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than those transfer taxes described below, in connection with the exchange offer. It is important that you read the section labeled “— Fees and Expenses” below for more details regarding fees and expenses incurred in the exchange offer.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the registration rights agreements, we are not required to make a registered exchange offer in any province or territory of Canada or to accept old notes surrendered by residents of Canada in the registered exchange offer unless the distribution of new notes pursuant to such offer can be effected pursuant to exemptions from the registration and prospectus requirements of the applicable securities laws of such province or territory and, as a condition to the exchange of the old notes pursuant to a registered exchange offer, such holders of old notes in Canada are required to make certain representations to us, including a representation that they are entitled under the applicable securities laws of such province or territory to acquire the new notes without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under such securities laws.

 

We are relying on exemptions from applicable Canadian provincial securities laws to offer the new notes. The new notes may not be sold directly or indirectly in Canada except in accordance with applicable securities laws of the provinces and territories of Canada. We are not required, and do not intend, to qualify the new notes by prospectus in Canada, and accordingly, the new notes will be subject to restrictions on resale in Canada.

 

Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments

 

The exchange offer for the old notes will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 7, 2011, unless we extend the exchange offer in our sole and absolute discretion.

 

In order to extend the exchange offer, we will notify the exchange agent orally (and confirmed in writing) or in writing of any extension. We will notify in writing or by public announcement the registered holders of old notes of the extension no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.

 

We reserve the right, in our reasonable discretion:

 

 

 

Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by written notice or public announcement thereof to the registered holders of old notes. If we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we determine to constitute a material change, we will promptly disclose such amendment in a manner reasonably calculated to inform the holders of old notes of such amendment, provided that in the event of a material change in the exchange offer, including the waiver of a material condition, we will extend the exchange offer period, if necessary, so that at least five business days remain in the exchange offer following notice of the material change. If we terminate this exchange offer as provided in this prospectus before accepting any old notes for exchange or if we amend the terms of this exchange offer in a manner that constitutes a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will promptly file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In addition, we will in all events comply with our obligation to make prompt payment for all old notes properly tendered and accepted for exchange in the exchange offer.

 

Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make public announcements of any delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment of the exchange offer, we shall have no obligation to publish, advertise, or otherwise communicate any such public announcement, other than by issuing a timely press release to a financial news service.

 

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

 

Despite any other term of the exchange offer, we will not be required to accept for exchange, or exchange any new notes for, any old notes, and we may terminate the exchange offer as provided in this prospectus before accepting any old notes for exchange if in our reasonable judgment:

 

 

In addition, we will not be obligated to accept for exchange the old notes of any holder that has not made:

 

 

We expressly reserve the right, at any time or at various times on or prior to the scheduled expiration date of the exchange offer, to extend the period of time during which the exchange offer is open. Consequently, in the event we extend the period the exchange offer is open, we may delay acceptance of any old notes by giving written notice or public announcement of such extension to the registered holders of the old notes. During any such extensions, all old notes previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer, and we may accept them for exchange unless they have been previously withdrawn. We will return any old notes that we do not accept for exchange for any reason without expense to their tendering holder promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer on or prior to the scheduled expiration date of the exchange offer, and to reject for exchange any old notes not previously accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions to termination of the exchange offer specified above. We will give written notice or public announcement of any extension, amendment, non-acceptance or termination to the registered holders of the old notes as promptly as practicable. In the case of any extension, such notice will be issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time on the business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.

 

These conditions are for our sole benefit and we may, in our reasonable discretion, assert them regardless of the circumstances that may give rise to them or waive them in whole or in part at any or at various times except that all conditions to the exchange offer must be satisfied or waived by us prior to the expiration of the exchange offer. If we fail at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights, that failure will not constitute a waiver of such right. Each such right will be deemed an ongoing right that we may assert at any time or at various times prior to the expiration of the exchange offer. Any waiver by us will be made by written notice or public announcement to the registered holders of the notes and any such waiver shall apply to all the registered holders of the notes.

 

In addition, we will not accept for exchange any old notes tendered, and will not issue new notes in exchange for any such old notes, if at such time any stop order is threatened in writing or in effect with respect to the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part or the qualification of an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).

 

Exchange Offer Procedures

 

Only a holder of old notes may tender such old notes in the exchange offer. If you are a DTC participant that has old notes which are credited to your DTC account by book-entry and which are held of record by DTC’s nominee, as applicable, you may tender your old notes by book-entry transfer as if you were the record holder. Because of this, references herein to registered or record holders include DTC participants.

 

If you are not a DTC participant, you may tender your old notes by book-entry transfer by contacting your broker, dealer or other nominee or by opening an account with a DTC participant, as the case may be.

 

To tender old notes in the exchange offer:

 

 

Participants in DTC’s ATOP program must electronically transmit their acceptance of the exchange by causing DTC to transfer the old notes to the exchange agent in accordance with DTC’s ATOP procedures for transfer. DTC will then send an agent’s message to the exchange agent. With respect to the exchange of the old notes, the term “agent’s message” means a message transmitted by DTC, received by the exchange agent and forming part of the book-entry confirmation, which states that:

 

 

Delivery of an agent’s message will also constitute an acknowledgment from the tendering DTC participant that the representations described above in this prospectus are true and correct and when received by the exchange agent will form a part of a confirmation of book-entry transfer in which you acknowledge and agree to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal. We will determine in our sole discretion all

questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance of tendered old notes and such determination will be final and binding.

 

In addition, each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange for old notes, where such old notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

 

If you desire to tender outstanding notes pursuant to the exchange offer and (1) time will not permit your letter of transmittal, certificates representing such outstanding notes and all other required documents to reach the exchange agent on or prior to the expiration date, or (2) the procedures for book-entry transfer (including delivery of an agent’s message) cannot be completed on or prior to the expiration date, you may nevertheless tender such notes with the effect that such tender will be deemed to have been received on or prior to the expiration date if all the following conditions are satisfied:

 

 

The notice of guaranteed delivery (unless part of an agent’s message) may be sent by hand delivery, facsimile transmission or mail to the exchange agent and must include a guarantee by an eligible guarantor institution in the form set forth in the notice of guaranteed delivery.

 

Book-Entry Transfer

 

The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account with respect to the old notes at DTC for purposes of the exchange offer promptly after the date of this prospectus; and any financial institution participating in DTC’s system may make book-entry delivery of old notes by causing DTC to transfer such old notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures for transfer.

 

Withdrawal Rights

 

Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, you may withdraw your tender of old notes at any time before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.

 

To withdraw a tender of old notes in the exchange offer, the exchange agent must receive a letter or facsimile notice of withdrawal at its address set forth below under “— Exchange agent” before the time indicated above. Any notice of withdrawal must:

 

 

We will determine in our sole discretion all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility, including time of receipt, of notices of withdrawal. Our determination will be final and binding on all parties. Any old notes withdrawn in this manner will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the exchange offer. We will not issue new notes for such withdrawn old notes unless the old notes are validly retendered. We will return to you any old notes that you have tendered but that we have not accepted for exchange without cost promptly after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange offer. You may retender properly withdrawn old notes by following one of the procedures described above at any time before the expiration date.

 

Exchange Agent

 

We have appointed The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as exchange agent for the exchange offer of old notes.

 

You should direct questions and requests for assistance with respect to exchange offer procedures and requests for additional copies of this prospectus to the exchange agent addressed as follows:

 

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as exchange agent

c/o The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation

Corporate Trust — Reorganization Unit

480 Washington Boulevard,

27th Floor

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

Attn: Mrs. Carolle Montreuil — Processor

Phone: 212-815-5920

Facsimile: 212-298-1915

 

Fees and Expenses

 

We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders. The principal solicitation is being made by mail, however, we may make additional solicitations by telegraph, telephone or in person by our officers and regular employees and those of our affiliates.

 

We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer and will not make any payments to broker-dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. We will, however, pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and reimburse it for its related reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Our expenses in connection with the exchange offer include:

 

 

Transfer Taxes

 

We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of old notes under the exchange offer. The tendering holder, however, will be required to pay any transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or any other person, if:

 

 

If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes is not submitted, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed to that tendering holder.

 

Holders who tender their old notes for exchange will not be required to pay any transfer taxes. However, holders who instruct us to register new notes in the name of, or request that old notes not tendered or not accepted in the exchange offer be returned to, a person other than the registered tendering holder will be required to pay any applicable transfer tax.

 

Consequences of Failure to Exchange

 

Holders of old notes who do not exchange their old notes for new notes under the exchange offer, including as a result of failing to timely deliver old notes to the exchange agent, together with all required documentation, will remain subject to the restrictions on transfer of such old notes:

 

 

In addition, you will no longer have any registration rights or be entitled to additional interest with respect to the old notes.

 

In general, you may not offer or sell the old notes unless they are registered under the Securities Act, or if the offer or sale is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Except as required by the applicable registration rights agreement, we do not intend to register resales of the old notes under the Securities Act. Based on interpretations of the SEC staff, new notes issued pursuant to the exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by their holders, other than any such holder that is our “affiliate” within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that the holders acquired the new notes in the ordinary course of the holders’ business and the holders have no arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the new notes to be acquired in the exchange offer. Any holder who tenders in the exchange offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the new notes:

 

 

After the exchange offer is consummated, if you continue to hold any old notes, you may have difficulty selling them because there will be fewer old notes outstanding.

 

Accounting Treatment

 

We will record the new notes in our accounting records at the same carrying value as the old notes, as reflected in our accounting records on the date of exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes in connection with the exchange offer.

 

Other

 

Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary, and you should carefully consider whether to accept. You are urged to consult your financial and tax advisors in making your own decision on what action to take.

 

We may in the future seek to acquire untendered old notes in the open market or privately negotiated transactions, through subsequent exchange offers or otherwise. We have no present plans to acquire any old notes that are not tendered in the exchange offer or to file a registration statement to permit resales of any untendered old notes.

 

This exchange offer is intended to satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreements. We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer. You will receive, in exchange for old notes tendered by you and accepted by us in the exchange offer, new notes of the same series and in the same principal amount. The old notes surrendered in exchange for the new notes will be retired and cancelled and cannot be reissued. Accordingly, the issuance of the new notes will not result in any increase of our outstanding debt.

 

We used the net proceeds from the sale of the old notes of approximately $2.4 billion together with approximately $1.5 billion of debt under our senior secured credit facilities to (1) repay the outstanding amount under our old senior secured credit facilities consisting of (a) a $1.15 billion term loan facility and (b) an $800 million ABL facility (the “Previous ABL Facility”); (2) repay all of our then outstanding $185 million of 11.5% senior notes due February 15, 2015; (3) repay $1.050 billion of our 7.25% senior notes due February 15, 2015; (4) finance a distribution to our parent company; and (5) pay related premiums, fees, discounts and expenses.

 

Novelis Inc. was formed in Canada on September 21, 2004. On January 6, 2005, Alcan transferred its rolled products businesses to Novelis and distributed shares of Novelis to Alcan’s shareholders. On May 15, 2007, we were acquired by Hindalco through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary. We refer to the company prior to the Hindalco acquisition (through May 15, 2007) as the “Predecessor,” and we refer to the company after the Hindalco acquisition (beginning on May 16, 2007) as the “Successor.” On June 26, 2007, our board of directors approved the change of our fiscal year end to March 31 from December 31.

 

The selected consolidated financial data of the Successor presented below as of and for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 has been derived from the unaudited financial statements of Novelis Inc. included elsewhere in this prospectus. The results for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. The selected consolidated financial data of the Successor presented below as of and for the years ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and for the period May 16, 2007 through March 31, 2008 has been derived from the audited financial statements of Novelis Inc. included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected consolidated financial data of the Predecessor presented below for the period April 1, 2007 through May 15, 2007 has been derived from the audited financial statements of Novelis Inc. included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

The selected consolidated financial data of the Successor presented below as of March 31, 2008 and the selected consolidated financial data of the Predecessor presented below as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and as of and for the years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 has been derived from the following audited financial statements of Novelis Inc. which are not included in this prospectus: the consolidated balance sheets of Novelis Inc. as of March 31, 2008, December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007; the consolidated statement of operations of Novelis Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2006; the consolidated and combined statement of operations of Novelis Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2005; and the consolidated balance sheets of Novelis Inc. as of December 31, 2006 and 2005.

 

The consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005, include the results for the period from January 1 to January 5, 2005, prior to our spin-off from Alcan, in addition to the results for the period from January 6 to December 31, 2005. The financial results for the period from January 1 to January 5, 2005 present our operations on a carve-out accounting basis. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005, and the consolidated results for the period from January 6 (the date of the spin-off from Alcan) to December 31, 2005, present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows as a stand-alone entity.

The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes thereto for the respective periods included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview and References

 

Novelis is the world’s leading aluminum rolled products producer based on shipment volume for the nine months ended December 31, 2010, with total shipments during that period of 2,198 kt. We produce aluminum sheet and light gauge products for the beverage and food can, transportation, construction and industrial, and foil products markets. As of December 31, 2010, we had operations on four continents: North America; South America; Asia and Europe, through 30 operating plants, one research facility and several market-focused innovation centers in 11 countries. In addition to aluminum rolled products plants, our South American businesses include bauxite mining, primary aluminum smelting and power generation facilities. We are the only company of our size and scope focused solely on aluminum rolled products markets and capable of local supply of technologically sophisticated products in all of these geographic regions. We are also the global leader in the recycling of used aluminum beverage cans. We had net sales and net income attributable to our common shareholder of $8.7 billion and $405 million, respectively, for the year ended March 31, 2010, and $7.6 billion and $66 million, respectively, for the nine months ended December 31, 2010.

 

The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus, particularly in “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Market Data” and “Risk Factors.”

 

Background and Basis of Presentation

 

On May 18, 2004, Alcan announced its intention to transfer its rolled products businesses into a separate company and to pursue a spin-off of that company to its shareholders. Novelis Inc. was formed in Canada on September 21, 2004. The spin-off occurred on January 6, 2005 following approval by Alcan’s board of directors and shareholders, and legal and regulatory approvals. Alcan shareholders received one Novelis common share for every five Alcan common shares held.

 

Acquisition by Hindalco

 

On May 15, 2007, the company was acquired by Hindalco through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary pursuant to the Arrangement at a price of $44.93 per share. The aggregate purchase price for all of the company’s common shares was $3.4 billion and $2.8 billion of Novelis’ debt was also assumed for a total transaction value of $6.2 billion. Subsequent to completion of the Arrangement on May 15, 2007, all of our common shares have been indirectly held by Hindalco.

 

As discussed in “Note 1 — Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, the Arrangement was recorded in accordance with SAB 103. Accordingly, in the consolidated balance sheets included elsewhere in this prospectus, the consideration and related costs paid by Hindalco in connection with the acquisition have been “pushed down” to us and allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in accordance with FASB 141. Due to the impact of push down accounting, the company’s consolidated financial statements and certain note presentations separate the company’s presentation into two distinct periods to indicate the application of two different bases of accounting between the periods presented: (1) the periods up to, and including, the May 15, 2007 acquisition date (labeled “Predecessor”) and (2) the periods after that date (labeled “Successor”). The financial data included elsewhere in this prospectus include a black line division which indicates that the Predecessor and Successor reporting entities shown are not comparable.

 

Amalgamation of AV Aluminum Inc. and Novelis Inc.

 

Effective September 29, 2010, in connection with an internal restructuring transaction, pursuant to articles of amalgamation under the Canada Business Corporations Act, we were amalgamated (the “Amalgamation”)

with our direct parent, AV Aluminum Inc., a Canadian corporation (“AV Aluminum”), to form an amalgamated corporation named Novelis Inc., also a Canadian corporation.

 

As a result of the Amalgamation, we continue our corporate existence, and the amalgamated Novelis Inc. remains liable for all of our and AV Aluminum’s obligations and we continue to own all of our respective property. Since AV Aluminum was a holding company whose sole asset was the shares of the pre-amalgamated Novelis Inc., our business, management, board of directors and corporate governance procedures following the Amalgamation are identical to those of Novelis Inc. immediately prior to the Amalgamation. Novelis Inc., like AV Aluminum before the Amalgamation, remains an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Hindalco. We have retrospectively recast all periods presented to reflect the amalgamated companies.

 

As of March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Amalgamation increased our previously reported additional paid-in capital by $33 million, and reduced our accumulated deficit by $33 million. The Amalgamation had no impact on our consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 or the years ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. In addition, the Amalgamation had no impact on our consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 or the years ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. As of March 31, 2008, the Amalgamation increased our accrued expenses and other current liabilities by $33 million and reduced our accumulated deficit by $33 million. For the period from May 16, 2007 through March 31, 2008, the Amalgamation increased our interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs by $23 million and increased our income tax provision by $10 million, thus, reducing our net income attributable to our common shareholder by $33 million on our consolidated statement of operations for that period. The Amalgamation did not change our net operating, investing or financing activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows for the period from May 16, 2007 through March 31, 2008. The Amalgamation did not impact our consolidated statements of operations or our consolidated statements of cash flows for the period from April 1, 2007 through May 15, 2007.

 

Combined Financial Results of the Predecessor and Successor

 

For purposes of management’s discussion and analysis of the results of operations in this prospectus, we combined the results of operations for the period ended May 15, 2007 of the Predecessor with the period ended March 31, 2008 of the Successor. We believe the combined results of operations for the year ended March 31, 2008 provide management and investors with a more meaningful perspective on Novelis’ financial and operational performance than if we did not combine the results of operations of the Predecessor and the Successor in this manner. Similarly, we combine the financial results of the Predecessor and the Successor when discussing segment information and sources and uses of cash for the year ended March 31, 2008.

 

The combined results of operations are non-GAAP financial measures, do not include any pro forma assumptions or adjustments and should not be used in isolation or substitution of the Predecessor’s and the Successor’s results. Shown below are combining schedules of (1) shipments and (2) our results of operations for periods allocable to the Successor, the Predecessor and the combined presentation for the year ended March 31, 2008 that we use throughout the discussion of results from operations.