e10vq
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007
or
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
for the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File No. 000-51728
 
AMERICAN RAILCAR INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   43-1481791
(State of Incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
100 Clark Street, St. Charles, Missouri   63301
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(636) 940-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ     No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o     Accelerated filer o     Non-accelerated filer þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o     No þ
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, without par value, outstanding on November 5, 2007 was 21,302,296 shares.
 
 

 


 

AMERICAN RAILCAR INDUSTRIES, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
             
Item Number   Page Number
 
           
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION        
 
           
1.
  Financial Statements:        
 
           
 
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006     3  
 
           
 
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006     4  
 
           
 
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006     5  
 
           
 
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006     6  
 
           
 
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)     7  
 
           
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     29  
 
           
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     40  
 
           
  Controls and Procedures     40  
 
           
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION        
 
           
  Legal Proceedings     41  
 
           
  Risk Factors     41  
 
           
  Exhibits     44  
 
           
 
  Signatures     45  
 Rule 13a-14(a), 15d-14(a) Certification of the CEO
 Rule 13a-14(a), 15d-14(a) Certification of the CFO
 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share amounts, unaudited)
                 
    September 30,   December 31,
    2007   2006
 
Assets
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 297,609     $ 40,922  
Accounts receivable, net
    34,529       34,868  
Accounts receivable, due from affiliates
    13,553       9,632  
Inventories, net
    101,135       103,510  
Prepaid expenses
    3,929       5,853  
Deferred tax assets
    1,867       2,089  
     
Total current assets
    452,622       196,874  
 
               
Property, plant and equipment, net
    156,364       130,293  
Deferred debt issuance costs
    4,125       235  
Goodwill
    7,169       7,169  
Other assets
    37       37  
Investment in joint venture
    13,713       4,318  
     
Total assets
  $ 634,030     $ 338,926  
     
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 31     $ 88  
Accounts payable
    40,546       54,962  
Accounts payable, due to affiliates
    2,694       1,689  
Accrued expenses and taxes
    6,056       3,099  
Accrued compensation
    9,549       10,282  
Accrued interest expense
    1,750       32  
Accrued dividends
    639       636  
     
Total current liabilities
    61,265       70,788  
 
               
Long-term debt, net of current portion
          8  
Senior unsecured notes
    275,000        
Deferred tax liability
    3,859       7,042  
Pension and post-retirement liabilities
    10,186       10,859  
Other liabilities
    2,390       49  
     
Total liabilities
    352,700       88,746  
 
               
Commitments and contingencies
           
 
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 21,302,296 and 21,207,773 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively
    213       212  
Additional paid-in capital
    239,288       235,768  
Retained earnings
    44,088       16,649  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (2,259 )     (2,449 )
     
Total stockholders’ equity
    281,330       250,180  
     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 634,030     $ 338,926  
     
See notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited)
                 
    For the Three Months Ended
    September 30,   September 30,
    2007   2006
Revenues:
               
Manufacturing operations (including revenues from affiliates of $47,634 and $4,172 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively)
  $ 127,376     $ 138,479  
 
               
Railcar services (including revenues from affiliates of $4,289 and $4,580 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively)
    12,515       11,975  
     
Total revenues
    139,891       150,454  
 
               
Cost of goods sold:
               
Manufacturing operations
    (113,251 )     (125,809 )
 
               
Railcar services
    (10,668 )     (8,920 )
     
Total cost of goods sold
    (123,919 )     (134,729 )
Gross profit
    15,972       15,725  
 
               
Income related to insurance recoveries, net
          4,963  
Gain on asset conversion, net
          4,323  
Selling, administrative and other (including costs related to affiliates of $151 and $508 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively)
    (6,835 )     (7,008 )
     
Earnings from operations
    9,137       18,003  
 
               
Interest income
    3,986       234  
Interest expense
    (5,517 )     (103 )
Earnings (loss) from joint venture
    115       (278 )
     
Earnings before income tax expense
    7,721       17,856  
Income tax expense
    (2,861 )     (6,862 )
     
Net earnings available to common shareholders
  $ 4,860     $ 10,994  
     
 
               
Net earnings per common share — basic
  $ 0.23     $ 0.52  
Net earnings per common share — diluted
  $ 0.23     $ 0.52  
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic
    21,302       21,208  
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted
    21,392       21,261  
     
 
               
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.03     $ 0.03  
See notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited)
                 
    For the Nine Months Ended
    September 30,   September 30,
    2007   2006
Revenues:
               
Manufacturing operations (including revenues from affiliates of $93,558 and $24,380 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively)
  $ 498,217     $ 443,785  
 
               
Railcar services (including revenues from affiliates of $12,622 and $15,093 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively)
    38,014       36,948  
     
Total revenues
    536,231       480,733  
 
               
Cost of goods sold:
               
Manufacturing operations
    (435,389 )     (397,683 )
 
               
Railcar services
    (31,198 )     (29,080 )
     
Total cost of goods sold
    (466,587 )     (426,763 )
Gross profit
    69,644       53,970  
 
               
Income related to insurance recoveries, net
          9,946  
Gain on asset conversion, net
          4,323  
Selling, administrative and other (including costs related to affiliates of $454 and $1,526 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively)
    (20,884 )     (21,730 )
     
Earnings from operations
    48,760       46,509  
 
               
Interest income
    10,046       1,149  
Interest expense (including interest expense to affiliates of $0 and $98 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006)
    (12,835 )     (1,236 )
Earnings from joint venture
    731       59  
     
Earnings before income tax expense
    46,702       46,481  
Income tax expense
    (17,303 )     (17,405 )
     
Net earnings
  $ 29,399     $ 29,076  
     
Less preferred dividends
          (568 )
     
Earnings available to common shareholders
  $ 29,399     $ 28,508  
 
               
Net earnings per common share — basic
  $ 1.38     $ 1.39  
Net earnings per common share — diluted
  $ 1.38     $ 1.39  
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic
    21,265       20,484  
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted
    21,368       20,544  
     
 
               
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.09     $ 0.09  
See notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands, unaudited)
                 
    For the Nine Months Ended
    September 30,   September 30,
    2007   2006
Operating activities:
               
Net earnings
  $ 29,399     $ 29,076  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    10,266       7,602  
Amortization of deferred costs
    482       87  
Loss on the write-off of property, plant and equipment
          4,304  
Long-lived asset impairment charges
          401  
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
    233        
Write-off of deferred financing costs
          566  
Stock based compensation
    1,992       6,590  
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises
    (241 )      
Change in joint venture investment as a result of earnings
    (731 )     (59 )
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes
    (737 )     807  
Provision for losses on accounts receivable
    84       295  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable, net
    255       (9,497 )
Accounts receivable, due from affiliate
    (3,921 )     2,739  
Insurance claim receivable
          (5,936 )
Inventories
    2,375       (20,554 )
Prepaid expenses
    1,924       (1,626 )
Accounts payable
    (14,416 )     (9,538 )
Accounts payable, due to affiliate
    1,005       (2,074 )
Accrued expenses and taxes
    4,344       (9,591 )
Other
    (1,331 )     (479 )
     
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    30,982       (6,887 )
 
               
Investing activities:
               
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (36,495 )     (38,695 )
Property insurance advance on Marmaduke tornado damage
          10,000  
Repayment of note receivable from affiliate (Ohio Castings Company, LLC)
    165       494  
Investment in joint venture
    (8,840 )      
Acquisitions
          (17,220 )
     
Net cash used in investing activities
    (45,170 )     (45,421 )
 
               
Financing activities:
               
Proceeds from sale of common stock
          205,275  
Offering costs — initial public offering
          (14,605 )
Preferred stock redemption
          (82,056 )
Preferred stock dividends
          (11,904 )
Common stock dividends
    (1,912 )     (1,273 )
Decrease in amounts due to affiliates
          (20,476 )
Majority shareholder capital contribution
          275  
Proceeds from stock option exercises
    1,985        
Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises
    241        
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes, gross
    275,000        
Offering costs — senior unsecured notes issuance
    (4,314 )      
Finance fees related to credit facility
    (60 )     (265 )
Repayment of debt
    (65 )     (40,253 )
     
Net cash provided by financing activities
    270,875       34,718  
     
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    256,687       (17,590 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    40,922       28,692  
     
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 297,609     $ 11,102  
     
See notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by American Railcar Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively the “Company” or “ARI”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The Condensed Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2006 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheets as of that date. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s latest annual report attached on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2006. In the opinion of management, the information contained herein reflects all adjustments necessary to make the results of operations for the interim periods a fair statement of such operations. The results of operations of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a fiscal year.
Note 1 — Description of the Business
The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of American Railcar Industries, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Through its subsidiary Castings, LLC (“Castings”), the Company has a one-third ownership interest in Ohio Castings Company, LLC (“Ohio Castings”), a limited liability company formed to produce steel railcar parts, such as sideframes, bolsters, couplers and yokes, for use or sale by the ownership group. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
ARI manufactures railcars, custom designed railcar parts for industrial companies, railroads, and other industrial products, primarily aluminum and special alloy steel castings, for non-rail customers. ARI also provides railcar maintenance services for railcar fleets, including that of its affiliate, American Railcar Leasing LLC (“ARL”). In addition, ARI provides fleet management and maintenance services for railcars owned by selected customers. Such services include inspecting and supervising the maintenance and repair of such railcars. The Company’s operations are located in the United States and Canada. The Company operates a small railcar repair facility in Sarnia, Ontario Canada. Canadian revenues were 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively, of total consolidated revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. Canadian revenues were 0.3% and 0.3%, respectively, of total consolidated revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. Canadian assets were 0.2% and 0.4%, respectively, of total consolidated assets as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006.
Acquisition
On March 31, 2006, the Company acquired all of the common stock of Custom Steel, Inc. (“Custom Steel”), a subsidiary of Steel Technologies, Inc. Custom Steel operates a facility located adjacent to the Company’s component manufacturing facility in Kennett, Missouri, which produces value-added fabricated parts that primarily support the Company’s railcar manufacturing operations. Prior to the acquisition, ARI was Custom Steel’s primary customer. The purchase price was $17.2 million, which resulted in goodwill of $7.2 million.
The fair value of the assets and acquired liabilities that resulted in goodwill for the acquisition consisted of $3.8 million of inventory, $8.0 million of property, plant and equipment, and $1.8 million of a deferred tax liability.
The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, with the purchase price being allocated to the assets acquired based on relative fair values. Accordingly, the related results of operations of Custom Steel have been included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations after March 31, 2006.
Note 2 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (FAS 157), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies

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under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and, accordingly, FAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will adopt FAS 157 as of January 1, 2008, as required. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on its operating income and statement of financial position.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)) (or FAS 158). FAS 158 requires that the Company recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of its defined benefit and retiree medical plans (the Plans) as an asset or liability in the 2006 year end balance sheet, with changes in the funded status recognized through comprehensive income in the year in which they occur. FAS 158 also requires the Company to measure the funded status of the Plans as of the year end balance sheet date not later than December 31, 2008. The Company adopted a portion of this standard as required at December 31, 2006. The Company expects to adopt the other portion of this standard, related to the measurement of the funded status at year end, during 2008 and is currently evaluating the impact that this will have on its statement of financial position and results of operations.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (FAS 159). FAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. FAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently assessing the impact of FAS 159 on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.
Note 3 — Inventories
Inventories consist of the following:
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2007     2006  
    (in thousands)  
Raw materials
  $ 57,271     $ 67,258  
Work-in-process
    23,521       23,623  
Finished products
    23,521       15,358  
 
           
Total inventories
    104,313       106,239  
Less reserves
    (3,178 )     (2,729 )
 
           
Total inventories, net
  $ 101,135     $ 103,510  
 
           
Note 4 — Property, Plant and Equipment
The following table summarizes the components of property, plant and equipment as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006.
                 
    September 30,   December 31,
    2007   2006
     
Property, plant and equipment
               
Buildings
  $ 103,299     $ 102,737  
Machinery and equipment
    97,134       93,060  
     
 
    200,433       195,797  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (83,279 )     (75,204 )
     
Net property, plant and equipment
    117,154       120,593  
Land
    3,364       2,865  
Construction in process
    35,846       6,835  
     
Total property, plant and equipment
  $ 156,364     $ 130,293  
     

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Depreciation Expense
Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $3.5 million and $2.7 million, respectively. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $10.3 million and $7.6 million, respectively.
Capitalized Interest
In conjunction with the Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Notes offering described in Note 10, the Company began recording capitalized interest on certain property, plant and equipment capital projects. The amount of interest capitalized as of September 30, 2007 was $0.09 million. No interest was capitalized as of December 31, 2006.
Note 5 — Long-Lived Asset Impairment Charges
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. The criteria for determining impairment for such long-lived assets to be held and used is determined by comparing the carrying value of these long-lived assets to be held and used to management’s best estimate of future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets. If the assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.
No impairment charges have been recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company reduced the carrying value of equipment purchased under a lease agreement from an unrelated third party by $0.4 million for its manufacturing plants, which is reflected in the consolidated statement of operations under costs of manufacturing operations.
Note 6 — Goodwill
The Company performs the goodwill impairment test required by SFAS No. 142 as of March 1 of each year. The valuation uses a combination of methods to determine the fair value of the reporting unit including prices of comparable businesses, a present value technique and recent transactions involving businesses similar to the Company. There was no adjustment required based on the 2007 annual impairment test related to the goodwill generated from the Custom Steel acquisition.
Note 7 — Investment in Joint Venture — Ohio Castings
The Company uses the equity method to account for its investment in Ohio Castings. Under the equity method, the Company recognizes its share of the earnings and losses of the joint venture as they accrue. Advances and distributions are charged and credited directly to the investment account.
Ohio Castings produces railcar parts that are sold to one of the joint venture partners. The joint venture partner sells these parts to outside third parties at current market prices and to the Company and the other joint venture partner in Ohio Castings at cost plus a licensing fee.
Ohio Castings closed its Chicago Castings facility effective June 30, 2006, in connection with a consolidation of its operations. Ohio Castings is responsible for the exit liabilities of this closure. This closing did not have a material financial impact on the Company.
The Company has determined that, although the joint venture is a variable interest entity (“VIE”), the Company is not the primary beneficiary and the joint venture should not be consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. The risk of loss to Castings and the Company is limited to its investment in the VIE and a portion of Ohio Castings’ debt, which the Company has guaranteed. The two other partners of Ohio Castings have made similar guarantees of these obligations.
The carrying amount of the investment in Ohio Castings by Castings was $5.8 million and $4.3 million, respectively

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at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006. During May 2007, Castings made an equity contribution to Ohio Castings amounting to $1.0 million.
The Company, along with the other members of Ohio Castings, has guaranteed bonds payable and a state loan issued to one of Ohio Castings’ subsidiaries by the State of Ohio as further discussed in Note 13. The value of the guarantee, which was $0.04 million at September 30, 2007, has been recorded by the Company in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 45 — Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.
See Note 19 for information regarding financial transactions among the Company, Ohio Castings and Castings.
Summary combined results of operations for Ohio Castings, the investee company, for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
                 
    September 30, 2007     September 30, 2006  
    (in thousands)  
Results of operations:
               
Sales
  $ 15,915     $ 23,921  
 
           
Loss from operations
    (51 )     (654 )
 
           
Net earnings (loss)
  $ 35     $ (466 )
 
           
Summary combined results of operations for Ohio Castings, the investee company, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
                 
    September 30, 2007     September 30, 2006  
    (in thousands)  
Results of operations:
               
Sales
  $ 58,219     $ 90,158  
 
           
Earnings from operations
    1,808       120  
 
           
Net earnings
  $ 2,053     $ 544  
 
           
Note 8 — Investment in Joint Venture — Axle Manufacturing
During June 2007, ARI, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into an agreement with another partner to form a joint venture, Axis, LLC, to manufacture and sell railcar axles at a facility to be constructed by the joint venture. The joint venture will initially be owned 50% by both partners. The executive committee of the joint venture is comprised of one representative from each partner. Each representative has equal voting rights and equal decision-making rights for operational and strategic decisions of the joint venture. It is currently anticipated that construction of the axle plant would start during the fourth quarter of 2007 and that the plant would be operational by the end of 2008.
The Company uses the equity method to account for its investment in Axis, LLC. Under the equity method, the Company recognizes its share of the earnings and losses of the joint venture as they accrue. Advances and distributions are charged and credited directly to the investment account.
Operations have not begun for Axis, LLC as the joint venture is in the capital construction and development phase of the facility.
Note 9 — Warranties
The Company records a liability for an estimate of costs that it expects to incur under its basic limited warranty, which is typically a range from one year for parts and services to five years on new railcars, when manufacturing

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revenue is recognized. Factors affecting the Company’s warranty liability include the number of units sold and historical and anticipated rates of claims and costs per claim. The Company assesses the adequacy of its warranty liability based on changes in these factors.
The change in the Company’s warranty reserve, which is reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheet in Accrued expenses and taxes, is as follows for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006:
                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,  
    2007     2006  
    (in thousands)  
Liability, beginning of period
  $ 2,204     $ 2,036  
Provision for new warranties issued
    697       307  
Warranty claims
    (548 )     (560 )
 
           
Liability, end of period
  $ 2,353     $ 1,783  
 
           
                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2007     2006  
    (in thousands)  
Liability, beginning of period
  $ 1,753     $ 1,237  
Provision for new warranties issued
    1,732       1,807  
Warranty claims
    (1,132 )     (1,261 )
 
           
Liability, end of period
  $ 2,353     $ 1,783  
 
           
Note 10 — Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following:
                 
    September 30, 2007     December 31, 2006  
    (in thousands)  
Revolving line of credit
  $     $  
Senior unsecured notes
    275,000        
Other
    31       96  
 
           
Total long-term debt, including current portion
  $ 275,031     $ 96  
Less current portion of debt
    31       88  
 
           
Total long-term debt, net of current portion
  $ 275,000     $ 8  
 
           
Revolving Line of Credit
In January 2006, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “revolving credit agreement”) providing for the terms of the Company’s revolving credit facility with North Fork Business Capital Corporation, as administrative agent for various lenders. The note bears interest at various rates based on LIBOR or prime. The revolving credit facility has both affirmative and negative covenants, including, without limitation, an adjusted fixed charge coverage ratio, a maximum total debt leverage ratio and limitations on capital expenditures and dividends. Prior to the amendment in October 2006 described below, the revolving credit facility had a total commitment of the lesser of (i) $75.0 million or (ii) an amount equal to a percentage of eligible accounts receivable plus a percentage of eligible raw materials and finished goods inventory. In addition, the revolving credit facility included a $15.0 million capital expenditure sub-facility based on a percentage of the costs related to capital projects the Company may undertake.

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During October 2006, the Company entered into a first amendment to its revolving credit agreement. This first amendment provided that the revolving credit facility have a total commitment of the lesser of (i) $100.0 million or (ii) an amount equal to a percentage of eligible accounts receivable plus a percentage of eligible raw materials, work in process and finished goods inventory. Furthermore, the first amendment increased the capital expenditure sub-facility to $30.0 million based on the percentage of the costs related to equipment the Company may acquire. As amended by the first amendment, the revolving credit facility expires on October 5, 2009.
During February 2007, the Company entered into a second amendment to its revolving credit agreement. Effective March 2007, the Company entered into a third amendment to its revolving credit agreement. The revolving credit facility, as amended by the second amendment and the third amendment, requires that when excess availability under the revolving credit facility is less than $30.0 million (or has been less than $30.0 million at any time during the prior 90 days), the Company must meet an adjusted fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.2 to 1.0 on a quarterly and/or annual basis, and further requires that if any indebtedness has been incurred or assumed during the applicable quarter (other than indebtedness for loans under the revolving credit facility), or when excess availability under the revolving credit facility is less than $30.0 million (or has been less than $30.0 million at any time during the prior 90 days), the Company must meet a leverage ratio calculated based on the outstanding amount of indebtedness to EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization), as defined in the revolving credit facility, as amended, of not greater than 4.0 to 1.0 on a quarterly and/or annual basis.
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are collateralized by accounts receivable, contracts, leases, instruments, chattel paper, inventory, pledged accounts, certain other assets and equipment purchased with proceeds of the capital expenditure sub-facility.
The revolving credit facility, as amended, includes certain limitations on, among other things, the Company’s ability to incur or maintain indebtedness, modify the Company’s current governing documents, sell or dispose of collateral, grant credit and declare or pay dividends or make distributions on common stock or other equity securities. The limitation on certain of the actions addressed by the revolving credit facility is in the nature of a right in favor of the administrative agent and the Company’s lenders to accelerate all of the Company’s obligations under the revolving credit facility, a demand right that is triggered by certain actions, rather than in the nature of a negative covenant by which the Company contractually agrees not to take such actions.
At September 30, 2007 the Company had no borrowings outstanding and $76.3 million of availability under the revolving credit facility based upon the amount of its eligible accounts receivable and inventory (and without regard to any financial covenants), or $46.3 million of availability, if the Company were to maintain excess availability of at least $30.0 million. The Company was not required to calculate the leverage ratio or the adjusted fixed charge coverage ratio as of September 30, 2007, as its excess availability was greater than $30.0 million and there were no other circumstances that required either of these two ratios to be tested as of that date.
As of September 30, 2007, the interest rate on the borrowings under the revolving credit facility was 7.25% and was based on the U.S. prime rate at that time.
The Company declared dividends of $0.03 per common share during the three months ended September 30, 2007, which did not breach any covenants in the revolving credit agreement.
Mortgage Note
The Company has a mortgage note outstanding with a liability of $0.03 million and $0.1 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006. This mortgage matures in 2008.
Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Notes
On February 28, 2007, the Company completed the offering of $275.0 million senior unsecured fixed rate notes.
The notes bear a fixed interest rate that is set at 7.5% and are due in 2014. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1, commencing on September 1, 2007. The terms of the notes contain restrictive covenants that limit the Company’s ability to, among other things, incur additional debt, issue disqualified

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or preferred stock, make certain restricted payments and enter into certain significant transactions with shareholders and affiliates. These covenants become more restrictive if the Company’s fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined, is less than 2.0 to 1.0. The Company was in compliance with all of its covenants under the notes as of September 30, 2007.
Prior to March 1, 2011, the notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the applicable principal amount, plus an applicable premium based upon a present value calculation using an applicable treasury rate plus 0.50%, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Commencing on March 1, 2011, the redemption price is set at 103.75% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, and declines annually until it is reduced to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest from and after March 1, 2013. In addition, ARI may redeem up to 35% of the Notes, beginning on March 1, 2010, at an initial redemption price of 107.50% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest with money that the Company raises from one or more qualified equity offerings.
In March 2007, the Company filed a registration statement to effect an exchange offer relating to the notes, which became effective later that month. The terms of the exchange notes issued in the exchange offer are substantially identical to the terms of the outstanding notes, except that the exchange notes are freely tradable. In connection with the exchange offer, 100% of the original notes were exchanged for freely tradable notes.
The fair value of theses notes was approximately $273.6 million at September 30, 2007.
Note 11 — Income Taxes
The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. As a result of this adoption, the Company recognized an increase to its unrecognized tax positions of $0.1 million, which was recorded as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. As a result of implementing FIN 48, the Company had $2.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits, of which $0.5 million, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate. There were no material changes in the Company’s policy of classifying interest and penalties since the policy was disclosed in the Company’s 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2007. As of the adoption date, the Company has $0.2 million of accrued interest expense, net of taxes related to unrecognized tax benefits.
The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed an examination of the Company’s 2004 and 2005 federal income tax returns during the third quarter of 2007. The Company is still awaiting its final closing agreement.
No statutes have been extended on any of the Company’s federal income tax filings. The statute of limitations on the Company’s 2003 federal income tax return expired on September 15, 2007. The statute of limitations on the Company’s 2004, 2005 and 2006 federal income tax returns will expire on September 15, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
The Company’s state income tax returns for the 2002 through 2006 tax years remain subject to examination by various state authorities with the latest closing period on November 15, 2011. The Company is currently not under examination by any state authority for income tax purposes and no statutes of limitations for state income tax filings have been extended.
The Company’s foreign subsidiary’s income tax returns for the 2003 through 2006 tax years remain subject to examination by the Canadian tax authority. The foreign subsidiary is currently not under examination and no statutes of limitations have been extended.
Note 12 — Employee Benefit Plans
The Company is the sponsor of two defined benefit plans that cover certain employees at designated repair facilities. One defined benefit plan, which covers certain salaried and hourly employees, is frozen and no additional benefits are accruing thereunder. The second defined benefit plan that covers only certain of the Company’s union employees is active and benefits continue to accrue thereunder. The assets of all funded plans are held by independent trustees and consist primarily of equity and fixed income securities. The Company is also the sponsor of an unfunded unqualified supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) in which several of its employees are

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participants. The SERP is frozen and no additional benefits are accruing thereunder. The Company uses a measurement date of October 1 for all pension plans.
The Company also provides postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits for certain of its salaried and hourly retired employees. The measurement date for the postretirement plan is October 1. Employees may become eligible for healthcare benefits if they retire after attaining specified age and service requirements. These benefits are subject to deductibles, co-payment provisions and other limitations.
At December 31, 2006, the Company adopted FAS 158, which required the recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of its defined benefit and retiree medical plans as an asset or liability, with changes in the funded status recognized through comprehensive income in the year they occur. The Company recognized the liability for the funded status in its balance sheet as shown in its statement of financial position and related financial statement footnotes at December 31, 2006. At the time of the adoption of FAS 158, the Company recorded the adjustment through other comprehensive income instead of as an adjustment to the ending balance of accumulated other comprehensive income. This will be corrected in the Company’s 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
The Company recorded total expenses relating to these plans of $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. The Company recorded total expenses relating to these plans of $0.7 million and $0.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.
The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Pension Benefits  
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2007     2006     2007     2006  
    (in thousands)     (in thousands)  
Service cost
  $ 60     $ 51     $ 181     $ 155  
Interest cost
    241       226       722       679  
Expected return on plan assets
    (240 )     (209 )     (720 )     (628 )
Amortization of unrecognized net gain
    52             155        
Prior service cost recognized
    (1 )           (1 )     (1 )
Recognized gains
          48             143  
 
                       
Net periodic benefit cost recognized
  $ 112     $ 116     $ 337     $ 348  
 
                       
                                 
    Postretirement     Postretirement  
    Benefits     Benefits  
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2007     2006     2007     2006  
    (in thousands)     (in thousands)  
Service cost
  $ 32     $ 3     $ 97     $ 8  
Interest cost
    75       52       224       156  
Amortization of prior service cost
    5             14        
Amortization of loss
    13             38        
 
                       
Net periodic benefit cost recognized
  $ 125     $ 55     $ 373     $ 164  
 
                       
The Company also maintains a qualified defined contribution plan, which provides benefits to its employees based on employee contributions, years of service, and employee earnings with discretionary contributions allowed. Expenses related to these plans were $0.2 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006,

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respectively. Expenses related to these plans were $0.7 million and $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Note 13 — Commitments and Contingencies
In connection with the Company’s acquisition in January 2005 of Castings LLC from ACF Industries Holding Corp., a company beneficially owned and controlled by Mr. Carl Icahn, the Company agreed to assume certain, and indemnify all liabilities related to and arising from ACF Industries Holding Corp.’s investment in Castings LLC, including the guarantee of Castings LLC’s obligations to Ohio Castings. One guarantee represented the guarantee of bonds in the amount of $10.0 million issued by the State of Ohio to one of Ohio Castings’ subsidiaries, of which $5.0 million was outstanding as of September 30, 2007. Another guarantee was of a $2.0 million state loan that provides for purchases of capital equipment, of which $1.3 million was outstanding as of September 30, 2007. The two other partners of Ohio Castings have made similar guarantees of these obligations.
The Company is subject to comprehensive federal, state, local and international environmental laws and regulations relating to the release or discharge of materials into the environment, the management, use, processing, handling, storage, transport or disposal of hazardous materials and wastes, or otherwise relating to the protection of human health and the environment. These laws and regulations not only expose ARI to liability for the environmental condition of its current or formerly owned or operated facilities, and its own negligent acts, but also may expose ARI to liability for the conduct of others or for ARI’s actions that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time these actions were taken. In addition, these laws may require significant expenditures to achieve compliance, and are frequently modified or revised to impose new obligations. Civil and criminal fines and penalties and other sanctions may be imposed for non-compliance with these environmental laws and regulations. ARI’s operations that involve hazardous materials also raise potential risks of liability under common law. ARI is involved in investigation and remediation activities at properties that it now owns or leases to address historical contamination and potential contamination by third parties. The Company is also involved with state agencies in the cleanup of two sites under these laws. These investigations are in process but it is too early to be able to make a reasonable estimate, with any certainty, of the timing and extent of remedial actions that may be required, and the costs that would be involved in such remediation. Substantially all of the issues identified relate to the use of the properties prior to their transfer to ARI in 1994 by ACF Industries LLC (“ACF”), an affiliate of Carl C. Icahn, and for which ACF has retained liability for environmental contamination that may have existed at the time of transfer to ARI. ACF has also agreed to indemnify ARI for any cost that might be incurred with those existing issues. However, if ACF fails to honor its obligations to ARI, ARI would be responsible for the cost of such remediation. The Company believes that its operations and facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations and that any noncompliance is not likely to have a material adverse effect on its operations or financial condition.
When it is possible to make a reasonable estimate of the liability with respect to such a matter, a provision will be made as appropriate. Actual cost to be incurred in future periods may vary from these estimates. Based on facts presently known, ARI does not believe that the outcome of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its future liquidity, results of operations or financial position.
ARI is a party to collective bargaining agreements with labor unions at its Longview, Texas repair facility, its North Kansas City, Missouri repair facility and at its Longview, Texas steel foundry and components manufacturing facility. These agreements expire in January 2010, September 2010, and April 2008, respectively. ARI is also party to a collective bargaining agreement at its Milton, Pennsylvania repair facility, which expired on June 19, 2005. The contract provisions under the agreement provide that the contract would remain in effect under the old terms until terminated by either party with 60 days notice. At the present time, there are no workers at Milton, as the site is idled.
The Company has been named as the defendant in a lawsuit in which the plaintiff, OCI Chemical Company, claims that the Company is responsible for the damage caused by allegedly defective railcars that were manufactured by the Company. The plaintiffs allege that failures in certain components caused the contents transported by these railcars to spill out of the railcars causing property damage, clean-up costs, monitoring costs, testing costs and other costs and damages. The Company believes that it is not responsible for the spills and has meritorious defenses against liability.

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Certain claims, suits and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business have been filed or are pending against ARI. In the opinion of management, all such claims, suits, and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business are without merit or would not have a significant effect on the future liquidity, results of operations or financial position of ARI if disposed of unfavorably.
The Company entered into two vendor supply contracts with minimum volume commitments in October 2005 with suppliers of materials used at its railcar production facilities. The agreements have terms of two and three years respectively with a minimum purchase volume requirement over the life of the contract. The Company has agreed to purchase a combined total of $64.6 million over the life of these two contracts. In 2007, 2008 and 2009, ARI expects to purchase $22.0 million, $25.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively, under these agreements.
ARI entered into supply agreements on January 28, 2005 and on June 8, 2005 with a supplier for two types of steel plate. The agreement is for five years and is cancelable by either party, with proper notice after two years. The agreement commits ARI to buy 75% of its production needs from this supplier at prices that fluctuate with market.
In January 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with a third party vendor for a specified number of wheels and related parts, including axles and roller bearings. The Company was required to prepay for a portion of the requirements under this agreement. The Company expects to purchase $10.2 million and $1.5 million from this vendor in 2007 and 2008, respectively, under this agreement.
Note 14 — Initial Public Offering
On January 24, 2006, the Company completed the sale of 9,775,000 shares of common stock to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement at a price of $21.00 per share. The offering resulted in gross proceeds to the Company of $205.3 million. Expenses related to the offering were $13.3 million for underwriting discounts and commissions. The Company received net proceeds of $192.0 million in the offering.
The net proceeds from the offering were applied as follows (in millions):
         
Redemption of all outstanding shares of preferred stock
  $ 94.0  
Repayment of notes due to affiliates
    20.5  
Repayment of all industrial revenue bonds
    8.6  
Repayment of amounts outstanding under revolving credit facility
    32.3  
Acquisition of Custom Steel
    17.2  
Payment of payables in connection with acquisition
    5.3  
Investment in plant, property and equipment
    12.7  
Offering costs paid during the first quarter
    1.4  
 
     
Total uses
  $ 192.0  
 
     
Note 15 — Comprehensive Income
The components of comprehensive income, net of related tax, are as follows:

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    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    September 30,   September 30,
    2007   2006   2007   2006
    (in thousands)   (in thousands)
Net earnings
  $ 4,860     $ 10,994     $ 29,399     $ 29,076  
 
                               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    84       14       190       51  
 
                               
 
                               
Comprehensive income
  $ 4,944     $ 11,008     $ 29,589     $ 29,127  
 
                               
Note 16 — Earnings per Share
The shares used in the computation of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per common share are reconciled as follows:
                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,
    2007   2006
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding
    21,302,296       21,207,773  
Dilutive effect of employee stock options
    89,820       52,814  
 
               
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
    21,392,116       21,260,587  
 
               
                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2007   2006
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding
    21,264,574       20,484,225  
Dilutive effect of employee stock options
    103,532       59,996  
 
               
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
    21,368,106       20,544,221  
 
               
(1) Stock options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock granted during the second quarter of 2006 were not included in the calculation for diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 as well as the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. These options would have resulted in an antidilutive effect to the earnings per share calculation.
Note 17 — Stock Based Compensation
The requirements of SFAS No. 123(R) and all related regulations became effective for the Company on January 19, 2006 in connection with the initial public offering and the 2005 equity incentive plan, as amended (the “2005 Plan”).
The 2005 Plan permits the Company to issue stock and grant stock options, restricted stock, stock units and other equity interests to purchase or acquire up to 1.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock. Awards covering no more than 300,000 shares may be granted to any person during any fiscal year. Options are subject to certain vesting provisions as designated by the board of directors and may have an expiration period that ranges from 5 to 10 years. Options granted under the 2005 Plan must have an exercise price at or above the fair market value on the date of grant. If any award expires, or is terminated, surrendered or forfeited, then shares of common stock covered by the award will again be available for grant under the 2005 Plan. The 2005 Plan is administered by the Company’s board of directors or a committee of the board. Options granted pursuant to the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R) are expensed on a graded vesting method over the vesting period of the option. The Company accounts for equity instrument grants under the recognition and measurement principles of SFAS No. 123(R), and its related provisions.
The following table presents the amounts for stock based compensation expense incurred by ARI for each of the

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three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 and the corresponding line items on the statement of operations that they are classified within:
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    September 30,   September 30,
    2007   2006   2007   2006
    ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)
Stock based compensation expense:
                               
Cost of goods sold: manufacturing operations
  $ 83     $ 47     $ 188     $ 142  
Cost of goods sold: railcar services
    11             21        
Selling, administrative and other
    586       1,479       1,783       6,448  
         
Total stock based compensation expense
  $ 680     $ 1,526     $ 1,992     $ 6,590  
         
Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 includes $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively of income tax benefits related to the Company’s stock-based compensation arrangements. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 includes $0.7 million and $2.4 million, respectively of income tax benefits related to the Company’s stock-based compensation arrangements.
Stock Options
During 2006, the Company granted options to purchase 559,876 shares of common stock under the 2005 Plan. No stock options were granted in 2007.
The Company recognized $0.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of compensation expense during the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 related to stock option grants made under the 2005 plan. The Company recognized income tax benefits related to stock options of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, during the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.
The Company recognized $1.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively, of compensation expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 related to stock option grants made under the 2005 plan. The Company recognized income tax benefits related to stock options of $0.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.

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The following is a summary of option activity under the 2005 plan for January 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007:
                                         
                            Weighted    
                    Weighted   Average    
            Weighted   Average   Grant-date   Aggregate
    Shares   Average   Remaining   Fair Value   Intrinsic
    Covered by   Exercise   Contractual   of Options   Value
    Options   Price   Life   Granted   ($000)
     
 
                                       
Outstanding at the beginning of the period, January 1, 2007
    559,876     $ 22.97     48 months   $ 8.05     $ 6,199  
Exercised
    (94,523 )   $ 21.00                          
 
                                       
Outstanding at the end of the period, September 30, 2007
    465,353     $ 23.37     40 months   $ 8.21     $ 398 (1)
 
                                       
 
                                       
Exercisable at the end of the period, September 30, 2007
    67,100     $ 21.00     39 months   $ 7.28     $ 68  
 
                                       
 
(1)   Options to purchase 75,000 shares of the Company’s common stock have exercise prices that are above market price, based on the closing market price of $22.02 for a share of the Company’s common stock on the last business day of the quarter ended September 30, 2007. Options to purchase 94,523 shares of the Company’s common stock were exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $1.3 million. The Company realized a tax benefit of $0.5 million related to these option exercises.
No options were exercised during 2006 as options first became exercisable in January 2007.
As of September 30, 2007, unrecognized compensation costs related to the unvested portion of stock options were approximately $1.1 million and are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 20 months.
As of September 30, 2007, an aggregate of 440,124 shares were available for issuance in connection with future grants under the Company’s 2005 Plan.
Shares issued under the 2005 Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. The 1,000,000 shares covered by the Plan were registered for issuance to the public with the SEC on a Form S-8 on August 16, 2006.
Restricted Stock Award
During 2006, the Company issued 285,714 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock to its Chief Executive Officer. This restricted stock grant became fully vested in January 2007. All shares under this grant are now transferable without contractual restrictions.
The Company recognized zero and $0.9 million, respectively, of compensation expense during the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, for this restricted stock grant. The Company recognized zero and $0.4 million of income tax benefits in the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, for this restricted stock grant.
The Company recognized $0.3 and $4.8 million, respectively, of compensation expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, for this restricted stock grant. The Company recognized $0.1 and $1.8 million of income tax benefits in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, for this restricted stock grant.

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The following is a summary of the status and activity related to non-vested shares from January 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007:
                 
            Weighted  
    Non-vested     Average Grant  
    Stock Awards     Date Fair Value  
     
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2007
    171,428     $ 21.00  
Granted
             
Vested
    (171,428 )     21.00  
 
           
 
             
 
             
Within the Form S-8 filed with the SEC on August 16, 2006, the Company registered for resale 114,286 shares of restricted stock that vested in January 2006.
Stock Appreciation Rights
On April 4, 2007, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company granted awards of stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to certain employees pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended. The Committee granted an aggregate of 277,100 SARs. The SARs will be settled in cash and have an exercise price of $29.49, which was the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The SARs will vest in 25% increments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date. The SARs have a term of seven years.
The Company determined that the compensation expense for these SARs will total approximately $2.8 million over the four year vesting period using a Black-Scholes calculation based on the following assumptions: stock volatility of 35%; an expected life ranging from 4 years to 5.5 years; interest rate of 4.55%; and dividend yield of 1%. As there was not adequate history with the stock prices of the Company at the time of the grant, the stock volatility rate was determined using volatility rates for several other similar companies within the railcar industry. The expected life range of 4 years to 5.5 years represents the average of the vesting period and expiration period of each group of SARs that vest equally over a four year period. The interest rate used was the five year government T — Bill rate on the date of grant. Dividend yield was determined from an average of other companies in the industry, as the Company did not have an adequate history of dividend rates.
The Company recognized $0.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of compensation expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 related to stock appreciation rights granted under the 2005 plan. The Company recognized income tax benefits related to stock appreciation rights of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.
The following is a summary of SARs activity under the 2005 plan for January 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007:

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                            Weighted Average    
    Stock           Weighted Average   Grant-date Fair   Aggregate
    Appreciation   Weighted Average   Remaining   Value of SARs   Intrinsic
    Rights (SARs)   Exercise Price   Contractual Life   Granted   Value ($000)
     
 
                                       
Outstanding at the beginning of the period, January 1, 2007
                                     
Granted
    277,100     $ 29.49                          
Canceled
    (3,300 )                                
 
                                       
Outstanding at the end of the period, September 30, 2007
    273,800     $ 29.49     78 months   $ 10.05     (1)
 
                                       
 
                                       
Exercisable at the end of the period, September 30, 2007
                                     
 
                                       
 
(1)   — Stock appreciation rights with an exercise price of $29.49 have no intrinsic value based on the closing market price of $22.02 for a share of the Company’s common stock on the last business day of the quarter ended September 30, 2007.
As of September 30, 2007, unrecognized compensation costs related to the unvested portion of stock appreciation rights were approximately $2.1 million and were expected to be recognized over a period of 42 months.
Note 18 — Common Stock, Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock, and New Preferred Stock
On January 24, 2006, the Company completed the sale of 9,775,000 shares of common stock to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement at a price of $21.00 per share. In connection with the offering, the Company redeemed all mandatorily redeemable preferred stock and new preferred stock, including accrued dividends of $11.9 million, for a total of $94.0 million.
During each quarter of 2006 and in the first, second and third quarters of 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company declared and paid cash dividends of $0.03 per share of common stock of the Company to shareholders of record as of a given date.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company issued 94,523 shares of its common stock as certain holders of stock options exercised options to purchase the Company’s common stock.
Note 19 — Related Party Transactions
The Company has the following agreements with ACF:
     Manufacturing services agreement
Under the manufacturing services agreement, ACF agreed to manufacture and distribute, at the Company’s instruction, various railcar components using certain assets that the Company acquired pursuant to the 1994 ACF asset transfer agreement. In consideration for these services, the Company agreed to pay ACF based on agreed upon rates. In the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, ARI purchased inventory of $10.1 million and $19.0 million, respectively, of components from ACF. In the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, ARI purchased inventory of $35.2 million and $58.5 million, respectively, of components from ACF. The agreement automatically renews unless written notice is provided by the Company.
     Supply Agreement

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Under this agreement, the Company agreed to manufacture and sell to ACF specified components at cost plus mark-up or on terms not less favorable than the terms on which the Company sold the same products to third parties. Revenue recorded under this arrangement was $0.03 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. Revenue recorded under this arrangement was $0.03 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. Profit margins on sales to related parties approximate the margins on sales to other large customers.
     Additional Agreements with ACF
ARI entered into a note payable with ACF Holding, an affiliate, for $12.0 million effective January 1, 2005, in connection with the purchase of Castings (Note 1). The note bears interest at prime plus 0.5% and is due on demand. This note was paid off in full in connection with the initial public offering in January 2006.
In April 2005, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with ACF in which both parties agreed to provide labor, litigation, labor relations support and consultation, and labor contract interpretation and negotiation services to one another. In addition, the Company has agreed to provide ACF with engineering and consulting advice. Fees paid to one another are based on agreed upon rates. No services were rendered and no amounts were paid during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.
During 2006, ARI entered into two inventory storage agreements with ACF to store designated inventory that ARI had purchased under its manufacturing services agreement with ACF at ACF’s facility. Under this agreement, ACF holds the inventory at its facility in segregated locations until such time that the inventory is shipped to ARI.
During 2006, ARI entered into an agreement that provided that ARI would procure, purchase and own the raw material components for wheel sets. These wheel set components are those that are being used in the assembly of wheel sets for ARI under the ARI/ACF manufacturing services agreement. Under the manufacturing services agreement with ACF, which remains unchanged, ARI will continue to pay ACF for its services, specifically labor and overhead, in assembling the wheel sets.
On May 21, 2007, the Company entered into a manufacturing agreement with ACF, pursuant to which, the Company agreed to purchase certain of its requirements for tank railcars from ACF. Under the terms of the manufacturing agreement, ARI has agreed to purchase at least 1,400 tank railcars from ACF with delivery expected to be completed by March 31, 2009. During the second quarter of 2007, ARI received new customer orders for approximately 1,400 tank railcars to be produced under the manufacturing agreement. The profit realized by ARI upon sale of the tank railcars to ARI customers will first be paid to ACF to reimburse them for the start-up costs involved in implementing the manufacturing arrangements evidenced by the agreement and thereafter, ARI will pay ACF half the profits realized. The term of the agreement is for five years. Either party may terminate the agreement before its fifth anniversary upon six months prior written notice, with certain exceptions. The agreement may also be terminated immediately upon the happening of certain extraordinary events. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, ARI incurred costs under this agreement of $0.2 million in connection with railcars that were assembled and delivered by ACF during that period.
The Company has the following agreements with ARL:
     ARL Railcar Servicing Agreement
Under this agreement, the Company agreed to provide ARL with railcar repair and maintenance services, fleet management services and consulting services on safety and environmental matters for railcars owned or managed by ARL and leased or held for lease by ARL. ARL agreed to compensate the Company based on agreed upon rates. Revenue of $4.3 million and $4.6 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, was recorded under this arrangement. Revenue of $12.6 million and $15.1 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, was recorded under this arrangement. These amounts are included under services revenue from affiliates on the statement of operations. The agreement extends through June 30, 2008 and automatically renews for one-year periods unless either party provides at least six months prior notice of termination or if an agreement is reached to terminate the

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contract. Termination by the Company would result in a fee payable to ARL of $0.5 million. Profit margins on sales to related parties approximate the margins on sales to other large customers.
The Company has had a reduction in its scope of fleet management services revenue that it is providing to ARL. Since ARL split from ARI in 2005, ARL has and continues to reduce these services. This reduction has not affected the repair and maintenance services that ARI provides to ARL. The Company does not anticipate this reduction to have a material impact on its railcar services revenue.
     ARL Services Agreement and ARI/ARL Separation Agreement
Under the Company’s services agreement with ARL, ARL agreed to provide the Company certain information technology services, rent and building services and limited administrative services. The rent and building services includes the use of certain facilities owned by our Chief Executive Officer, which is further described later in this footnote. Under this agreement, the Company agreed to provide purchasing and engineering services to ARL. Consideration exchanged between the companies is based on an agreed upon a fixed annual fee. Total fees paid to ARL were $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. Total fees paid to ARL were $0.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. The Company did not bill ARL in either the three or nine months ended September 30, 2007 or 2006 as no services were performed under this agreement for ARL. The fees paid to ARL are included in costs related to affiliates on the statement of operations. Either party may terminate any of these services, and the associated costs for these services, on at least six months prior notice at any time prior to the termination of the agreement on December 31, 2007 or if an agreement is reached to terminate the contract.
On March 30, 2007, ARI and ARL agreed, pursuant to a separation agreement, to terminate, effective December 31, 2006, all services provided to ARL by the Company under the services agreement. Additionally, the separation agreement provided that all services provided to the Company by ARL under the services agreement would be terminated except for rent and building services. Under the separation agreement, ARL agreed to waive the six month notice requirement for termination required by the services agreement.
     Trademark License Agreement
Under this agreement, which is effective as of June 30, 2005, ARI granted a nonexclusive, perpetual, worldwide license to ARL to use ARI’s common law trademarks “American Railcar” and the “diamond shape” logo. ARL may only use the licensed trademarks in connection with the railcar leasing business. ARI receives annual fees of $1,000 in exchange for this license.
     ARL Sales Contracts
On March 31, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with ARL for the Company to manufacture and ARL to purchase 1,000 tank railcars in 2007. The Company has in the past manufactured and sold railcars to ARL on a purchase order basis. The Company is using its manufacturing capacity that became available beginning in January 2007 to produce these tank railcars. The agreement also included options for ARL to purchase up to 300 covered hopper railcars in 2007, should additional capacity become available and not be called for by other rights of first refusal, and 1,000 tank railcars and 400 covered hopper railcars in 2008. The options to purchase 1,000 tank railcars and 400 covered hopper railcars in 2008 were exercised by ARL. ARL also exercised an option to purchase 70 covered hopper railcars in 2007. Similar to other customers, the storm damage in April 2006 at Marmaduke and resulting temporary plant shutdown has impacted and will continue to impact the timing of delivery of some railcars that ARL has ordered. Revenue for these railcars sold to ARL is included under manufacturing revenue from affiliates on the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations. Profit margins on sales to related parties approximate the margins on sales to other large customers.
On September 25, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with ARL for the Company to manufacture and ARL to purchase 500 tank railcars in both 2008 and 2009.

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     Agreements with Other Affiliated Parties
On December 17, 2004, ARI borrowed $7.0 million under a note payable to Arnos Corp., an affiliate of ARI. The note was interest bearing at prime plus 1.75% and was payable on demand. Interest expense on the note was $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. This note was paid off in full in connection with the initial public offering in January 2006.
In September 2003, Castings loaned Ohio Castings $3.0 million under a promissory note, which was due in January 2004. The note was renegotiated in 2005 with a new principal amount of $2.2 million and bears interest at 4.0%. Payments of principal and interest are due quarterly with the last payment due in November 2008. This note receivable is included in Investment in joint venture on the accompanying balance sheet. Total amounts due from Ohio Castings under this note were $1.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively, at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006. Ohio Castings did not make its payments under this note from December 2006 through August 2007 until a payment was made to ARI during September 2007. The payment made in September 2007 covered one principal payment and all accrued interest to date on the note. Current expectations are that the note will be amended to allow for interest only payments on a quarterly basis if full payments are not able to be made by Ohio Castings.
During May 2007, Castings made an equity contribution to Ohio Castings amounting to $1.0 million.
During April 2006, the Company’s Chairman and majority stockholder, Carl C. Icahn, contributed $0.3 million as a capital contribution to pay the weekly payroll and fringe benefits of the Marmaduke manufacturing facility. This was done to help bridge the gap until the Company received funds from its insurance policies to continue to pay full wages and benefits to all employees working for the tank railcar operations at Marmaduke, Arkansas that were temporarily shutdown as a result of the tornado that struck the facility as described in Note 21.
The Company leases certain facilities from an entity owned by its Chief Executive Officer. Expenses paid to related parties for these facilities were $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. Expenses paid to related parties for these facilities were $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.
During June 2007, ARI, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into an agreement with another partner to form a joint venture, Axis, LLC, to manufacture and sell railcar axles at a facility to be constructed by the joint venture. Operations are not expected to begin until late in 2008. Accordingly, no significant financial activity has occurred. See Note 8 for further information.
     Financial Information for Transactions with Affiliates
As of September 30, 2007, amounts due from affiliates were $13.6 million in accounts receivable from ACF, Ohio Castings and ARL. As of December 31, 2006, amounts due from affiliates represented $9.6 million in accounts receivable from ACF, Ohio Castings and ARL.
As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, amounts due to affiliates included $2.7 million and $1.7 million, respectively, in accounts payable to ACF and Ohio Castings.
Cost of railcar manufacturing for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 included $9.7 million and $9.0 million, respectively, in railcar products produced by Ohio Castings, which is partially owned by Castings, as described in Note 1.
Cost of railcar manufacturing for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 included $39.5 million and $30.9 million, respectively, in railcar products produced by Ohio Castings. Expenses of zero and $0.1 million paid to Castings under a supply agreement are included in the cost of railcar manufacturing for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Inventory at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 includes $3.2 million and $4.1 million, respectively, of purchases from Ohio Castings. Approximately $0.6 million and $0.1 million of costs, respectively, were eliminated

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at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 as it represented profit from a related party for inventory still on hand.
Note 20 — Operating Segment and Sales/Credit Concentrations
ARI operates in two reportable segments: manufacturing operations and railcar services. Performance is evaluated based on revenue and operating profit. Intersegment sales and transfers are accounted for as if sales or transfers were to third parties. The information in the following tables is derived from the segments’ internal financial reports used for corporate management purposes:
                                         
For the Three Months Ended   Manufacturing             Corporate & all              
September 30, 2007   Operations     Railcar Services     other     Eliminations     Totals  
                    (in thousands)                  
Revenues from external customers
  $ 127,376     $ 12,515     $     $     $ 139,891  
Intersegment revenues
    197       41             (238 )      
Cost of goods sold — external customers
    (113,251 )     (10,668 )                 (123,919 )
Cost of intersegment sales
    (92 )     (36 )           128        
 
                             
Gross profit
    14,230       1,852             (110 )     15,972  
Income related to insurance recoveries, net
                             
Gain on asset conversion, net
                             
Selling, administrative and other
    (1,844 )     (530 )     (4,461 )           (6,835 )
 
                             
Earnings (loss) from operations
  $ 12,386     $ 1,322     $ (4,461 )   $ (110 )   $ 9,137  
 
                             
                                         
For the Three Months Ended   Manufacturing             Corporate & all              
September 30, 2006   Operations     Railcar Services     other     Eliminations     Totals  
                    (in thousands)                  
Revenues from external customers
  $ 138,479     $ 11,975     $     $     $ 150,454  
Intersegment revenues
    179       1,106             (1,285 )      
Cost of goods sold — external customers
    (125,809 )     (8,920 )                 (134,729 )
Cost of intersegment sales
    (156 )     (857 )           1,013        
 
                             
Gross profit
    12,693       3,304             (272 )     15,725  
Income related to insurance recoveries, net
    4,963                         4,963  
Gain on asset conversion, net
    4,323                         4,323  
Selling, administrative and other
    (1,683 )     (445 )     (4,880 )           (7,008 )
 
                             
Earnings (loss) from operations
  $ 20,296     $ 2,859     $ (4,880 )   $ (272 )   $ 18,003  
 
                             

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For the Nine Months Ended   Manufacturing             Corporate & all              
September 30, 2007   Operations     Railcar Services     other     Eliminations     Totals  
                    (in thousands)                  
Revenues from external customers
  $ 498,217     $ 38,014     $     $     $ 536,231  
Intersegment revenues
    824       225             (1,049 )      
Cost of goods sold — external customers
    (435,389 )     (31,198 )                 (466,587 )
Cost of intersegment sales
    (692 )     (211 )           903        
 
                             
Gross profit
    62,960       6,830             (146 )     69,644  
Income related to insurance recoveries, net
                             
Gain on asset conversion, net
                             
Selling, administrative and other
    (5,653 )     (1,621 )     (13,610 )           (20,884 )
 
                             
Earnings (loss) from operations
  $ 57,307     $ 5,209     $ (13,610 )   $ (146 )   $ 48,760  
 
                             
                                         
For the Nine Months Ended   Manufacturing             Corporate & all              
September 30, 2006   Operations     Railcar Services     other     Eliminations     Totals  
                    (in thousands)                  
Revenues from external customers
  $ 443,785     $ 36,948     $     $     $ 480,733  
Intersegment revenues
    1,661       1,321             (2,982 )      
Cost of goods sold — external customers
    (397,683 )     (29,080 )                 (426,763 )
Cost of intersegment sales
    (1,494 )     (1,026 )           2,520        
 
                             
Gross profit
    46,269       8,163             (462 )     53,970  
Income related to insurance recoveries, net
    9,946                         9,946  
Gain on asset conversion, net
    4,323                         4,323  
Selling, administrative and other
    (4,454 )     (1,443 )     (15,833 )           (21,730 )
 
                             
Earnings (loss) from operations
  $ 56,084     $ 6,720     $ (15,833 )   $ (462 )   $ 46,509  
 
                             
                                         
    Manufacturing   Railcar   Corporate        
As of   Operations   Services   & all other   Eliminations   Totals
            (in thousands)                
September 30, 2007
                                       
Total assets
  $ 301,885     $ 33,471     $ 298,674     $  —     $ 634,030  
December 31, 2006
                                       
Total assets
  $ 255,169     $ 33,764     $ 49,993     $     $ 338,926  
Manufacturing Operations
Manufacturing revenues from affiliates were 34.1% and 2.8% of total consolidated revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Manufacturing revenues from affiliates were 17.4% and 5.1% of total consolidated revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Manufacturing revenues from one significant customer totaled 34.1% and 53.9% of total consolidated revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Manufacturing revenues from one significant customer totaled 54.2% and 38.1% of total consolidated revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

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Manufacturing revenues from two significant customers were 66.6% and 72.4% of total consolidated revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Manufacturing revenues from two significant customers were 71.7% and 49.0% of total consolidated revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Manufacturing receivables from one significant customer were 29.9% and 10.0% of total consolidated accounts receivable (including accounts receivable from affiliate) at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. Manufacturing receivables from two significant customers were 39.5% and 18.7% of total consolidated accounts receivable (including accounts receivable from affiliate) at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
Railcar services
Railcar Services revenues from affiliates were 3.1% and 3.0% of total consolidated revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Railcar Services revenues from affiliates were 2.4% and 3.1% of total consolidated revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. No single services customer accounted for more than 10% of total consolidated revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. No single services customer accounted for more than 10% of total consolidated accounts receivable as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006.
Note 21 — Marmaduke Storm Damage Insurance Claim (Income related to insurance recoveries)
In April 2006, a tornado struck the Marmaduke, Arkansas area. This tornado resulted in damage to the company’s tank railcar manufacturing facility in Marmaduke, Arkansas. While the majority of the Marmaduke tank railcar facility suffered only minor damage, the portion of the factory that processed inbound material, equipment associated with material handling, plate steel blasting and sheet rolling as well as some inventory was destroyed by the storm. The tornado also destroyed an empty building that was nearing completion to receive inbound material and store inventory. The manufacturing facility was closed from April 2, 2006 through August 6, 2006 due to the storm. The Company recommenced operations at the manufacturing facility on August 7, 2006 when the repairs related to the tornado damage were substantially complete.
The Company was covered with property insurance covering wind and rain damage to its property, incremental costs and operating expenses it incurs due to damage caused by the tornado. In addition, the Company was covered with business insurance for business interruption as a direct result of the insured damage.
The final property damage claim amounted to $11.2 million (prior to the deductible) covering clean up costs, repair costs and asset replacement costs. During 2006, the Company received advances totaling $10.0 million from the insurance carrier related to the property damage. This $10.0 million was designated as cash received for investing activities as the advance was used for replacement of property, plant and equipment.
The Company had assets with a net book value of $4.3 million damaged or destroyed by the tornado. Other costs incurred related to the tornado damage included clean up for the temporary shutdown of the facility. The write off of assets and associated cleanup costs have been netted against the insurance settlement of the property damage claim to arrive at the gain on asset conversion, net.
The final business interruption claim amounted to $16.0 million (prior to the deductible) covering continuing expenses, employee wages and estimated lost profits for April through August 2006. ARI received advances totaling $10.5 million, during the second and third quarters related to the business interruption claim. This cash was classified as cash received for operating activities as the advances were for ongoing normal business operations and lost profits.
The Company recorded income related to insurance recoveries, net of $9.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 related to the business interruption insurance recovery. The Company also recorded a gain on asset conversion, net of $4.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 related to the property damage insurance recoveries.

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Note 22 — Supplemental Cash Flow Information
ARI received interest income of $10.1 million and $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
ARI paid interest expense of $10.6 million and $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
ARI paid taxes of $16.5 million and $18.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
On January 1, 2007, ARI recorded a $1.6 million liability that was reclassed from a deferred tax liability account related to our unrecognized tax liability in accordance with FIN 48. See Note 11 for further discussion.
In September 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.03 per share of common stock of the Company to shareholders of record as of October 6, 2006 that was paid on October 20, 2006.
In August 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.03 per share of common stock of the Company to shareholders of record as of October 5, 2007 that was paid on October 19, 2007.
Note 23 — Subsequent Events
In November 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.03 per share of common stock of the Company to shareholders of record as of January 9, 2008 that will be paid on January 18, 2008.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements contained in this report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, financial position or performance to be materially different from any future results, financial position or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We have used the words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “plan,” “projected,” “intend” and similar expressions in this report to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Our actual results or those of our industry could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including:
    the cyclical nature of our business and adverse economic and market conditions;
 
    our reliance upon a small number of customers that represent a large percentage of our revenues;
 
    risks associated with the conversion of our railcar backlog into revenues, including pricing and cancellation provisions in some contracts we have with our customers;
 
    the highly competitive nature of our industry;
 
    fluctuating costs of raw materials, including steel and railcar components, and delays in the delivery of such raw materials and components;
 
    fluctuations in the supply of components and raw materials we use in railcar manufacturing and our ability to maintain relationships with our suppliers of railcar components and raw materials;
 
    the risk of damage to our primary railcar manufacturing facilities or equipment in Paragould or Marmaduke, Arkansas;
 
    the variable purchase patterns of our railcar customers and the timing of completion, delivery and acceptance of customer orders;
 
    risks associated with our capital expenditure projects, and those of joint ventures in which we are involved, including, without limitation:
    construction delays;
 
    unexpected costs;
 
    our planned dependence on our planned new flexible railcar manufacturing plant to produce railcars for which we have already accepted orders; and
 
    other risks typically associated with the construction of new manufacturing facilities;
    our dependence on our key personnel and the risk that we may lose skilled, trained, qualified production and management employees in relation to production slowdowns or any other significant factor that could cause us to lose these employees;
 
    risks associated with our recent and anticipated growth including, without limitation:
    potential for labor shortages
 
    the need to implement improvement to our infrastructure to accommodate that growth; and
 
    risks and costs associated with those improvements;

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    the difficulties of integrating acquired businesses with our own;
 
    the risk of lack of acceptance by our customers of our new railcar offerings;
 
    the cost of complying with environmental and health and safety laws and regulations;
 
    the costs associated with being a public company;
 
    our relationship with Carl C. Icahn (our principal beneficial stockholder and the chairman of our board of directors) and his affiliates as a purchaser of our products, supplier of components and services to us and as a provider of significant managerial support;
 
    potential failure by ACF Industries LLC (“ACF”), an affiliate of Carl C. Icahn, to honor its indemnification obligations to us;
 
    potential risk of increased unionization of our workforce;
 
    our ability to manage our pension costs;
 
    potential significant warranty claims;
 
    covenants in our revolving credit facility, as amended, our unsecured senior notes and other agreements as they presently exist, governing our indebtedness that limit our management’s discretion in the operation of our businesses;
 
    substantial indebtedness resulting from the offering of our outstanding notes could adversely affect our operations and financial results and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations;
 
    our ability to incur substantially more debt could further exacerbate the risks associated with our substantial indebtedness; and
 
    we may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to service all of our obligations, including our obligations relating to the unsecured senior notes.
Our actual results could be different from the results described in or anticipated by our forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of estimates, forecasts and projections and may be better or worse than anticipated. Given these uncertainties, you should not rely on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date that they were made. We expressly disclaim any duty to provide updates to forward-looking statements, and the estimates and assumptions associated with them, after the date of this report, in order to reflect changes in circumstances or expectations or the occurrence of unanticipated events except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed above under “Risk factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 13, 2007, as amended by our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on February 15, 2007 (the “Annual Report”) and in Part II- Item 1A of this report, as well as the risks and uncertainties discussed elsewhere in the Annual Report and this report. We caution you that these risks may not be exhaustive. We operate in a continually changing business environment and new risks emerge from time to time.
OVERVIEW
We are a leading North American manufacturer of covered hopper and tank railcars. We also repair and refurbish railcars, provide fleet management services and design and manufacture certain railcar and industrial components used in the production of our railcars as well as railcars and non-railcar industrial products produced by others. We provide our railcar customers with integrated solutions through a comprehensive set of high quality products and related services.

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We operate in two segments: manufacturing operations and railcar services. Manufacturing operations consists of railcar manufacturing and railcar and industrial component manufacturing. Railcar services consist of railcar repair and refurbishment services and fleet management services.
Our tank railcar business has recovered well from the tornado damage in 2006 that caused our tank railcar manufacturing facility to be shutdown from April to early August 2006. We also added capacity to this facility in January 2007 that is helping to increase revenue levels for tank railcars. In addition, the first tank railcars under our agreement with ACF to manufacture railcars for us were shipped in September 2007. ACF is an affiliate of Carl C. Icahn, our principal beneficial stockholder and the chairman of our board of directors.
During 2007, we have experienced a decline in shipments of hopper railcars due to less demand and increased competition for some of those products. This has caused us to slow down our production schedule for hopper railcars and subsequently manage our fixed costs and reduce variable overhead costs at our hopper railcar manufacturing facility.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months ended September 30, 2007 compared to Three Months ended September 30, 2006
The following table summarizes our historical operations as a percentage of revenues for the periods shown. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of operating results that may be expected in the future.
                 
    For the Three Months Ended,
    September 30,   September 30,
     
    2007   2006
     
Revenues:
               
Manufacturing Operations
    91.1 %     92.0 %
Railcar services
    8.9 %     8.0 %
     
Total revenues
    100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of goods sold:
               
Cost of manufacturing
    (81.0 %)     (83.6 %)
Cost of railcar services
    (7.6 %)     (5.9 %)
     
Total cost of goods sold
    (88.6 %)     (89.5 %)
Gross profit
    11.4 %     10.5 %
Income related to insurance recoveries, net
    0.0 %     3.3 %
Gain on asset conversion, net
    0.0 %     2.9 %
Selling, administrative and other
    (4.9 %)     (4.7 %)
     
Earnings from operations
    6.5 %     12.0 %
Interest income
    2.8 %     0.2 %
Interest expense
    (3.9 %)     (0.1 %)
Earnings (loss) from joint venture
    0.1 %     (0.2 %)
     
Earnings before income tax expense
    5.5 %     11.9 %
Income tax expense
    (2.0 %)     (4.6 %)
     
Net earnings
    3.5 %     7.3 %
     
Our earnings available to common stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2007 were $4.9 million, compared to $11.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, representing a decrease of $6.1 million. The primary factors for the $6.1 million decrease in earnings were the impact on third quarter 2006 earnings of the $9.3 million insurance recovery related to the tornado we had in April 2006, and a $1.6 million increase in net interest expense. In the third quarter of 2006, we recognized income of $5.0 million associated with the final settlement of our business interruption insurance recoveries and a gain of $4.3 million associated with the conversion of the assets destroyed by the tornado at Marmaduke. In the third quarter of 2007, we experienced a

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revenue increase from an increase in tank railcar shipments that was substantially offset by a revenue decrease in hopper railcar shipments.
Revenues
Our revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2007 decreased 7.0% to $139.9 million from $150.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006. This decrease was primarily due to decreased revenues for our manufacturing operations.
Our manufacturing operations revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2007 decreased 8.0% to $127.4 million from $138.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006. This decrease was primarily due to low third quarter 2007 shipments of hopper railcars ordered for delivery in 2007. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in our third quarter 2007 tank railcar shipments as compared to our third quarter 2006 tank railcar shipments. Our third quarter 2006 tank railcar capacity was reduced by the Marmaduke facility shutdown for repair of tornado damage. We reopened that facility in August 2006. During the three months ended September 30, 2007, we shipped a total of 1,276 railcars compared to 1,546 railcars in the same period of 2006.
We experienced a decrease in hopper railcar shipments in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the same period of 2006. This decrease was primarily due to less demand and increased competition for some of our hopper railcar products. As a result, we have set our production schedule well below capacity levels due to customer-defined delivery schedules through 2008. Our increase in tank railcar shipments was due to the restart of our tank railcar production facility in the third quarter of 2006 and an increase in capacity at our tank railcar production facility in January 2007.
We expect continued strong performance of tank railcars and production of hopper railcars to continue at lower levels in the fourth quarter. Our tank railcar lines are fully booked into early 2009 and our hopper railcar lines have orders booked for all months of 2008, at levels well below capacity. We cannot guarantee at this time how much of the available capacity will be utilized.
For the three months ended September 30, 2007, our manufacturing operations included $47.6 million, or 34.1% of our total consolidated revenues, from transactions with affiliates, compared to $4.2 million, or 2.8% of our total consolidated revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2006. These revenues were attributable to sales of railcars and railcar parts to companies controlled by Mr. Carl C. Icahn. The significant increase in manufacturing sales to related parties is primarily due to the timing of railcar deliveries to ARL, as provided for under various contracts we have with ARL.
Our railcar services revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2007 increased slightly to $12.5 million compared to the $12.0 million of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2006. For the third quarter of 2007, our railcar services revenues included $4.3 million, or 3.1% of our total consolidated revenues, from transactions with affiliates, compared to $4.6 million, or 3.0% of our total revenues, in the third quarter of 2006.
We have had a reduction in our scope of fleet management services revenue that we are providing to ARL. Since ARL split from us in 2005, ARL has and continues to reduce these services. This reduction has not affected the repair and maintenance services that we provide to ARL. We do not anticipate this reduction to have a material impact on our services revenue.
Gross Profit
Our gross profit increased to $16.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007 from $15.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006. Our gross profit margin increased to 11.4% in the third quarter of 2007 from 10.5% in the third quarter of 2006, primarily driven by the increase in the gross profit margin for our manufacturing operations.
Our gross profit margin for our manufacturing operations was 11.1% in the three months ended September 30, 2007, an increase from 9.1% in the three months ended September 30, 2006. This increase was attributable to an increase in profit recognized at our tank railcar manufacturing operations in Marmaduke, partially offset by a decrease in

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gross profit at our hopper railcar manufacturing operations in Paragould.
The increase at our tank manufacturing plant was due to the tank railcar plant restart, a higher volume of tank railcars due to capacity expansion and improved manufacturing efficiencies that were experienced in the third quarter 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006. Labor efficiencies resulted from lean manufacturing initiatives and enhanced training initiatives at our railcar manufacturing facilities. Our delivery schedules for hopper railcars caused us to slow down our schedule in the third quarter of 2007, which led to lower margins than were experienced earlier in the year, as a result of reduced production levels that continued to still absorb fixed costs.
Our gross profit margin for our railcar services operations decreased to 14.8% in the three months ended September 30, 2007 from 25.5% in the three months ended September 30, 2006. This decrease was primarily attributable to a change in work content and higher costs during the three months ended September 30, 2007.
Income Related to Insurance Recoveries, Net
On April 2, 2006, our Marmaduke, Arkansas tank railcar manufacturing facility was damaged by a tornado. Our revenues and manufacturing gross profits were adversely affected by the temporary shutdown of our Marmaduke facility. However, the profit impact of these adverse affects was substantially offset by proceeds from our business interruption insurance. In the three months ended September 30, 2006, we recognized income of $5.0 million associated with the settlement of our business interruption insurance recoveries for that period.
During the three months ended September 30, 2006, we recognized a gain on asset conversion of $4.3 million related to assets that were damaged or destroyed by the tornado.
Selling, Administrative and Other Expenses
Our selling, administrative and other expenses decreased by $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2007, to $6.8 million from $7.0 million in the third quarter of 2006. These selling, administrative and other expenses, which include stock based compensation, were 4.9% of total consolidated revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to 4.7% of total consolidated revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2006.
The $0.2 million decrease was attributable to an increase of $0.6 million in various selling, administrative and other expenses offset by a $0.8 million decrease in stock based compensation expense. Our stock based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $0.7 million. This expense is attributable to stock options granted in 2006 and stock appreciation rights (SARs) granted in 2007. This is compared to stock based compensation expense of $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, which consisted of stock options and restricted stock granted in 2006.
Interest Expense and Income
Net interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $1.5 million, representing $4.0 million of interest income and $5.5 million of interest expense, as compared to $0.1 million of net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2006, representing $0.2 million of interest income and $0.1 million of interest expense.
Our interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $5.5 million as compared to $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, representing an increase of $5.4 million. In January 2006, we repaid substantially all of our outstanding debt with a portion of the net proceeds of our initial public offering. On February 28, 2007, we sold $275.0 million of unsecured senior notes due 2014, which added $5.2 million of interest expense in the third quarter of 2007.
Our interest income in the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $4.0 million as compared to $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006. The increase in interest income was primarily attributable to the investment of the net proceeds we received in connection with our sale of our unsecured senior notes and the investment of cash generated from operations.

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Income Taxes
Our income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $2.9 million or 37.0% of our earnings before income taxes, as compared to $6.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, or 38.4% of our earnings before income taxes. The major reason for the change in the quarterly rate is due to a change in our effective tax rate for calendar year 2006 at September 30, 2006. The rate went from 36.8% at June 30, 2006 to 37.4% at September 30, 2006.
Nine Months ended September 30, 2007 compared to Nine Months ended September 30, 2006
The following table summarizes our historical operations as a percentage of revenues for the periods shown. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of operating results that may be expected in the future.
                 
    For the Nine Months Ended,
    September 30,   September 30,
     
    2007   2006
     
Revenues:
               
Manufacturing Operations
    92.9 %     92.3 %
Railcar services
    7.1 %     7.7 %
     
Total revenues
    100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of goods sold:
               
Cost of manufacturing
    (81.2 %)     (82.7 %)
Cost of railcar services
    (5.8 %)     (6.1 %)
     
Total cost of goods sold
    (87.0 %)     (88.8 %)
Gross profit
    13.0 %     11.2 %
Income related to insurance recoveries, net
    0.0 %     2.1 %
Gain on asset conversion, net
    0.0 %     0.9 %
Selling, administrative and other
    (3.9 %)     (4.5 %)
     
Earnings from operations
    9.1 %     9.7 %
Interest income
    1.9 %     0.2 %
Interest expense
    (2.4 %)     (0.2 %)
Earnings from joint venture
    0.1 %     0.0 %
     
Earnings before income tax expense
    8.7 %     9.7 %
Income tax expense
    (3.2 %)     (3.6 %)
     
Net earnings
    5.5 %     6.1 %
     
Our earnings available to common stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $29.4 million, compared to $28.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, representing an increase of $0.9 million. The primary factors for the $0.9 million increase in earnings were a $16.7 million increase in gross profit from our manufacturing operations offset by $14.3 million of insurance recoveries in 2006 and a $2.7 million increase in net interest expense. In the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we recognized $14.3 million of insurance recoveries, including $10.0 million of business interruption insurance compensation for lost profits, along with a $4.3 million gain, related to the involuntary conversion of assets damaged by the tornado. In addition, specifically related to the initial public offering, we incurred $5.3 million in compensation expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 consisting of a special bonus of $0.5 million and $4.8 million in compensation expense related to a restricted stock grant. This was offset by an increase in other selling, administrative and other expenses of $3.8 million to support our growing business.
Revenues
Our revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 increased 11.5% to $536.2 million from $480.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. This increase was primarily due to increased revenues for our manufacturing operations.

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Our manufacturing operations revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 increased 12.3% to $498.2 million from $443.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. This increase was primarily due to expanded tank railcar capacity in 2007 and low 2006 shipments. Our 2006 tank railcar capacity was reduced by the tank railcar facility shutdown for repair of tornado damage. We reopened that facility in August 2006. Increased tank railcar shipments were partially offset by hopper railcar shipments in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 being down from the same period of 2006, which reflected a reduction in the number of hopper railcars ordered for delivery in 2007. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we shipped a total of 5,465 railcars compared to 5,260 railcars in the same period of 2006.
Our increase in tank railcar shipments was due to the restart of our tank railcar production facility in the third quarter of 2006 and an increase in capacity at our tank railcar production complex as a result of our capacity expansion completed in January 2007. As a result of the recovery from the 2006 storm damage and related shutdown of our tank railcar production facility, we only shipped 774 tank railcars in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. We experienced a decrease in hopper railcar shipments in 2007 compared to the same period of 2006. This decrease was primarily due to less demand and increased competition for some of our hopper railcar products. As a result, we have set our production schedule well below capacity levels due to customer-defined delivery schedules through 2008.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, our manufacturing operations included $93.6 million, or 17.4% of our total consolidated revenues, from transactions with affiliates, compared to $24.4 million, or 5.1% of our total consolidated revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. These revenues were attributable to sales of railcars and railcar parts to companies controlled by Mr. Carl C. Icahn. The increase in manufacturing sales to related parties is primarily due to the timing of railcar deliveries to ARL, as provided for under various contracts we have with ARL.
Our railcar services revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 increased 2.9% to $38.0 million compared to the $36.9 million amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, our railcar services revenues included $12.6 million, or 2.4% of our total consolidated revenues, from transactions with affiliates, compared to $15.1 million, or 3.1% of our total revenues, in the nine months ended September 30, 2006.
Gross Profit
Our gross profit increased to $69.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 from $54.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Our gross profit margin increased to 13.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 from 11.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2006, primarily reflecting improved margins in our manufacturing operations segment.
Our gross profit margin for our manufacturing operations was 12.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a significant increase from 10.4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. This increase was primarily attributable to railcar mix, including significantly more tank railcars, and improved manufacturing efficiencies that we experienced in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Labor efficiencies resulted from lean manufacturing initiatives and enhanced training initiatives at our railcar manufacturing facilities.
Our gross profit margin for our railcar services operations decreased to 17.9% in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 in relation to a margin of 21.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. This decrease was primarily attributable to work content and higher costs for railcar services in the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
Income Related to Insurance Recoveries, Net
On April 2, 2006, our Marmaduke, Arkansas tank railcar manufacturing facility was damaged by a tornado. Our revenues and manufacturing gross profits were adversely affected by the temporary shutdown of our Marmaduke facility. However, the profit impact of these adverse affects was substantially offset by proceeds from our business

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interruption insurance. In the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we recognized income of $9.9 million associated with the settlement of our business interruption insurance claim for the period from April 2006 — August 2006.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we recognized a gain on asset conversion of $4.3 million related to assets that were damaged or destroyed by the tornado.
Selling, Administrative and Other Expenses
Our selling, administrative and other expenses decreased by $0.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007, to $20.9 million from $21.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. These selling, administrative and other expenses, which include stock based compensation, were 3.9% of total revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to 4.5% of total revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2006.
The decrease of $0.8 million was primarily attributable to a stock based compensation expense decrease of $4.6 million (as described below), partially offset by an increase of $3.8 million of selling, administrative and other costs to support our growing business.
Our stock based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $2.0 million. This expense is attributable to restricted stock and stock options we granted in 2006 and to SARs granted in 2007. This is compared to stock based compensation expense of $6.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. We recognized $2.4 million of stock based compensation expense in January 2006 due to the granting of restricted stock in conjunction with the initial public offering.
Interest Expense and Income
Net interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $2.8 million, representing $10.0 million of interest income and $12.8 million of interest expense, as compared to $0.1 million of net interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, representing $1.1 million of interest income and $1.2 million of interest expense.
Our interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $12.8 million as compared to $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, representing an increase of $11.6 million. In January 2006, we repaid substantially all of our outstanding debt with a portion of the net proceeds of our initial public offering. On February 28, 2007, we sold $275.0 million of unsecured senior notes due 2014, which added $12.0 million of interest expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
Our interest income in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $10.0 million as compared to $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The increase in interest income was primarily attributable to the investment of the net proceeds we received in connection with our sale of our unsecured senior notes and the investment of cash received from operations.
Income Taxes
Our income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $17.3 million or 37.0% of our earnings before income taxes, as compared to $17.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, or 37.4% of our earnings before income taxes.
BACKLOG
Our backlog consists of orders for railcars. We define backlog as the number and sales value of railcars that our customers have committed in writing to purchase from us that have not been recognized as revenues. Customer orders, however, may be subject to cancellation, customer requests for delays in railcar deliveries, inspection rights and other customary industry terms and conditions.

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Our total backlog as of September 30, 2007 was $1,084.4 million and as of December 31, 2006 was $1,318.0 million. We estimate that approximately 16.3% of our September 30, 2007 backlog will be converted to revenues by the end of 2007. Included in the railcar backlog at September 30, 2007 was $303.5 million of railcars to be sold to our affiliate, ARL, which is controlled by Carl C. Icahn.
The following table shows our reported railcar backlog, and estimated future revenue value attributable to such backlog, at the end of the period shown. The reported backlog includes railcars relating to purchase obligations based upon an assumed product mix consistent with past orders. Changes in product mix from what is assumed would affect the dollar amount of our backlog. Our ability to meet our backlog requirements as of September 30, 2007 is dependent upon our completion of the new flexible railcar manufacturing facility in Marmaduke, Arkansas. We expect railcar production to begin at the new flexible railcar manufacturing facility during November 2007.
         
    2007  
Railcar backlog at January 1, 2007
    16,473  
New railcars delivered
    5,465  
New railcar orders
    2,376  
 
     
Railcar backlog at September 30, 2007
    13,384  
 
       
Estimated railcar backlog value at end of period (in thousands)
  $ 1,084,352  
Estimated backlog value reflects the total revenues expected to be attributable to the backlog reported at the end of the particular period as if such backlog were converted to actual revenues. Estimated backlog does not reflect potential price increases and decreases under customer contracts that provide for variable pricing based on changes in cost of certain raw materials and railcar components or the cancellation or delay of railcar orders that may occur pursuant to the terms of some of our customer contracts.
Historically, we have experienced little variation between the number of railcars ordered and the number of railcars actually delivered, however, our backlog is not necessarily indicative of our future results of operations. As orders may be canceled or delivery dates extended, we cannot guarantee that our reported railcar backlog will convert to revenue in any particular period, if at all, nor can we guarantee that the actual revenue from these orders will equal our reported backlog estimates or that our future revenue efforts will be successful.
Our backlog includes commitments under multi-year purchase and sale agreements. The longest commitments under these agreements extend out into 2009. Under these agreements, the customers have agreed to buy a minimum number of railcars from us in each of the contract years, and typically may choose to satisfy its purchase obligations from among a variety of railcars described in the agreement.
The agreements may also permit a customer to reduce its purchase commitments, or pricing for those commitments, under certain circumstances, including, for certain contracts, market related conditions, such as significant reductions in industry backlog or pricing, or most favored nations pricing clauses, which are stipulated in the contracts. As a result of less demand and increased competition for some of our hopper railcar products, these contractual conditions may be triggered, which could have a material adverse effect on our railcar backlog and could significantly limit our ability to convert our estimated railcar backlog value, as reported in the table above, to revenue. Under our multi-year purchase agreements, purchase prices for railcars are subject to adjustment for changes in the cost of certain raw materials such as steel and railcar components applicable at the time of production.
Due to the large size of railcar orders and variations in the number and mix of railcars ordered in any given period, the size of our reported backlog at the end of any such period may fluctuate significantly.
We currently have availability in our production schedule in the remainder of 2007 for the production of hopper railcars. Our tank railcar lines are fully booked into early 2009 and our hopper railcar lines have orders booked for all months of 2008, but not at capacity levels. We cannot guarantee at this time how much of the available capacity will be utilized.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our primary sources of liquidity for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were proceeds from our senior unsecured notes offering and cash generated from operations. As of September 30, 2007, we had working capital of $391.4 million, including $297.6 million of cash and cash equivalents. We also have a $100.0 million revolving credit facility with North Fork Business Capital Corporation, as administrative agent for various lenders. This facility is described in further detail in Note 10 of our condensed consolidated financial statements, and provides for relief from certain financial covenants described in that Note so long as we maintain excess availability of at least $30.0 million. At September 30, 2007, we had no borrowings outstanding under this facility and $76.3 million of availability based upon the amount of our eligible accounts receivable and inventory (and without regard to any financial covenants), or $46.3 million of availability, if we were to maintain excess availability of at least $30.0 million.
On February 28, 2007, we issued $275.0 million of senior unsecured notes that are due in 2014. The offering resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $272.2 million. The terms of the notes contain restrictive covenants, including limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, issue disqualified or preferred stock, make certain restricted payments and enter into certain significant transactions with shareholders and affiliates. These limitations become more restrictive if our fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined, is less than 2.0 to 1.0. As of September 30, 2007, we were in compliance with all of our covenants under the notes.
Cash Flows
The following tables summarizes our net cash provided by or used in operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the nine months ended September 30:
         
    2007  
    (in thousands)  
Net cash provided by (used in):
       
Operating activities
  $ 30,982  
Investing activities
    (45,170 )
Financing activities
    270,875  
 
     
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
  $ 256,687  
 
     
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Cash flows from operating activities are affected by several factors, including fluctuations in business volume, contract terms for billings and collections, the timing of collections on our accounts receivables, processing of payroll and associated taxes and payments to our suppliers. We do not typically experience business credit losses, although a payment may be delayed pending completion of closing documentation, and a typical order of railcars may not yield cash proceeds until after the end of a reporting period.
Our net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $31.0 million. Net earnings of $29.4 million were impacted by the non-cash items including but not limited to: depreciation expense of $10.3 million, stock-based compensation expense of $2.0 million and other smaller adjustments. Cash provided by operating activities attributable to changes in our current assets and liabilities included a decrease in inventories of $2.4 million, a decrease in prepaid expenses of $1.9 million, an increase in accounts payable to affiliates of $1.0 million and an increase in accrued expenses and taxes of $4.3 million. Cash used in operating activities included a $3.9 million increase in accounts receivable from affiliate, a decrease in accounts payable of $14.4 million and a decrease in other of $1.5 million. One of our customers has asked us to finance a portion of their railcar purchases for them. The financing has an annual interest rate of 12%. The total of the financing is approximately $2.0 million and is expected to be paid in January 2007.
The decrease in inventories was due to decreased raw materials due to a company wide effort to reduce inventory levels along with lowering production levels at our hopper manufacturing facility partially offset by an increase in

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finished goods as a result of lower railcar shipments in the third quarter of 2007. The decrease in prepaid expenses of $1.9 million was due to the use of prepaid amounts for wheel sets at our Marmaduke tank railcar manufacturing facility and a decrease in our prepaid insurance balances, which renew in December 2007. The increase in accounts payable to affiliate of $1.0 million relates to an increase in amounts owed to ACF at September 30, 2007 compared to December 31, 2006, specifically related to tank railcar parts and amounts owed under the ACF tank railcar manufacturing agreement. The increase in accrued expenses and taxes is primarily due to accrued interest on our senior unsecured notes and other accrued expense increases at September 30, 2007 compared to December 31, 2006. The increase in accounts receivable due from affiliate is due to timing of cash receipts and sales toward the end of the period ending September 30, 2007 compared to the period ending December 31, 2006. The decrease in accounts payable is primarily due to timing of payments and lower inventory levels experienced toward the end of the period ending September 30, 2007 compared to the period ending December 31, 2006. The decrease in other relates to changes in our deferred tax liabilities as a result of our settlement of the IRS audit.
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $45.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, consisting of $36.5 million of purchases of property, plant and equipment and an $8.8 million contribution to our joint ventures. The capital expenditures were for the purchase of equipment at multiple locations to increase capacity and operating efficiencies. Some of these purchases are described in further detail below under “Capital Expenditures.” The $8.8 million of investment made in our joint venture relates to both our investment in Ohio Castings joint venture and our investment in the Axis, LLC joint venture.
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $270.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The main reason for the large cash inflow is due to $275.0 million in gross proceeds from the senior unsecured notes offering, partially offset by offering costs of approximately $4.3 million.
Capital Expenditures
We continuously evaluate facility requirements based on our strategic plans, production requirements and market demand and may elect to change the level of capital investments in the future. These investments are all based on an analysis of the rates of return and impact on our profitability. In response to the current demand for our railcars, we are pursuing opportunities to increase our production capacity and reduce our costs through continued vertical integration of component parts. From time to time, we may expand our business by acquiring other businesses or pursuing other strategic growth opportunities.
Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $36.5 million. Of these expenses, $26.3 million were for expansion purposes, $2.8 million were for cost reduction purposes and $7.4 million were for necessary replacement of assets.
Our tank railcar plant capacity expansion was completed at our Marmaduke, Arkansas plant in January 2007. We have a number of other significant capital projects that are currently underway including our new flexible railcar manufacturing plant that is being constructed adjacent to our tank railcar manufacturing plant in Marmaduke. Railcar production at the new flexible plant, which we anticipate will have the capability of producing tank, hopper and intermodal railcars, is currently expected to begin at the end of 2007. In June 2007, we entered into a joint venture agreement to produce and sell axles with a joint venture partner. Under this agreement, the joint venture will construct an axle manufacturing facility. We expect to continue to invest in projects, including possible strategic acquisitions, to reduce manufacturing costs, improve production efficiencies, maintain our equipment and to otherwise complement and expand our business. Our current capital expenditure plans include projects that we expect will expand capacity, maintain equipment, improve efficiencies or reduce costs, including the capital expenditures we have incurred to date. We anticipate that our capital spending will accelerate in the fourth quarter of 2007 due to tank railcar related projects and the initiation of the axle manufacturing plant project. We expect spending for the year to be approximately $65.0 million, including funds spent to date. This amount is an estimate. In addition to this amount, the new joint venture may include additional commitments by us and our joint venture

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partner. We cannot assure that we will be able to complete any of our projects on a timely basis or within budget, if at all.
We anticipate that the new railcar plant, our contributions to the axle joint venture and any other future expansion of our business will be financed through the proceeds from our issuance of senior unsecured notes, cash flow from operations, our amended revolving credit facility, term debt associated directly with a specific expenditure or other new financing. We believe that these sources of funds will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our expected operating requirements over the next twelve months. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain term debt or other new financing on favorable terms, if at all.
Our long-term liquidity is contingent upon future operating performance and our ability to continue to meet financial covenants under our senior unsecured notes agreement, our revolving credit facility and any other indebtedness. We may also require additional capital in the future to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions, or incur from time to time other investments and these capital requirements could be substantial. Our operating performance may also be affected by matters discussed under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”, “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report and this report and trends and uncertainties discussed in this discussion and analysis, as well as elsewhere in the Annual Report and this report. These risks, trends and uncertainties may also adversely affect our long-term liquidity.
Dividends
Following our initial public offering, on a quarterly basis, our Board of Directors has declared a regular cash dividend of $0.03 per share of our common stock.
We intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the future. However, as discussed in Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the revolving credit facility, as amended, contains limitations and restrictions on our ability to declare and pay dividends. Moreover, our declaration and payment of dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our operating results, strategic plans, capital requirements, financial condition, covenants under our borrowing arrangement and other factors our board of directors considers relevant. Accordingly, we may not pay dividends in any given amount in the future, or at all.
In addition, dividends of $0.6 million on our preferred stock were paid in January 2006. All of our outstanding shares of preferred stock were redeemed in January 2006 in connection with our initial public offering.
Contingencies and Contractual Obligations
Refer to the status of contingencies in Note 13 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. All contractual obligations were basically unchanged from the information disclosed in our 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007, except for normal operations since that time.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The critical accounting policies and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements that we believe affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements presented in this report are described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies or estimates during the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There has been no material change in our market risks since December 31, 2006.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our

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management evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q (the “Evaluation Date”). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There have been no material developments since the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, as amended.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of our 2006 annual report on Form 10-K, as amended.
The level of our reported railcar backlog may not necessarily indicate what our future revenues will be and our actual revenues may fall short of the estimated revenue value attributed to our railcar backlog, including pricing and cancellation provisions in some contracts we have with our customers.
We define backlog as the number of railcars, and the revenue value in dollars attributed to these railcars, to which our customers have committed in writing to purchase from us that have not yet been recognized as revenues. Our competitors may not define railcar backlog in the same manner as we do, which could make comparisons of our railcar backlog with theirs misleading. We have disclosed our railcar backlog for various periods and the estimated revenue value in dollars that would be attributed to this railcar backlog once the railcar backlog is converted to actual sales. We consider railcar backlog to be an indicator of future revenues. However, our reported railcar backlog may not be converted into revenues in any particular period, if at all, and the actual revenues from such sales may not equal our reported estimates of railcar backlog value. In addition, our railcar manufacturing business relies on third-party suppliers for heavy castings, wheels and other components and raw materials and if these third parties were to stop or reduce their supply of components or raw materials, our production could decline and our actual revenues could fall short of the estimated revenue value attributed to our railcar backlog. Our ability to fulfill our entire backlog will also be affected by our ability to complete timely the construction and start-up of our new flexible railcar manufacturing plant being constructed at our Marmaduke complex.
Our current level of reported railcar backlog may not necessarily represent the level of revenues that we may generate in any future period. Customer orders may be subject to cancellation, inspection rights and other customary industry terms, all of which could affect our recognition of revenue currently reflected in our September 30, 2007 backlog. If industry backlog for railcars declines below certain levels, one of our significant customers, which accounts for 48% of our September 30, 2007 backlog, would be permitted to cancel its orders after at least 180 days written notice, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, our railcar manufacturing contracts with certain of our customers have cancellation provisions if we do not meet certain pricing requirements on railcars. As a result of the less demand and increased competition for some of our hopper railcar products, these contractual conditions may be triggered, which could have a material adverse effect on our railcar backlog and could significantly limit our ability to convert our estimated railcar backlog value to revenue. Furthermore, delivery dates may be subject to deferral, thereby delaying the date on which we will deliver the associated railcars and realize revenues attributable to such railcar backlog. Any contract included in our reported railcar backlog that actually generates revenues may not be profitable.

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Our efforts to manage overhead and manage production slow downs may result in the loss of key employees.
As a result of less demand and increased competition for some of our hopper railcar products, we have implemented production slow downs and are managing our overhead costs in order to improve our manufacturing efficiencies. We may need to increase these efforts and such production slow downs and decreases to overhead costs may result in the loss of key employees. As a result, we may lose skilled, trained, qualified production and management employees upon which our business substantially depends. If we do lose the services of such key employees due to production slow downs or otherwise, we cannot assure that such personnel would remain available for re-employment, or that suitable new employees would be available, if and when our production needs increased. Our Paragould and Marmaduke complexes are located in sparsely populated communities and we have experienced a high turnover rate at these locations among newly hired employees. Due to the cyclical nature of the demand for our products, we have had to reduce and then rebuild our workforce as our business has gone through downturns followed by upturns in business activity. Due to the competitive nature of the labor markets in which we operate, this type of employment cycle increases our risk of not being able to retain, recruit and train the personnel we require in our railcar manufacturing and other businesses, particularly in periods of economic expansion.
On February 28, 2007, we completed our offering of unsecured senior notes due 2014. The following risk factors relate to the additional indebtedness we incurred in connection with that offering.
Our substantial indebtedness following the offering of our outstanding notes could adversely affect our operations and financial results and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the notes.
We issued the outstanding notes on February 28, 2007 and by so doing agreed to pay back the holders of the outstanding notes the aggregate principal amount of $275.0 million with interest. Additionally, we currently have the ability to incur a significant amount of indebtedness under our revolving credit facility, as amended, and otherwise. As of September 30, 2007, we had no borrowings outstanding and $76.3 million of availability under the revolving credit facility based upon the amount of its eligible accounts receivable and inventory (and without regard to any financial covenants), or $46.3 million of availability, if we were to maintain excess availability of at least $30.0 million.
Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences to our investors. For example, it could:
    make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the notes and other indebtedness;
 
    increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
 
    require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, which would reduce the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, expansion efforts and other general corporate purposes;
 
    limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
 
    place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; and
 
    limit, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our revolving credit facility, as amended, among other things, our ability to borrow additional funds for working capital, capital expenditures, general corporate purposes or acquisitions. Failure to comply with these covenants could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could have a significant adverse effect on us.
Despite our substantial indebtedness following the offering of our outstanding notes, we and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur substantially more debt, which could further exacerbate the risks associated with our substantial indebtedness.
Under our revolving credit facility, as amended, we face restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness. Despite these restrictions, debt incurrence in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. In addition, subject to the covenants in the indenture governing the notes, we may be able to incur future indebtedness, including secured indebtedness. Any additional secured borrowings by us and any borrowings by our subsidiaries would be

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senior to the notes. If new debt is added to our or our subsidiaries’ current debt levels, the related risks that we or they now face could be magnified.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to service all of our obligations, including our obligations relating to the notes.
Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, including the indebtedness incurred under our revolving credit facility, as amended, and the notes, and to fund planned capital expenditures, strategic transactions and expansion efforts will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.
Our business may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow from operations, and there can be no assurance that future borrowings will be available to us in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including the notes, as such indebtedness matures and to fund our other liquidity needs. If this is the case, we will need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, including the notes, on or before maturity, and cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including our revolving credit facility, as amended, and the notes, on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. We could have to adopt one or more alternatives, such as reducing or delaying planned expenses and capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring debt, or obtaining additional equity or debt financing. These financing strategies may not be affected on satisfactory terms, if at all. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness or obtain additional financing and/or to do so on commercially reasonable terms will depend on, among other things: our financial condition at the time; restrictions in agreements governing our indebtedness, and the indenture governing the notes; and other factors, including the condition of the financial markets and the railcar industry.
If we do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations, and additional borrowings, refinancings or proceeds of asset sales are not available to us, we may not have sufficient cash to enable us to meet all of our obligations, including payments on the exchange notes.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
     
Exhibit    
No.   Description of Exhibit
 
 
   
31.1
  Rule 13a-14(a), 15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer
 
   
31.2
  Rule 13a-14(a), 15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer
 
   
32
  Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  AMERICAN RAILCAR INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
 
Date: November 8, 2007  By:   /s/ James J. Unger    
    James J. Unger, President and Chief Executive Officer   
     
  By:   /s/ William P. Benac    
    William P. Benac, Senior Vice-President, Chief   
    Financial Officer and Treasurer   

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EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit    
No.   Description of Exhibit
 
 
   
31.1
  Rule 13a-14(a), 15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer
 
   
31.2
  Rule 13a-14(a), 15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer
 
   
32
  Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

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