Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 6-K filing by James Hardie Industries N.V. (James Hardie) was submitted to the SEC on March 5, 2008. The filing serves to distribute the company's Third Quarter (Q3) Fiscal Year 2008 results, which were originally filed with the Australian Stock Exchange on February 28, 2008. The registrant is a foreign private issuer headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Key Financial Metrics
The provided text contains the cover page, safe harbor statement, and exhibit index for the filing. It does not include the actual financial results or the detailed content of Exhibit 99.1. Consequently, specific values for revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, and liquidity are not present in this document.
Material Changes
The filing text does not provide specific comparative financial data or details on material changes versus the prior period. The document references the Q3 FY08 results but does not summarize the performance metrics within the text provided.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
The filing includes a comprehensive Safe Harbor Statement regarding forward-looking statements. Management highlights several key areas of uncertainty and risk that could cause actual results to differ from projections:
- Asbestos Liabilities: Expectations regarding the timing and amount of payments to the Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund (AICF) and the impact of foreign exchange on recorded asbestos liabilities.
- Operational Issues: Costs associated with the suspension of operations at the Blandon, Pennsylvania plant.
- Legal Proceedings: Potential consequences of proceedings brought by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission against the company and former directors/officers.
- Financial and Market Risks: Tax liabilities, credit facility renewals, competition, product pricing, raw material costs, and general economic conditions.
- Other Risks: Product failures, environmental liabilities, natural disasters, and the implementation of new software systems.
The company explicitly states it undertakes no duty to update or revise these forward-looking statements.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the specific Q3 FY08 financial results (revenue, earnings, cash flow) by accessing the full text of Exhibit 99.1, which is referenced but not included in this summary.
- Confirm the current status and cost implications of the suspended Blandon, Pennsylvania plant operations.
- Review the latest updates on the Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund (AICF) contribution requirements and liability estimates.
- Monitor the status of legal proceedings involving the Australian Securities & Investments Commission.
- Assess the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on the company's reported asbestos liabilities and overall financial condition.