bargaining agreements between Allegheny Ludlum and the USWA, which are effective through June 2007; approximately 165 Oremet employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the USWA which is effective through June 2007; and approximately 600 Wah Chang employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the USWA which continues through March 2008. Negotiations are ongoing for a new collective bargaining agreement with the USWA affecting approximately 100 employees at the Casting Service facility in LaPorte, Indiana. During the 2003 second quarter, we requested the re-opening of labor agreements with the USWA pertaining to the Allegheny Ludlum and Oremet operations. Discussions with the USWA on this matter are ongoing. 

Generally, agreements that expire may be terminated after notice by the union. After termination, the union may authorize a strike. A strike by the employees covered by one or more of the collective bargaining agreements could have a materially adverse affect on our operating results. There can be no assurance that we will succeed in concluding collective bargaining agreements with the unions to replace those that expire. 

Risks Associated with Acquisition and Disposition Strategies. We intend to continue to strategically position our businesses in order to improve our ability to compete. We plan to do this by seeking specialty niches, expanding our global presence, acquiring businesses complementary to existing strengths and continually evaluating the performance and strategic fit of existing business units. We regularly consider acquisition, joint ventures, and other business combination opportunities as well as possible business unit dispositions. From time to time, management holds discussions with management of other companies to explore such opportunities. As a result, the relative makeup of the businesses comprising our Company is subject to change. Acquisitions, joint ventures, and other business combinations involve various inherent risks, such as: assessing accurately the value, strengths, weaknesses, contingent and other liabilities and potential profitability of acquisition or other transaction candidates; the potential loss of key personnel of an acquired business; our ability to achieve identified financial and operating synergies anticipated to result from an acquisition or other transaction; and unanticipated changes in business and economic conditions affecting an acquisition or other transaction. International acquisitions and other transactions could be affected by export controls, exchange rate fluctuations, domestic and foreign political conditions and a deterioration in domestic and foreign economic conditions. 

Insurance. We have maintained various forms of insurance, including insurance covering claims related to our properties and risks associated with our operations. Our existing property and liability insurance coverages contain exclusions and limitations on coverage. In connection with renewals of insurance, we have experienced additional exclusions and limitations on coverage, larger self-insured retentions and deductibles and significantly higher premiums. As a result, in the future our insurance coverage may not cover claims to the extent that it has in the past and the costs that we incur to procure insurance may increase significantly, either of which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. 

Political and Social Turmoil. The war on terrorism and recent political and social turmoil, including terrorist and military actions and the implications of the military actions in Iraq, could continue to put pressure on economic conditions in the United States and worldwide. These political, social and economic conditions make it difficult for us, our suppliers and our customers to forecast accurately and plan future business activities, and could adversely affect the financial condition of our suppliers and customers and affect customer decisions as to the amount and timing of purchases from us. As a result, the recovery of our industry from weak demand conditions could be delayed, and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. 

Export Sales. We believe that export sales will continue to account for a significant percentage of our future revenues. Risks associated with export sales include: political and economic instability, including weak conditions in the world’s economies; accounts receivable collection; export controls; changes in legal and regulatory requirements; policy changes affecting the markets for our products; changes in tax laws and tariffs; and exchange rate fluctuations (which may affect sales to international customers and the value of profits earned on export sales when converted into dollars). Any of these factors could materially adversely effect our results for the period in which they occur. 

Risks Associated with Government Contracts. Some of our operating companies directly perform contractual work for the U.S. Government. Various claims (whether based on U.S. Government or Company audits and investigations or otherwise) could be asserted against us related to our U.S. Government contract work. Depending on the circumstances and the outcome, such proceedings could result in fines, penalties, compensatory and treble damages or the cancellation or suspension of payments under one or more U.S. Government contracts. Under government regulations, a company, or one or more of its operating divisions or units, can also be suspended or debarred from government contracts based on the results of investigations. 

