Form S-3ASR
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2014

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

AK STEEL HOLDING CORPORATION   AK STEEL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)   (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware   Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

31-1401455   31-1267098

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

9227 Centre Pointe Drive

West Chester, Ohio 45069

(513) 425-5000

 

9227 Centre Pointe Drive

West Chester, Ohio 45069

(513) 425-5000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)   (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

David C. Horn

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

AK Steel Holding Corporation

9227 Centre Pointe Drive

West Chester, Ohio 45069

(513) 425-5000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

Joseph C. Alter

Assistant General Counsel – Corporate and Chief Compliance Officer

AK Steel Holding Corporation

9227 Centre Pointe Drive

West Chester, Ohio

(513) 425-5000

Todd R. Chandler

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

767 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10153

(212) 310-8000


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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement as determined by the registrants.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

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

 

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

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount to be Registered

Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit

    Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price    

Amount of Registration Fee (1)

Debt Securities

   

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

   

Preferred Stock

   

Guarantees(2)

   

 

 

(1) An indeterminate aggregate offering price and number or amount of securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered and sold at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee.
(2) Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no separate registration fee is due for guarantees.

 

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

AK STEEL CORPORATION

DEBT SECURITIES

AK STEEL HOLDING CORPORATION

COMMON STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK

GUARANTEES

 

 

AK Steel Corporation (“AK Steel”) may from time to time offer to sell its debt securities, which will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by AK Steel Holding Corporation (“AK Holding”), the parent of AK Steel. Such debt securities may be convertible or exchangeable for or exercisable into shares of common stock or preferred stock of AK Holding.

AK Holding may from time to time offer to sell shares of its common stock or preferred stock. AK Holding’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the ticker symbol “AKS.”

AK Steel and AK Holding may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. AK Steel and AK Holding will provide the specific plan of distribution for any securities to be offered in supplements to this prospectus. AK Steel and AK Holding will provide specific terms of any securities to be offered in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

The principal executive offices of AK Steel and AK Holding are located at 9227 Centre Pointe Drive, West Chester, Ohio, 45069, and their telephone number at that address is (513) 425-5000.

 

 

Investing in the securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 2 of this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement to read about factors you should consider before investing in the securities.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement that contains a description of those securities.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is February 21, 2014


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     1   

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     2   

BUSINESS

     2   

RISK FACTORS

     2   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     3   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     4   

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

     4   

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     4   

LEGAL MATTERS

     4   

EXPERTS

     4   


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, the securities described in this prospectus. As allowed by the SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement, including its exhibits and documents incorporated by reference. Statements contained in this prospectus about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. If the SEC’s rules and regulations require that an agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see that agreement or document for a complete description of its provisions.

You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus, including in each case, information incorporated by reference together with any additional information you may need to make your investment decision. You should also read and carefully consider the information in the documents we have referred you to in “Where You Can Find More Information” below. Information incorporated by reference after the date of this prospectus is considered a part of this prospectus and may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any information in such subsequent filings that is inconsistent with this prospectus will supersede the information in this prospectus.

You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with other information. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

Unless otherwise stated, or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “we,” “us” and “our” are to AK Holding and its consolidated subsidiaries, including AK Steel.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

AK Holding is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and, in accordance with these requirements, AK Holding files reports and other information relating to its business, financial condition and other matters with the SEC. AK Holding is required to disclose in such reports certain information, as of particular dates, concerning its operating results and financial condition, officers and directors, principal holders of shares, any material interests of such persons in transactions with us and other matters. AK Holding’s filed reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of such site is: www.sec.gov. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning AK Holding’s business may also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, NY 10005.

Our Internet website is www.aksteel.com. We make available free of charge on our website AK Holding’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, reports filed pursuant to Section 16 and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Other than any documents expressly incorporated by reference, the information on our website and any other website that is referred to in this prospectus is not part of this prospectus.

 

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to that information. We hereby “incorporate by reference” the documents listed below. The information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and in some cases supersede the information in this prospectus and the documents listed below.

 

    AK Holding’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013;

 

    the information specifically incorporated by reference into AK Holding’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 from its Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 12, 2013; and

 

    future filings made by AK Holding and AK Steel with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus; provided that this prospectus will not incorporate any information that we may furnish to the SEC under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K unless specifically provided in such Form 8-K.

Upon your oral or written request, we will provide you with a copy of any of these filings at no cost. Requests should be directed to Secretary, AK Steel Holding Corporation, 9227 Centre Pointe Drive, West Chester, Ohio 45069, Telephone No. (513)  425-5000.

BUSINESS

Our operations consist primarily of nine steelmaking and finishing plants and tubular production facilities located in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Our operations produce flat-rolled value-added carbon steels, including premium-quality coated, cold-rolled and hot-rolled carbon steel products, and specialty stainless and electrical steels that are sold in sheet and strip form, as well as carbon and stainless steel that is finished into welded steel tubing. These products are sold to the automotive, infrastructure and manufacturing, and distributors and converters markets. We sell our carbon products principally to domestic customers. Our electrical and stainless steel products are sold both domestically and internationally. We also produce carbon and stainless steel that is finished into welded steel tubing used in the automotive, large truck, industrial and construction markets. Our operations include European trading companies that buy and sell steel and steel products and other materials; AK Coal Resources, Inc. (“AK Coal”), which controls and is developing metallurgical coal reserves in Pennsylvania; and a 49.9% equity interest in Magnetation LLC, a joint venture that produces iron ore concentrate from previously-mined ore reserves and that is expected to begin producing iron ore pellets in the fourth quarter of 2014 or sooner.

The registered and principal executive offices of AK Holding and AK Steel are located at 9227 Centre Pointe Drive, West Chester, Ohio 45069, and their telephone number at that address is (513) 425-5000.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. Before deciding to purchase any of our securities, you should carefully consider the discussion of risks and uncertainties included in any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and under “Item 1ARisk Factors” in AK Holding’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and under similar headings in AK Holding’s subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K, as well as the other risks and uncertainties described in any other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. See the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus. The risks and uncertainties discussed in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus are those we currently believe may materially affect us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We have made forward-looking statements in this prospectus and the documents that are incorporated by reference herein that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information available to our management at the time such statements were made. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, potential growth opportunities, potential operating performance improvements, the effects of competition and the effects of future legislation or regulations. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “may,” “should” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. You should not rely on any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements include:

 

    reduced selling prices, shipments and profits associated with a highly competitive industry with excess capacity;

 

    changes in the cost of raw materials and energy;

 

    our significant amount of debt and other obligations;

 

    severe financial hardship or bankruptcy of one or more of our major customers;

 

    reduced demand in key product markets due to competition from alternatives to steel or other factors;

 

    increased global steel production and imports;

 

    excess inventory of raw materials;

 

    supply chain disruptions or poor quality of raw materials;

 

    production disruption or reduced production levels;

 

    our healthcare and pension obligations and related laws and regulations, which could include the recognition of a corridor charge with respect to our pension and other postretirement benefit plans;

 

    not timely reaching new labor agreements;

 

    major litigation, arbitrations, environmental issues and other contingencies;

 

    regulatory compliance and changes;

 

    climate change and greenhouse gas emission limitations and regulations;

 

    financial, credit, capital or banking markets;

 

    our use of derivative contracts to hedge commodity pricing volatility;

 

    the value of our net deferred tax assets;

 

    inability to fully realize benefits of long-term cost savings and margin enhancement initiatives;

 

    lower quantities, quality or yield of estimated coal reserves of AK Coal;

 

    increased governmental regulation of mining activities;

 

    inability to hire or retain skilled labor and experienced manufacturing and mining managers; and

 

    IT security threats and sophisticated computer crime.

 

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The risk factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus and under “Item 1A.—Risk Factors” in AK Holding’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and under similar headings in AK Holding’s subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K, as well as the other risks and uncertainties described in the other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. There may be other risks and uncertainties that we are unable to predict at this time or that we currently do not expect to have a material adverse effect on our business. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update our forward-looking statements other than as required by law.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus or any applicable free writing prospectus, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of any debt securities, common stock or preferred stock that may be offered hereby for general corporate purposes. Such general corporate purposes may include, but are not limited to, reducing or refinancing our indebtedness or the indebtedness of our subsidiaries, financing possible acquisitions and redeeming outstanding securities. The prospectus supplement relating to an offering will contain a more detailed description of the use of proceeds of any specific offering of securities.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock and/or guarantees that may be offered under this prospectus.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. We will provide the specific plan of distribution for any securities to be offered in supplements to this prospectus.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of AK Steel Holding Corporation at December 31, 2013, and for the year then ended, appearing in AK Steel Holding Corporation’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2013, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 and for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the AK Steel Holding Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following statement sets forth the expenses of AK Steel Holding Corporation (“AK Holding”) and AK Steel Corporation (“AK Steel” and, together with AK Holding, the “Registrants”) in connection with the offering of securities under this registration statement (all of which will be borne by the Registrants). All amounts shown are estimated.

 

SEC registration fee

   $     

Printing expenses

         

Legal fees and expenses

         

Audit fees and expenses

         

Miscellaneous expenses

         

Trustee fees and expenses

         
  

 

 

 

Total

   $     
  

 

 

 

 

* In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrants are deferring payment of the registration fee for the securities offered by this prospectus.
+ Estimated expenses are not presently known.

The foregoing sets forth the general categories of expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) that the Registrants anticipate they will incur in connection with the offering of securities under this registration statement. Information regarding estimated expenses of issuance and distribution of each identified class of securities being registered will be provided at the time information as to such class is included in a prospectus supplement in accordance with Rule 430B.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

AK Steel Corporation

AK Steel Holding Corporation

AK Holding and AK Steel are each Delaware corporations. Subsection (b)(7) of Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), enables a corporation in its original certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for violations of the director’s fiduciary duty, except (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL (providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions) or (iv) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit. The Certificate of Incorporation of each of AK Holding and AK Steel has eliminated the personal liability of its directors to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Subsection (a) of Section 145 of the DGCL empowers a corporation to indemnify any director or officer, or former director or officer, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’

 

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fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding provided that such director or officer acted in good faith in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, provided further that such director or officer had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

Subsection (b) of Section 145 empowers a corporation to indemnify any current or former director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of the capacities set forth above, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit provided that such director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such director or officer shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Section 145 further provides that to the extent a director or officer of a corporation has been successful in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) or (b) or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith; that indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled; and empowers the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liabilities under Section 145.

Article Seven of the Certificate of Incorporation of AK Holding and Article Seven of the Certificate of Incorporation of AK Steel each state that the corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or testifies in, any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative in nature, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or employee of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer or employee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and other liabilities actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by law, and the corporation may adopt by-laws or enter into agreements with any such person for the purpose of providing such indemnification.

 

Item 16. Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  1.1

   Form of Underwriting Agreement.**

  4.1

   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AK Steel Holding Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to AK Steel Holding Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, as filed with the Commission on May 5, 2011).*

 

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  4.2

   By-laws of AK Steel Holding Corporation, as amended and restated as of May 27, 2010 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to AK Steel Holding Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as filed with the Commission on February 22, 2011).*

  4.3

   Indenture, dated as of May 11, 2010, among AK Steel Corporation, AK Steel Holding Corporation, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to AK Steel Holding Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on May 11, 2010).*

  4.4

   First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 11, 2010, among AK Steel Corporation, as issuer, AK Steel Holding Corporation, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to AK Steel Holding Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on May 11, 2010).*

  4.5

   Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 22, 2012, among AK Steel Corporation, as issuer, AK Steel Holding Corporation, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to AK Steel Holding Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on March 22, 2012).*

  4.6

   Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 20, 2012, among AK Steel Corporation, as issuer, AK Steel Holding Corporation, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to AK Steel Holding Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on November 20, 2012).*

  4.7

   Indenture, dated as of November 20, 2012, among AK Steel Corporation, as issuer, AK Steel Holding Corporation, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to AK Steel Holding Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on November 20, 2012).*

  4.8

   Form of Certificate of Common Stock (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3, as filed by AK Steel Holding Corporation and AK Steel Corporation with the Commission on November 13, 2012).*

  5.1

   Opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.+

12.1

   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12.1 to AK Steel Holding Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the Commission on February 21, 2014).*

12.2

   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12.2 to AK Steel Holding Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the Commission on February 21, 2014).*

23.1

   Consent of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

23.2

   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.+

23.3

   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.+

24.1

   Power of Attorney with respect to AK Steel Holding Corporation signatories (included on signature page).

24.2

   Power of Attorney with respect to AK Steel Corporation signatories (included on signature page).

25.1

   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of U.S. Bank National Association, with respect to senior unsecured debt securities. +

25.2

   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of U.S. Bank National Association, with respect to senior secured debt securities. +

 

(*) Previously filed
(**) To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a report filed by AK Holding under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and incorporated herein by reference.
(+) Filed herewith.

 

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Item 17. Undertakings

The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein and the offering of such securities in the post-effective amendment at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is

 

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part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date;

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrants undertake that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrants pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, each of the undersigned Registrants will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrants relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrants or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrants;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrants or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrants; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrants to the purchaser.

(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of AK Holding’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(7) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

(8) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of such registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrants will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities and Exchange Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on this Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of West Chester, State of Ohio, on the 21th day of February, 2014.

 

AK STEEL HOLDING CORPORATION
AK STEEL CORPORATION
By:  

/s/    Roger K. Newport        

  Roger K. Newport
 

Vice President, Finance and

Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose name appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James L. Wainscott, Roger K. Newport and David C. Horn such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign for such person and in such person’s name and capacity indicated below, any and all amendments to this Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments and any related registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing required and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any of he or his substitutes, could lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons as of the dates and in the capacities indicated with respect to AK Steel Holding Corporation and AK Steel Corporation.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    James L. Wainscott        

James L. Wainscott

  

Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

  February 21, 2014

/s/    Roger K. Newport        

Roger K. Newport

  

Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

  February 21, 2014

/s/    Gregory A. Hoffbauer        

Gregory A. Hoffbauer

  

Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

  February 21, 2014

/s/    Robert H. Jenkins        

Robert H. Jenkins

  

Lead Director

  February 21, 2014

/s/    Richard A. Abdoo        

Richard A. Abdoo

  

Director

  February 21, 2014

 

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/s/    John S. Brinzo        

John S. Brinzo

  

Director

  February 21, 2014

/s/    Dennis C. Cuneo        

Dennis C. Cuneo

  

Director

  February 21, 2014

/s/    Mark G. Essig        

Mark G. Essig

  

Director

  February 21, 2014

/s/    William K. Gerber        

William K. Gerber

  

Director

  February 21, 2014

/s/    Dr. Bonnie G. Hill        

Dr. Bonnie G. Hill

  

Director

  February 21, 2014

/s/    Ralph S. Michael III        

Ralph S. Michael III

  

Director

  February 21, 2014

/s/    Shirley D. Peterson        

Shirley D. Peterson

  

Director

  February 21, 2014

/s/    Dr. James A. Thomson        

Dr. James A. Thomson

  

Director

  February 21, 2014

/s/    Vicente Wright        

Vicente Wright

  

Director

  February 21, 2014

 

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