NORTHBROOK, Ill., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- KapStone Paper
and Packaging Corporation (NASDAQ:KPPC) today reported results for
the third quarter ended September 30, 2009. -- Net income of $25.7
million, up $23.4 million versus prior year -- EBITDA of $60.3
million, up $33.8 million versus prior year -- $53.5 million of
alternative fuel mixture tax credits earned in the quarter --
Diluted EPS of $0.69, up $0.63 per share versus prior year --
$158.4 million of debt pre-payments made in the quarter -- An
additional $25.0 million debt pre-payment was made after September
30, 2009 Roger W. Stone, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
stated, "In the third quarter, we made substantial progress toward
many important goals. Our operating rate was in the high 90 percent
range compared to 85 percent in the second quarter and 72 percent
in the first quarter. Our backlog is getting stronger and we are
starting to see some modest price improvement. Our balance sheet
strengthened due to the debt reduction of over $158 million in the
third quarter resulting from good operating cash flow and the
proceeds received from the exercise of 17 million warrants." Third
Quarter Operating Highlights While unit sales volume during the
third quarter of 2009 increased by over 3 percent, consolidated net
sales decreased $37.4 million to $170.3 million compared to $207.7
million from the same quarter a year ago. Lower selling prices and
less favorable product mix on a higher percentage of linerboard
sales reduced revenues by $39.8 million. Net sales for third
quarter of 2009 also compare unfavorably to the same period of 2008
due the inclusion in 2008's net sales of $8.9 million from the
dunnage bag business which was sold on March 31, 2009. However,
when comparing net sales in the third quarter of 2009 to the second
quarter of 2009, sales improved by $13.8 million on a 17 percent
volume increase as demand has continued increasing from the first
quarter of the year. Operating income of $46.5 million for the 2009
third quarter increased by $32.4 million, or 229 percent compared
to the 2008 quarter primarily due to $53.5 million of alternative
fuel mixture tax credits, $7.1 million from lower costs on
materials, energy and transportation, and $6.0 million due to a
change in the timing of the annual cold mill outage in North
Carolina. These gains were partially offset by lower average
selling prices, a less favorable product mix, and the sale of the
dunnage bag business. Selling prices of most of our products
continued to decline throughout the first half of the year and
stabilized during the third quarter. As a result, average revenue
per ton for the third quarter of 2009 was $495 versus $605 in the
same quarter a year ago, or down 18 percent per ton. Operations in
the third quarter of 2009 as compared to the same quarter a year
ago were negatively impacted by an unplanned outage in the third
quarter of 2009 due to the failure of a major water pipe which shut
the mill down for approximately two days, reducing production by
6,000 tons and reducing operating income by approximately $2.5
million, including the impact of $1.1 million less received from
the alternative fuel mixture tax credit. Operating income for the
third quarter of 2009 improved $13.1 million over the second
quarter of 2009 primarily on increased volumes and higher operating
rates despite a decline in average revenue per ton, down $34, or 6
percent, from the second quarter of 2009. Included in the 2009 and
2008 third quarters' operating results is a $2.4 million charge for
the amortization of an intangible asset relating to an acquired
coal contract with favorable prices valued at $14.1 million at the
date of the CKD acquisition. The coal contract and related
amortization terminate on December 31, 2009. Interest expense of
$2.8 million for the third quarter of 2009 decreased by $5.2
million over the comparable quarter in 2008 and reflected the
impact of over $250 million of debt repayments and lower interest
rates since a year ago. Effective August 1, 2009, the Company's
average interest rate on its term loans was reduced to 2.9 percent
down from an average of 3.5 percent for the quarter ended June 30,
2009. Interest rates on the term loans are expected to be further
reduced to approximately 1.75 percent in November 2009. In the 2009
third quarter, the Company incurred higher non-cash amortization
charges related to debt issuance costs of approximately $2.5
million which included a one-time charge of approximately $1.9
million for the acceleration of the amortization associated with
the debt repayments. The effective tax rate for the 2009 quarter
was 37.9 percent compared to 52.2 percent for the 2008 quarter. The
anticipated effective tax rate for the full year of 2009 is
approximately 38 percent. Cash Flow and Working Capital Cash flow
for the 2009 third quarter reflects $61.0 million provided by
operating activities, $6.9 million used in investing activities and
$73.1 million used in financing activities. During the 2009
quarter, the Company received $85.2 million from exercises of 17
million common stock warrants. The Company used the proceeds from
the warrant exercises and cash proceeds from operations to paydown
$158.4 million of debt. Since September 30, 2009, the Company has
prepaid an additional $25.0 million of debt, bringing the total
debt outstanding as of today to $194.9 million. The Company was in
compliance with all debt covenants at September 30, 2009. Due to
the significant debt reduction and the high EBITDA generated over
the past year, the Company's debt to EBITDA ratio is 1.42 to 1 at
September 30, 2009. For 2010, the Company is evaluating whether it
may qualify for a $1.01 per gallon tax credit for cellulosic
biofuel producers under Section 40(b)(6). We are also researching
how we can indirectly benefit from the Biomass Crop Assistance
Program (BCAP) a subsidy for suppliers of biomass who sell to
approved biomass conversion facilities, which will, in turn,
convert biomass to energy. Both of KapStone's mills are approved
biomass conversion facilities. At September 30, 2009, the Company
had working capital of $66.1 million. On March 31, 2009, KapStone
received approval from the Internal Revenue Service for its
registration as an alternative fuel mixer, which provides a refund
of $0.50 per gallon of alternative fuel used in KapStone's pulp
making process. KapStone has submitted refund claims totaling
$121.9 million based on fuel usage from mid-January 2009 through
September 30, 2009. The Company has received refunds from the
Internal Revenue Service totaling $109.7 million through the end of
the third quarter. The pre-tax impact of the alternative fuel
mixture tax credit is included in cost of sales in the consolidated
financial statements in the amounts of $53.5 million and $107.5
million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009,
respectively, and $14.4 million of the credit is included in the
consolidated balance sheet as a reduction to finished goods
inventory. The cash receipts and pre-tax earnings generated from
the alternative fuel mixture tax credit are currently expected to
exceed $50 million for the fourth quarter of 2009. The alternative
fuel mixture tax credit is currently scheduled to expire on
December 31, 2009. Conclusion In summary, Stone commented, "Since
the first quarter of 2009, our operations have experienced a steady
recovery with higher production and sales in each quarter. We are
sharply focused on improving product mix and pricing and are
planning on a strong finish for 2009. Recent announcements confirm
that the industry is committed to balancing supply with demand and
that speaks well for its future. With a stronger and improving
balance sheet, we are well-positioned for future growth."
Conference Call KapStone will host a conference call at 11 a.m. ET,
Thursday, November 5, 2009, to discuss the Company's financial
results for the 2009 third quarter. All interested parties are
invited to listen and may do so by either accessing a simultaneous
broadcast webcast on KapStone's website,
http://www.kapstonepaper.com/, or for those unable to access the
webcast, the following dial-in numbers are available: Domestic:
800.299.8538 International: 617.786.2902 Participant Pass code:
62214320 The webcast is also being distributed through the Thomson
StreetEvents Network. Individual investors can listen to the call
at http://earnings.com/, Thomson's individual investor portal,
powered by StreetEvents. Institutional investors can access the
call via Thomson StreetEvents (http://streetevents.com/) a
password-protected event management site. A replay of the webcast
will be available for 30 days on the Company's web site following
the call. About the Company Headquartered in Northbrook, IL,
KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation is a leading North
American producer of unbleached kraft paper products, and
linerboard. The Company is the parent company of KapStone Kraft
Paper Corporation which includes paper mills in Roanoke Rapids, NC
and North Charleston, SC, a lumber mill in Summerville, SC, and
five chip mills in South Carolina. The business employs
approximately 1,550 people. Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press
release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. Management
uses these measures to focus on the on-going operations, and
believes it is useful to investors because they enable them to
perform meaningful comparisons of past and present operating
results. The Company believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
provide useful information to investors because they improve the
comparability of the financial results between periods and provide
for greater transparency to key measures used to evaluate the
performance and liquidity of the Company. Management uses EBITDA
for evaluating the Company's performance against competitors and as
a primary measure for employees' incentive programs and potential
future contingent earn-out payments to International Paper Company.
Reconciliations of Net Income to EBITDA, EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA,
Net Income to Adjusted Net Income, Basic EPS to Adjusted Basic EPS,
and Diluted EPS to Adjusted Diluted EPS are included in the
financial schedules contained in this press release. However, these
measures should not be construed as an alternative to any other
measure of performance determined in accordance with GAAP.
Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this news release that are
not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as
"may," "will," "should," "would,' "expect," "project,"
"anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "potential,"
"outlook," or "continue," the negative of these terms or other
similar expressions. These statements reflect management's current
views and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many
of which are beyond the Company's control that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in
these statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially include, but are not limited to: (1) the ability of
KapStone to successfully integrate Charleston's operations and
employees and KapStone's ability to realize anticipated synergies
and cost savings; (2) industry conditions, including changes in
cost, competition, changes in the Company's product mix and demand
and pricing for the Company's products; (3) market and economic
factors, including changes in raw material and healthcare costs,
exchange rates and interest rates; (4) results of legal proceedings
and compliance costs, including unanticipated expenditures related
to the cost of compliance with environmental and other governmental
regulations; (5) the ability to achieve and effectively manage
growth; (6) the ability to pay the Company's debt obligations; (7)
the ability to carry out the Company's strategic initiatives and
manage associated costs; and (8) the potential impact of changes to
or a discontinuation before December 31, 2009 of the federal
incentive program for alternative fuel mixtures. Further
information on these and other risks and uncertainties is provided
under Item 1A "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, and elsewhere
in reports that the Company files or furnishes with the SEC. These
filings can be found on KapStone's Web site at
http://www.kapstonepaper.com/ and the SEC's Web site at
http://www.sec.gov/. Forward-looking statements included herein
speak only as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any
obligation to revise or update such statements to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events or circumstances. KapStone Paper and Packaging
Corporation Consolidated Statements of Income ($ in thousands,
except share and per share amounts) (unaudited) Quarter Ended Fav /
(Unfav) September 30, Variance -------------- 2009 2008 % ---- ----
---- Net sales $170,335 $207,671 -18.0% Cost and expenses: Cost of
sales, excluding depreciation and amortization 86,812 151,064 42.5%
Freight and distribution 16,262 19,969 18.6% Selling, general and
administrative expenses 7,105 9,757 27.2% Depreciation and
amortization 13,664 12,953 -5.5% (Loss) / gain on sale of business
(278) - n/a Other operating income 285 218 30.7% --- --- ----
Operating income 46,499 14,146 228.7% Foreign exchange gain /(loss)
175 (607) n/a Interest income - 51 n/a Interest expense 2,821 8,011
64.8% Amortization of debt issuance costs 2,532 761 -232.7% -----
--- ------ Income before provision for income taxes 41,321 4,818
757.6% Provision for income taxes 15,649 2,513 -522.7% ------ -----
------ Net income $25,672 $2,305 1013.8% ======= ====== ======
Earnings per share: Basic $0.70 $0.09 ===== ===== Diluted $0.69
$0.06 ===== ===== Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic 36,548,515 26,904,070 ========== ========== Diluted
36,940,773 38,012,635 ========== ========== Effective tax rate
37.9% 52.2% ==== ==== Nine Months Ended Fav / (Unfav) September 30,
Variance ----------------- 2009 2008 % ---- ---- ---- Net sales
$467,412 $342,962 36.3% Cost and expenses: Cost of sales, excluding
depreciation and amortization 271,650 233,422 -16.4% Freight and
distribution 42,755 33,480 -27.7% Selling, general and
administrative expenses 23,292 19,251 -21.0% Depreciation and
amortization 40,761 18,381 -121.8% (Loss) / gain on sale of
business 16,417 - n/a Other operating income 733 589 24.4% --- ---
---- Operating income 106,104 39,017 171.9% Foreign exchange gain
/(loss) 48 (607) n/a Interest income 1 891 -99.9% Interest expense
11,887 8,815 -34.8% Amortization of debt issuance costs 4,210 1,170
-259.8% ----- ----- ------ Income before provision for income taxes
90,056 29,316 207.2% Provision for income taxes 35,160 11,530
-204.9% ------ ------ ------ Net income $54,896 $17,786 208.6%
======= ======= ===== Earnings per share: Basic $1.77 $0.69 =====
===== Diluted $1.75 $0.49 ===== ===== Weighted-average number of
shares outstanding: Basic 31,096,354 25,859,149 ==========
========== Diluted 31,355,785 36,429,893 ========== ==========
Effective tax rate 39.0% 39.3% ==== ==== OPERATING SEGMENT DATA ($
In thousands) Quarter Ended Fav / (Unfav) September 30, Variance
-------------- 2009 2008 % ---- ---- ---- Net sales Unbleached
kraft $170,335 $199,601 -14.7% Other - 8,906 -100.0% Intersegment
sales elimination - (836) n/a - ---- --- Total net sales $170,335
$207,671 -18.0% ======== ======== ===== Operating income Unbleached
kraft $51,952 $19,608 165.0% Other - 1,608 -100.0% (Loss) / gain on
sale of business (278) - n/a Corporate (5,175) (7,070) 26.8% ------
------ ---- Total operating income $46,499 $14,146 228.7% =======
======= ===== Nine Months Ended Fav / (Unfav) September 30,
Variance ----------------- 2009 2008 % ---- ---- ---- Net sales
Unbleached kraft $461,384 $320,506 44.0% Other 6,927 25,703 -73.0%
Intersegment sales elimination (899) (3,247) 72.3% ---- ------ ----
Total net sales $467,412 $342,962 36.3% ======== ======== ====
Operating income Unbleached kraft $105,245 $50,087 110.1% Other 748
4,209 -82.2% (Loss) / gain on sale of business 16,417 - n/a
Corporate (16,306) (15,279) -6.7% ------- ------- ---- Total
operating income $106,104 $39,017 171.9% ======== ======= =====
KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation Consolidated Balance
Sheets ($ in thousands) September 30, December 31, 2009 2008 ----
---- (unaudited) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents
$3,074 $4,165 Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances of
$2,884 in 2009 and $2,421 in 2008 59,615 71,489 Other receivables
15,189 6,207 Inventories 61,600 89,692 Refundable and prepaid
income taxes 2,947 14,145 Prepaid expenses and other current assets
3,193 1,748 Restricted cash 2,500 - Deferred income taxes 5,620
3,363 ----- ----- Total current assets 153,738 190,809 -------
------- Plant, property and equipment, net 470,304 483,780 Other
assets 1,553 882 Intangible assets, net 29,517 45,195 Goodwill
5,449 6,524 ----- ----- Total assets $660,561 $727,190 ========
======== Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt and notes $25,960 $40,556
Accounts payable 36,404 42,214 Accrued expenses 16,607 30,462
Accrued compensation costs 8,689 13,646 ----- ------ Total current
liabilities 87,660 126,878 ------ ------- Long-term debt and notes,
less current portion 187,059 389,374 Pension and post retirement
benefits 6,994 8,355 Deferred income taxes 32,757 15,951 Other
liabilities 23,556 5,865 ------ ----- Total other liabilities
250,366 419,545 ------- ------- Stockholders' equity: Common stock
$.0001 par value 5 3 Additional paid-in capital 219,107 132,206
Retained earnings 103,662 48,766 Accumulated other comprehensive
loss (239) (208) ---- ---- Total stockholders' equity 322,535
180,767 ------- ------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$660,561 $727,190 ======== ======== KapStone Paper and Packaging
Corporation Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows ($ in thousands)
(unaudited) Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September
30, -------------- ----------------- 2009 2008 2009 2008 ---- ----
---- ---- Operating activities: Net income $25,672 $2,305 $54,896
$17,786 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by
operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 13,664 12,953
40,761 18,381 Stock based compensation expense 652 498 1,686 1,189
Amortization of debt issuance costs 2,532 1,070 4,210 1,170 Loss on
disposal of assets 468 - 756 - Deferred income taxes 2,405 11,313
13,750 12,999 Gain / (loss) on sale of business (278) - (16,417) -
Changes in operating assets and liabilities 15,888 (21,068) 24,148
(23,521) ------ ------- ------ ------- Total cash provided by
operating activities $61,003 $7,071 $123,790 $28,004 ------- ------
-------- ------- Investing activities: CKD acquisition $-
$(468,058) $1,000 $(470,451) KPB acquisition-earn- out due to sale
of dunnage bag business - - (3,977) - Proceeds from sale of
business (1,185) - 34,898 - Restricted cash - - (2,500) - Capital
expenditures (5,746) (8,094) (18,656) (12,714) ------ ------
------- ------- Total cash (used in) / provided by investing
activities $(6,931) $(476,152) $10,765 $(483,165) ------- ---------
------- --------- Financing activities: Proceeds from revolving
credit facility $3,000 $71,800 $64,300 $71,800 Repayments on
revolving credit facility (3,000) (17,000) (76,700) (17,000)
Proceeds from long- term debt and notes - 455,000 - 455,000
Repayments of long- term debt and notes (158,362) (56,814)
(208,093) (71,953) Proceeds from exercises of warrants into common
stock 85,217 14,054 85,217 15,146 Debt issuance costs paid -
(12,593) (370) (12,593) --- ------- ---- ------- Total cash (used
in) / provided by financing activities $(73,145) $454,447
$(135,646) $440,400 -------- -------- --------- -------- Net
increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (19,073)
(14,634) (1,091) (14,761) Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of
period 22,147 56,508 4,165 56,635 ------ ------ ----- ------ Cash
and cash equivalents-end of period $3,074 $41,874 $3,074 $41,874
====== ======= ====== ======= KapStone Paper and Packaging
Corporation Supplemental Information GAAP to Non-GAAP
Reconciliations ($ in thousands, except share and per share
amounts) (unaudited) Quarter Ended Nine Months Sept 30, Ended Sept
30, ------------- --------------- 2009 2008 2009 2008 ---- ----
---- ---- Net Income (GAAP) to EBITDA (Non- GAAP) to Adjusted
EBITDA: Net income (GAAP) $25,672 $2,305 $54,896 $17,786 Interest
income - (51) (1) (891) Interest expense 2,821 8,011 11,887 8,815
Amortization of debt issuance costs 2,532 761 4,210 1,170 Provision
for income taxes 15,649 2,513 35,160 11,530 Depreciation and
amortization 13,664 12,953 40,761 18,381 ------ ------ ------
------ EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $60,338 $26,492 $146,913 $56,791 =======
======= ======== ======= Alternative fuel mixture tax credits
(53,458) - (107,464) - Charleston outage costs 1,805 - 1,805 -
Dunnage bag business 278 (1,706) (17,266) (4,492) Stock based
compensation expense 652 498 1,686 1,189 KPB annual maintenance
outage - 5,966 - 5,966 CKD acquisition start up expenses - 2,205 -
2,361 --- ----- --- ----- Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $9,615 $33,455
$25,674 $61,815 ====== ======= ======= ======= Net Income (GAAP) to
Adjusted Net Income (Non-GAAP): Net income (GAAP) $25,672 $2,305
$54,896 $17,786 Alternative fuel mixture tax credits (33,213) -
(65,508) - Amortization of acquired coal contract with favorable
prices 1,513 1,092 4,458 1,386 Accelerated amortization of debt
issuance costs 1,170 - 1,148 - Charleston outage costs 1,121 -
1,100 - Dunnage bag business 173 (815) (10,525) (2,725) Stock based
compensation expense 405 238 1,028 721 KPB annual maintenance
outage - 2,852 - 3,620 CKD acquisition start up expenses - 1,054 -
1,432 --- ----- --- ----- Adjusted Net Income (Non-GAAP) $(3,157)
$6,726 $(13,402) $22,220 ======= ====== ======== ======= Basic EPS
(GAAP) to Adjusted Basic EPS (Non-GAAP): Basic EPS (GAAP) $0.70
$0.09 $1.77 $0.69 Alternative fuel mixture tax credits (0.91) -
(2.11) - Amortization of acquired coal contract with favorable
prices 0.04 0.04 0.14 0.05 Accelerated amortization of debt
issuance costs 0.03 - 0.04 - Charleston outage costs 0.03 - 0.04 -
Dunnage bag business - (0.03) (0.34) (0.11) Stock based
compensation expense 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.03 KPB annual maintenance
outage - 0.11 - 0.14 CKD acquisition start up expenses - 0.04 -
0.06 --- ---- --- ---- Adjusted Basic EPS (Non-GAAP) $(0.10) $0.26
$(0.43) $0.86 ====== ===== ====== ===== Diluted EPS (GAAP) to
Adjusted Diluted EPS (Non-GAAP): Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)
$0.69 $0.06 $1.75 $0.49 Alternative fuel mixture tax credits (0.90)
- (2.09) - Amortization of acquired coal contract with favorable
prices 0.04 0.03 0.14 0.04 Accelerated amortization of debt
issuance costs 0.03 - 0.04 - Charleston outage costs 0.03 - 0.04 -
Dunnage bag business - (0.02) (0.34) (0.07) Stock based
compensation expense 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.02 KPB annual maintenance
outage - 0.08 - 0.10 CKD acquisition start up expenses - 0.03 -
0.04 --- ---- --- ---- Adjusted Diluted EPS (Non-GAAP) $(0.10)
$0.19 $(0.43) $0.62 ====== ===== ====== ===== DATASOURCE: KapStone
Paper and Packaging Corporation CONTACT: Andrea K. Tarbox, Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of KapStone Paper and
Packaging Corporation, +1-847-239-8812 Web Site:
http://www.kapstonepaper.com/
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