Tuesday, 30 October 2012 22:23

KapStone Reports Record Third Quarter Results

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KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation has reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012.

  • Net sales of $310 million up $94 million, or 44 percent, versus prior year
  • Net income of $18 million up $2 million, or 13 percent, versus 2011
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $49 million up $7 million, or 17 percent, versus prior year
  • Diluted EPS of $0.38 up $0.03 per share, or 9 percent, versus 2011
  • Adjusted diluted EPS of $0.41 up $0.05 per share, or 14 percent, versus prior year

Roger W. Stone, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The announced $50 per ton containerboard price increase for mid-August shipments was implemented late in the third quarter and is expected to increase fourth quarter 2012 EBITDA by $7 million. Once fully implemented it should boost our EBITDA by approximately $45 million annually.

"Our mills produced 389,000 tons of paper for the quarter. Although this was below our expectations, our Roanoke Rapids mill was impacted by a flood in late August resulting from a rare deluge of rain which curtailed production and added flood clean-up and repair costs. In addition, our Charleston mill also encountered some productivity problems which temporarily impacted their operations.  Fortunately, our mills are now performing well, and Roanoke Rapids has had the best start-up from its annual planned maintenance outage since we have owned the mill."

Third Quarter Operating Highlights

Consolidated net sales of $309.5 million in the third quarter of 2012 increased by $93.7 million, or 43.4 percent compared to $215.8 million for the 2011 third quarter. The increase is primarily due to the USC acquisition which contributed $99.1 million of additional revenue based on selling 1.56 billion square feet of corrugated products compared to none in 2011. In 2012's third quarter, 329,000 tons of paper were sold compared to 327,000 tons a year earlier. The Company's average selling price increased by $2 per ton compared to the second quarter of 2012, but was $14 per ton lower than the third quarter of 2011 due to lower export containerboard prices and product mix.

Operating income of $31.1 million for the 2012 third quarter increased by $1.0 million, or 3.2 percent, compared to the 2011 third quarter. The improved financial performance primarily reflects benefits from the acquisition and the timing of annual planned maintenance outages, partially offset by lower selling prices, unplanned downtime at our Roanoke Rapids, NC mill and unfavorable foreign exchange rates.

Unfavorable foreign exchange rates resulting from the strengthening of the U.S. dollar compared to the euro reduced operating income by $1.5 million.

Interest expense, net was $1.9 million for the third quarter of 2012, up $1.3 million from a year ago as a result of a higher debt balance associated with the acquisition. At September 30, 2012, the interest rate on the term loan was 1.97 percent. Amortization of debt issuance costs of $0.9 million for the third quarter of 2012 increased by $0.5 million from a year ago due to costs associated with the Company's new credit agreement.

The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2012 was 35.1 percent compared to 42.3 percent for the 2011 third quarter and increased diluted earnings per share by $0.04. The lower effective tax rate is due to a higher expected benefit from the domestic manufacturing deduction and $0.6 million of discrete tax adjustments related to prior years' tax returns. The 2011 effective tax rate included a discrete item for return to provision adjustment. For 2012, the Company estimates its cash tax rate to be about 10 percent reflecting utilization of net operating losses and the cellulosic biofuel tax credit.

Cash Flow and Working Capital

Cash and cash equivalents increased by $26.6 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2012, to $36.3 million reflecting $40.5 million of net cash provided by operating activities, $13.9 million of cash used by investing activities and $0.1 million of cash provided by financing activities.

Capital expenditures for the third quarter of 2012 totaled $13.9 million. The Company estimates $64.0 million of capital expenditures for the year.

At September 30, 2012, the Company had approximately $160.7 million of working capital and $142.8 million of revolver borrowing capacity.

Conclusion

In summary, Stone commented, "In September, we announced our plans to invest $29 million in our Charleston, South Carolina mill to improve our ability to produce ultra high performance lightweight linerboard grades positioning us well for future customer needs.  Our balance sheet and cash flow generation is very strong, and we are well-poised to continue to grow this company profitably."

SOURCE KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation

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