SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended December 28, 2024
OR
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission File Number 001-35672
BERRY GLOBAL GROUP, INC.
A Delaware corporation | 101 Oakley Street, Evansville, Indiana, 47710 (812) 424-2904 | IRS employer identification number 20-5234618 |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share | BERY | New York Stock Exchange LLC |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer ☒ | Accelerated Filer ☐ | Non-Accelerated Filer ☐ | Smaller Reporting Company ☐ | Emerging Growth Company ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
There were 115.8 million shares of common stock outstanding at February 5, 2025.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Information included or incorporated by reference in Berry Global Group, Inc.’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and press releases or other public statements contains or may contain forward-looking statements. This report includes “forward-looking” statements with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and business and our expectations or beliefs concerning future events. These statements contain words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “project,” “outlook,” “anticipates” or “looking forward” or similar expressions that relate to our strategy, plans, intentions, or expectations. All statements we make relating to our estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates, and financial results or to our expectations regarding future industry trends are forward-looking statements. In addition, we, through our senior management, from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning our expected future operations and performance and other developments. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and, therefore, our actual results may differ materially from those that we expected. All forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
Additionally, we caution readers that the list of important factors discussed in our most recent Form 10-K in the section titled “Risk Factors” and subsequent periodic reports filed with the SEC may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this report may not in fact occur. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on those statements.
Form 10-Q Index
For Quarterly Period Ended December 28, 2024
Part I. | Financial Information | Page No. |
| Item 1. | Financial Statements: | |
| | | 4 |
| | | 5 |
| | | 6 |
| | | 7 |
| | | 8 |
| Item 2. | | 18 |
| Item 3. | | 21 |
| Item 4. | | 22 |
Part II. | Other Information | |
| Item 1. | | 22 |
| Item 1A. | | 22 |
| Item 2. | | 23 |
| Item 5. | | 23 |
| Item 6. | | 23 |
| | 24 |
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. | Financial Statements |
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(in millions of dollars, except per share amounts)
| | Quarterly Period Ended | |
| | December 28, 2024 | | | December 30, 2023 | |
Net sales | | $ | 2,385 | | | $ | 2,333 | |
Costs and expenses: | | | | | | | | |
Cost of goods sold | | | 1,929 | | | | 1,903 | |
Selling, general and administrative | | | 223 | | | | 206 | |
Amortization of intangibles | | | 46 | | | | 47 | |
Business consolidation and other activities | | | 35 | | | | 12 | |
Operating income | | | 152 | | | | 165 | |
Other expense (income) | | | (22 | ) | | | 15 | |
Interest expense | | | 75 | | | | 71 | |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | | | 99 | | | | 79 | |
Income tax expense | | | 18 | | | | 14 | |
Income from continuing operations | | | 81 | | | | 65 | |
Discontinued operations | | | | | | | | |
Loss from discontinued operations | | | (70 | ) | | | (6 | ) |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | | (3 | ) | | | — | |
Net loss on discontinued operations (Note 2) | | | (67 | ) | | | (6 | ) |
Net income | | $ | 14 | | | $ | 59 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | |
Continuing operations | | $ | 0.70 | | | $ | 0.56 | |
Discontinued operations | | | (0.58 | ) | | | (0.05 | ) |
Net income | | $ | 0.12 | | | $ | 0.51 | |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | |
Continuing operations | | $ | 0.69 | | | $ | 0.55 | |
Discontinued operations | | | (0.57 | ) | | | (0.05 | ) |
Net income | | $ | 0.12 | | | $ | 0.50 | |
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
(in millions of dollars)
| | Quarterly Period Ended | |
| | December 28, 2024 | | | December 30, 2023 | |
Net income | | $ | 14 | | | $ | 59 | |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | | | | | | | | |
Currency translation | | | (185 | ) | | | 139 | |
Pension | | | (2 | ) | | | — | |
Derivative instruments | | | 36 | | | | (77 | ) |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | | | (151 | ) | | | 62 | |
Comprehensive income (loss) | | $ | (137 | ) | | $ | 121 | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in millions of dollars)
| | December 28, 2024 | | | September 28, 2024 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | |
Assets | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 1,181 | | | $ | 865 | |
Accounts receivable | | | 1,089 | | | | 1,269 | |
Finished goods | | | 845 | | | | 837 | |
Raw materials and supplies | | | 483 | | | | 534 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 210 | | | | 184 | |
Assets held for sale | | | 291 | | | | — | |
Current assets of discontinued operations (Note 2) | | | — | | | | 885 | |
Total current assets | | | 4,099 | | | | 4,574 | |
Noncurrent assets: | | | | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment | | | 3,483 | | | | 3,627 | |
Goodwill and intangible assets | | | 5,307 | | | | 5,588 | |
Right-of-use assets | | | 581 | | | | 602 | |
Other assets | | | 107 | | | | 172 | |
Non-current assets of discontinued operations (Note 2) | | | — | | | | 2,050 | |
| | $ | 13,577 | | | $ | 16,613 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 845 | | | $ | 1,471 | |
Accrued employee costs | | | 175 | | | | 267 | |
Other current liabilities | | | 751 | | | | 713 | |
Current portion of long-term debt | | | 740 | | | | 810 | |
Liabilities held for sale | | | 38 | | | | — | |
Current liabilities of discontinued operations (Note 2) | | | — | | | | 411 | |
Total current liabilities | | | 2,549 | | | | 3,672 | |
Noncurrent liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt | | | 7,389 | | | | 7,505 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 411 | | | | 457 | |
Employee benefit obligations | | | 136 | | | | 152 | |
Operating lease liabilities | | | 479 | | | | 496 | |
Other long-term liabilities | | | 407 | | | | 578 | |
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations (Note 2) | | | — | | | | 145 | |
Total liabilities | | | 11,371 | | | | 13,005 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | |
Common stock (115.7 and 115.0 million shares issued, respectively) | | | 1 | | | | 1 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 1,360 | | | | 1,321 | |
Retained earnings | | | 1,120 | | | | 2,581 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (275 | ) | | | (295 | ) |
Total stockholders’ equity | | | 2,206 | | | | 3,608 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 13,577 | | | $ | 16,613 | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in millions of dollars)
| | Quarterly Period Ended | |
| | December 28, 2024 | | | December 30, 2023 | |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 14 | | | $ | 59 | |
Loss from discontinued operations | | | (67 | ) | | | (6 | ) |
Income from continuing operations | | | 81 | | | | 65 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net cash from operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation | | | 124 | | | | 123 | |
Amortization of intangibles | | | 46 | | | | 47 | |
Non-cash interest (income), net | | | (12 | ) | | | (20 | ) |
Settlement of derivatives | | | — | | | | 19 | |
Deferred income tax | | | (28 | ) | | | (16 | ) |
Share-based compensation expense | | | 21 | | | | 18 | |
Other non-cash operating activities, net | | | (23 | ) | | | 14 | |
Changes in working capital | | | (608 | ) | | | (425 | ) |
Changes in other assets and liabilities | | | 27 | | | | 7 | |
Operating cash used in continuing operations | | | (372 | ) | | | (168 | ) |
Operating cash used in discontinued operations | | | (106 | ) | | | (31 | ) |
Net cash from operating activities | | | (478 | ) | | | (199 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | | | | | | | | |
Additions to property, plant and equipment, net | | | (134 | ) | | | (168 | ) |
Acquisition of business and other | | | (48 | ) | | | — | |
Investing cash used in continuing operations | | | (182 | ) | | | (168 | ) |
Investing cash used in discontinued operations | | | (9 | ) | | | (15 | ) |
Net cash from investing activities | | | (191 | ) | | | (183 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from long-term borrowings | | | — | | | | 1,550 | |
Repayments on long-term borrowings | | | (106 | ) | | | (1,858 | ) |
Proceeds from HHNF long-term borrowings related to spin (Note 2) | | | 1,585 | | | | — | |
Cash transferred to HHNF related to spin (Note 2) | | | (624 | ) | | | — | |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | | | 19 | | | | 13 | |
Repurchase of common stock | | | — | | | | (7 | ) |
Dividends paid | | | (36 | ) | | | (36 | ) |
Debt financing costs and other (Note 2) | | | (39 | ) | | | (4 | ) |
Net cash from financing activities | | | 799 | | | | (342 | ) |
Effect of currency translation on cash | | | (44 | ) | | | 28 | |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | | | 86 | | | | (696 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 1,095 | | | | 1,203 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 1,181 | | | $ | 507 | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
(in millions of dollars)
| | Common Stock | | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | | Retained Earnings | | | Total | |
Balance at September 28, 2024 | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 1,321 | | | $ | (295 | ) | | $ | 2,581 | | | $ | 3,608 | |
Net income | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 14 | | | | 14 | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (151 | ) | | | — | | | | (151 | ) |
Share-based compensation | | | — | | | | 21 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 21 | |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | | | — | | | | 18 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 18 | |
Dividends paid | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (36 | ) | | | (36 | ) |
Spin-off of HHNF business | | | — | | | | — | | | | 171 | | | | (1,439 | ) | | | (1,268 | ) |
Balance at December 28, 2024 | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 1,360 | | | $ | (275 | ) | | $ | 1,120 | | | $ | 2,206 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at September 30, 2023 | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 1,231 | | | $ | (336 | ) | | $ | 2,320 | | | $ | 3,216 | |
Net income | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 59 | | | | 59 | |
Other comprehensive income | | | — | | | | — | | | | 62 | | | | — | | | | 62 | |
Share-based compensation | | | — | | | | 21 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 21 | |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | | | — | | | | 13 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 13 | |
Common stock repurchased and retired | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (7 | ) | | | (7 | ) |
Dividends paid | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (36 | ) | | | (36 | ) |
Balance at December 30, 2023 | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 1,265 | | | $ | (274 | ) | | $ | 2,336 | | | $ | 3,328 | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(tables in millions of dollars, except per share data)
1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of Berry Global Group, Inc. (“the Company,” “we,” or “Berry”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for interim reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In preparing financial statements in conformity with GAAP, we must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included, and all subsequent events up to the time of the filing have been evaluated. For further information, refer to the Company’s most recent Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 28, 2024 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.
On November 4, 2024 (the “Distribution Date”), Berry completed the spin-off and merger (the “spin-off”) of its former Health, Hygiene & Specialties Global Nonwovens and Films business ("HHNF") with Glatfelter Corporation ("GLT"), to create Magnera Corporation ("Magnera"). To effect the spin-off, each Berry stockholder received 0.276305 shares of Magnera's common stock for every one share of Berry common stock (which also reflects the 1-13 reverse stock split effected by Magnera on November 4, 2024), held by each such Berry stockholder on the spin-off record date. On November 5, 2024, Magnera's common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MAGN”. The Company did not retain any equity interest in Magnera.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the financial position and results of operations of the HHNF business are presented as discontinued operations and, as such, have been excluded from continuing operations for all periods presented. The restated historical financial statements reflecting the spin-off are unaudited but have been derived from Berry’s historical audited annual reports. With the exception of Note 2, the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the continuing operations of Berry. See Note 2 - Discontinued Operations below for additional information regarding discontinued operations.
Certain amounts in the prior year’s condensed consolidated financial statements and related footnotes thereto have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation as a result of the spin-off of HHNF.
Upon completion of the spin-off, Berry has concluded at November 4, 2024 that it has three reportable segments, based on the way the Company evaluates its financial performance and manages its operations. Prior to the completion of the spin-off, the Company had four reportable segments, Consumer Packaging North America, Consumer Packaging International, Flexibles, and the former Health, Hygiene & Specialties. The Company’s former Health, Hygiene & Specialties reportable segment included the Company’s HHNF business.
Statements in this report that are not of historical fact are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could affect the actual results of the Company. A description of the important factors that could cause Berry’s actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements contained in this report may be found in this report and Berry’s other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements, footnotes and definitions thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 28, 2024, filed with the SEC on November 26, 2024.
2. Discontinued Operations
As discussed in Note 1 above, on November 4, 2024, the Company completed the spin-off of HHNF and the requirements for the presentation of HHNF as a discontinued operation were met on that date. Accordingly, HHNF’s historical financial results are reflected in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations. The Company did not allocate any general corporate overhead or interest expense to discontinued operations.
The financial results of HHNF are presented as loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The following table presents the financial results of HHNF (dollars in millions).
| | Quarterly Period Ended | |
| | December 28, 2024 | | | December 30, 2023 | |
Net sales | | $ | 204 | | | $ | 520 | |
Cost of sales | | | 179 | | | | 476 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 9 | | | | 29 | |
Amortization of intangibles | | | 4 | | | | 13 | |
Business consolidation and other activities | | | 79 | | | | 10 | |
Operating loss | | | (67 | ) | | | (8 | ) |
Interest expense | | | 1 | | | | 1 | |
Other expense (income) | | | 2 | | | | (3 | ) |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | | (70 | ) | | | (6 | ) |
Income tax (expense) benefit | | | 3 | | | | — | |
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations | | | (67 | ) | | | (6 | ) |
The Company has incurred $77 million during fiscal 2025 in separation costs related to the spin-off of HHNF, and is reported in Business consolidation and other activities. These costs are primarily related to professional fees associated with planning the spin-off, as well as spin-off activities within finance, tax, legal and information system functions and certain investment banking fees incurred upon the completion of the spin-off.
The following table summarizes the carrying value of major classes of assets and liabilities of HHNF, reclassified as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations at September 28, 2024 (dollars in millions).
| | September 28, 2024 | |
Assets | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 230 | |
Receivables, net | | | 335 | |
Inventories, net | | | 260 | |
Other current assets | | | 60 | |
Total current assets, discontinued operations | | $ | 885 | |
| | | | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | $ | 948 | |
Goodwill and intangibles, net | | | 1,036 | |
Right of use asset | | | 50 | |
Other assets | | | 16 | |
Total non-current assets, discontinued operations | | $ | 2,050 | |
| | | | |
Liabilities | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 296 | |
Other current liabilities | | | 115 | |
Total current liabilities, discontinued operations | | $ | 411 | |
| | | | |
Deferred income taxes | | $ | 17 | |
Operating lease liability | | | 39 | |
Other non-current liabilities | | | 89 | |
Total non-current liabilities, discontinued operations | | $ | 145 | |
In connection with the spin-off, the Company entered into definitive agreements with Magnera that, among other matters, set forth the terms and conditions of the spin-off and provide a framework for Berry’s relationship with Magnera after the spin-off, including the following:
Transition Services Agreement
Pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement (TSA), Berry or one of its subsidiaries will provide various services to Magnera and its subsidiaries and Magnera or one of its subsidiaries agreed to provide various services to Berry for a limited time to help ensure an orderly transition following the spin-off. The services will terminate no later than November 4, 2026. Income from the TSA is not material to the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Tax Matters Agreement
Pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, Berry and Magnera allocated the liability for taxes and certain tax assets between the two companies. The Tax Matters Agreement also governs the parties’ respective rights, responsibilities, and obligations with respect to U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including taxes arising in the ordinary course of business and taxes, if any, incurred as a result of any failure of the spin-off and certain related transactions to qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes), tax attributes, the preparation and filing of tax returns, the control of audits and other tax proceedings, and assistance and cooperation in respect of tax matters.
Pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, Berry is the primary obligor on all taxes which relate to any period prior to November 4, 2024.
Financing Activities
In connection with the close of the spin-off, Treasure Holdco, Inc. (Treasure), at the time a fully consolidated subsidiary of Berry, entered into $1.59 billion of new debt obligations. The debt was ultimately transferred to HHNF in connection with the spin-off and is a non-cash transaction. Cash transferred to the HHNF business related to the spin-off was $624 million.
3. Revenue and Accounts Receivable
Our revenues are primarily derived from the sale of flexible and rigid products. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied, in an amount reflecting the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled. We consider the promise to transfer products to be our sole performance obligation. If the consideration agreed to in a contract includes a variable amount, we estimate the amount of consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for transferring the promised goods to the customer using the most likely amount method. Our main sources of variable consideration are customer rebates. There are no material instances where variable consideration is constrained and not recorded at the initial time of sale. Generally, our revenue is recognized at a point in time for standard promised goods at the time of shipment, when title and risk of loss pass to the customer. The accrual for customer rebates was $111 million and $99 million at December 28, 2024 and September 28, 2024, respectively, and is included in Other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company disaggregates revenue based on reportable business segment, geography, and significant product line. Refer to Note 10. Segment and Geographic Data for further information.
Accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for credit losses of $17 million at December 28, 2024 and September 28, 2024. The Company records current expected credit losses based on a variety of factors including historical loss experience and current customer financial condition. The changes to our current expected credit losses, write-off activity, and recoveries were not material for any of the periods presented.
The Company has entered into various factoring agreements, to sell certain receivables to third-party financial institutions. Agreements which result in true sales of the transferred receivables, which occur when receivables are transferred without recourse to the Company, are reflected as a reduction of trade receivables, net on the consolidated balance sheets and the proceeds are included in the cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
4. Acquisitions and Dispositions
CMG Plastics
In October 2024, the Company acquired CMG Plastics, a leading plastics injection molding company, for a purchase price of $48 million. The acquired business is operated within the Consumer Packaging North America segment. To finance the purchase, the Company used existing liquidity. The acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities based on preliminary values at the acquisition date. The Company has recognized $29 million of goodwill on this transaction primarily as a result of expected cost synergies and does not expect goodwill to be deductible for tax purposes.
F&S Tool Inc.
In April 2024, the Company acquired F&S Tool Inc. (“F&S”), a leading manufacturer of high output, high efficiency injection molding applications, for a purchase price of $68 million. The Company used existing liquidity to finance the acquisition, and the business is operated within the Consumer Packaging North America segment. The F&S acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and the Company has not finalized the allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of the assets and liabilities assumed. The preliminary estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed consisted of working capital of $3 million, property and equipment of $19 million, intangible assets of $22 million, goodwill of $35 million, and net other long-term liabilities of $11 million. The Company has recognized goodwill on this transaction primarily as a result of expected cost synergies and does not expect goodwill to be deductible for tax purposes.
Tapes
On November 24, 2024, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Specialty Tapes business (“Tapes”) for a purchase price of $443 million after closing adjustments. The Tapes business is currently operated within the Flexibles segment, and had annual revenues of $340 million in fiscal 2024 and $331 million in fiscal 2023. The transaction was completed in February 2025. The Company estimates a book gain of $190 million will be recorded based on the preliminary purchase price allocation. The current balance sheet consists of working capital of $47 million, property and equipment of $45 million, and intangible assets and goodwill of $161 million.
Amcor
On November 19, 2024, the Company announced that it has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Amcor plc, a Jersey public company (“Amcor”) and Aurora Spirit, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Amcor (“Merger Sub”). The Merger Agreement provides for, among other things and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of specified conditions set forth therein, the merger of Merger Sub with and into Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amcor. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each share of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding (excluding shares held by the Company as treasury stock immediately prior to the Effective Time) will be converted into the right to receive 7.25 fully paid and nonassessable Amcor ordinary shares (and, if applicable, cash in lieu of fractional shares), less any applicable withholding taxes.
The completion of the Merger is subject to certain conditions, including: (i) the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the Company’s stockholders, (ii) the approval of the issuance of Amcor ordinary shares in the Merger by Amcor’s shareholders, (iii) the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the absence of any agreement with either the Federal Trade Commission or Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice not to complete the Merger, (iv) the receipt of other required regulatory approvals, (v) the absence of any order or law that has the effect of enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the completion of the Merger, (vi) the approval for listing of the Amcor ordinary shares to be issued in connection with the Merger on the New York Stock Exchange and the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-4 with respect to such ordinary shares, which was declared effective on January 23, 2025, (vii) subject to certain exceptions, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the other party, (viii) performance in all material respects by each party of its respective obligations under the Merger Agreement and (ix) the absence of certain changes that have had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect with respect to each of the Company and Amcor.
Amcor will be required to pay the Company a termination fee equal to $260 million in specified circumstances, including if Amcor terminates the Merger Agreement to enter into a superior proposal or if the Company terminates the Merger Agreement following a change of recommendation by Amcor’s Board of Directors, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement. The Company will be required to pay Amcor a termination fee equal to $260 million in specified circumstances, including if the Company terminates the Merger Agreement to enter into a superior proposal or if Amcor terminates the Merger Agreement following a change of recommendation by the Company’s Board of Directors, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement. The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the Merger does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed by the Company on November 19, 2024 and which is incorporated herein by reference.
5. Business Consolidation and Other Activities
In fiscal 2023, the Company initiated cost savings initiatives including plant rationalization in all segments as part of the 2023 restructuring plan. The Company expects total cash and non-cash expense of the plan to be approximately $250 million, with the operations savings intended to counter general economic softness. All initiatives are expected to be fully implemented by the end of fiscal 2025.
The table below includes the significant components of business consolidation and other activities, by reporting segment:
| | Quarterly Period Ended | | | Restructuring Plan | |
| | December 28, 2024 | | | December 30, 2023 | | | Life to Date | |
Consumer Packaging International | | $ | 17 | | | $ | 5 | | | $ | 130 | |
Consumer Packaging North America | | | 9 | | | | 5 | | | | 32 | |
Flexibles | | | 9 | | | | 2 | | | | 25 | |
Consolidated | | $ | 35 | | | $ | 12 | | | $ | 187 | |
Other activities consist of acquisition, divestiture and other business optimization related costs. During the Quarter, $18 million of the transaction activities related to the proposed merger with Amcor. The table below sets forth the activity with respect to the charges and the impact on our accrued reserves at December 28, 2024:
| | Business Consolidation | | | | | | | |
| | Employee Severance and Benefits | | | Facility Exit Costs | | | Transaction Activities | | | Total | |
Balance at September 28, 2024 | | $ | 29 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 29 | |
Charges | | | 1 | | | | 8 | | | | 26 | | | | 35 | |
Cash payments | | | (7 | ) | | | (8 | ) | | | (26 | ) | | | (41 | ) |
Balance at December 28, 2024 | | $ | 23 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 23 | |
6. Leases
The Company leases certain manufacturing facilities, warehouses, office space, manufacturing equipment, office equipment, and automobiles.
Supplemental lease information is as follows:
Leases | Classification | | December 28, 2024 | | | September 28, 2024 | |
Operating leases: | | | | | | | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | Right-of-use asset | | $ | 581 | | | $ | 602 | |
Current operating lease liabilities | Other current liabilities | | | 118 | | | | 122 | |
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | Operating lease liability | | | 479 | | | | 496 | |
Finance leases: | | | | | | | | | |
Finance lease right-of-use assets | Property, plant, and equipment, net | | $ | 25 | | | $ | 27 | |
Current finance lease liabilities | Current portion of long-term debt | | | 9 | | | | 6 | |
Noncurrent finance lease liabilities | Long-term debt, less current portion | | | 18 | | | | 23 | |
7. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following:
Facility | Maturity Date | | December 28, 2024 | | | September 28, 2024 | |
Term loan | July 2029 | | $ | 1,434 | | | $ | 1,538 | |
Revolving line of credit | June 2028 | | | — | | | | — | |
1.00% First Priority Senior Secured Notes (a) | January 2025 | | | 730 | | | | 783 | |
1.57% First Priority Senior Secured Notes | January 2026 | | | 1,525 | | | | 1,525 | |
4.875% First Priority Senior Secured Notes | July 2026 | | | 750 | | | | 750 | |
1.65% First Priority Senior Secured Notes | January 2027 | | | 400 | | | | 400 | |
1.50% First Priority Senior Secured Notes (a) | January 2027 | | | 391 | | | | 419 | |
5.50% First Priority Senior Secured Notes | April 2028 | | | 500 | | | | 500 | |
5.80% First Priority Senior Secured Notes | June 2031 | | | 800 | | | | 800 | |
5.65% First Priority Senior Secured Notes | January 2034 | | | 800 | | | | 800 | |
4.50% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes | February 2026 | | | 291 | | | | 291 | |
5.625% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes | July 2027 | | | 500 | | | | 500 | |
Debt discounts and deferred fees | | | | (29 | ) | | | (31 | ) |
Finance leases and other | Various | | | 37 | | | | 40 | |
Total long-term debt | | | | 8,129 | | | | 8,315 | |
Current portion of long-term debt | | | | (740 | ) | | | (810 | ) |
Long-term debt, less current portion | | | $ | 7,389 | | | $ | 7,505 | |
Debt discounts and deferred financing fees are presented net of Long-term debt, less the current portion on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized to Interest expense, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income through maturity.
8. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements
In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to certain risks arising from business operations and economic factors. The Company may use derivative financial instruments to help manage market risk and reduce the exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currencies. These financial instruments are not used for trading or other speculative purposes.
Cross-Currency Swaps
The Company is party to certain cross-currency swaps to hedge a portion of our foreign currency risk. Both the euro (€1,625 million) and pound sterling (£700 million) swap agreements mature June 2026. In addition to the cross-currency swaps, we hedge a portion of our foreign currency risk by designating foreign currency denominated long-term debt as net investment hedges of certain foreign operations. As of December 28, 2024, we had outstanding long-term debt of €375 million that was designated as a hedge of our net investment in certain euro-denominated foreign subsidiaries. Changes in the fair value of not designated derivatives and non-designated instruments are recorded in Other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Income. When valuing cross-currency swaps the Company utilizes Level 2 inputs (substantially observable).
Interest Rate Swaps
The primary purpose of the Company’s interest rate swap activities is to manage interest expense variability associated with our outstanding variable rate term loan debt. When valuing interest rate swaps the Company utilizes Level 2 inputs (substantially observable).
As of December 28, 2024, the Company effectively had (i) a $400 million interest rate swap transaction that swaps a one-month variable SOFR contract for a fixed annual rate of 4.008%, (ii) a $450 million interest rate swap transaction that swaps a one-month variable SOFR contract for a fixed annual rate of 4.553%, (iii) and a $500 million interest rate swap transaction that swaps a one-month variable SOFR contract for a fixed annual rate of 4.648%. The Company's interest rate swap transactions all expire in June 2029.
The Company records the fair value positions of all derivative financial instruments on a net basis by counterparty for which a master netting arrangement is utilized. Balances on a gross basis are as follows:
Derivative Instruments | Hedge Designation | Balance Sheet Location | | December 28, 2024 | | | September 28, 2024 | |
Cross-currency swaps | Not designated | Other long-term liabilities | | | 28 | | | | — | |
Cross-currency swaps | Designated | Other long-term liabilities | | | 95 | | | | 271 | |
Interest rate swaps | Designated | Other long-term assets | | | 1 | | | | — | |
Interest rate swaps | Designated | Other long-term liabilities | | | 22 | | | | 75 | |
Interest rate swaps | Not designated | Other long-term assets | | | — | | | | — | |
Interest rate swaps | Not designated | Other long-term liabilities | | | 53 | | | | 62 | |
The effect of the Company’s derivative instruments, including the amortization of previously settled swaps, on the Consolidated Statements of Income is as follows:
| | | Quarterly Period Ended | |
Derivative Instruments | Statements of Income Location | | December 28, 2024 | | | December 30, 2023 | |
Cross-currency swaps | Interest expense | | $ | (4 | ) | | $ | (10 | ) |
Interest rate swaps | Interest expense | | | (6 | ) | | | (21 | ) |
Cross-currency swaps | Other expense (income) | | | (26 | ) | | | — | |
Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements
The Company has certain assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis when impairment indicators are present or when the Company completes an acquisition. The Company adjusts certain long-lived assets to fair value only when the carrying values exceed the fair values. The categorization of the framework used to value the assets is considered Level 3, due to the subjective nature of the unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value. These assets that are subject to our annual impairment analysis primarily include our definite lived and indefinite lived intangible assets, including Goodwill and our property, plant and equipment. The Company reviews Goodwill and other indefinite lived assets for impairment as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter each year and more frequently if impairment indicators exist. The Company determined Goodwill and other indefinite lived assets were not impaired in our annual fiscal 2024 assessment. No impairment indicators were identified in the current quarter.
Included in the following tables are the major categories of assets and their current carrying values, along with the impairment loss recognized on the fair value measurement for the period then ended:
| | December 28, 2024 | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | | | Impairment | |
Indefinite-lived trademarks | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 207 | | | $ | 207 | | | $ | — | |
Goodwill | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,103 | | | | 4,103 | | | | — | |
Definite lived intangible assets | | | — | | | | — | | | | 997 | | | | 997 | | | | — | |
Property, plant, and equipment | | | — | | | | — | | | | 3,483 | | | | 3,483 | | | | — | |
Total | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 8,790 | | | $ | 8,790 | | | $ | — | |
| | September 28, 2024 | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | | | Impairment | |
Indefinite-lived trademarks | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 207 | | | $ | 207 | | | $ | — | |
Goodwill | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,295 | | | | 4,295 | | | | — | |
Definite lived intangible assets | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,086 | | | | 1,086 | | | | — | |
Property, plant, and equipment | | | — | | | | — | | | | 3,627 | | | | 3,627 | | | | 8 | |
Total | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 9,215 | | | $ | 9,215 | | | $ | 8 | |
The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, long-term debt, interest rate and cross-currency swap agreements, and finance lease obligations. The book value of our marketable long-term indebtedness exceeded fair value by $83 million as of December 28, 2024. The Company’s long-term debt fair values were determined using Level 2 inputs (substantially observable).
9. Income Taxes
In comparison to the statutory rate, the lower effective tax rate for the quarter was positively impacted by share-based stock compensation.
10. Segment and Geographic Data
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that are evaluated regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), which is our Chief Executive Officer. The Company’s operations historically included four reportable segments: Consumer Packaging International, Consumer Packaging North America, Flexibles, and Health, Hygiene & Specialties. The structure is designed to align us with our customers, provide improved service, and drive future growth in a cost- efficient manner.
Berry's reportable segments were impacted in the current period by the divestiture of the HHNF business. As a result of classifying the HHNF business as discontinued operations, Berry is now comprised of three reportable segments: Consumer Packaging International, Consumer Packaging North America, and Flexibles. The financial information reported for Consumer Packaging International, Consumer Packaging North America, and Flexibles are presented in the following tables:
| | Quarterly Period Ended | |
| | December 28, 2024 | | | December 30, 2023 | |
Net sales: | | | | | | |
Consumer Packaging International | | $ | 885 | | | $ | 916 | |
Consumer Packaging North America | | | 769 | | | | 699 | |
Flexibles | | | 731 | | | | 718 | |
Total net sales | | $ | 2,385 | | | $ | 2,333 | |
Operating income: | | | | | | | | |
Consumer Packaging International | | $ | 28 | | | $ | 29 | |
Consumer Packaging North America | | | 59 | | | | 60 | |
Flexibles | | | 65 | | | | 76 | |
Total operating income | | $ | 152 | | | $ | 165 | |
Depreciation and amortization: | | | | | | | | |
Consumer Packaging International | | $ | 78 | | | $ | 80 | |
Consumer Packaging North America | | | 58 | | | | 57 | |
Flexibles | | | 34 | | | | 33 | |
Total depreciation and amortization | | $ | 170 | | | $ | 170 | |
Selected information by geographical region is presented in the following tables:
| | Quarterly Period Ended | |
| | December 28, 2024 | | | December 30, 2023 | |
Net sales: | | | | | | |
United States and Canada | | $ | 1,416 | | | $ | 1,337 | |
Europe | | | 840 | | | | 880 | |
Rest of world | | | 129 | | | | 116 | |
Total net sales | | $ | 2,385 | | | $ | 2,333 | |
11. Contingencies and Commitments
The Company is party to various legal proceedings involving routine claims which are incidental to its business. Although the Company’s legal and financial liability with respect to such proceedings cannot be estimated with certainty, we believe that any ultimate liability would not be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company has various purchase commitments for raw materials, supplies, and property and equipment incidental to the ordinary conduct of business.
12. Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
Basic net income or earnings per share ("EPS") is calculated by dividing the net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted EPS includes the effects of options and restricted stock units, if dilutive.
The following tables provide a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted EPS calculations:
| | Quarterly Period Ended | |
(in millions, except per share amounts) | | December 28, 2024 | | | December 30, 2023 | |
Numerator | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations | | $ | 81 | | | $ | 65 | |
Loss from discontinued operations | | | (67 | ) | | | (6 | ) |
Consolidated net income | | $ | 14 | | | $ | 59 | |
Denominator | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | | | 115.3 | | | | 115.6 | |
Dilutive shares | | | 2.9 | | | | 2.7 | |
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding - diluted | | | 118.2 | | | | 118.3 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Per common share earnings (loss) | | | | | | | | |
Basic - Continuing operations | | $ | 0.70 | | | $ | 0.56 | |
Basic - Discontinued operations | | | (0.58 | ) | | | (0.05 | ) |
Basic | | $ | 0.12 | | | $ | 0.51 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Diluted - Continuing operations | | $ | 0.69 | | | $ | 0.55 | |
Diluted - Discontinued operations | | | (0.57 | ) | | | (0.05 | ) |
Diluted | | $ | 0.12 | | | $ | 0.50 | |
For the three months ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, 2.3 million and 2.4 million shares, respectively, were excluded from the diluted EPS calculation as their effect would be anti-dilutive.
13. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The components and activity of Accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:
Quarterly Period Ended | | Currency Translation | | | Defined Benefit Pension and Retiree Health Benefit Plans | | | Derivative Instruments | | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | |
Balance at September 28, 2024 | | $ | (229 | ) | | $ | (44 | ) | | $ | (22 | ) | | $ | (295 | ) |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | | | (185 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | 36 | | | | (151 | ) |
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Spin-off of HHNF business | | | 171 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 171 | |
Balance at December 28, 2024 | | $ | (243 | ) | | $ | (46 | ) | | $ | 14 | | | $ | (275 | ) |
| | Currency Translation | | | Defined Benefit Pension and Retiree Health Benefit Plans | | | Derivative Instruments | | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | |
Balance at September 30, 2023 | | $ | (340 | ) | | $ | (84 | ) | | $ | 88 | | | $ | (336 | ) |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | | | 139 | | | | — | | | | (65 | ) | | | 74 | |
Net amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | — | | | | — | | | | (12 | ) | | | (12 | ) |
Balance at December 30, 2023 | | $ | (201 | ) | | $ | (84 | ) | | $ | 11 | | | $ | (274 | ) |
14. Subsequent Events
On January 15, 2025, the Company fully repaid the 1.00% First Priority Senior Secured Notes due January 2025 utilizing cash on hand.
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Executive Summary
Business. The Company’s operations are organized into three operating segments: Consumer Packaging International, Consumer Packaging North America, and Flexibles. The structure is designed to align us with our customers, provide optimal service, drive future growth, and to facilitate synergy realization. The Consumer Packaging International segment primarily consists of closures and dispensing systems, pharmaceutical devices and packaging, bottles and canisters, containers, and technical components. The Consumer Packaging North America segment primarily consists of containers and pails, food service, closures, bottles and prescription vials, and tubes. The Flexibles segment primarily consists of stretch and shrink films, converter films, institutional can liners, food and consumer films, retail bags, agriculture films, and tapes.
Raw Material Trends. Our primary raw material is polymer resin. In addition, we use other materials such as butyl rubber, adhesives, paper and packaging materials, linerboard, rayon, polyester fiber, and foil, in various manufacturing processes. While temporary industry-wide shortages of raw materials have occurred, we have historically been able to manage the supply chain disruption by working closely with our suppliers and customers. Changes in the price of raw materials are generally passed on to customers through contractual price mechanisms over time, during contract renewals and other means.
Outlook. The Company is affected by general economic and industrial growth, raw material availability, cost inflation, supply chain disruptions, and general consumption levels. Our business has both geographic and end market diversity, which reduces the effect of any one of these factors on our overall performance. Our results are affected by our ability to pass through raw material and other cost changes to our customers, improve manufacturing productivity, and adapt to volume changes of our customers. Despite global macro-economic challenges in the short-term attributed to continued rising inflation and general market softness, we continue to believe our underlying long-term fundamentals in all divisions remain strong. For fiscal 2025, we project cash flow from operations between $1.125 to $1.225 billion and free cash flow between $600 to $700 million. Projected fiscal 2025 free cash flow assumes $525 million of capital spending. For the definition of free cash flow and further information related to free cash flow as a non-GAAP financial measure, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Quarterly Period Ended December 28, 2024 (the “Quarter”) and the Quarterly Period Ended December 30, 2023 (the “Prior Quarter”)
Business integration expenses consist of restructuring and impairment charges, divestiture related costs, and other business optimization costs. Tables present dollars in millions.
Consolidated Overview | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter | | | Prior Quarter | | | $ Change | | | % Change | |
Net sales | | $ | 2,385 | | | $ | 2,333 | | | $ | 52 | | | | 2 | % |
Cost of goods sold | | | 1,929 | | | | 1,903 | | | | 26 | | | | 1 | % |
Other operating expenses | | | 304 | | | | 265 | | | | 39 | | | | 15 | % |
Operating income | | $ | 152 | | | $ | 165 | | | $ | (13 | ) | | | (8 | )% |
Net sales: The net sales increase is primarily attributed to organic volume growth of 2%, increased selling prices of $34 million, and current year acquisitions of $16 million, partially offset by prior year divestiture sales of $40 million.
Cost of goods sold: The cost of goods sold increase is primarily attributed to the 2% volume growth, partially offset by the negative impact of divestiture sales, net of acquisitions.
Other operating expenses: The other operating expenses increase is primarily attributed to an increase in general administrative and business integration costs, which includes transactions costs associated with the proposed merger with Amcor.
Operating income: The operating income decrease is primarily attributed to a $23 million increase in business integration costs primarily associated with the proposed merger with Amcor. These declines were partially offset by a $7 million favorable impact from organic volume growth and a $16 million favorable impact from price cost spread.
Consumer Packaging International | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter | | | Prior Quarter | | | $ Change | | | % Change | |
Net sales | | $ | 885 | | | $ | 916 | | | $ | (31 | ) | | | (1 | )% |
Operating income | | $ | 28 | | | $ | 29 | | | $ | (1 | ) | | | (3 | )% |
Net sales: The net sales decline in the Consumer Packaging International segment is primarily attributed to prior year divestiture sales of $40 million, partially offset by 1% organic volume growth and a $4 million impact from higher selling prices.
Operating income: The operating income decrease is primarily attributed to a $18 million increase in general administrative and business integration costs, partially offset by a $15 million favorable impact from price cost spread.
Consumer Packaging North America | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter | | | Prior Quarter | | | $ Change | | | % Change | |
Net sales | | $ | 769 | | | $ | 699 | | | $ | 70 | | | | 10 | % |
Operating income | | $ | 59 | | | $ | 60 | | | $ | (1 | ) | | | (2 | )% |
Net sales: The net sales increase in the Consumer Packaging North America segment is primarily attributed to 4% organic volume growth, increased selling prices of $23 million, and acquisition sales of $16 million.
Operating income: The operating income decrease is primarily attributed to a $9 million increase in general administrative and business integration costs, partially offset by 4% organic volume growth.
Flexibles | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter | | | Prior Quarter | | | $ Change | | | % Change | |
Net sales | | $ | 731 | | | $ | 718 | | | $ | 13 | | | | 2 | % |
Operating income | | $ | 65 | | | $ | 76 | | | $ | (11 | ) | | | (14 | )% |
Net sales: The net sales increase in the Flexibles segment is primarily attributed to increased selling prices of $7 million and organic volume growth of 1%.
Operating income: The operating income decrease is primarily attributed to an increase in general administrative and business integration costs.
Other expense (income) | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter | | | Prior Quarter | | | $ Change | | | % Change | |
Other expense (income) | | $ | (22 | ) | | $ | 15 | | | $ | (37 | ) | | | (247 | )% |
The other expense decrease is primarily attributed to foreign currency gains related to the remeasurement of the Company's euro bonds due in January 2025 and non-recurring debt extinguishment costs in the Prior Quarter.
Changes in Comprehensive Income
The $258 million decline in Comprehensive income from the Prior Quarter is primarily attributed to a $113 million favorable change in the fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax, and a $45 million decline in Net income. Currency translation changes are primarily related to non-U.S. subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the U.S. Dollar whereby assets and liabilities are translated from the respective functional currency into U.S. Dollars using period-end exchange rates. The change in currency translation was primarily attributed to locations utilizing the Euro and British pound sterling as their functional currency. As part of the overall risk management, the Company uses derivative instruments to reduce exposure to changes in interest rates attributed to the Company’s floating-rate borrowings and records changes to the fair value of these instruments in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. The change in fair value of these instruments in fiscal 2025 versus fiscal 2024 is primarily attributed to a change in the forward interest and foreign exchange curves between measurement dates.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Senior Secured Credit Facility
We manage our global cash requirements considering (i) available funds among the many subsidiaries through which we conduct business, (ii) the geographic location of our liquidity needs, and (iii) the cost to access international cash balances. At the end of the Quarter, the Company had no outstanding balance on its $800 million asset-based revolving line of credit that matures in June 2028. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at the end of the Quarter.
Cash Flows
Net cash from operating activities decreased $279 million from the Prior Quarter primarily attributed to timing of working capital and costs associated with the HHNF spin-off and the proposed merger with Amcor.
Net cash used in investing activities increased $8 million from the Prior Quarter primarily attributed to the acquisition of CMG in the Quarter partially offset by lower capital spending.
Net cash from financing activities increased $1,141 million from the Prior Quarter primarily due to a decline in net repayments on long-term debt, offset by the Treasure Holdco, Inc. debt issuance of $1.59 billion net of cash transferred to HHNF related to the spin of $624 million.
Dividend Payments
During the quarter, the Company declared and paid cash dividends of $36 million.
Share Repurchases
During the quarter, the Company did not repurchase any of its shares. The Company has $321 million remaining under its repurchase plan.
Free Cash Flow
Our consolidated free cash flow for the Quarter and Prior Quarter are summarized as follows:
| | December 28, 2024 | | | December 30, 2023 | |
Operating cash used in continuing operations | | $ | (372 | ) | | $ | (168 | ) |
Additions to property, plant and equipment, net | | | (134 | ) | | | (168 | ) |
Free cash flow | | $ | (506 | ) | | $ | (336 | ) |
We use free cash flow as a supplemental measure of liquidity as it assists us in assessing our ability to fund growth through generation of cash. Free cash flow may be calculated differently by other companies, including other companies in our industry or peer group, limiting its usefulness on a comparative basis. Free cash flow is not a financial measure presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and should not be considered as an alternative to any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP.
Liquidity Outlook
At December 28, 2024, our cash balance was $1,181 million, of which approximately 77% is located in the U.S. We believe our existing and future U.S. based cash and cash flow from U.S. operations, together with available borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities, will be adequate to meet our short-term and long-term liquidity needs with the exception of funds needed to cover all long-term debt obligations, which we intend to refinance prior to maturity. The Company has the ability to repatriate the cash located outside the U.S. to the extent not needed to meet operational and capital needs without significant restrictions. On January 15, 2025, the Company fully repaid the 1.00% First Priority Senior Secured Notes due January 2025 utilizing some of its cash on hand.
Summarized Guarantor Financial Information
Berry Global, Inc. (“Issuer”) has notes outstanding which are fully, jointly, severally, and unconditionally guaranteed by its parent, Berry Global Group, Inc. (for purposes of this section, “Parent”) and substantially all of Issuer’s domestic subsidiaries. Separate narrative information or financial statements of the guarantor subsidiaries have not been included because they are 100% owned by Parent and the guarantor subsidiaries unconditionally guarantee such debt on a joint and several basis. A guarantee of a guarantor subsidiary of the securities will terminate upon the following customary circumstances: the sale of the capital stock of such guarantor if such sale complies with the indentures, the designation of such guarantor as an unrestricted subsidiary, the defeasance or discharge of the indenture or in the case of a restricted subsidiary that is required to guarantee after the relevant issuance date, if such guarantor no longer guarantees certain other indebtedness of Issuer. The guarantees of the guarantor subsidiaries are also limited as necessary to prevent them from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law and any guarantees guaranteeing subordinated debt are subordinated to certain other of the Company’s debts. Parent also guarantees Issuer’s term loans and revolving credit facilities. The guarantor subsidiaries guarantee our term loans and are co-borrowers under our revolving credit facility.
Presented below is summarized financial information for the Parent, Issuer and guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis, after intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
| | Quarterly Period Ended | |
| | December 28, 2024 | |
Net sales | | $ | 1,366 | |
Gross profit | | | 272 | |
Earnings from continuing operations | | | 77 | |
Net income | | $ | 77 | |
Includes $21 million of expense associated with intercompany activity with non-guarantor subsidiaries.
| | December 28, 2024 | | | September 28, 2024 | |
Assets | | | | | | |
Current assets | | $ | 2,067 | | | $ | 1,775 | |
Noncurrent assets | | | 3,681 | | | | 5,553 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities | | $ | 1,740 | | | $ | 2,081 | |
Noncurrent liabilities | | | 8,572 | | | | 8,843 | |
Includes $1,757 and $1,115 million of intercompany payables due to non-guarantor subsidiaries as of December 28, 2024 and September 28, 2024, respectively.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates primarily through our senior secured credit facilities and accounts receivable supply chain finance factoring programs. Our senior secured credit facilities are comprised of (i) $1.4 billion term loans and (ii) a $800 million revolving credit facility with no borrowings outstanding. Borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities bear interest at a rate equal to an applicable margin plus SOFR. The applicable margin for SOFR rate borrowings under the revolving credit facility ranges from 1.25% to 1.50%, and the margin for the term loans is 1.75% per annum. As of period end, the SOFR rate of approximately 4.46% was applicable to the term loans. A change of 0.25% on these floating interest rate exposures would increase our annual interest expense by approximately $1 million.
We seek to minimize interest rate volatility risk through regular operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. These financial instruments are not used for trading or other speculative purposes. (See Note 8.)
Foreign Currency Risk
As a global company, we face foreign currency risk exposure from fluctuating currency exchange rates, primarily the U.S. dollar against the euro, British pound sterling, Brazilian real, Chinese renminbi, Canadian dollar and Mexican peso. Significant fluctuations in currency rates can have a substantial impact, either positive or negative, on our revenue, cost of sales, and operating expenses. Currency translation gains and losses are primarily related to non-U.S. subsidiaries with a functional currency other than U.S. dollars whereby assets and liabilities are translated from the respective functional currency into U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates and impact our Comprehensive income. A 10% decline in foreign currency exchange rates would have had a $6 million unfavorable impact on our Net income for the quarterly period ended December 28, 2024. (See Note 8.)
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
Under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, management of a reporting company, with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, must periodically evaluate the company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” which are defined generally as controls and other procedures of a reporting company designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the reporting company in its periodic reports filed with the commission (such as this Form 10-Q) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this report.
(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
There have been no material changes in legal proceedings from the items disclosed in our most recent Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Before investing in our securities, we recommend that investors carefully consider the risks described in our most recent Form 10-K and subsequent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those under the heading “Risk Factors” and other information contained in this Quarterly Report. Realization of any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Additionally, we caution readers that the list of risk factors discussed in our most recent Form 10-K and subsequent periodic reports may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this report may not in fact occur. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on those statements.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities
During the quarter, the Company did not repurchase any shares. As of December 28, 2024, $321 million of authorized shares remained available to purchase under the program.
Item 5. Other Information
Rule 10b5-1 Plan Elections
No officers or directors, as defined in Rule 16a-1(f), adopted, modified and/or terminated a "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" or a "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement," as defined in Regulation S-K Item 408, during the first quarter of fiscal 2025.
Exhibit No. | | Description of Exhibit |
| | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 19, 2024, by and among Amcor plc, Aurora Spirit, Inc. and Berry Global Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on November 19, 2024). |
| | Amendment to Tax Matters Agreement, dated October 21, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 22, 2024). |
| | Subsidiary Guarantors. |
| | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer. |
| | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer. |
| | Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer. |
| | Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer. |
101.INS | | Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
101.SCH | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
101.CAL | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
101.DEF | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
101.LAB | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. |
101.PRE | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
104 | | Cover Page Interactive Date File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| Berry Global Group, Inc. | |
| | | |
February 5, 2025 | By: | /s/ Mark W. Miles | |
| | Mark W. Miles | |
| | Chief Financial Officer | |