Glatfelter Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005 Results
- Announces Timberland Strategy and EURO Program Benefits-
York, PA, February 14, 2006: Glatfelter (NYSE: GLT) today reported net income of $26.9 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2005, compared to $19.3 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2004. The current year’s quarterly results include after tax gains totaling $22.8 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, from the sale of timberlands and insurance recoveries as well as after-tax restructuring charges totaling $1.0 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. The fourth quarter of 2004 results include gains from timberland sales aggregating $13.6 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, after tax, and a restructuring charge totaling $2.0 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, after tax. Excluding these items from each quarter’s results, adjusted earnings (which are reconciled to net income in the accompanying financial tables) were $5.2 million, or $0.12 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2005, compared with $7.7 million, or $0.17 per diluted share in the year-earlier quarter.
Operating income in the Specialty Papers business unit totaled $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 compared with $4.0 million in the same quarter a year ago. The benefits of stronger pricing conditions and demand across most markets were more than offset by higher input costs. Long Fiber & Overlay Papers’ operating income declined $2.3 million to $3.2 million in the quarter-to-quarter comparison primarily due to higher input costs and softer pricing in this business unit’s key markets.
“We experienced strong growth in our Specialty Papers business unit during the quarter,” said George H. Glatfelter II, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Volume in this business increased 8% led by a very strong 21% increase in Engineered Products. Our new product development capabilities resulted in the scale-up of several new business opportunities and we expect this progress to continue. While Specialty Papers’ fourth quarter results were lower than a year ago, we are becoming more optimistic about the first half of 2006.”
“In addition, despite a difficult business climate in certain of Long Fiber & Overlay Papers’ markets that resulted in substantial market-related downtime, we are beginning to see indications of improvement in this unit’s key markets,“ added Mr. Glatfelter.
Net sales totaled $143.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2005, an increase of 2.7% compared to the same quarter a year ago. In the Company’s Specialty Papers business unit, net sales increased $9.2 million, or 11.0%, consisting of an 8.2% increase in volume and $2.3 million attributable to higher product pricing. Net tons shipped in the quarter-to-quarter comparison were particularly strong in this unit’s engineered products and envelope & converting markets, which generated volume growth of approximately 21% and 7%, respectively. Long Fiber & Overlay Papers’ shipments increased approximately 4% and selling prices declined $1.5 million on a constant currency basis in the quarter-to-quarter comparison.
Costs of products sold increased $9.9 million, to $122.4 million, compared to the same quarter a year ago. The increase was primarily due to higher net tons shipped, $3.8 million attributable to higher costs of fiber, other raw materials and energy, as well as higher maintenance costs. Further, the Company experienced market-related downtime during the fourth quarter of 2005 approximating 8% of the production capacity of its Long Fiber & Overlay Papers business unit. Gross profit declined to $23.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to $28.8 million in the year earlier quarter.
During the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company began to implement its European Restructuring and Optimization Program (“EURO Program”), a comprehensive series of actions designed to improve the operating performance of the Long Fiber & Overlay Papers business unit. Restructuring charges in the current quarter associated with this program totaled $1.6 million, pre tax, and were for severance and related benefits associated with the elimination of certain positions at the Gernsbach, Germany facility.
Sales of timberlands completed during the quarter consisted of 2,488 acres for $21.0 million in cash. In the year ago quarter, the Company completed the sale of 2,400 acres of timberlands for $23.5 million in cash. These transactions resulted in a pre-tax gain of $20.3 million and $23.0 million, respectively.
The Company also successfully resolved certain claims under insurance policies related to the Fox River environmental matter. Insurance recoveries included in the 2005 fourth quarter’s results totaled $18.0 million and have been fully received in cash.
The Company’s effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2005 and 2004 was 36.9% and 36.2%, respectively. The effective tax rate on adjusted earnings for the fourth quarter of 2005 and 2004 was 14.3% and 24.8%, respectively.
Full Year Results
For the full year of 2005, net income totaled $38.6 million or $0.87 per diluted share, compared to $56.1 million and $1.27 per diluted share, respectively, in 2004. The reported results for the full year 2005 include after tax gains totaling $24.0 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, from insurance recoveries and the sale of timberlands, as well as restructuring charges totaling $1.0 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, after-tax. The results for 2004 benefited from after-tax gains totaling $55.5 million, or $1.26 per share, from sales of timberlands and the corporate aircraft and from insurance recoveries. Restructuring charges in 2004 totaled $12.7 million, after-tax, or $0.29 per diluted share. Excluding these items from each year’s results, adjusted earnings (which are reconciled to net income in the accompanying financial tables) were $15.6 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, in 2005 compared with $13.4 million, or $0.30 per diluted share a year ago.
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Commenting on the near term outlook, Mr. Glatfelter stated, “Heading into 2006, we are seeing strong demand for our Specialty Papers products and prices in many of these markets are strengthening. At the same time, high input costs, that in certain instances continue to rise, reflect an ongoing concern. We are keenly focused on addressing the challenges facing our Long Fiber & Overlay Papers business. We have begun to see indications of improving demand for this unit’s products, particularly in the Food & Beverage markets. However, sluggish economic conditions and an imbalance of supply and demand in our Composite Laminates markets will continue to adversely impact the overall performance of this business unit. As part of the EURO Program, we are implementing a significant workforce efficiency plan at each of our European facilities. Together with other aspects of the EURO Program, we expect to achieve step-change improvement in our cost structure from these efforts which will approximate $7 million to $9 million annually, by 2008.”
Timberland Strategy
The Company recently completed an extensive study to determine the optimum approach for managing its timberlands in a way that creates the greatest value for its shareholders. The study considered many factors including, among others, land valuations, external and internal wood costs and future fiber requirements. The Company concluded that the most advantageous approach is to sell all 40,000 acres of higher and better use (“HBU”) properties in an orderly fashion. In some cases, low cost, low risk opportunities may exist to add value to some of these acres through entitlements. It is estimated that the cost of fiber will increase by approximately $0.03 to $0.06 cents per share annually when the entire 40,000 acres are sold but that the benefit from the proceeds will far outweigh this increased cost. For the present, the Company intends to retain the pure timberland properties to mitigate the cost of replacing internally generated wood with outside sources. Execution of the Timberland Strategy is expected to take approximately three to five years to complete and is estimated to provide pre-tax cash proceeds of approximately $150 million to $200 million, assuming, among other factors, acceptable market conditions and a carefully executed plan of disposition.
Mr. Glatfelter stated, “We continue to approach our business in a fiscally disciplined manner and further monetization of our timberland assets will allow us to create additional benefit for our shareholders, maintain our strong balance sheet, and generate increased flexibility for value creation.”
Headquartered in York, Pennsylvania, Glatfelter is a global manufacturer of specialty papers and engineered products. U.S. operations include facilities in Spring Grove, PA and Neenah, WI. International operations include facilities in Germany, France and the Philippines and an office in China. Glatfelter’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GLT.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking StatementsThis document includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Although the Company makes such statements based on assumptions that it believes to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from the Company’s expectations. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in, among others, industry conditions, demand for or pricing of its products, circumstances surrounding the Neenah facility and former Ecusta Division, and global political, economic, business, competitive, market, and tax legislation; continued successful execution of the North American Restructuring Program and the EURO Program, growth strategies and cost reduction initiatives; successful execution of the Timberland Strategy with acceptable market conditions; and other regulatory factors. More information about these factors is contained in Glatfelter’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
As previously announced, the Company will hold a conference call today at 11:00 AM (Eastern) to discuss its fourth quarter results. Interested persons who wish to hear the conference call webcast live should go to the Company’s Investor Relations web page at www.glatfelter.com/e/invesstock.asp and allow a sufficient amount of time before the start of the conference to register and download any necessary audio software. You may also participate by calling 877-692-2590 (conference ID 6920670) at 10:55AM (Eastern) on February 14, 2006. A taped replay of the conference call will be available within two hours of the conclusion of the call and until February 21, 2006. To access the taped replay, call 877-519-4471 and enter conference PIN 6920670.
This press release, which includes financial information to be discussed by management during the conference call discussed above and disclosure and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, is available in the “Earnings Releases” subsection of the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s web site,www.glatfelter.com.
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P. H. Glatfelter Company and subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
Three Months Ended December
Year Ended December 31
31
In thousands, except per share
2005
2004
2005
2004
Net sales
$
143,162
$
139,343
$
579,121
$
543,524
Energy sales – net
2,405
2,029
10,078
9,953
Total revenues
145,567
141,372
589,199
553,477
Costs of products sold
122,434
112,541
492,023
461,063
Gross profit
23,133
28,831
97,176
92,414
Selling, general and administrative expenses
15,208
14,763
67,633
59,939
Restructuring charges
1,564
3,000
1,564
20,375
Gains on dispositions of plant, equipment and timberlands, net
(20,645
)
(22,615
)
(22,053
)
(58,509
)
Gains from insurance recoveries
(17,951
)
–
(20,151
)
(32,785
)
Operating income
44,957
33,683
70,183
103,394
Nonoperating income (expense)
Interest expense
(3,202
)
(3,396
)
(13,083
)
(13,385
)
Interest income
480
672
2,012
2,012
Other – net
499
(743
)
1,028
(1,258
)
Total other income (expense)
(2,223
)
(3,467
)
(10,043
)
(12,631
)
Income before income taxes
42,734
30,216
60,140
90,763
Income tax provision
15,787
10,942
21,531
34,661
Net income
$
26,947
$
19,274
$
38,609
$
56,102
Earnings Per Share
Basic
$
0.61
$
0.44
$
0.87
$
1.28
Diluted
0.61
0.44
0.87
1.27
Business Unit Financial Information (unaudited)
Three months ended December 31
In thousands, except net tons sold
Specialty Papers
Long Fiber & Overlay
Other and Unallocated
Total
2005
2004
2005
2004
2005
2004
2005
2004
Net sales
$
93,196
$
83,952
$
49,954
$
55,345
$
12
$
46
$
143,162
$
139,343
Energy sales, net
2,405
2,029
–
–
–
–
2,405
2,029
Total revenue
95,601
85,981
49,954
55,345
12
46
145,567
141,372
Cost of products sold
83,468
73,114
42,638
43,374
30
26
126,136
116,514
Gross profit (loss)
12,133
12,867
7,316
11,971
(18
)
20
19,431
24,858
SG&A
10,091
8,833
4,086
6,486
1,448
(209
)
15,625
15,110
Pension income
–
–
–
–
(4,119
)
(4,320
)
(4,119
)
(4,320
)
Restructuring charges
–
–
–
–
1,564
3,000
1,564
3,000
Gains on dispositions of plant, equipment and timberlands, net
–
–
–
–
(20,645
)
(22,615
)
(20,645
)
(22,615
)
Gain on insurance recoveries
–
–
–
–
(17,951
)
–
(17,951
)
–
Total operating income (loss)
2,042
4,034
3,230
5,485
39,685
24,164
44,957
33,683
Non-operating income (expense)
–
–
–
–
(2,223
)
(3,467
)
(2,223
)
(3,467
)
Income before income taxes
$
2,042
$
4,034
$
3,230
$
5,485
$
37,462
$
20,697
$
42,734
$
30,216
Supplementary Data
Net tons sold
109,701
101,371
12,488
12,016
8
20
122,197
113,407
Depreciation expense
$
8,949
$
8,599
$
3,512
$
3,430
–
–
$
12,461
$
12,029
3
Year ended December 31
In thousands, except net tons sold
Specialty Papers
Long Fiber & Overlay
Other and Unallocated
Total
2005
2004
2005
2004
2005
2004
2005
2004
Net sales
$
380,923
$
337,436
$
198,137
$
205,232
$
61
$
856
$
579,121
$
543,524
Energy sales, net
10,078
9,953
–
–
–
–
10,078
9,953
Total revenue
391,001
347,389
198,137
205,232
61
856
589,199
553,477
Cost of products sold
340,629
312,136
166,153
163,843
84
1,021
506,866
477,000
Gross profit (loss)
50,372
35,253
31,984
41,389
(23
)
(165
)
82,333
76,477
SG&A
��
39,876
36,617
21,282
23,067
8,149
1,660
69,307
61,344
Pension income
–
–
–
–
(16,517
)
(17,342
)
(16,517
)
(17,342
)
Restructuring charges
–
–
–
–
1,564
20,375
1,564
20,375
Gains on dispositions of plant, equipment and timberlands, net
–
–
–
–
(22,053
)
(58,509
)
(22,053
)
(58,509
)
Gain on insurance recoveries
–
–
–
–
(20,151
)
(32,785
)
(20,151
)
(32,785
)
Total operating income (loss)
10,496
(1,364
)
10,702
18,322
48,985
86,436
70,183
103,394
Non-operating income (expense)
–
–
–
–
(10,043
)
(12,631
)
(10,043
)
(12,631
)
Income before income taxes
$
10,496
($1,364
)
$
10,702
$
18,322
$
38,942
$
73,805
$
60,140
$
90,763
Supplementary Data
Net tons sold
450,900
421,504
47,669
48,528
24
390
498,593
470,422
Depreciation expense
$
35,781
$
37,186
$
14,866
$
14,412
–
–
$
50,647
$
51,598
Results of individual business units are presented based on our management accounting practices and management structure. There is no comprehensive, authoritative body of guidance for management accounting equivalent to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; therefore, the financial results of individual business units are not necessarily comparable with similar information for any other company. The management accounting process uses assumptions and allocations to measure performance of the business units. Methodologies are refined from time to time as management accounting practices are enhanced and businesses change. The costs incurred by support areas not directly aligned with the business unit are allocated primarily based on an estimated utilization of support area services or included in “Other and Unallocated” in the table above. Certain prior period information has been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
Management evaluates results of operations before non-cash pension income, restructuring related charges, unusual items, effects of asset dispositions and insurance recoveries because it believes this is a more meaningful representation of the operating performance of its core papermaking businesses, the profitability of business units and the extent of cash flow generated from core operations. This presentation is closely aligned with the management and operating structure of our company. It is also on this basis that the Company’s performance is evaluated internally and by the Company’s Board of Directors.
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Selected Financial Information (unaudited)
Year Ended December 31
In thousands
2005
2004
Cash Flow Data
Cash provided (used) by:
Operating activities
$
41,765
$
39,584
Investing activities
(6,954
)
42,109
Financing activities
(15,130
)
(59,753
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
50,647
51,598
Capital expenditures
29,949
18,587
December 31
December 31
2005
2004
Balance Sheet Data
Cash and cash equivalents
$
57,442
$
39,951
Total assets
1,044,977
1,052,270
Total debt
207,073
211,226
Shareholders’ equity
432,312
420,370
This press release includes a discussion of earnings before the effects of certain specifically identified items. Management believes that such adjusted earnings are useful to investors as the impact on reported results of certain transactions are identified including, if applicable, strategic asset sales, insurance recoveries and unusual or nonrecurring charges that are specifically identified with strategic initiatives or other unique facts and circumstances. In addition, adjusted earnings represent one measurement used by management and by the Company’s Board of Directors to measure operating performance. The following tables set forth a reconciliation of results determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to adjusted earnings discussed herein.
Three Months Ended December 31
2005
2004
In thousands, except per share amounts
After tax income
EPS
After tax income
EPS
Net income
$
26,947
$
0.61
$
19,274
$
0.44
Timberland sales
(11,517
)
(0.26
)
(13,558
)
(0.31
)
Insurance recoveries
(11,289
)
(0.25
)
–
–
Restructuring charges
1,017
0.02
1,950
0.04
Adjusted earnings
$
5,158
$
0.12
$
7,666
$
0.17
Year Ended December 31
2005
2004
In thousands, except per share amounts
After tax income
EPS
After tax income
EPS
Net income
$
38,609
$
0.87
$
56,102
$
1.27
Timberland and aircraft sales
(11,258
)
(0.26
)
(34,151
)
(0.78
)
Insurance recoveries
(12,719
)
(0.29
)
(21,310
)
(0.48
)
Restructuring charges
1,017
0.02
12,723
0.29
Adjusted earnings
$
15,649
$
0.35
$
13,364
$
0.30
The sum of individual per share amounts set forth above may not agree to adjusted income per share due to rounding.
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