Net sales (sales less freight) and operating profit from ongoing operations are the measures of sales and operating profit used by the chief operating decision maker of each segment for purposes of assessing performance. See Note 2 on page 5 regarding the reclassification of unusual items and losses associated with plant shutdowns, asset impairments and restructurings. Net sales and operating profit from ongoing operations in Film Products were down 2.4% and 35%, respectively, in the third quarter, and 2.4% and 35%, respectively, for the first nine months. Volume for the quarter was 68 million pounds, down 8% from 74 million pounds in 2002. Year-to-date volume decreased 11% to 207 million pounds from 232 million pounds. Net sales, operating profit and volume in the second quarter of 2003, the first full quarter reflecting the loss of certain discontinued domestic backsheet business with The Procter & Gamble Company (“P&G”), were $88.4 million, $10.1 million and 66 million pounds, respectively. On a sequential basis (third quarter 2003 compared to second quarter of 2003) net sales, operating profit and volume were up 4.2%, 7% and 3.3%, respectively. Film Products’ strategy is based on expanding sales of apertured, elastic and specialty products. Sales of these and other products that are unrelated to certain discontinued domestic backsheet business continue to grow and now comprise approximately 90% of Film Products’ revenue. Expectations for near-term profit improvement are tempered by higher costs related to recent resin price increases, new product introductions and capacity additions in Europe, China and the U.S. Cost reduction activities are continuing, including the qualification of new lower cost resins, manufacturing efficiency efforts and the closure of the plant in New Bern, North Carolina. Operating profit from ongoing operations is expected to remain near third-quarter levels in the fourth quarter and gradually improve in 2004. Third-quarter net sales in Aluminum Extrusions were flat at $96 million while operating profit from ongoing operations declined to $6.5 million, down 20% from $8.1 million in 2002. Volume was 63 million pounds for the quarter, up 1% from 62 million pounds in 2002. Profits continue to be affected by higher energy and insurance costs. Appreciation of the Canadian Dollar against the U.S. Dollar also had an adverse impact (see “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” on page 22). On a sequential basis, net sales were up 8% while operating profit improved by $1.6 million or 35% over second-quarter results. Volume was up 9% compared to the second quarter. Year-to-date net sales were $269.1 million, down 4% from $279.6 million in 2002. Operating profit from ongoing operations for the nine-month period was $12.6 million, down 47% from $23.7 million in 2002. Year-to-date volume decreased 4% to 174 million pounds, down from 181 million pounds in 2002. Lower year-to-date operating profits are due primarily to the decline in volume and the other factors noted above in describing third quarter results. Customer orders in Aluminum Extrusions have declined to levels similar to 2002 after showing improvement early in the third quarter, and the business is now entering the seasonally weak winter months. Given these factors, fourth-quarter aluminum profits are not likely to show improvement over year-ago levels. The third-quarter operating loss from ongoing operations at Therics was $2.6 million compared to a loss of $3.3 million in 2002. On a similar basis, the year-to-date loss was $9.2 million compared to $10.1 million in 2002. On October 21, 2003, we announced the completion of a strategic assessment of Therics, which resulted in a decision to support the 2004 rollout of a new line of orthopaedic products. This decision is based on our belief that Therics’ technology has value. It also reflects our confidence in the new management team at Therics, which is highly focused on bringing the first product line to market and controlling expenses. Therics’ management expects the company to begin generating revenue in the first half of 2004. We will monitor Therics’ near-term progress against milestones that are clearly defined and measurable.
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