APTARGROUP, INC. - Annual Report: 2007 (Form 10-K)

 

United States Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-11846

AptarGroup, Inc.

 

 

475 WEST TERRA COTTA AVENUE, SUITE E, CRYSTAL LAKE, ILLINOIS 60014

 

815-477-0424

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act:

NONE

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

 

 

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.

 

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Act. (Check one):

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

 

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2007 was $2,364,394,641.

 

The number of shares outstanding of common stock, as of February 22, 2008, was 68,311,729 shares.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to stockholders in connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 30, 2008 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

 

AptarGroup, Inc.

 

FORM 10-K

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2007

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

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2007 Form 10-K

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

BUSINESS OF APTARGROUP

 

Our business was started in the late 1940’s, manufacturing and selling aerosol valves in the United States, and has grown primarily through the acquisition of relatively small companies and internal expansion. We were incorporated in Delaware in 1992. In this report, we may refer to AptarGroup, Inc. and its subsidiaries as “AptarGroup” or the “Company”.

We are a leading global supplier of a broad range of innovative dispensing systems for the personal care, fragrance/cosmetic, pharmaceutical, household and food/beverage markets. We focus on providing value-added dispensing systems (pumps, closures and aerosol valves) to global consumer product marketers to allow them to differentiate their products and meet consumers’ need for convenience.

We have manufacturing facilities located throughout the world including North America, Europe, Asia and South America. We have over 5,000 customers with no single customer accounting for greater than 7% of our 2007 net sales.

Sales of our dispensing systems have traditionally grown at a faster rate than the overall packaging industry as consumers’ preference for convenience has increased and product differentiation through packaging design has become more important to our customers. Consumer product marketers have converted many of their products to packages with dispensers that offer the benefit of enhanced shelf appeal, convenience, cleanliness or accuracy of dosage. We expect this trend to continue.

Pumps are finger-actuated dispensing systems that dispense a spray or lotion from non-pressurized containers. The style of pump used depends largely on the nature of the product being dispensed, from small, fine mist pumps used with perfume and pharmaceutical products to lotion pumps for more viscous formulas.

Closures for us are primarily dispensing closures but to a lesser degree can include non-dispensing closures. Dispensing closures are plastic caps, primarily for plastic containers such as bottles and tubes, which allow a product to be dispensed without removing the cap.

Aerosol valves dispense product from pressurized containers. The majority of the aerosol valves that we sell are continuous spray valves, with the balance being metered dose inhaler valves.

 

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

 

Our periodic and current reports are available, free of charge, through a link on the Investor Relations page of our website (www.aptargroup.com), as soon as reasonably practicable after the material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The Company has filed the required certificate with the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) confirming the Company’s compliance with the corporate governance listing standards set out in Section 303A of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. The Company has included as Exhibit 31 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, certificates of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company certifying the quality of the Company’s public disclosure.

 

DESCRIPTION OF APTARGROUP’S REPORTING SEGMENTS

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT SEGMENTS

The Company operates in the packaging components industry, which includes the development, manufacture and sale of consumer product dispensing systems. We are organized into three reportable business segments. Operations that sell spray and lotion dispensing systems and accessories primarily to the personal care, fragrance/cosmetic and household markets form the Beauty & Home segment. Operations that sell dispensing systems to the pharmaceutical market form the Pharma segment. Operations that sell closures to each market served by AptarGroup form the Closures segment. Each of these three business segments is described more fully below. A summary of revenue, by segment, from external customers, profitability and total assets for each of the last three years is shown in Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 (which is incorporated by reference herein).

 

BEAUTY & HOME

The Beauty & Home segment is our largest segment in terms of revenue and total assets representing 53% and 52% of AptarGroup’s Net Sales and Total Assets, respectively. The Beauty & Home segment primarily sells pumps and aerosol valves and accessories to the personal care, household and food/beverage markets and pumps and decorative components to the fragrance/cosmetic market. We believe we are the leading supplier of fragrance/cosmetic and personal care fine mist spray pumps worldwide and the second largest supplier of personal care lotion pumps worldwide. We believe we are also one of the largest continuous spray aerosol valve suppliers worldwide.

 

Fragrance/Cosmetic.  Sales to the fragrance/cosmetic market for Beauty & Home accounted for approximately 60% of the segment’s total net sales in 2007. The fragrance/cosmetic market requires a broad range of pump dispensing systems to meet functional as well as aesthetic requirements. A considerable amount of research, time and coordination with the customers’ development staff is required to qualify a pump for use with their products. Within the market, we expect the use of pumps to continue to increase, particularly in the cosmetics and sampling sectors of this market. In the cosmetic sector, packaging for certain products such as anti-aging lotions is undergoing a conversion from non-dispensing to pump systems, which continues

 

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to provide us with growth opportunities. We have developed a range of airless dispensing pumps which helps maintain the integrity of the product formula by not exposing it to oxygen. Recently, we launched a successful miniaturized spray sampling system for fragrances and we expect demand for this product to continue to increase and we also launched an innovative patented thin, flat sampling system for fragrance that can be distributed in a variety of ways such as in magazines, catalogues, direct mail or at promotional events. We are working on developing similar sampling systems for the cosmetic market.

 

Personal Care.  Sales to the personal care market for Beauty & Home accounted for approximately 32% of the segment’s total net sales in 2007. Personal care products include fine mist spray pumps, lotion pumps and continuous spray aerosol valves. Typical personal care spray pump applications include hair care, sun care and deodorant products. Typical lotion pump applications include skin moisturizers and soap. Typical personal care continuous aerosol valve applications include hair care products, deodorants, shaving cream and most recently sun care lotions. We have seen increased growth rates in sales of our continuous aerosol valves reflecting the success of our valves using bag-on-valve technology. This technology physically separates the propellant from the product to be dispensed. It offers improved integrity of the product content, prevents expulsion of the propellant into the atmosphere and allows spraying of the product in any position. Sun care, tooth gel and nasal saline applications are examples of product applications using this technology.

 

Household.  Sales to the household market for Beauty & Home accounted for approximately 5% of the segment’s total net sales in 2007. Household products primarily include either continuous or metered dose spray aerosol valves and to a lesser degree spray pumps. Applications for continuous spray valves include disinfectants, spray paints, insecticides and automotive products. Metered dose valves are used for air fresheners. Spray pump applications primarily include household and industrial cleaners.

 

Food/Beverage.  Sales to the food/beverage market are not a significant part of Beauty & Home sales (approximately 1% of segment net sales in 2007), but are mentioned here as an example of how markets convert from non-dispensing packaging to dispensing packaging using our products. We traditionally sell aerosol valves to this market for cooking sprays and oils and spray pumps for butter substitutes. A major marketer of salad dressings successfully converted from a non-dispensing package to a spray pump application of salad dressings using our products, promoting the spray application as a way to offer portion control and monitor the amount of calories . Recently two additional marketers also decided to convert some of their salad dressings from a non-dispensing package to spray pump applications.

 

CLOSURES

The Closures segment is our second largest segment in terms of revenue and total assets representing 26% and 18% of AptarGroup’s Net Sales and Total Assets, respectively. We believe that we are the largest supplier of dispensing closures in the United States, and the second largest supplier in Europe. We primarily manufacture dispensing closures and, to a lesser degree, non-dispensing closures.

Sales of dispensing closures have grown as consumers worldwide have demonstrated a preference for a package utilizing the convenience of a dispensing closure. At the same time, consumer marketers are trying to differentiate their products by incorporating performance enhancing features such as no-drip dispensing, inverted packaging and directional flow to make packages simpler to use, cleaner and more appealing to consumers. Closures are primarily sold to the personal care, food/beverage and household markets.

 

Personal Care.  Historically, the majority of our dispensing closure sales have been to the personal care market. Sales to the personal care market for Closures accounted for approximately 60% of the segment’s total net sales in 2007. Products with dispensing closures include shampoos, shower gels, skin care lotions and toothpaste. While many personal care products in the U.S. and Europe have already converted from non-dispensing to dispensing closures, we expect to benefit from similar conversions in other geographic areas such as Eastern Europe (including Russia), Latin American and Asia. Recent product innovations serving this market include large, wide mouth, easy open jar closures with hinged lids for various products.

 

Food/Beverage.  Sales to the food/beverage market for Closures accounted for approximately 27% of the segment’s total net sales in 2007. Sales of dispensing closures to the food/beverage market have increased significantly over the last several years as we continue to see an increase of interest from food/beverage marketers using dispensing closures for their products. Examples of food/beverage products currently utilizing dispensing closures include condiments, salad dressings, syrups, honey, water and dairy creamers. We believe there are good growth opportunities in the food/beverage market reflecting the continued and growing acceptance in this market of our silicone valve dispensing technology, and additional conversion from traditional packages to packages using dispensing closure systems, in particular for the single serve non-carbonated beverage industry.

 

Household.  Sales to the household market for Closures accounted for approximately 10% of the segment’s total net sales in 2007. While we have had success worldwide in selling dispensing closures to this market, it has not represented a significant amount of total dispensing closure sales. Products utilizing dispensing closures include dishwashing detergents, laundry care products and household cleaners.

 

Fragrance/Cosmetic.  Sales to the fragrance/cosmetic market are not a significant part of Closures sales (approximately 1% of segment net sales in 2007), but are mentioned here as an example of potential growth areas for the Closures segment. We

 

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are optimistic that we will increase sales to this market with our recent introduction of our Pinpoint dispensing closure with a conical shaped silicone valve tip targeted at cosmetic applications, in particular for eye liner and other applications requiring specific targeted application areas.

 

PHARMA

While the Pharma segment is our third largest segment in terms of revenue and total assets, accounting for 21% and 15% of AptarGroup’s Net Sales and Total Assets, respectively, it is our most profitable segment. We believe we are the leading supplier of pumps and metered dose inhaler valves (“MDI’s”) to the pharmaceutical market worldwide. Characteristics of this market include (i) governmental regulation of our pharmaceutical customers, (ii) contaminant-controlled manufacturing environments, and (iii) a significant amount of time and research from initially working with pharmaceutical companies at the molecular development stage of a medication through the eventual distribution to the market. We have clean-room manufacturing facilities in China, France, Germany, Switzerland and the United States. We believe that the conversion from traditional medication forms such as pills and syringes to the use of our products for the dispensing of medication will continue to increase.

Pumps sold to the pharmaceutical market deliver medications nasally, orally or topically. Currently the majority of our pumps sold are for allergy, cold or flu treatments. Potential opportunities for conversion from pills and syringes to pump dispensing systems include treatment for vaccines, additional cold and flu treatments, hormone replacement therapies and sexual dysfunction.

MDI’s are used for dispensing precise amounts of medication. This aerosol technology allows medication to be broken up into very fine particles, which enables the drug to be delivered typically via the pulmonary system. We work with pharmaceutical companies as they work to phase out the use of chlorofluorocarbon (“CFC”) propellants. We continue to increase our market share of MDI’s to this market as pharmaceutical companies replace CFC’s with alternative propellants and we expect our market share to continue to grow. Currently the majority of our MDI’s sold are used for respiratory ailments.

We continue to work on new dispensing systems in this segment such as a dry powder dispensing device and including a dose indicator feature on our MDI’s to let the patient know exactly how many doses are left in the container. While we expect that these new products will come to market in the future, it is difficult to estimate when as the rigors of pharmaceutical regulations affects the timing of product introductions by our pharmaceutical customers which use our dispensing systems.

 

GENERAL BUSINESS INFORMATION

 

GROWTH STRATEGY

We seek to enhance our position as a leading global supplier of innovative dispensing systems by (i) expanding geographically, (ii) converting non-dispensing applications to dispensing systems, (iii) replacing current dispensing applications with our dispensing products and (iv) developing or acquiring new dispensing technologies.

We are committed to expanding geographically to serve multinational customers in existing and emerging areas. Targeted areas include Eastern Europe (including Russia), Asia and South America. In 2006, we opened a new larger facility in Sao Paolo, Brazil and acquired another company in Brazil that is involved in injection molding and decoration (including serigraphy and hot stamping) of plastic accessories primarily for the fragrance/cosmetics market. We also purchased the remaining 65% of a company in Argentina that produces dispensing closures. In 2005, we opened a new manufacturing facility in India to produce spray pumps for this market and expanded the manufacturing of bag-on-valve systems from Europe to the United States. We also opened in late 2007 a manufacturing facility in Thailand.

We believe significant opportunities exist to introduce our dispensing systems to replace non-dispensing applications. Examples of these opportunities include potential conversion in the food/beverage market for single serve non-carbonated beverages, condiments, cooking oils and salad dressing. In the fragrance/cosmetic market, potential conversion includes creams and lotions currently packaged in jars or tubes using removable non-dispensing closures, converting to lotion pumps or dispensing closures. In the personal care market, in certain developing countries, small sachets still dominate the market. We believe with some of our innovative miniature packaging alternatives this sachet market can eventually be converted to dispensing technology. We have developed and patented a thin dispensing system that can be inserted into magazines to replace the traditional scent strips. We believe this new innovative system will offer growth opportunities, particularly for fragrance samples. We are in the process of developing a similar miniature flat sample for viscous creams as well as a small pump for use on vials for cosmetic lotions.

In addition to introducing new dispensing applications, we believe there are significant growth opportunities in converting existing pharmaceutical delivery systems (syringes or pills) to our more convenient dispensing pump or metered dose aerosol valve systems. An example of a product for which we continue to find new applications is the metered dose aerosol valve. MDI’s are used to dispense precise amounts of product in very fine particles from pressurized containers. Traditionally, MDI’s were used to deliver medication via the pulmonary route. Additional examples of opportunities in the pharmaceutical market include nasal pumps to dispense treatments for sexual dysfunction, vaccines, cold and flu treatments, and hormone replacement therapies.

We are committed to developing or acquiring new dispensing technologies. Several years ago, we acquired intellectual property (patents, licenses and know how) and equipment relating to certain dry powder dispensing systems. We continue to develop this new technology and hope to have a product to market in the future. Dry powder dispensing technology is an important part of our long-term growth strategy for the pharmaceutical market. In 2005, we acquired a company that

 

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manufactures aerosol valves with bag-on-valve technology. In 2007 we acquired a second company that manufactures bag-on-valve products. This technology physically separates the propellant from the product to be dispensed. It offers improved integrity of the product content, prevents expulsion of the propellant into the atmosphere and allows spraying of the product in any position. We also acquired two companies that manufacture decorative packaging components primarily for the high end of the fragrance/cosmetic market. This technology includes advanced molding capabilities as well as decoration (vacuum metallization and varnishing) of plastic components. We have entered into several exclusive licensing arrangements with third party innovators allowing us to continue to develop new dispensing systems using their technologies which are in various stages of development.

 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

One of our competitive strengths is our commitment to innovation and providing innovative dispensing solutions for our customers. This commitment to innovation is the result of our emphasis on research and development. Our research and development activities are directed toward developing innovative dispensing systems, adapting existing products for new markets or customer requirements, and reducing costs. We have research and development organizations located in the United States, France, Germany and Italy. In certain cases, our customers share in the research and development expenses of customer initiated projects. Occasionally, we acquire or license from third parties technologies or products that are in various stages of development. Expenditures for research and development activities were $55.9 million, $48.2 million and $45.8 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS

We sell a majority of our products under the names used by our business units. The names used by our business units have been trademarked. We customarily seek patent and trademark protection for our products and currently own and have numerous applications pending for United States and foreign patents and trademarks. In addition, certain of our products are produced under patent licenses granted by third parties. We believe that we possess certain technical capabilities in making our products that make it difficult for a competitor to duplicate them.

 

TECHNOLOGY

Pumps and aerosol valves require the assembly of up to 15 different plastic, metal and rubber components using high-speed equipment. When molding dispensing closures, or plastic components to be used in pump or aerosol valve products, we use advanced plastic injection molding technology, including large cavitation plastic injection molds. We are able to mold within tolerances as small as one one-thousandth of an inch and we manufacture products in a high-speed, cost-effective manner. We have experience in liquid silicone rubber molding that we utilize in our dispensing closure operations and certain of our pump products. We also have technology to decorate plastic components using vacuum metallization and varnishing for the fragrance/cosmetic and personal care markets.

 

MANUFACTURING AND SOURCING

More than half of our worldwide production is located outside of the United States. In order to augment capacity and to maximize internal capacity utilization (particularly for plastic injection molding), we use subcontractors to supply certain plastic, metal and rubber components. Certain suppliers of these components have unique technical abilities that make us dependent on them, particularly for aerosol valve and pump production. The principal raw materials used in our production are plastic resins and certain metal products. We believe an adequate supply of such raw materials is available from existing and alternative sources. We attempt to offset cost increases through improving productivity and increasing selling prices over time, as allowed by market conditions. Our pharmaceutical products often use specifically approved plastic resin for our customers. Significant delays in receiving components from these suppliers or discontinuance of an approved plastic resin would require us to seek alternative sources, which could result in higher costs as well as impact our ability to supply products in the short term.

 

SALES AND DISTRIBUTION

Sales of products are primarily through our own sales force. To a limited extent, we also use the services of independent representatives and distributors who sell our products as independent contractors to certain smaller customers and export markets.

 

BACKLOG

Our sales are primarily made pursuant to standard purchase orders for delivery of products. While most orders placed with us are ready for delivery within 120 days, we continue to experience a trend towards shorter lead times requested by our customers. Some customers place blanket orders, which extend beyond this delivery period. However, deliveries against purchase orders are subject to change, and only a small portion of the order backlog is noncancelable. The dollar amount associated with the noncancelable portion is not material. Therefore, we do not believe that backlog as of any particular date is an accurate indicator of future results.

 

CUSTOMERS

The demand for our products is influenced by the demand for our customers’ products. Demand for our customers’ products may be affected by general economic conditions, government regulations, tariffs and other trade barriers. Our customers include many of the largest personal care, fragrance/cosmetic, pharmaceutical, household products and food/beverage marketers in the world. We have over 5,000 customers with no single customer accounting for greater than 7% of

 

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2007 net sales. Over the past few years, a consolidation of our customer base has occurred. This trend is expected to continue. A concentration of customers may result in pricing pressures or a loss of volume. However, this situation also presents opportunities for increasing sales due to the breadth of our product line, our international presence and our long-term relationships with certain customers.

 

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

A significant number of our operations are located outside the United States. Sales in Europe for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were approximately 63%, 61% and 60%, respectively, of net sales. We manufacture the majority of units sold in Europe at facilities in the Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Spain and Switzerland. Other countries in which we operate include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico and Thailand which when aggregated represented approximately 11%, 10% and 10% of our consolidated sales for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Export sales from the United States were $95.3 million, $82.1 million and $70.9 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. For additional financial information about geographic areas, please refer to Note 18 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 (which is incorporated by reference herein).

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY

A significant number of our operations are located outside of the United States. Because of this, movements in exchange rates may have a significant impact on the translation of the financial statements of our foreign entities. Our primary foreign exchange exposure is to the Euro, but we have foreign exchange exposure to South American and Asian currencies, among others. We manage our exposures to foreign exchange principally with forward exchange contracts to hedge certain transactions and firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies. A weakening U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies has an additive translation effect on our financial statements. Conversely, a strengthening U.S. dollar has a dilutive effect. In some cases, we sell products denominated in a currency different from the currency in which the related costs are incurred. Changes in exchange rates on such inter-country sales could materially impact our results of operations.

 

WORKING CAPITAL PRACTICES

Collection and payment periods tend to be longer for our operations located outside the United States due to local business practices. Historically, we have not needed to keep significant amounts of finished goods inventory to meet customer requirements.

 

EMPLOYEE AND LABOR RELATIONS

AptarGroup has approximately 8,400 full-time employees. Of the full-time employees, approximately 1,800 are located in North America, 5,200 are located in Europe and the remaining 1,400 are located in Asia and South America. Approximately 100 of the North American employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, while the majority of our European employees are covered by collective bargaining arrangements made at either the local or national level in their respective countries. Termination of employees at certain of our international operations could be costly due to local regulations regarding severance benefits. There were no material work stoppages in 2007 and management considers our employee relations to be satisfactory.

 

COMPETITION

All of the markets in which we operate are highly competitive and we continue to experience price competition in all product lines and markets. Competitors include privately and publicly held entities. Our competitors range from regional to international companies. We expect the market for our products to remain competitive. We believe our competitive advantages are consistent high levels of innovation, quality and service, geographic diversity and breadth of products. Our manufacturing strength lies in the ability to mold complex plastic components in a cost-effective manner and to assemble products at high speeds. Our business is capital intensive and it is becoming more important to our customers to have global manufacturing capabilities. Both of these act as barriers to entry for new competitors wanting to enter our business.

We continue to see competition from low cost Asian suppliers particularly in the low-end fragrance/cosmetic and personal care market. We experience a direct impact on our business by having to compete against imported low cost products from Asia. Indirectly, some fragrance marketers are sourcing their manufacturing requirements including filling of their product in Asia and importing the finished product back into the United States. However, some customers who had bought dispensing packaging products from low cost Asian suppliers in the past have reverted to purchasing our dispensing products again, citing the higher quality offered by our products and the logistical advantage of being closer to the customer.

 

ENVIRONMENT

Our manufacturing operations primarily involve plastic injection molding and automated assembly processes and, to a limited degree, metal anodization and vacuum metallization of plastic components. Historically, the environmental impact of these processes has been minimal, and we believe we meet current environmental standards in all material respects. To date, our manufacturing operations have not been significantly affected by environmental laws and regulations relating to the environment.

Recently there is increased interest and awareness from the public and our customers in “sustainability” or producing “sustainable products” and measuring “carbon footprints.” Several organizations including the World Business Council for Sustainable Development in conjunction with scientists from the United Nations International Government Panel on Climate Change, have developed protocols to identify and calculate the amount of greenhouse gases manufacturing facilities generate.

 

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We are currently evaluating opportunities to cut our energy costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing our carbon footprint.

 

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

Certain of our products are indirectly affected by government regulation. Growth of packaging using aerosol valves has been restrained by concerns relating to the release of certain chemicals into the atmosphere. Both aerosol and pump packaging are affected by government regulations regarding the release of volatile organic compounds (“VOC’s”) into the atmosphere. Certain states within the United States have regulations that required the reduction in the amount of VOC’s that can be released into the atmosphere and the potential exists for this type of regulation to expand worldwide. These regulations required our customers to reformulate certain aerosol and pump products, which may have affected the demand for such products. We own patents and have developed systems to function with alternative propellant and product formulations.

Future government regulations could include medical cost containment policies. For example, reviews by various governments to determine the number of drugs, or prices thereof, that will be paid by their insurance systems could affect future sales to the pharmaceutical industry. Such regulation could adversely affect prices of and demand for our pharmaceutical products. We believe that the focus on the cost effectiveness of the use of medications as compared to surgery and hospitalization provides us with an opportunity to expand sales to the pharmaceutical market. In general, government regulation of our customers’ products could impact our sales to them of our dispensing systems.

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Our executive officers as of February 28, 2008 were as follows:

 

 

There were no arrangements or understandings between any of the executive officers and any other person(s) pursuant to which such officers were elected.

 

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ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

 

You should carefully consider the following factors in addition to other information contained in this report on Form 10-K before purchasing any shares of our common stock.

 

FACTORS AFFECTING APTARGROUP STOCK

Ownership by Certain Significant Shareholders.  Neuberger Berman Inc. and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company each own approximately 12% and 9%, respectively, of our outstanding common stock. If one of these significant shareholders decides to sell significant volumes of our stock, this could put downward pressure on the price of the stock.

 

Certain Anti-takeover Factors.  Certain provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws may inhibit changes in control of AptarGroup not approved by the Board of Directors. These provisions include (i) special voting requirements for business combinations, (ii) a classified board of directors, (iii) a prohibition on stockholder action through written consents, (iv) a requirement that special meetings of stockholders be called only by the board of directors, (v) advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations, (vi) limitations on the ability of stockholders to amend, alter or repeal our bylaws and (vii) provisions that require the vote of 70% of the whole Board of Directors in order to take certain actions.

 

FACTORS AFFECTING OPERATIONS OR OPERATING RESULTS

We face strong global competition and our market share could decline. All of the markets in which we operate are highly competitive and we continue to experience price competition in all product lines and segments. Competitors include privately and publicly held entities. Our competitors range from regional to international companies.

We continue to see competition from low cost Asian suppliers in some of our markets, particularly in the low-end fragrance/cosmetic and personal care market. We experience a direct impact on our business by having to compete against imported low cost products from Asia. Indirectly, some fragrance marketers are sourcing their manufacturing requirements including filling of their product in Asia and importing the finished product back into the United States. If we are unable to compete successfully, our market share may decline, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

We have foreign currency translation and transaction risks that may materially adversely affect our operating results. A significant number of our operations are located outside of the United States. Because of this, movements in exchange rates may have a significant impact on the translation of the financial statements of our foreign entities. Our primary foreign exchange exposure is to the Euro, but we have foreign exchange exposure to South American and Asian currencies, among others. We manage our exposures to foreign exchange principally with forward exchange contracts to hedge certain transactions and firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies. A weakening U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies has an additive translation effect on our financial statements. Conversely, a strengthening U.S. dollar has a dilutive effect. In some cases, we sell products denominated in a currency different from the currency in which the related costs are incurred. The volatility of currency exchange rates may materially affect our operating results.

 

If our unionized employees were to engage in a strike or other work stoppage, our business and operating results could be materially adversely affected. Approximately 100 of our North American employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, while the majority of our European employees are covered by collective bargaining arrangements made either at the local or national level in their respective countries. Although we believe that our relations with our employees are satisfactory, no assurance can be given that this will continue. If disputes with our unions arise, or if our unionized workers engage in a strike or other work stoppage, we could incur higher labor costs or experience a significant disruption of operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.

 

If we were to incur a significant product liability claim above our current insurance coverage, our operating results could be materially adversely affected. Approximately 21% of our net sales are made to customers in the pharmaceutical industry. If our devices fail to operate as intended, medication prescribed for patients may be under administered, or may be over administered. The failure of our devices to operate as intended may result in a product liability claim against us. We believe we maintain adequate levels of product liability insurance coverage. A product liability claim or claims in our Pharma segment or our other segments in excess of our insurance coverage may materially adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations.

 

The success or failure of our customers’ products particularly in the pharmaceutical market may materially affect our operating results and financial condition. In the pharmaceutical market, the proprietary nature of our customers’ products and the success or failure of their products in the market using our dispensing systems may have a material impact on our operating results and financial condition. We may potentially work for years on modifying our dispensing device to work in conjunction with a customer’s drug formulation. If the customer’s product is not successful on the market, the time and money spent may not be recovered. On the contrary, a successful product launch from one of our pharmaceutical customers may have a material positive impact on our operating results and financial condition.

 

Higher raw material costs and an inability to increase our selling prices may materially adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. Raw material costs increased significantly over the past few years and we have generally been able to increase selling prices to cover increased costs. In the future, market conditions may prevent us from passing

 

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these increased costs on to our customers through timely price increases. In addition, we may not be able to improve productivity or realize our ongoing cost reduction programs sufficiently to help offset the impact of these increased raw material costs. As a result, higher raw material costs could result in declining margins and operating results.

 

We have approximately $223 million in recorded goodwill and changes in future business conditions could cause this asset to become impaired, requiring write-downs that would reduce our operating income. We evaluate the recoverability of goodwill amounts annually, or when evidence of potential impairment exists. The annual impairment test is based on several factors requiring judgment. A decrease in expected reporting unit cash flows or changes in market conditions may indicate potential impairment of recorded goodwill and, as a result, our operating results could be materially adversely affected. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Part II, Item 7 (which is incorporated by reference herein).

 

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

The Company has no unresolved comments from the SEC.

 

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

 

We lease or own our principal offices and manufacturing facilities. None of the owned principal properties is subject to a lien or other encumbrance material to our operations. We believe that existing operating leases will be renegotiated as they expire, will be acquired through purchase options or that suitable alternative properties will be leased on acceptable terms. We consider the condition and extent of utilization of our manufacturing facilities and other properties to be generally good, and the capacity of our plants to be adequate for the needs of our business. The locations of our principal manufacturing facilities, by country, are set forth below:

 

 

 

In addition to the above countries, we have sales offices or other manufacturing facilities in Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Spain and Thailand. Our corporate office is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

 

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2007 Form 10-K

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Legal proceedings we are involved in generally relate to product liability and patent infringement issues. In our opinion, the outcome of pending claims and litigation is not likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of our operations or our cash flow. The costs to protect these patents are not expected to have a significant impact on the results of operations in the future.

Historically, amounts paid for product liability claims related to our products have not been significant. However, the increase in pump and aerosol valve applications for pharmaceutical products may increase the risk associated with product related claims.

 

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

None.

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
AND SHARE PERFORMANCE

 

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY

 

Information regarding market prices of our Common Stock and dividends declared may be found in Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 (which is incorporated by reference herein). Our Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ATR. As of February 15, 2008, there were approximately 400 registered holders of record.

 

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

 

During the quarter ended December 31, 2007, the FCP Aptar Savings Plan (the “Plan”) purchased 1,604 shares of our common stock on behalf of the participants at an average price of $42.33 per share, for an aggregate amount of $67.9 thousand and sold 950 shares of our Common Stock on behalf of the participants at an average price of $42.83 per share, for an aggregate amount of $40.7 thousand. At December 31, 2007, the Plan owns 15,194 shares of our Common Stock. The employees of AptarGroup S.A.S. and Valois S.A.S., our subsidiaries, are eligible to participate in the Plan. All eligible participants are located outside of the United States. An independent agent purchases shares of Common Stock available under the Plan for cash on the open market and we do not issue shares. We do not receive any proceeds from the purchase of Common Stock under the Plan. The agent under the Plan is Banque Nationale de Paris Paribas Asset Management. No underwriters are used under the Plan. All shares are sold in reliance upon the exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 provided by Regulation S promulgated under that Act.

 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s purchases of its securities for the quarter ended December 31, 2007:

 

 

 

The Company announced the existing repurchase program on July 19, 2006. There is no expiration date for this repurchase program.

 

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2007 Form 10-K

SHARE PERFORMANCE

 

The following graph shows a five year comparison of the cumulative total stockholder return on AptarGroup’s common stock as compared to the cumulative total return of two other indexes: the Value Line Packaging & Container Industry Group (“Peer Group”) and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index. The companies included in the Peer Group are: American Greetings Corporation, Inc., AptarGroup, Inc., Ball Corporation, Bemis Company, Inc., Caraustar Industries, Inc., Chesapeake Corporation, CLARCOR Inc., Crown Holdings, Inc., Mead Westvaco, Owen’s-Illinois, Inc., Packaging Corporation of America, Pactiv Corporation, Rock-Tenn Company, Sealed Air Corporation, Silgan Holdings, Inc., Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation and Sonoco Products Company. Changes in the Peer Group from year to year result from companies being added to or deleted from the Value Line Packaging & Container Industry Group. These comparisons assume an initial investment of $100 and the reinvestment of dividends.

 

Comparison of 5 Year Cumulative Stockholder Returns

 

 

 

The graph and other information furnished in the section titled “Share Performance” under this Part II, Item 5 of this Form 10-K shall not be deemed to be “soliciting” material or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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2007 Form 10-K

 

FIVE YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

 

 

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2007 Form 10-K

(In thousands, expect per share amounts or otherwise indicated)

 

The objective of the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Results of Operations and Financial Condition (“MD&A”) is to help the reader understand the financial performance of AptarGroup, Inc. MD&A is presented in eight sections: Overview, Results of Operations, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Overview of Contractual Obligations, Adoption of Accounting Standards, Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, Operations Outlook and Forward-Looking Statements. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained elsewhere in this Report on Form 10-K.

In MD&A, “we,” “our,” “us,” “AptarGroup,” “AptarGroup, Inc.” and “the Company” refer to AptarGroup, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

OVERVIEW

 

GENERAL

We are a leading global supplier of a broad range of innovative dispensing systems for the personal care, fragrance/cosmetic, pharmaceutical, household and food/beverage markets. We focus on providing value-added dispensing systems (pumps, closures and aerosol valves) to global consumer product marketers to allow them to differentiate their products and meet consumers’ need for convenience.

 

2007 HIGHLIGHTS

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following table sets forth the consolidated statements of income and the related percentages of net sales for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

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2007 Form 10-K

NET SALES

Net sales increased 18% in 2007 to nearly $1.9 billion compared to $1.6 billion recorded in 2006. The U.S. dollar weakened against several currencies including the Euro (our primary foreign currency exposure) in 2007 compared to 2006, and as a result, changes in exchange rates positively impacted sales and accounted for approximately 7% of the 18% sales growth. Approximately $13.4 million of the $291 million increase in net sales (approximately 1% of the 18% increase) related to acquisitions completed during 2006. The remaining 10% of sales growth was due primarily to increased demand of our innovative dispensing systems particularly in the Pharma and Beauty & Home segments. Sales prices increased primarily to help defray raw material cost increases.

In 2006, net sales increased 16% to more than $1.6 billion compared to $1.4 billion recorded in 2005. The U.S. dollar weakened slightly against several currencies in 2006 compared to 2005, and as a result, changes in exchange rates positively impacted sales and accounted for approximately 1% of the 16% sales growth. Approximately $92 million of the $221 million increase in net sales (approximately 7% of the 16% increase) related to acquisitions completed during 2006 and 2005. The remaining 8% of sales growth was due primarily to increased demand of our innovative dispensing systems. Sales prices increased primarily to offset raw material cost increases.

For further discussion on net sales by reporting segment, please refer to the segment analysis of net sales and operating income on the following pages.

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, net sales by geographic location:

 

 

 

COST OF SALES (EXCLUSIVE OF DEPRECIATION SHOWN BELOW)

Our cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased slightly in 2007 to 67.9% compared to 67.8% in 2006.

 

The following factors negatively impacted our cost of sales percentage in 2007:

 

Rising Raw Material Costs.  Raw material costs, in particular plastic resin costs in the U.S. and metal (including nickel) prices worldwide, increased in 2007 compared to 2006. While the majority of the plastic resin raw material price increase has been passed on to customers through price increases, the net effect is a reduction in the margin percentage.

 

Last in First Out (“LIFO”) Inventory Valuation.  Some of our U.S. operations use LIFO as their inventory valuation method. Due to the rising raw material costs, the increase to the LIFO reserve in 2007 was approximately $2.3 million, thus negatively impacting our cost of sales percentage in 2007.

 

Weakening of the U.S. Dollar.  We are a net importer from Europe into the U.S. and other countries of products produced in Europe with costs denominated in Euros. As a result, when the U.S. dollar or other currencies weaken against the Euro, products produced in Europe (with costs denominated in Euros) and sold in currencies that are weaker compared to the Euro, have a negative impact on cost of sales as a percentage of net sales.

 

The following factor positively impacted our cost of sales percentage in 2007:

 

Leveraging of Fixed Manufacturing Costs.  The increase in sales volumes across all three business segments allowed us to better leverage our fixed overhead manufacturing expenses as a percentage of sales.

 

Favorable Product Mix.  Increased sales of our products to the pharmaceutical market which traditionally generate higher margins helped positively impact our cost of sales percentage in 2007.

 

Lower Compliance Costs For The Pharma Industry.  In 2006, we incurred additional costs in our Pharma segment due to more stringent quality standards on certain of our products. These costs included, among others, higher personnel related costs to assure the level of quality demanded by this market and higher scrap associated with the destruction of non-usable components. Although the higher quality standards remained, a majority of these costs did not reoccur in 2007 and as a result had a positive impact on our cost of sales percentage in 2007.

 

In 2006, our cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 67.8% compared to 67.2% in 2005.

 

The following factors negatively impacted our cost of sales percentage in 2006:

 

Increased Sales of Custom Tooling.  We had a $21.5 million increase in sales of custom tooling in 2006 compared to 2005. Traditionally, sales of custom tooling generate lower margins than our regular product sales and, thus, any increased sales of custom tooling negatively impacts cost of sales as a percentage of sales.

 

Operational Difficulties at French Closures Operations. Production efficiency problems and excessive maintenance expense on production equipment at a French Closures operation negatively impacted the cost of sales percentage.

 

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2007 Form 10-K

Rising Raw Material Costs.  Raw material costs, in particular plastic resin costs in the U.S. and metal prices worldwide, increased in 2006 compared to 2005. While the majority of the plastic resin raw material price increase has been passed on to customers in the form of selling price increases, the net effect was a reduction in the margin percentage.

 

Higher Compliance Costs For The Pharma Industry.  We incurred additional costs in our Pharma segment due to more stringent quality standards on certain of our products. These costs include, among others, higher personnel-related costs to assure the level of quality demanded by this market and higher scrap associated with the destruction of non-usable components.

 

Stock Option Expenses.  Stock option expense of approximately $900 thousand related to manufacturing employees was recorded in 2006 due to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 123R “Share-Based Payment.”

 

The following factors positively impacted our cost of sales percentage in 2006:

 

Lower Redeployment Charges.  We announced in the third quarter of 2005 a plan to reduce and redeploy certain personnel in our French fragrance/cosmetic operations. The objective of this plan was to better align our production equipment and personnel between several sites in France to ultimately reduce costs and maintain our competitiveness. We implemented this plan in phases over a two-year period and completed the plan in December 2007. Redeployment charges net of savings was approximately $500 thousand in 2006 compared to approximately $3.7 million in charges recorded in 2005.

 

SELLING, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Our Selling, Research & Development and Administrative expenses (“SG&A”) increased approximately 15% or $35.3 million in 2007. Changes in currency rates accounted for approximately $13.8 million of the increase or 6% of the 15% increase. Acquisitions completed during 2006 accounted for $2.3 million or 1% of the 15% increase. The remainder of the increase is primarily due to inflationary cost increases as well as increased research and development costs associated with our innovative products currently under development. Nevertheless, SG&A as a percentage of sales decreased to 14.5% in 2007 compared to 14.9% in 2006.

In 2006, our SG&A increased approximately 17.5% or $35.5 million. Approximately $12.4 million of the increase related to the expensing of stock options due to the adoption of SFAS 123R. Acquisitions accounted for more than $9.9 million of the increase. In spite of the $12.4 million for expensing of stock options (or 0.8% of sales), SG&A as a percentage of sales only increased to 14.9% in 2006 compared to 14.7% in 2005.

 

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

Depreciation and amortization expense increased 8% or $8.9 million in 2007. Changes in currency rates accounted for approximately $7.2 million of the increase and acquisitions accounted for $0.9 million of the increase. An accelerated depreciation of software retired in 2007 accounted for the remainder of the increase. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased to 6.5% of net sales in 2007 compared to 7.2% in 2006.

In 2006, depreciation and amortization expense increased 15.5% or $15.4 million. Acquisitions in 2006 accounted for $7.2 million of the increase and a goodwill impairment charge added another $1.6 million. The remaining increase related to increased capital expenditures to support the growth of our business. Depreciation and amortization expense remained constant at 7.2% of net sales in 2006 and 2005.

 

OPERATING INCOME

Operating Income increased approximately $49.1 million or 30% to $210.7 million. The increase in operating income is primarily due to the increase in sales volumes as well as the other reasons mentioned above. The higher sales volumes allowed us to leverage some of our fixed costs such as SG&A as well as Depreciation and Amortization, thus contributing to the increase in operating income. Operating income as a percentage of sales increased to 11.1% in 2007 compared to 10.1% in 2006.

In 2006, operating income increased approximately $11.8 million or 7.9% to $161.6 million. Negatively impacting operating income were charges relating to the expensing of stock options of $13.3 million in 2006 as well as operating difficulties at a French Closures facility. This was more than offset by increased operating income of $8.4 million from acquisitions, strong demand for our products from the fragrance/cosmetic market and lower redeployment charges net of savings achieved. Operating income as a percentage of sales decreased to 10.1% in 2006 primarily due to the $13.3 million of stock option expense recorded in 2006.

 

NET OTHER EXPENSES

Net other expenses in 2007 decreased to $10.7 million compared to $13.3 million in 2006 principally reflecting the higher interest income of $4.7 million due to higher average cash balances in 2007 compared to 2006, offset partially by higher interest expense of $2.5 million due to higher average short term borrowings and slightly higher average interest rates.

In 2006, net other expenses increased to $13.3 million compared to $7.8 million in 2005 principally reflecting increased interest expense of $4.8 million. The increase in interest expense related to an increase in our average borrowings as well as an increase in average interest rates. Additionally, equity in results of affiliates decreased nearly $1.1 million in 2006 compared to 2005 as a result of acquiring the remaining 50% of an operation late in 2005 that was previously accounted for under the equity method.

 

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2007 Form 10-K

EFFECTIVE TAX RATE ON INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

The reported effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for 2007 decreased to 30.2% compared to 30.6% in 2006, primarily due to a tax law change in Germany in 2007 reducing the statutory rate from 38% to 30% effective in 2008. This tax law change required us to reduce certain previously recorded net deferred tax liabilities by approximately $2.3 million in 2007.

In 2006, the reported effective tax rate for 2006 increased to 30.6% compared to 29.5% in 2005, primarily due to U.S. research and development credits of approximately $1.2 million realized in the second quarter of 2005. In addition, due to a special one-time Italian tax law policy relating to taxation of previously issued government grants, we were able to reduce certain previously recorded deferred tax liabilities by approximately $2 million also in the second quarter of 2005. The tax provision for 2006 included a benefit of $1.6 million from a change in German tax law recorded in the fourth quarter.

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

We reported income from continuing operations of $139.5 million in 2007 compared to $102.9 million reported in 2006 and $100.0 million reported in 2005.

 

INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In the fourth quarter of 2007, we sold our Australian operation for approximately $6.7 million in cash and generated a gain on the sale of approximately $3.9 million before tax or $2.2 million after tax. Due to the immateriality of the results of the Australian operation, only the net gain of $2.2 million is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the line Income From Discontinued Operations Net of Tax.

 

NET INCOME

We reported net income of $141.7 million in 2007 compared to $102.9 million reported in 2006 and $100.0 million reported in 2005.

 

BEAUTY & HOME SEGMENT

 

 

 

 

Net sales increased approximately 20% in 2007 to $1.0 billion compared to $837.1 million in 2006. The weakening U.S. dollar compared to the Euro positively impacted the sales increase and represented approximately 7% of the increase while acquisitions accounted for approximately 1% of the 20% increase in sales. The remaining 12% of the increase in sales was led by strong demand for our products from the fragrance/cosmetic and personal care markets. Sales excluding changes in exchange rates of our products to the fragrance/cosmetic market increased approximately 15% in 2007 reflecting a combination of strong general market demand both in the high and low end of the market especially in developing markets such as Latin America and Southeast Asia. Sales to Eastern Europe and Russia also increased significantly. The continued success of our innovative fragrance sampling products also contributed to strong sales growth. Sales excluding changes in exchange rates of our products to the personal care market increased 10% in 2007, reflecting increased demand for our aerosol valve products in Europe as well as our new and innovative bag-on-valve and accessory products in North America. Sales excluding changes in exchange rates to the household market increased approximately 6% due primarily to an increase in insecticide sprays.

In 2006, net sales increased nearly 20% in 2006 to $837.1 million compared to $698.4 million in 2005. Acquisitions accounted for approximately 11% of the 20% increase in sales. The remainder of the increase in sales was led by strong demand for our products from the fragrance/cosmetic and personal care markets. Sales excluding changes in exchange rates of our products to the fragrance/cosmetic market increased approximately 26% in 2006. Approximately 15% of the sales growth was related to acquisitions. The remaining 11% growth in sales was due to a combination of general market growth and the success of our new sampling products to the fragrance market. Sales excluding changes in exchange rates of our products to the personal care market increased 16% in 2006. Approximately 6% of the sales growth was related to acquisitions. The remaining 10% growth in sales was due primarily to the strength of the European personal care market as well as the worldwide success of our new accessories such as turning/locking actuators. Sales excluding changes in exchange rates to the household market decreased approximately 18% due primarily to a sluggish paint and automotive sector combined with a planned reduction of sales to lower margin accounts.

Segment income increased approximately 38% to $99.6 million in 2007 compared to $72.4 million reported in 2006. Acquisitions accounted for approximately $2.4 million or 3% of the 38% increase in segment income. The remainder of the increase in segment income of $24.7 million is due primarily to the increase in sales volumes mentioned above and the

 

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2007 Form 10-K

leveraging of fixed overhead costs worldwide. In addition, an increase in sales of our higher margin value added products helped contribute to the increase in profitability in 2007.

In 2006, segment income increased 34% to $72.4 million in 2006 compared to $54.0 million reported in 2005. Acquisitions accounted for approximately $6.2 million or 12% of the 34% increase in segment income. A net reduction in Redeployment Program costs net of savings realized accounted for approximately $3.2 million of the increase in segment income. The remainder of the increase in segment income of $9.0 million was due primarily to the strong demand coming from the fragrance/cosmetic market and the improved profitability related to this increase in demand.

 

CLOSURES SEGMENT

 

 

 

Net sales to the Closures segment increased nearly 12% in 2007 to $493.0 million compared to $441.2 million in 2006. The weakening U.S. dollar compared to the Euro positively impacted the sales increase and represented approximately 5% of the increase while acquisitions accounted for approximately 2% of the 12% increase in sales. Sales excluding changes in exchange rates of our products to the personal care market increased 7% in 2007 while acquisitions accounted for nearly half of the growth. Sales excluding changes in exchange rates of our products to the household and food/beverage markets increased 8% and 10%, respectively in 2007. Sales to the North American market decreased approximately 3% in 2007 reflecting a general slowdown in the closure personal care market. This decrease was more than offset by strong growth in both the European and Latin American markets.

In 2006, net sales to the Closures segment increased nearly 15% compared to 2005. Acquisitions accounted for approximately 4% of the 15% increase in sales. Price increases, primarily related to resin price pass throughs and the success of our SimpliSqueeze product, were the primary reasons for the remainder of the sales growth. Sales excluding changes in exchange rates of our products to the personal care market increased 13% in 2006 while acquisitions accounted for more than half of the growth. Sales excluding changes in exchange rates of our products to the household and food/beverage markets increased 9% and 13%, respectively in 2006.

Segment income increased 14% to $50.0 million in 2007 compared to $44.0 million in 2006. Segment income from acquisitions was immaterial in 2007. A decrease in segment income in North America was primarily due to the lower sales volumes mentioned above as well as the normal delay of passing on the rising cost of resin to our customers. This decrease was more than offset by increases in segment income in both Europe and Latin America due to the increase in sales in those regions.

In 2006, segment income increased 4% to $44.0 million in 2006 compared to $42.4 million in 2005. Acquisitions accounted for $0.3 million of the increase in segment income. Weak product sales and operational difficulties in France along with a general mix of products sold with lower margins caused segment income in Europe to decrease approximately $1.7 million compared to the prior year. This was more than offset by improved segment income from North America due primarily to sales volume increases and production efficiency improvements.

 

PHARMA SEGMENT

 

 

 

Net sales to the Pharma segment increased more than 22% in 2007 to $393.9 million compared to $322.6 million in 2006. The weakening U.S. dollar compared to the Euro positively impacted the sales increase and represented approximately 8% of the 22% increase in sales. The remainder of the increase was due to increased sales of our nasal spray pumps and increased sales of our metered dose inhaler valves “MDI’s” relating primarily to new customer launches.

In 2006, net sales to the Pharma segment increased nearly 9% in 2006 as strong sales of our MDI’s helped offset a general softness in sales of nasal spray pumps.

Segment income increased 31% to $106.2 million in 2007 compared to $80.8 million reported in 2006. The increase in segment income is primarily due to the higher sales volumes mentioned above as well as a reduction in quality-related and compliance costs compared to the prior year.

 

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In 2006, segment income increased 6% to $80.8 million in 2006 compared to $76.0 million reported in 2005. Increased segment income from higher sales and increased selling prices was offset slightly by higher quality-related and compliance-related costs as well as the mix of products sold in 2006.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flow provided by our operations and our revolving credit facility. Cash and equivalents increased to $313.7 million at the end of 2007 from $170.6 million at the end of 2006. Total short and long-term interest bearing debt increased to $362.9 million at the end of 2007 from $296.3 million at the end of 2006. The ratio of our Net Debt (interest bearing debt less cash and cash equivalents) to Net Capital (Stockholders’ Equity plus Net Debt) decreased to 4% compared to 12% as of December 31, 2006.

In 2007, our operations provided $273.5 million in cash flow. This compares with $197.5 million in 2006 and $194.1 million in 2005. We anticipate that cash flow from operations in 2008 will be at or above 2007 levels. In each of the past three years, we primarily derived cash flow from operations from earnings before depreciation and amortization. The increase in cash generated from operating activities in 2007 reflects strong growth in earnings before depreciation and amortization as well as a lower amount of cash used for working capital compared to 2006. The increase in cash generated from operating activities in 2006 compared to 2005 reflects strong growth in earnings before depreciation and amortization offset partially by increased use of cash in 2006 for working capital needs. During 2007, we utilized the majority of the operating cash flows to finance capital expenditures, repurchase Company stock, and pay higher dividends to shareholders.

We used $131.2 million in cash for investing activities during 2007, compared to $141.8 million during 2006 and $193.6 million in 2005. This decrease in cash used for investing activities in 2007 is primarily due to $31.6 million less cash spent for acquisitions of businesses in 2007 compared to 2006 and $6.7 million in cash received from the sale of our Australian affiliate in 2007, which were partially offset by an additional $30.3 million in capital expenditures in 2007 compared to 2006. Capital expenditures totaled $137.9 million in 2007, $107.7 million in 2006 and $104.4 million in 2005. The increase in capital expenditures in 2007 relative to depreciation and amortization is due in part to the construction of a new manufacturing unit in France for our Pharma segment, the spending of additional capital on capacity increases primarily for our fragrance/cosmetics pumps to keep up with the increased demands of our customers and information technology spending. Each year we invest in property, plant and equipment primarily for new products, capacity increases, product line extensions and maintenance of business. We estimate that we will spend approximately $170 million (assuming current exchange rates) on capital expenditures in 2008.

We used $22.9 million in cash for financing activities during 2007 compared to $17.3 million in 2006 and $34.6 million in 2005. The primary reason for the increase in cash used for financing activities in 2007 was an increase of $16.8 million in repayments of long-term obligations, an increase of $18.7 million related to share repurchases due to the higher average stock price in 2007 as well as an increase of $5.2 million in dividends paid to shareholders. This was funded by a net increase in short and long term borrowings of $33.3 million. In 2006, the primary reason for the decrease in cash used for financing activities was that $50 million in proceeds of private placement debt issued in 2006 was used to help fund the buy back of stock and fund an increase in shareholder dividends.

In 2006, we negotiated an amendment to our revolving credit facility (including a $50 million increase in the amount of the facility to $200 million). Under this credit agreement, interest on borrowings is payable at a rate equal to LIBOR plus an amount based on our financial condition. At December 31, 2007, the amount unused and available under this agreement was $50 million. We are required to pay a nominal fee for this commitment based on our financial condition. The Company exercised its option to extend the maturity of this agreement during 2007. The agreement expires on July 31, 2012, but the Company has an option to extend the maturity by one additional year. The Company can also request a $100 million increase in the total amount of the facility. In 2006, we refinanced $50 million of existing borrowings with ten year private placement debt at a fixed interest rate of 6.0%.

Our revolving credit facility and certain long-term obligations require us to satisfy certain financial and other covenants including:

 

 

Based upon the above debt to total capital ratio covenant we would have the ability to borrow approximately an additional $1 billion before the 55% requirement was exceeded.

Our foreign operations have historically met cash requirements with the use of internally generated cash or borrowings. These foreign subsidiaries have financing arrangements with several foreign banks to fund operations located outside the U.S., but all these lines are uncommitted. Cash generated by foreign operations has generally been reinvested locally. The majority of our $314 million in cash and equivalents is located outside of the U.S. In 2007, we decided we would repatriate, in 2008, a portion (approximately $12 million) of non-U.S. subsidiary current year earnings. We have provided for additional taxes of approximately $2.2 million in 2007 for this repatriation.

We believe we are in a strong financial position and have the financial resources to meet business requirements in the foreseeable future. We have historically used cash flow from operations as our primary source of liquidity. In the event that customer demand would decrease significantly for a prolonged period of time and negatively impact cash flow from operations,

 

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we would have the ability to restrict and significantly reduce capital expenditure levels, which historically have been the most significant use of cash for us. A prolonged and significant reduction in capital expenditure levels could increase future repairs and maintenance costs as well as have a negative impact on operating margins if we were unable to invest in new innovative products.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

We lease certain warehouse, plant and office facilities as well as certain equipment under noncancelable operating leases expiring at various dates through the year 2055. Most of the operating leases contain renewal options and certain equipment leases include options to purchase during or at the end of the lease term. We have an option on one building lease to purchase the building during or at the end of the term of the lease at approximately the amount expended by the lessor for the purchase of the building and improvements, which was the fair value of the facility at the inception of the lease. This lease has been accounted for as an operating lease. The Company intends to exercise its option to purchase this building in the third quarter of 2008 and will account for this transaction as a capital expenditure. The expected cost of the building is approximately $9.5 million. Other than operating lease obligations, we do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements. See the following section “Overview of Contractual Obligations” for future payments relating to operating leases.

 

OVERVIEW OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

Below is a table of our outstanding contractual obligations and future payments as of December 31, 2007:

 

 

 

ADOPTION OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements.” This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the FASB having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning

 

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2007 Form 10-K

after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 157 to have a material impact on the financial results or existing covenants of the Company.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 159 to have a material impact on the financial results of the Company.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations.” SFAS No. 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase. SFAS No. 141(R) also sets forth the disclosures required to be made in the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Accordingly, SFAS No. 141(R) will be applied by the Company to business combinations occurring on or after January 1, 2009.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51.” SFAS No. 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards that require that the ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent be clearly identified, labeled, and presented in the consolidated statement of financial position within equity, but separate from the parent’s equity; the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of income; and changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling financial interest in its subsidiary be accounted for consistently. SFAS No. 160 also requires that any retained noncontrolling equity investment in the former subsidiary be initially measured at fair value when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. SFAS No. 160 also sets forth the disclosure requirements to identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS No. 160 applies to all entities that prepare consolidated financial statements, except not-for-profit organizations, but will affect only those entities that have an outstanding noncontrolling interest in one or more subsidiaries or that deconsolidate a subsidiary. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited. SFAS No. 160 must be applied prospectively as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which it is initially applied, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements. The presentation and disclosure requirements are applied retrospectively for all periods presented. The Company currently has an immaterial noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary. The Company does not believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will materially impact the presentation of the financial results of the Company.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of the financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We continually evaluate our estimates, including those related to bad debts, inventories, intangible assets, income taxes, pensions and contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on a variety of other assumptions believed to be reasonable in order to make judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the audit committee of our Board of Directors and the audit committee has reviewed our disclosure relating to it in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Results of Operations and Financial Condition (“MD&A”).

 

IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL

In accordance with SFAS No. 142, we evaluate our goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever indicators of impairment exist. SFAS No. 142 requires that if the carrying value of a reporting unit for which goodwill exists exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying value of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the “implied fair value” of reporting unit goodwill.

As discussed in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we have evaluated our goodwill for impairment and have determined that the fair value of our reporting units exceeds their carrying value, so we did not recognize an impairment of goodwill. Goodwill of approximately $222.7 million is shown on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2007.

We believe that the accounting estimate related to determining the fair value of our reporting units is a critical accounting estimate because: (1) it is highly susceptible to change from period to period because it requires company management to make assumptions about the future cash flows for each reporting unit over several years in the future, and (2) the impact that recognizing an impairment would have on the assets reported on our balance sheet as well as our results of operations could be material. Management’s assumptions about future cash flows for the reporting units require significant judgment and actual cash flows in the future may differ significantly from those forecasted today. The estimate for future cash flows and its impact on the impairment testing of goodwill is a critical accounting estimate for all the segments of our business.

 

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In estimating future cash flows, we use internally generated budgets developed from our reporting units and reviewed by management. We develop our budgets based upon recent sales trends for the reporting units, discussions with our customers, planned timing of new product launches, forecasted capital expenditure needs, working capital needs, costing factors and many other variables. From these internally generated budgets, a projection of cash flows is made based upon expected sales growth rates and fixed asset and working capital requirements based upon historical needs. A discounted cash flow model is used to discount the future cash flows back to the present using a weighted-average cost of capital. This fair value for the reporting unit is then corroborated by comparing it with a market multiple analysis of the reporting unit. The market multiple analysis is calculated by using AptarGroup’s overall EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation) multiple and applying it to the reporting unit EBITDA for the current year.

The $222.7 million of goodwill is reported in three reporting units. Two of the three reporting units have fair values, which significantly exceed their carrying values. The third reporting unit contains approximately $38.7 million of the total $222.7 million in goodwill and has the smallest excess of fair value over carrying value of the three reporting units.

We believe our assumptions used in discounting future cash flows are appropriately conservative. Any increase in estimated cash flows would have no impact on the reported carrying amount of goodwill. However, if our current estimates of cash flow for this one reporting unit had been 61% lower, the fair value of the reporting unit would have been lower than the carrying value thus requiring us to perform an impairment test to determine the “implied value” of goodwill. The excess of the approximately $38.7 million in carrying value of goodwill over the “implied value” of goodwill would need to be written down for impairment. Without performing the second step of the goodwill impairment test, it would be difficult to determine the actual amount of impairment to be recorded, but theoretically, the full $38.7 million of goodwill would be at risk for impairment. A full $38.7 million impairment loss would have reduced Total Assets as of December 31, 2007 by approximately 2% and would have reduced Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes in 2007 by nearly 19%.

If we had been required to recognize an impairment loss of the full $38.7 million, it would likely not have affected our liquidity and capital resources because, in spite of the impairment loss, we would have been within the terms of our debt covenants.

 

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

We record an allowance for doubtful accounts as an estimate of the inability of our customers to make their required payments. We determine the amount of our allowance for doubtful accounts by looking at a variety of factors. First, we examine an aging of the accounts receivable in each entity within the Company. The aging lists past due amounts according to invoice terms. In addition, we consider the current economic environment, the credit rating of the customers and general overall market conditions. In some countries we maintain credit insurance, which can be used in certain cases of non-payment.

We believe that the accounting estimate related to the allowance for doubtful accounts is a critical accounting estimate because: (1) it requires management to make assumptions about the ability to collect amounts owed from customers in the future, and (2) changes to these assumptions or estimates could have a material impact on our results of operations. The estimate for the allowance for doubtful accounts is a critical accounting estimate for all of our segments.

When we determine that a customer is unlikely to pay, we record a charge to bad debt expense in the income statement and an increase to the allowance for doubtful accounts. When it becomes certain the customer cannot pay (typically driven by the customer filing for bankruptcy) we write off the receivable by removing the accounts receivable amount and reducing the allowance for doubtful accounts accordingly. In 2007, we added approximately $2.0 million to the allowance for doubtful accounts while we wrote off or reduced the allowance for doubtful accounts by $1.8 million. Please refer to Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts over the past three years.

We had approximately $360.7 million in net accounts receivable at December 31, 2007. At December 31, 2007, we had approximately $11.1 million recorded in the allowance for doubtful accounts to cover all potential future customer non-payments net of any credit insurance reimbursement we would potentially recover. We believe our allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate to cover any future non-payments of our customers. However, if economic conditions deteriorate significantly or one of our large customers was to declare bankruptcy, a larger allowance for doubtful accounts might be necessary. It is extremely difficult to estimate how much of an additional reserve would be necessary, but we expect the largest potential customer balance at any one time would not exceed $15.0 million. An additional loss of $15 million would reduce our Total Assets as of December 31, 2007 by approximately 1% and would have reduced Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes by approximately 8%.

If we had been required to recognize an additional $15 million in bad debt expense, it would likely not have affected our liquidity and capital resources because, in spite of the additional expense, we would have been within the terms of our debt covenants.

 

VALUATION OF PENSION BENEFITS

The benefit obligations and net periodic pension cost associated with our domestic and foreign noncontributory pension plans are determined using actuarial assumptions. Such assumptions include discount rates to reflect the time value of money, rate of employee compensation increases, demographic assumptions to determine the probability and timing of benefit payments, and the long-term rate of return on plan assets. The actuarial assumptions are based upon management’s best estimates, after consulting with outside investment advisors and actuaries. Because assumptions and estimates are used, actual results could differ from expected results.

 

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The discount rate is utilized principally in calculating our pension obligations, which are represented by the Accumulated Benefit Obligation (ABO) and the Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO), and in calculating net periodic benefit cost. In establishing the discount rate for our foreign plans, we review a number of relevant interest rates including government security yields and Aa corporate bond yields. In establishing the discount rate for our domestic plans, we match the hypothetical duration of our plans, using a weighted average duration that is based upon projected cash payments, to a simulated bond portfolio such as the Citigroup Pension Index Curve. At December 31, 2007, the discount rates for our domestic and foreign plans were 6.40% and 5.25%, respectively.

We believe that the accounting estimates related to determining the valuation of pension benefits are critical accounting estimates because: (1) changes in them can materially affect net income, and (2) we are required to establish the discount rate and the expected return on fund assets, which are highly uncertain and require judgment. The estimates for the valuation of pension benefits are critical accounting estimates for all of our segments.

To the extent the discount rates increase (or decrease), our PBO and net periodic benefit cost will decrease (or increase) accordingly. The estimated effect of a 1% decrease in each discount rate would be a $15.5 million increase in the PBO ($10.9 million for the domestic plans and $4.6 million for the foreign plans) and a $2.7 million increase in net periodic benefit cost ($2.0 million for the domestic plans and $0.7 million for the foreign plans). To the extent the PBO increases, the after-tax effect of such increase could reduce Other Comprehensive Income and Stockholders’ Equity. The estimated effect of a 1% increase in each discount rate would be a $13.8 million decrease in the PBO ($8.6 million for the domestic plans and $5.2 million for the foreign plans) and a $2.1 million decrease in net periodic benefit cost ($1.6 million for the domestic plans and $0.5 million for the foreign plans). A decrease of this magnitude in the PBO would eliminate a substantial portion of the related reduction in Other Comprehensive Income and Stockholders’ Equity.

The assumed expected long-term rate of return on assets is the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested to provide for the benefits included in the PBO. Of domestic plan assets, approximately 65% was invested in equities, 21% was invested in fixed income securities, 11% was invested in infrastructure and 3% was invested in a money market fund at December 31, 2007. Of foreign plan assets, approximately 39% was invested in equities, 54% was invested in fixed income securities and 7% was invested in real estate at December 31, 2007.

The expected long-term rate of return assumptions are determined based on our investment policy combined with expected risk premiums of equities and fixed income securities over the underlying risk-free rate. This rate is utilized principally in calculating the expected return on the plan assets component of the net periodic benefit cost. To the extent the actual rate of return on assets realized over the course of a year is greater or less than the assumed rate, that year’s net periodic benefit cost is not affected. Rather, this gain (or loss) reduces (or increases) future net periodic benefit cost over a period of approximately 15 to 20 years. To the extent the expected long-term rate of return on assets increases (or decreases), our net periodic benefit cost will decrease (or increase) accordingly. The estimated effect of a 1% decrease (or increase) in each expected long-term rate of return on assets would be a $0.5 million increase (or decrease) in net periodic benefit cost.

The average rate of compensation increase is utilized principally in calculating the PBO and the net periodic benefit cost. The estimated effect of a 0.5% decrease in each rate of expected compensation increase would be a $5.4 million decrease in the PBO ($0.7 million for the domestic plans and $4.7 million for the foreign plans) and a $0.4 million decrease to the net periodic benefit cost. The estimated effect of a 0.5% increase in each rate of expected compensation increase would be a $6.5 million increase in the PBO ($0.7 million for the domestic plans and $5.8 million for the foreign plans) and a $0.5 million increase to the net periodic benefit cost.

 

Our primary pension related assumptions as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 were as follows:

 

 

In order to determine the 2008 net periodic benefit cost, the Company expects to use the December 31, 2007 discount rates, rates of compensation increase assumptions and expected long-term returns on domestic and foreign plan assets. The estimated impact of the changes to the assumptions as noted in the table above on our 2008 net periodic benefit cost is not expected to be significant.

 

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

In 2006, the Company adopted the modified prospective method of applying SFAS 123R, which requires the recognition of compensation expense on a prospective basis. Accordingly, the 2005 financial statements have not been restated. Among its provisions, SFAS 123R requires the Company to recognize compensation expense for equity awards over the service period based on their grant-date fair value. The compensation expense is recognized only for share-based payments expected to vest and we estimate forfeitures at the date of grant based on the Company’s historical experience and future expectations.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-valuation model to value stock options, which requires the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include the length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them (“expected term”), the estimated volatility of the Company’s stock price, risk-free interest rate, the expected dividend yield and stock price. The expected term of the options is based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. The expected term determines the period for which the risk-free interest rate and volatility must be applied. The risk-free interest rate is based on the expected U.S. Treasury rate over the expected term. Expected stock price volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. Dividend yield is management’s long-term estimate of annual dividends to be paid as a percentage of share price.

For 2007, share-based compensation reduced our operating income by $14.0 million and our diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.15. Future changes in the subjective assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-valuation model or estimates associated with forfeitures could impact our share-based compensation expense. For example, a 1 year reduction in the expected term of the options would decrease the Black-Scholes valuation and reduce share-based compensation by approximately $0.7 million. On the contrary, a 1 year increase in the expected term of the option would increase the Black-Scholes valuation and increase share-based compensation by approximately $0.3 million.

 

OPERATIONS OUTLOOK

 

There is great deal of uncertainty regarding the economic outlook in the U.S. heading into 2008. While we have experienced some softness in the U.S. in our Closures segment in the second half of 2007, we are cautiously optimistic about the first quarter. The breadth of our product offerings and the geographical diversification of our business should allow us to withstand any slowness in one particular region or segment of our business. The consumption of products using our dispensing systems in developing markets is expected to continue to increase in 2008 and we are well positioned to take advantage of this growth. In general, the majority of the products we sell are used on products that tend to be inflation resistant. As a result, we are anticipating that sales in each of our segments will increase in 2008.

Due to the fixed cost nature of our businesses, particularly in Europe, it is difficult to reduce costs fast enough to offset a decline in business. As such, sudden significant decreases in business may have a significant impact on our results of operations.

In 2007, the cost of raw materials, in particular resin and metal components, increased significantly. We are not expecting these costs to decrease in 2008 and they may continue to increase. Our ability to pass on any additional increases in raw material prices to our customers depends on competitive forces in the marketplace. Delays or difficulties encountered with passing on price increases to our customers could have a negative impact on our 2008 anticipated results.

We are anticipating gains in productivity and cost savings to partially offset certain price declines and cost increases. Should we be unable to attain these productivity gains and cost savings, our results could be negatively impacted.

The U.S. dollar has weakened steadily compared to the Euro in 2007 and has remained near an all time low compared to the Euro during the first quarter of 2008. Since a majority of our sales are denominated in Euros, a strengthening Euro will have a positive impact on the translation of our Euro denominated financial statements into U.S. dollars. However, as we have mentioned before, we are a net importer of products produced in European countries with Euro based costs, into the U.S. and sold in U.S. dollars. A weakening U.S. dollar compared to the Euro makes imported European produced products more expensive, thereby reducing operating margins. The net impact of the weakening U.S. dollar is difficult to predict or estimate, but it is likely that any positive impact achieved from translating Euro denominated financial statements into U.S. dollars may be partially offset by the higher cost of imported products.

We expect the annual effective tax rate for 2008 to be in the range of 30% to 31% compared to a rate of 30.2% for 2007.

We are anticipating diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2008 to be in the range of $.46 to $.49 per share compared to $.41 per share recorded in the prior year first quarter.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis and certain other sections of this Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” and other similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would” and “could” are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to us. Accordingly, our actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements due to known or unknown risks and uncertainties that exist in our operations and business environment, including but not limited to:

 

Although we believe that our forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results, performance or achievements will not differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Please refer to Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) of Part I included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional risk factors affecting the Company.

 

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MARKET RISKS

 

A significant number of our operations are located outside of the United States. Because of this, movements in exchange rates may have a significant impact on the translation of the financial condition and results of operations of our entities. Our primary foreign exchange exposure is to the Euro, but we also have foreign exchange exposure to South American and Asian currencies, among others. A weakening U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies has an additive translation effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Conversely, a strengthening U.S. dollar has a dilutive effect.

Additionally, in some cases, we sell products denominated in a currency different from the currency in which the related costs are incurred. Any changes in exchange rates on such inter-country sales may impact our results of operations.

We manage our exposures to foreign exchange principally with forward exchange contracts to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments and intercompany cash transactions denominated in foreign currencies.

The table below provides information, as of December 31, 2007, about our forward currency exchange contracts. The majority of the contracts expire before the end of the fourth quarter of 2008 with the exception of a few contracts on intercompany loans that expire in the third quarter of 2013.

 

 

As of December 31, 2007, we have recorded the fair value of foreign currency forward exchange contracts of $135 thousand in prepaid expenses and other current assets, $146 thousand in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and $2 million in deferred and other non-current liabilities in the balance sheet.

At December 31, 2007, we had a fixed-to-variable interest rate swap agreement with a notional principal value of $20 million, which requires us to pay a variable interest rate (which was 4.8% at December 31, 2007) and receive a fixed rate of 6.6%. The variable rate is adjusted semiannually based on London Interbank Offered Rates (“LIBOR”). Variations in market interest rates would produce changes in our net income. If interest rates increase by 100 basis points, net income related to the interest rate swap agreement would decrease by less than $0.2 million, assuming a tax rate of 31.5%. As of December 31, 2007, we recorded the fair value of the fixed-to-variable interest rate swap agreement of $1.0 million in miscellaneous other assets with an offsetting adjustment to debt. No gain or loss was recorded in the income statement in 2007 as any hedge ineffectiveness for the period is minimal.

As of December 31, 2007, the Company had one foreign currency cash flow hedge. A French entity of AptarGroup, AptarGroup Holding SAS, has hedged the risk of variability in Euro equivalent associated with the cash flows of an intercompany loan granted in Brazilian Real. The forward contracts utilized were designated as a hedge of the changes in the cash flows relating to the changes in foreign currency rates relating to the loan and related forecasted interest. The notional amount of the foreign currency forward contracts utilized to hedge cash flow exposure was 6.7 million Brazilian Real ($3.8 million) as of December 31, 2007. The notional amount of the foreign currency forward contracts utilized to hedge cash flow exposure was 6.7 million Brazilian Real ($3.2 million) as of December 31, 2006. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company did not recognize any net gain (loss) as any hedge ineffectiveness for the period was immaterial, and the Company did not recognize any net gain (loss) related to the portion of the hedging instrument excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The Company’s foreign currency forward contracts hedge forecasted transactions for approximately four years (March 2012).

 

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ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

AptarGroup, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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AptarGroup, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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AptarGroup, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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AptarGroup, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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AptarGroup, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005