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BERRY GLOBAL GROUP, INC. - Quarter Report: 2013 December (Form 10-Q)

bpg10q013114.htm


 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 [X]     Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended December 28, 2013
or
 [   ]     Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  
  
Commission File Number 001-35672
BERRY PLASTICS GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
20-5234618
(State or other jurisdiction  
of incorporation or organization)
(IRS employer  
identification number)
 
101 Oakley Street  
Evansville, Indiana
  
47710
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)
  
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (812) 424-2904  
  
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
   
Title of Each Class
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
New York Stock Exchange
 
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.  Yes [   ]  No [X]  
  
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Yes [  ]  No [ X]  
  
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 such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes [X ]  No [  ]  
  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes [ X]  No [  ]  
  
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K 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:  [  ]  
  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, or non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):          
      Large accelerated filer [     ]           Accelerated filer [    ]              Non-accelerated filer [  X  ] Small reporting company [    ] 
  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).             Yes[    ]   No[ X ]  
 
As of January 31, 2014, there were approximately 116,300,000 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding. 
 
 
 

 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and business and our expectations or beliefs concerning future events.  The forward-looking statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under the heading "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations".  You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,”  “outlook,” or “anticipates” or similar expressions that relate to our strategy, plans or intentions.  All statements we make relating to our estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates and financial results or to our expectations regarding future industry trends are forward-looking statements.  In addition, we, through our senior management, from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning our expected future operations and performance and other developments.  These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and, therefore, our actual results may differ materially from those that we expected.  We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions.  While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results.  All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date of this Form 10-Q. 
 
All forward-looking information and subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements.  Some of the factors that we believe could affect our results include: 
 
·  
risks associated with our substantial indebtedness and debt service; 
·  
changes in prices and availability of resin and other raw materials and our ability to pass on changes in raw material prices on a timely basis; 
·  
performance of our business and future operating results; 
·  
risks related to our acquisition strategy and integration of acquired businesses; 
·  
reliance on unpatented know-how and trade secrets; 
·  
increases in the cost of compliance with laws and regulations, including environmental, safety, and production and product laws and regulations; 
·  
risks related to disruptions in the overall economy and the financial markets that may adversely impact our business; 
·  
catastrophic loss of one of our key manufacturing facilities, natural disasters, and other unplanned business interruptions; 
·  
risks of competition, including foreign competition, in our existing and future markets; 
·  
general business and economic conditions, particularly an economic downturn; 
·  
risks that our restructuring program may entail greater implementation costs or result in lower cost savings than anticipated;
·  
the ability of our insurance to cover fully our potential exposures; and
·  
the other factors discussed in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2013 in the section titled “Risk Factors.” 
 
We caution readers that the foregoing list of important factors may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you.  In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q may not in fact occur.  Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on those statements.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. 
 
Readers should carefully review the factors discussed in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2013 in the section titled “Risk Factors” and other risk factors identified from time to time in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes.
 
 
-2-

 
Berry Plastics Group, Inc.
Form 10-Q Index
For Quarterly Period Ended December 28, 2013  
 
Part I.
Financial Information
Page No.
 
Item 1.
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
 
   
 
Item 3.
 
Item 4.
Part II.
Other Information
 
 
Item 1.
 
Item 1A.
 
Item 2.
 
Item 3.
 
Item 4.
 
Item 5.
 
Item 6.
 

 
-3-

 

Item 1.     Financial Statements
 
Berry Plastics Group, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 (in millions of dollars, except per share data)
 
   
December 28, 2013
   
September 28, 2013
 
Assets
 
(Unaudited)
       
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 162     $ 142  
Accounts receivable (less allowance of $3 at December 28, 2013 and September 28, 2013)
    405       449  
Inventories:
               
Finished goods
    333       335  
Raw materials and supplies
    239       240  
      572       575  
Deferred income taxes
    260       139  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    45       32  
Total current assets
    1,444       1,337  
Property, plant, and equipment, net
    1,280       1,266  
Goodwill, intangible assets and deferred costs, net
    2,528       2,520  
Other assets
    12       12  
Total assets
  $ 5,264     $ 5,135  
 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
               
 
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 362     $ 337  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    327       276  
Current portion of long-term debt
    74       71  
Total current liabilities
    763       684  
Long-term debt, less current portion
    3,875       3,875  
Deferred income taxes
    509       385  
Other long-term liabilities
    300       387  
Total liabilities
    5,447       5,331  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
               
Common stock; ($0.01 par value;  400,000,000 shares authorized; 116,279,187 shares issued and 116,208,703 shares outstanding as of December 28, 2013; 115,895,927 issued and 115,825,443 outstanding as of September 28, 2013)
    1       1  
Additional paid-in capital
    330       322  
Non-controlling interest
    3       3  
Accumulated deficit
    (498 )     (504 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (19 )     (18 )
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    (183 )     (196 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
  $ 5,264     $ 5,135  
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
-4-

 
Berry Plastics Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)
(in millions of dollars, except per share data)
 
   
Quarterly Period Ended
 
   
December 28, 2013
   
December 29, 2012
 
Net sales
  $ 1,140     $ 1,072  
Costs and expenses:
               
Cost of goods sold
    964       895  
Selling, general and administrative
    77       77  
Amortization of intangibles
    26       27  
Restructuring and impairment charges
    10       5  
Operating income
    63       68  
Debt extinguishment
          16  
Other income, net
    (1 )     (3 )
Interest expense, net
    55       70  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    9       (15 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    3       (5 )
Net income (loss)
  $ 6     $ (10 )
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 5     $ (7 )
                 
 
Net income (loss) per share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.05     $ (0.09 )
Diluted
    0.05       (0.09 )
Outstanding weighted-average shares:
(in thousands)
               
Basic
    115,933       111,352  
Diluted
    120,479       111,352  
                 
                 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
-5-

 

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
For the Quarterly Period Ended December 29, 2012 and December 28, 2013
(Unaudited)
(in millions of dollars)
 
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Notes Receivable-Common Stock
   
Non-controlling Interest
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
   
Accumulated Deficit
   
Total
 
Balance at September 29, 2012
  $ 1     $ 131     $ (2 )   $ 3     $ (47 )   $ (561 )   $ (475 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
          4                               4  
Stock compensation expense
          4                               4  
Termination of redeemable shares                            redemption requirement
          23        —                         23  
Proceeds from initial public offering
          438                               438  
Initial obligation under tax receivable agreement
          (300 )      —                         (300 )
Derivative amortization
                            1             1  
Net loss
                                  (10 )     (10 )
Currency translation
                            2             2  
Balance at December 29, 2012
  $ 1     $ 300     $ (2 )   $ 3     $ (44 )   $ (571 )   $ (313 )
 
Balance at September 28, 2013
  $ 1     $ 322     $     $ 3     $ (18 )   $ (504 )   $ (196 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
          3                               3  
Stock compensation expense
          5                               5  
Net income
                                  6       6  
Currency translation
                            (1 )           (1 )
Balance at December 28, 2013
  $ 1     $ 330     $     $ 3     $ (19 )   $ (498 )   $ (183 )
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
-6-

 

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in millions of dollars)
 
   
Quarterly Period Ended
 
   
December 28, 2013
   
December 29, 2012
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ 6     $ (10 )
Adjustments to reconcile net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    59       60  
Amortization of intangibles
    26       27  
Non-cash interest expense
    2       5  
Deferred income tax
    4       (5 )
Debt extinguishment
          16  
Stock compensation expense
    5       4  
Impairment of long-lived assets
    2        
Other non-cash items
    1       1  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable, net
    51       61  
Inventories
    14       (14 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (4 )     12  
Accounts payable and other liabilities
    6       (70 )
Net cash from operating activities
    172       87  
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (47 )     (45 )
Proceeds from sale of assets
    1       2  
Deposit on acquisition of business
    (5 )      
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
    (62 )     (20 )
Net cash from investing activities
    (113 )     (63 )
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    3       1  
Repayments on long-term borrowings
    (13 )     (522 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    3       4  
Payment of tax receivable agreement
    (32 )      
Proceeds from initial public offering
          438  
Net cash from financing activities
    (39 )     (79 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
           
Net change in cash
    20       (55 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    142       87  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 162     $ 32  
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
-7-

 

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(tables in millions of dollars, except per share data)
 
 
1.  Background
 
Berry Plastics Group, Inc. (“Berry” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of value-added plastic consumer packaging and engineered materials with a track record of delivering high-quality customized solutions to our customers.  Representative examples of our products include drink cups, thin-wall containers, bottles, specialty closures, prescription vials, specialty films, adhesives and corrosion protection materials.  We sell our solutions predominantly into consumer-oriented end-markets, such as food and beverage, healthcare and personal care.   
 
2.  Basis of Presentation
 
Berry, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries operates in four primary segments:  Rigid Open Top, Rigid Closed Top, Engineered Materials, and Flexible Packaging.  The Company’s customers are located principally throughout the United States, without significant concentration in any one region or with any one customer.  The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim reporting.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year end September 28, 2013.  All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.  The Company issued financial statements by filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission and has evaluated subsequent events up to the time of the filing.
 
In October 2012, the Company filed an initial public offering.  The proceeds, net of transaction fees, of $438 million and cash from operations were used to repurchase $455 million of 11% Senior Subordinated Notes.  In connection with the initial public offering, the Company entered into an income tax receivable agreement that provides for the payment to pre-initial public offering stockholders, option holders and holders of our stock appreciation rights, 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, foreign, state and local income tax that are actually realized (or are deemed to be realized in the case of a change of control) as a result of the utilization of our and our subsidiaries’ net operating losses attributable to periods prior to the initial public offering.  For further information regarding fiscal 2013 transactions, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year end September 28, 2013.
 
3.  Acquisition
 
Graphic Packaging
 
On September 30, 2013, the Company acquired Graphic Packaging’s flexible plastics and films business (“Graphic”) for a purchase price of $62 million.  Graphic is a producer of wraps, films, pouches, and bags for the food, medical, industrial, personal care, and pet food markets.  The newly acquired business is operated in the Company’s Flexible Packaging Division.  To finance the purchase, the Company used existing liquidity.  The Graphic acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values at the acquisition date.  The Company has not finalized the purchase price allocation to the fair values of fixed assets, intangibles and is reviewing the working capital acquired.
 
4.  Restructuring and Impairment Charges
 
In November 2013, the Company initiated a cost reduction plan designed to deliver meaningful cost savings and optimal equipment utilization. This plan will result in several plant rationalizations.  The Company expects to incur approximately $50 million of total costs throughout fiscal 2014 related to this plan.  These costs will primarily consist of one-time costs associated with facility consolidation, including severance and termination benefits, other costs associated with exiting facilities and non-cash asset impairment charges.
 
 
-8-

 
   
Quarterly Period Ended
 
   
December 28, 2013
   
December 29, 2012
 
Rigid Open Top
           
Severance and termination benefits
  $ 1     $ 1  
Total
  $ 1     $ 1  
Rigid Closed Top
               
Severance and termination benefits
  $     $ 1  
Facility exit costs and other
          1  
Asset impairment
           
Total
  $     $ 2  
Engineered Materials
               
Severance and termination benefits
  $ 1     $ 1  
Facility exit costs and other
           
Asset impairment
    2        
Total
  $ 3     $ 1  
Flexible Packaging
               
Severance and termination benefits
  $ 3     $  
Facility exit costs and other
    3       1  
Asset impairment
           
Total
  $ 6     $ 1  
Consolidated
               
Severance and termination benefits
  $ 5     $ 3  
Facility exit costs and other
    3       2  
Asset impairment
    2        
Total
  $ 10     $ 5  
 
The table below sets forth the activity with respect to the restructuring accrual at September 28, 2013 and December 28, 2013:
 
   
Severance and termination benefits
   
Facilities exit costs and other
   
Non-cash
   
Total
 
Balance at September 29, 2012
  $ 4     $ 3     $     $ 7  
Charges
    5       3       6       14  
Non-cash asset impairment
                (6 )     (6 )
Cash payments
    (7 )     (4 )           (11 )
Balance at September 28, 2013
    2       2             4  
Charges
    5       3       2       10  
Non-cash asset impairment
                (2 )     (2 )
Cash payments
    (1 )     (3 )           (4 )
Balance at December 28, 2013
  $ 6     $ 2     $     $ 8  
 
5.  Accrued Expenses, Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities
 
The following table sets forth the totals included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
   
December 28, 2013
   
September 28, 2013
 
Employee compensation, payroll and other taxes
  $ 68     $ 86  
Interest
    51       45  
Rebates
    62       55  
Tax receivable agreement obligation
    85       32  
Other
    61       58  
    $ 327     $ 276  
 
-9-

 
The following table sets forth the totals included in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
   
December 28, 2013
   
September 28, 2013
 
Lease retirement obligation
  $ 23     $ 22  
Sale-lease back deferred gain
    31       32  
Pension liability
    41       43  
Tax receivable agreement obligation
    191       277  
Other
    14       13  
    $ 300     $ 387  
 
6.  Long-Term Debt
 
Long-term debt consists of the following:
 
 
Maturity Date
 
December 28, 2013
   
September 28, 2013
 
Term loan
April 2015
  $ 1,122     $ 1,125  
Term loan
February 2020
    1,393       1,397  
Revolving line of credit
June 2016
           
9½% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes
May 2018
    500       500  
9¾% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes
January 2021
    800       800  
Senior Unsecured Term Loan
June 2014
    18       18  
Debt discount, net
      (7 )     (8 )
Capital leases and other
Various
    123       114  
        3,949       3,946  
Less current portion of long-term debt
      (74 )     (71 )
      $ 3,875     $ 3,875  
 
The Company’s senior secured credit facilities consist of $2.5 billion term loan and $650 million asset based revolving line of credit.  The availability under the revolving line of credit is the lesser of $650 million or based on a defined borrowing base which is calculated based on available accounts receivable and inventory.  The revolving line of credit allows up to $130 million of letters of credit to be issued instead of borrowings under the revolving line of credit.  At December 28, 2013, the Company had no outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility, $37 million outstanding letters of credit and a $114 million borrowing base reserve providing unused borrowing capacity of $499 million under the revolving line of credit. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of December 28, 2013.
 
7.  Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements
 
As part of the overall risk management, the Company uses derivative instruments to reduce exposure to changes in interest rates attributed to the Company’s floating-rate borrowings.  For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the Company must designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation.  To the extent hedging relationships are found to be effective, as determined by FASB guidance, changes in fair value of the derivatives are offset by changes in the fair value of the related hedged item are recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss.  Management believes hedge effectiveness is evaluated properly in preparation of the financial statements.
 
Cash Flow Hedging Strategy
 
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings in the same line item associated with the forecasted transaction and in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.
 
 
-10-

 
 
In November 2010, the Company entered into two separate interest rate swap transactions to manage cash flow variability associated with $1 billion of the outstanding variable rate term loan debt (the “2010 Swaps”).  The first agreement had a notional amount of $500 million and became effective in November 2010.  The agreement swaps three month variable LIBOR contracts for a fixed three year rate of 0.8925% and expired in November 2013.  The second agreement had a notional amount of $500 million and became effective in December 2010.  The agreement swaps three month variable LIBOR contracts for a fixed three year rate of 1.0235% and expired in November 2013.  In August 2011, the Company began utilizing 1-month LIBOR contracts for the underlying senior secured credit facility.  The Company’s change in interest rate selection caused the Company to lose hedge accounting on both of the interest rate swaps.  The Company recorded subsequent changes in fair value in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and amortized the unrealized losses to Interest expense through November 2013.
 
In February 2013, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction to manage cash flow variability associated with $1 billion of outstanding variable rate term loan debt (the "2013 Swaps"). The agreement swapped the greater of a three-month variable LIBOR contract or 1.00% for a fixed three-year rate of 2.355%, with an effective date in May 2016 and expiration in May 2019.  In June 2013, the Company elected to settle this derivative instrument and received $16 million as a result of this settlement.  The offset is included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and will be amortized to Interest expense from May 2016 through May 2019, the original term of the swap agreement.
 
 
 
Liability Derivatives
 
Derivatives instruments
Balance Sheet Location
 
December 28, 2013
   
September 28, 2013
 
Interest rate swaps — 2010 Swaps
Other long-term liabilities
  $     $ 1  
 
The effect of the derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations is as follows:
 
     
Quarterly Period Ended
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging
instruments under FASB guidance
Statement of Operations Location
 
December 28, 2013
   
December 29, 2012
 
    Interest rate swaps — 2010 Swaps
Other income
  $ (1 )   $ (1 )
 
Interest expense
  $ 1     $ 1  
 
Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements
 
The Company has certain assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis when impairment indicators are present.  The assets are adjusted to fair value only when the carrying values exceed the fair values.  The categorization of the framework used to price the assets is considered a Level 3, due to the subjective nature of the unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value.  These assets include primarily our definite lived and indefinite lived intangible assets, including Goodwill and our property plant and equipment.  The Company annually conducts a qualitative screen analysis for each of our reporting units to determine if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists and also performs a qualitative screen analysis to determine if any of our indefinite lived intangible assets may be impaired.  If the conclusion is that it is more likely than not that an impairment may exist, the Company will perform a step one impairment evaluation of goodwill or other indefinite lived intangibles.  Our annual analysis is performed as of the first date of the fourth quarter.  We completed this assessment in the fourth quarter of 2013 and have not recorded any impairment charges.  There were no impairment indicators for the goodwill or indefinite lived intangible assets in the current quarter.  We utilize a methodology, which leverages a six year discounted cash flow analysis with a terminal year in combination with a comparable company market approach to determine the fair value of our reporting units.
 
Included in the following table are the major categories of assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 28, 2013 and September 28, 2013, along with the impairment loss recognized on the fair value measurement during the period:
 
 
-11-

 
 
   
As of December 28, 2013
   
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
             
   
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
   
Total
   
Quarterly Period Ended
December 28, 2013 Impairment Loss
 
Indefinite-lived trademarks
  $     $     $ 207     $ 207     $  
Goodwill
                1,644       1,644        
Definite lived intangible assets
                649       649        
Property, plant, and equipment
                1,280       1,280       2  
Total
  $     $     $ 3,780     $ 3,780     $ 2  
 
 
   
As of September 28, 2013
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
             
   
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
   
Total
   
Fiscal 2013
 Impairment Loss
 
Indefinite-lived trademarks
  $     $     $ 207     $ 207     $  
Goodwill
                1,634       1,634        
Definite lived intangible assets
                649       649       5  
Property, plant, and equipment
                1,266       1,266        
Total
  $     $     $ 3,756     $ 3,756     $ 5  
 
Valuation of Property, Plant and Equipment and Definite Lived Intangible Assets
 
The Company periodically realigns its manufacturing operations which results in facilities being closed and shut down and equipment transferred to other facilities or equipment being scrapped.  The Company utilizes appraised values to corroborate the fair value of the facilities and has utilized a scrap value based on prior facility shut downs to estimate the fair value of the equipment, which has approximated the actual value that was received.  When impairment indicators exist, the Company will also perform an undiscounted cash flow analysis to determine the recoverability of the Company’s property, plant and equipment and definite lived intangibles.
 
The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, long-term debt and capital lease obligations.  The fair value of our long-term indebtedness exceeded book value by $166 million as of December 28, 2013.  The Company’s long-term debt fair values were determined using Level 2 inputs as other significant observable inputs were not available.    
 
8.  Income Taxes
 
The effective tax rate was 29% and 32% for the quarterly period ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.  A reconciliation of income tax benefit, computed at the federal statutory rate, to income tax benefit, as provided for in the financial statements, is as follows:
 
   
Quarterly Period Ended
 
   
December 28, 2013
   
December 29,
2012
 
Income tax benefit computed at statutory rate
  $ 3     $ (5 )
State income tax benefit, net of federal taxes
           
Uncertain tax position
    (1 )      
Other
    1        
Income tax expense (benefit)
  $ 3     $ (5 )
 
 
-12-

 
9.  Operating Segments
 
Berry’s operations are organized into four reportable segments: Rigid Open Top, Rigid Closed Top, Engineered Materials, and Flexible Packaging.  The Company has manufacturing and distribution centers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Brazil, Malaysia, India, and the Netherlands.  The North American operation represents 96% of the Company’s net sales, 98% of total long-lived assets, and 97% of the total assets.  Selected information by reportable segment is presented in the following table: 
 
   
Quarterly Period Ended
 
   
December 28, 2013
   
December 29, 2012
 
Net sales:
           
Rigid Open Top
  $ 261     $ 259  
Rigid Closed Top
    332       313  
              Rigid Packaging
  $ 593     $ 572  
Engineered Materials
    342       325  
Flexible Packaging
    205       175  
Total net sales
  $ 1,140     $ 1,072  
Operating income (loss):
               
Rigid Open Top
  $ 13     $ 27  
Rigid Closed Top
    30       18  
              Rigid Packaging
  $ 43     $ 45  
Engineered Materials
    25       24  
Flexible Packaging
    (5 )     (1 )
Total operating income
  $ 63     $ 68  
Depreciation and amortization:
               
Rigid Open Top
  $ 23     $ 23  
Rigid Closed Top
    30       32  
              Rigid Packaging
  $ 53     $ 55  
Engineered Materials
    19       18  
Flexible Packaging
    13       14  
Total depreciation and amortization
  $ 85     $ 87  
 
     
December 28, 2013
   
September 28, 2013
 
Total assets:
             
Rigid Open Top
    $ 1,802     $ 1,805  
Rigid Closed Top
      1,995       1,964  
     Rigid Packaging      $ 3,797      $ 3,769  
Engineered Materials
      823       817  
Flexible Packaging
      644       549  
Total assets
    $ 5,264     $ 5,135  
Goodwill:
                 
Rigid Open Top
    $ 681     $ 681  
Rigid Closed Top
      830       831  
Rigid Packaging
    $ 1,511     $ 1,512  
Engineered Materials
      73       73  
Flexible Packaging
      60       49  
Total goodwill
    $ 1,644     $ 1,634  
 
10.  Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information  
 
Berry Plastics Corporation (“Issuer”) has notes outstanding which are fully, jointly, severally, and unconditionally guaranteed by substantially all of Berry’s domestic subsidiaries.  Separate narrative information or financial statements of the guarantor subsidiaries have not been included because they are 100% owned by the parent company and the guarantor subsidiaries unconditionally guarantee such debt on a joint and several basis.  A guarantee of a guarantor of the securities will terminate upon the following customary circumstances:  the sale of the capital stock of such guarantor if such sale complies with the indenture, the designation of such guarantor as an unrestricted subsidiary, the defeasance or discharge of the indenture, as a result of the holders of certain other indebtedness foreclosing on a pledge of the shares of a guarantor subsidiary or if such guarantor no longer guarantees certain other indebtedness of the issuer.  The guarantees are also limited as necessary to prevent them from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law and guarantees
 
-13-

guaranteeing subordinated debt are subordinated to certain other of the Company’s debts. Presented below is condensed consolidating financial information for the parent, issuer, guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries. Our issuer and guarantor financial information includes all of our domestic operating subsidiaries, our non-guarantor subsidiaries include our foreign subsidiaries and BP Parallel, LLC. BP Parallel, LLC is the entity that we established to buyback debt securities of Berry Plastics Group, Inc. and Berry Plastics Corporation. Berry Plastics Group, Inc. uses the equity method to account for its ownership in Berry Plastics Corporation in the Condensed Consolidating Supplemental Financial Statements. Berry Plastics Corporation uses the equity method to account for its ownership in the guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries. All consolidating entries are included in the eliminations column along with the elimination of intercompany balances.
 
 
Condensed Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
   
December 28, 2013
 
   
Parent
   
Issuer
   
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Non—
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
Current assets
    260       212       824       158       (10 )     1,444  
Intercompany receivable
    327       3,423             49       (3,799 )      
Property, plant and equipment, net
          91       1,120       69             1,280  
 Other assets
    765       1,100       2,290       759       (2,374 )     2,540  
 Total assets
  $ 1,352     $ 4,826     $ 4,234     $ 1,035     $ (6,183 )   $ 5,264  
                                                 
Current liabilities
    94       193       411       75       (10 )     763  
Intercompany payable
                3,799             (3,799 )      
Other long-term liabilities
    1,441       3,915       41       5       (718 )     4,684  
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    (183 )     718       (17 )     955       (1,656 )     (183 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
  $ 1,352     $ 4,826     $ 4,234     $ 1,035     $ (6,183 )   $ 5,264  
 
  
   
September 28, 2013
 
   
Parent
   
Issuer
   
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
Current assets
    139       186       864       158       (10 )     1,337  
Intercompany receivable
    348       3,448             40       (3,836 )      
Property, plant and equipment, net
          115       1,079       72             1,266  
 Other assets
    768       1,054       2,277       737       (2,304 )     2,532  
 Total assets
  $ 1,255     $ 4,803     $ 4,220     $ 1,007     $ (6,150 )   $ 5,135  
                                                 
Current liabilities
    41       197       374       83       (11 )     684  
Intercompany payable
                3,837             (3,837 )      
Other long-term liabilities
    1,410       3,919       44       6       (732 )     4,647  
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    (196 )     687       (35 )     918       (1,570 )     (196 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
  $ 1,255     $ 4,803     $ 4,220     $ 1,007     $ (6,150 )   $ 5,135  
 
 
 
 
 
-14-

 
Condensed Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
   
Quarterly Period Ended December 28, 2013
 
   
Parent
   
Issuer
   
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
Net sales
  $     $ 146     $ 907     $ 87     $     $ 1,140  
Cost of goods sold
          131       762       71             964  
Selling, general and administrative
          19       51       7             77  
Amortization of intangibles
          3       21       2             26  
Restructuring and impairment charges
                10                   10  
Operating income (loss)
          (7 )     63       7             63  
Debt extinguishment
                                   
Other income, net
          (1 )                       (1 )
Interest expense, net
    13       6       44       (33 )     25       55  
Equity in net income of subsidiaries
    (22 )     (58 )                 80        
Income (loss) before income taxes
    9       46       19       40       (105 )     9  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    3       16             1       (17 )     3  
Net income (loss)
  $ 6     $ 30     $ 19     $ 39     $ (88 )   $ 6  
Comprehensive  income (loss)
  $ 6     $ 30     $ 19     $ 38     $ (88 )   $ 5  

 
 
Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
                                   
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
  $     $     $ 162     $ 10     $     $ 172  
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
                                               
Additions to  property, plant, and equipment
          (2 )     (44 )     (1 )           (47 )
Proceeds from sale of assets
                1                   1  
(Contributions) distributions to/from subsidiaries
    (3 )     3                          
Intercompany advances (repayments)
          30                   (30 )      
Deposit on acquisition of business
                      (5 )           (5 )
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
                (62 )                 (62 )
Net cash from investing activities
    (3 )     31       (105 )     (6 )     (30 )     (113 )
                                                 
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
                                               
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
                      3             3  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    3                               3  
Payment of tax receivable agreement
    (32 )                             (32 )
Repayments on long-term borrowings
          (13 )                       (13 )
Changes in intercompany balances
    32             (57 )     (5 )     30        
Net cash provided from financing activities
    3       (13 )     (57 )     (2 )     30       (39 )
Effect of exchange rate on cash
                                   
Net change in cash
          18             2             20  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
          116             26             142  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $     $ 134     $     $ 28     $     $ 162  
 
 
 
 
-15-

 
 
 
 
   
Quarterly Period Ended December 29, 2012
 
   
Parent
   
Issuer
   
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Non—
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
Net sales
  $     $ 133     $ 849     $ 90     $     $ 1,072  
Cost of goods sold
          137       694       64             895  
Selling, general and administrative
          10       58       9             77  
Amortization of intangibles
          3       23       1             27  
Restructuring and impairment charges
                5                   5  
Operating income (loss)
          (17 )     69       16             68  
Debt extinguishment
          16                         16  
Other income, net
          (3 )                       (3 )
Interest expense, net
    11       9       55       (31 )     26       70  
Equity in net income of subsidiaries
    (4 )     (62 )                 58        
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (15 )     23       14       47       (84 )     (15 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (5 )     10       (1 )           (9 )     (5 )
Net income (loss)
  $ (10 )   $ 13     $ 15     $ 47     $ (75 )   $ (10 )
Comprehensive  income (loss)
  $ (10 )   $ 14     $ 15     $ 49     $ (75 )   $ (7 )
 
Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
                                   
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
  $     $ (21 )   $ 95     $ 13     $     $ 87  
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
                                               
Additions to  property, plant, and equipment
          (2 )     (42 )     (1 )           (45 )
Proceeds from sale of assets
                2                   2  
Investment in Parent
                      (21 )     21        
(Contributions) distributions to/from subsidiaries
    (442 )     421                   21        
Intercompany advances (repayments)
          46                   (46 )      
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
                (20 )                 (20 )
Net cash from investing activities
    (442 )     465       (60 )     (22 )     (4 )     (63 )
                                                 
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
                                               
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
                      1             1  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    4                               4  
Proceeds from initial public offering
    438                               438  
Repayments of long-term borrowings
          (501 )                 (21 )     (522 )
Changes in intercompany balances
                (34 )     (12 )     46        
Contribution from Issuer
                      21       (21 )      
Net cash from financing activities
    442       (501 )     (34 )     10       4       (79 )
Effect of exchange rate on cash
                                   
Net change in cash
          (57 )     1       1             (55 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
          66             21             87  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $     $ 9     $ 1     $ 22     $     $ 32  
 
11.  Contingencies and Commitments
 
The Company is party to various legal proceedings involving routine claims which are incidental to the business.  Although the legal and financial liability with respect to such proceedings cannot be estimated with certainty, the Company believes that any ultimate liability would not be material to the business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
 
 
-16-

 
12.  Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share
 
Basic net income or loss per share is calculated by dividing the net income or loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents.  Diluted net income or loss per share is computed by dividing the net income or loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method and the if-converted method.  For purposes of this calculation, stock options are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted net income or loss per share when their effect is dilutive.  The Company’s redeemable common stock is included in the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for calculating basic and diluted net income or loss per share. 
 
The following tables and discussion provide a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted net loss per share computations.  The calculation below provides net income or loss on both basic and diluted basis for the quarterly period ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012.
 
   
Quarterly Period Ended
 
   
December 28, 2013
   
December 29, 2012
 
             
Net income (loss)
  $ 6     $ (10 )
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding--
    basic (in thousands)
    115,933       111,352  
Other common stock equivalents  (in thousands)
    4,546        
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding--
    diluted  (in thousands)
     120,479        111,352  
                 
                 
Basic net income (loss) per share
  $ 0.05     $ (0.09 )
Diluted net income (loss) per share
  $ 0.05     $ (0.09 )
 
 
The conversion of stock options is not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per common share for the three quarterly period ended December 29, 2012 as the effect of these conversions would be antidilutive to the net loss available to common shareholders.  Thus, the weighted average common equivalent shares used for purposes of computing diluted EPS are the same as those used to compute basic EPS for these periods.  Shares excluded from the calculation as the effect of their conversion into shares of our common stock would be antidilutive were 12,166,539 as of December 29, 2012.
 
13.  Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss).  Other comprehensive losses include net unrealized gains or losses resulting from currency translations of foreign subsidiaries, changes in the value of our derivative instruments and adjustments to the pension liability.  
 
The accumulated balances related to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (amounts below are net of taxes): 
 
   
Currency Translation
   
Defined Benefit Pension and Retiree Health Benefit Plans
   
Interest Rate Hedges
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
Balance as of September 28, 2013
  $ (20 )   $ (8 )   $ 10     $ (18 )
Other comprehensive loss
    (1 )     -       -       (1 )
Tax expense (benefit)
    -       -       -       -  
Balance as of December 28, 2013
  $ (21 )   $ (8 )   $ 10     $ (19 )
 
 
 
 
-17-

 
14.  Subsequent Event
 
Incremental Term Loan
 
In January 2014, the Company entered into an incremental assumption agreement to increase the commitments under Berry Plastics Corporation’s existing term loan credit agreement by $1,125 million.  Berry Plastics Corporation borrowed loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to the full amount of the commitments on such date. The incremental term loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.75% per annum with a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, mature in January 2021 and are subject to customary amortization. The proceeds from the incremental term loan, in addition to existing liquidity, were used to satisfy Berry Plastics Corporation’s outstanding term loan facility with that was to mature in April 2015.
 
In connection with the incremental term loan, the Company paid a $1 million underwriting fee to Apollo Global Securities, LLC, an affiliate of of Apollo Management, L.P that served as a manager of the offering.
 
Qingdao P&B Co., Ltd
 
In January 2014, the Company announced that its acquisition of the controlling interest (75%) of Qingdao P&B Co., Ltd (“P&B”) was approved by the competent approval authority in China.  P&B utilizes thermoform, injection, and automated assembly manufacturing processes to produce products for multiple markets across China as well as globally, most predominately serving the food and personal care markets.  P&B has annual revenues of $34 million and will operate in the Company’s Flexible Packaging Division.
 
 
 
-18-

 
Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations to the “Company” refer to Berry Plastics Group, Inc, and references to “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Berry Plastics Group, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries, after giving effect to the transactions described in the next paragraph.  You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and the accompanying notes thereto, which information is included elsewhere herein.  This discussion contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2013 in the section titled “Risk Factors” and other risk factors identified from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC.  Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.  You should read the explanation of the qualifications and limitations on these forward-looking statements referenced within this report.
 
Acquisitions
 
We have a long history of acquiring and integrating companies.  We maintain an opportunistic acquisition strategy, which is focused on improving our long-term financial performance, enhancing our market positions and expanding our product lines or, in some cases, providing us with a new or complementary product line.  In our acquisitions, we seek to obtain businesses for attractive post-synergy multiples, creating value for our stockholders from synergy realization, leveraging the acquired products across our customer base, creating new platforms for future growth, and assuming best practices from the businesses we acquire. 
 
The Company has included the expected benefits of acquisition integrations within our unrealized synergies, which are in turn recognized in earnings after an acquisition has been fully integrated.  While the expected benefits on earnings is estimated at the commencement of each transaction, once the execution of the plan and integration occur, we are generally unable to accurately estimate or track what the ultimate effects have been due to system integrations and movements of activities to multiple facilities.  As historical business combinations have not allowed us to accurately separate realized synergies compared to what was initially identified, we measure the synergy realization based on the overall segment profitability post integration.  In connection with our acquisitions, we have in the past and may in the future incur charges related to reductions and rationalizations. 
 
We also include the expected impact of our restructuring plans within our unrealized synergies which are in turn recognized in earnings after the restructuring plans are completed.  While the expected benefits on earnings is estimated at the commencement of each plan, due to the nature of the matters we are generally unable to accurately estimate or track what the ultimate effects have been due to movements of activities to multiple facilities. 
 
Graphic Packaging
 
On September 30, 2013, the Company acquired Graphic Packaging’s flexible plastics and films business (“Graphic”) for a purchase price of $62 million.  Graphic is a producer of wraps, films, pouches, and bags for the food, medical, industrial, personal care, and pet food markets.  The newly acquired business is operated in the Company’s Flexible Packaging Division.  To finance the purchase, the Company used existing liquidity.  The Graphic acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values at the acquisition date.  The Company has not finalized the purchase price allocation to the fair values of fixed assets, intangibles and is reviewing the working capital acquired.
 
Qingdao P&B Co., Ltd
 
In January 2014, the Company announced that its acquisition of the controlling interest (75%) of Qingdao P&B Co., Ltd (“P&B”) was approved by the competent approval authority in China.  P&B utilizes thermoform, injection, and automated assembly manufacturing processes to produce products for multiple markets across China as well as globally, most predominately serving the food and personal care markets.  P&B has annual revenues of $34 million and will operate in the Company’s Flexible Packaging Division.
 
Recent Developments
 
2014 Cost Reduction Plan
 
In November 2013, the Company initiated a cost reduction plan designed to deliver meaningful cost savings and optimal equipment utilization. This plan will result in several plant rationalizations.  The Company expects to incur approximately $50 million of total costs throughout fiscal 2014 related to this plan.  These costs will primarily consist of one-time costs associated with facility consolidation, including severance and termination benefits, other costs associated with exiting facilities and non-cash asset impairment charges.
 
 
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Incremental Term Loan
 
In January 2014, the Company entered into an incremental assumption agreement to increase the commitments under Berry Plastics Corporation’s existing term loan credit agreement by $1,125 million.  Berry Plastics Corporation borrowed loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to the full amount of the commitments on such date. The incremental term loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.75% per annum with a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, mature in January 2021 and are subject to customary amortization. The proceeds from the incremental term loan, in addition to existing liquidity, were used to satisfy Berry Plastics Corporation’s outstanding term loan facility with that was to mature in April 2015.
 
Executive Summary
 
Business.  We operate in the following four segments: Rigid Open Top, Rigid Closed Top (together our Rigid Packaging business), Engineered Materials, and Flexible Packaging.  The Rigid Packaging business sells primarily containers, foodservice items, closures, overcaps, bottles, prescription containers, and tubes.  Our Engineered Materials segment primarily sells pipeline corrosion protection solutions, tapes and adhesives, PE-based film products and can liners.  The Flexible Packaging segment sells high barrier, multilayer film products as well as finished flexible packages such as printed bags and pouches. 
 
Raw Material Trends. Our primary raw material is plastic resin.  Polypropylene and polyethylene account for approximately 90% of our plastic resin purchases based on the pounds purchased.  Plastic resins are subject to price fluctuations, including those arising from supply shortages and changes in the prices of natural gas, crude oil and other petrochemical intermediates from which resins are produced.  The average industry prices, as published in Chem Data, per pound were as follows by fiscal year:
 
   
Polyethylene Butene Film
   
Polypropylene
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
 
1st quarter
  $ .82     $ .69     $ .68     $ .89     $ .76     $ .79  
2nd quarter
          .74       .76             .96       .88  
3rd quarter
          .77       .72             .84       .85  
4th quarter
          .79       .68             .89       .71  
 
Due to differences in the timing of passing through resin cost changes to our customers on escalator/de-escalator programs, segments are negatively impacted in the short term when plastic resin costs increase and are positively impacted when plastic resin costs decrease.  This timing lag in passing through raw material cost changes could affect our results as plastic resin costs fluctuate. 
 
Outlook.  The Company is impacted by general economic and industrial growth, plastic resin availability and affordability, and general industrial production.  Our business has both geographic and end market diversity, which reduces the effect of any one of these factors on our overall performance.  Our results are affected by our ability to pass through raw material cost changes to our customers, improve manufacturing productivity and adapt to volume changes of our customers.  We seek to improve our overall profitability by implementing cost reduction programs associated with our manufacturing, selling and general and administrative expenses.
 
Looking forward, the Company anticipates its fiscal 2014 adjusted free cash flow to be approximately $270 million.  This estimate assumes flat pricing on plastic resin costs, no change in short term interest rates and benefits and costs from the restructuring program initiatives.
 
Results of Operations
 
Comparison of the Quarterly Period Ended December 28, 2013 (the “Quarter”) and the Quarterly Period Ended December 29, 2012 (the “Prior Quarter”)
 
Net Sales.  Net sales increased from $1,072 million in the Prior Quarter to $1,140 million in the Quarter.  This increase is primarily attributed to net sales from acquired business of 2% and selling price increases of 5% due to higher resin prices shown above partially offset by a 1% decline from exited business.  The following discussion in this section provides a comparison of net sales by business segment.
 
 
 
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Quarterly Period Ended
 
   
December 28, 2013
   
December 29, 2012
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Net sales:
                       
Rigid Open Top
  $ 261     $ 259     $ 2       1 %
Rigid Closed Top
    332       313       19       6 %
Rigid Packaging
  $ 593     $ 572     $ 21       4 %
Engineered Materials
    342       325       17       5 %
Flexible Packaging
    205       175       30       17 %
Total net sales
  $ 1,140     $ 1,072     $ 68       6 %
 
Net sales in the Rigid Open Top business increased from $259 million in the Prior Quarter to $261 million in the Quarter as a result of net selling price increases of 7% partially offset by a volume decline of 2% and product realignment of 4%.  The volume decline was primarily attributed to softness in thermoformed drink cups.  Net sales in the Rigid Closed Top business increased from $313 million in the Prior Quarter to $332 million in the Quarter as a result of net selling price increases of 4% and volume improvement of  2%.  The Engineered Materials business net sales increased from $325 million in the Prior Quarter to $342 million in the Quarter as a result of net selling price increases of 4% and product realignment of 3% partially offset by exited business of 2%.  The Flexible Packaging business net sales increased from $175 million in the Prior Quarter to $205 million in the Quarter as a result of acquisitions volume attributed to Graphic of 15% and net selling price increases of 5% partially offset by a volume decline of 3%.  The Flexible Packaging volume decline was primarily attributed to the soft customer demand partially offset by volume gains in our personal care products.
 
Operating Income.  Operating income decreased from $68 million (6% of net sales) in the Prior Quarter to $63 million (6% of net sales) in the Quarter.  This decrease is primarily attributed to $12 million from the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs and $2 million from volume declines described above partially offset by $1 million decrease in depreciation expense, $2 million decrease in amortization expense, $1 million decrease in business integration, $1 million increase from acquisitions and $4 million improvement in manufacturing efficiencies.  The following discussion in this section provides a comparison of operating income by business segment
 
   
Quarterly Period Ended
             
   
December 28, 2013
   
December 29, 2012
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Operating income:
                       
Rigid Open Top
  $ 13     $ 27     $ (14 )     (52 %)
Rigid Closed Top
    30       18       12       67 %
Rigid Packaging
  $ 43     $ 45     $ (2 )     (4 %)
Engineered Materials
    25       24       1       4 %
Flexible Packaging
    (5 )     (1 )     (4 )     400 %
Total operating income
  $ 63     $ 68     $ (5 )     (7 %)
 
Operating income for the Rigid Open Top business decreased from $27 million (10% of net sales) in the Prior Quarter to $13 million (5% of net sales) in the Quarter.  This decrease is primarily attributed to $1 million from volume declines, $4 million decline in operating performance in manufacturing, $2 million increase of selling, general and administrative expenses, $2 million increase in business integration expense and $5 million decline in the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs.  Operating income for the Rigid Closed Top business increased from $18 million (6% of net sales) in the Prior Quarter to $30 million (9% of net sales) in the Quarter.  This increase is primarily attributed to a $6 million decline in business integration expenses, $1 million from improved volumes, $1 million decline in selling, general and administrative expenses, $4 million improvement in operating performance in manufacturing and $2 million decline in depreciation and amortization expense partially offset by $2 million decline in the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs.  Operating income for the Engineered Materials business improved from $24 million (7% of net sales) in the Prior Quarter to $25 million (7% of net sales) in the Quarter.  This increase is primarily attributed to $6 million improvement in operating performance in manufacturing, and a $2 million decline in selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by $1 million from volume declines and $6 million decline in the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs.  Operating loss for the Flexible Packaging business increased from $1 million (-1% of net sales) in the Prior Quarter to $5 million (-2% of net sales) in the Quarter.  This decline is primarily attributed to a $4 million increase in business integration expense, $1 million from volume declines, $2 million decline in operating performance in manufacturing, $1 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses partially offset by $2 million benefit from the Graphic acquisition, $1 million reduction of depreciation and amortization expense and $1 million gain in the relationship of net selling price to raw material costs.
 
 
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Other Income. Other income declined by $2 million in the Quarter primarily due to the change in the fair value of derivative instruments.
 
 Interest Expense.  Interest expense decreased from $70 million in the Prior Quarter to $55 million in the Quarter primarily as the result of the various debt extinguishments that resulted from our incremental term loan capital restructuring in fiscal 2013.
 
Income Tax Expense(Benefit).  For the Quarter, we recorded an income tax expense of $3 million compared to $5 million of income tax benefit in the Prior Quarter.  The effective tax rate for the Quarter is impacted by the relative impact of discrete items and certain international entities for which a full valuation allowance is recognized.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Senior Secured Credit Facility
 
Through our wholly owned subsidiary Berry Plastics Corporation, we have senior secured credit facilities consisting of a $2.5 billion term loan and a $650 million asset based revolving line of credit (“Credit Facility”).  In January 2014, the Company entered into an incremental assumption agreement to increase the commitments under Berry Plastics Corporation’s existing term loan credit agreement by $1.1 billion.  Berry Plastics Corporation borrowed loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to the full amount of the commitments on such date.  The $1.1 billion incremental term loan matures in January 2021, the remaining $1.4 billion of term loan matures in February 2020 and the revolving line of credit matures in June 2016, subject to certain conditions.  The availability under the revolving line of credit is the lesser of $650 million or based on a defined borrowing base which is calculated based on available accounts receivable and inventory.  The revolving line of credit allows up to $130 million of letters of credit to be issued instead of borrowings under the revolving line of credit.  At December 28, 2013, the Company had no outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility, $37 million outstanding letters of credit and a $114 million borrowing base reserve providing unused borrowing capacity of $499 million under the revolving line of credit.  The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of December 28, 2013.
 
Our fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the revolving credit facility, is calculated based on a numerator consisting of adjusted EBITDA less pro forma adjustments, income taxes paid in cash and capital expenditures, and a denominator consisting of scheduled principal payments in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money, interest expense and certain distributions.  We are obligated to sustain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 under the revolving credit facility at any time when the aggregate unused capacity under the revolving credit facility is less than 10% of the lesser of the revolving credit facility commitments and the borrowing base (and for 10 business days following the date upon which availability exceeds such threshold) or during the continuation of an event of default.  At December 28, 2013, the Company had unused borrowing capacity of $499 million under the revolving credit facility and thus was not subject to the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio covenant.  Our fixed charge ratio was 2.1 to 1.0 at December 28, 2013.
 
Despite not having financial maintenance covenants, our debt agreements contain certain negative covenants.  The failure to comply with these negative covenants could restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, effect acquisitions, enter into certain significant business combinations, make distributions or redeem indebtedness.  The term loan facility contains a negative covenant first lien secured leverage ratio covenant of 4.0 to 1.0 on a pro forma basis for a proposed transaction, such as an acquisition or incurrence of additional first lien debt.  Our first lien secured leverage ratio was 3.1 to 1.0 at December 28, 2013.
 
 
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A key financial metric utilized in the calculation of the first lien leverage ratio is Adjusted EBITDA as defined in the Company’s senior secured credit facilities.  The following table reconciles (i) our Adjusted EBITDA to net income and (ii) our Adjusted Free Cash Flow to cash flow from operating activities , in each case, for the four quarters and quarterly period ended December 28, 2013:
 
   
December 28, 2013
 
   
Four Quarters Ended
   
Quarterly Period Ended
 
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 801     $ 174  
Net interest expense
    (229 )     (55 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (339 )     (85 )
Income tax expense
    (36 )     (3 )
Business optimization and other expense
    (30 )     (13 )
Restructuring and impairment
    (19 )     (10 )
Extinguishment of debt
    (48 )     -  
        Pro forma acquisitions
    (8 )     -  
Unrealized cost savings
    (19 )     (2 )
        Net income
  $ 73     $ 6  
 
     Cash flow from operating activities
  $ 549     $ 172  
     Net additions to property, plant, and equipment
    (224 )     (46 )
     Payments of tax receivable agreement
    (37 )     (32 )
     Adjusted free cash flow
  $ 288     $ 94  
     Cash flow from investing activities
    (295 )     (113 )
     Cash flow from financing activities
    (124 )     (39 )
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow, as presented in this document, are supplemental financial measures that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow are not GAAP financial measures and should not be considered as an alternative to operating or net income or cash flows from operating activities, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP.  We define “Adjusted EBITDA” as net income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, income tax expense (benefit), interest expense (net) and certain restructuring and business optimization charges and as adjusted for unrealized cost reductions and acquired businesses, including unrealized synergies, which are more particularly defined in our credit documents and the indentures governing our notes. Adjusted EBITDA is used by our lenders for debt covenant compliance purposes and by our management as one of several measures to evaluate management performance. While the determination of appropriate adjustments in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is subject to interpretation under the terms of the Credit Facility, management believes the adjustments described above are in accordance with the covenants in the Credit Facility. Adjusted EBITDA eliminates certain charges that we believe do not reflect operations and underlying operational performance. Although we use Adjusted EBITDA as a financial measure to assess the performance of our business, the use of Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations, including that (1) Adjusted EBITDA does not represent funds available for dividends, reinvestment or other discretionary uses, or account for one-time expenses and charges; (2) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash outlays for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; (3) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital; (4) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on indebtedness; (5) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect income tax expense or the cash necessary to pay income taxes; (6) Adjusted EBITDA excludes depreciation and amortization and, although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash requirements for such replacements; and (7) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the impact of earnings or charges resulting from matters we consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations.
 
We define “Adjusted Free Cash Flow” as cash flow from operating activities less additions to property, plant and equipment and payments of the tax receivable agreement. We use Adjusted Free Cash Flow as a measure of liquidity because it assists us in assessing our company’s ability to fund its growth through its generation of cash. We believe Adjusted Free Cash Flow is useful to an investor in evaluating our liquidity because Adjusted Free Cash Flow and similar measures are widely used by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in our industry to measure a company’s liquidity without regard to revenue and expense recognition, which can vary depending upon accounting methods. Although we use Adjusted Free Cash Flow as a liquidity measure to assess our ability to generate cash, the use of Adjusted Free Cash Flow has important limitations, including that: (1) Adjusted Free Cash Flow does not reflect the cash requirements necessary to service principal payments on our indebtedness; and (2) Adjusted Free Cash Flow removes the impact of accrual basis accounting on asset accounts and non-debt liability accounts.
 
 
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Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow may be calculated differently by other companies, including other companies in our industry, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow alongside other performance measures and liquidity measures, including operating income, various cash flow metrics, net income and our other GAAP results.
 
Tax Receivable Agreement
 
In connection with the initial public offering, the Company entered into an income tax receivable agreement ("TRA") that provides for the payment to pre-initial public offering stockholders, option holders and holders of our stock appreciation rights, 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, foreign, state and local income tax that are actually realized (or are deemed to be realized in the case of a change of control) as a result of the utilization of our and our subsidiaries’ net operating losses attributable to periods prior to the initial public offering. The actual utilization of net operating losses as well as the timing of any payments under the TRA will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the amount, character and timing of our and our subsidiaries’ taxable income in the future.
 
The Company expects to pay $85 million during the next twelve months related to the TRA.  The Company made $32 million of payments related to the TRA in the Quarter.
 
Cash Flows
 
Net cash provided by operating activities increased from $87 million in the Prior Quarter to $172 million in the Quarter.  The change is primarily attributed to improved working capital.
 
Net cash used in investing activities increased from $63 million in the Prior Quarter to $113 million in the Quarter primarily as a result of an increase in acquisition activity related to Graphic.  Our capital expenditures are forecasted at $230 million for fiscal 2014 and will be funded from cash flows from operating activities and existing liquidity.
 
Net cash used in financing activities was $79 million in the Prior Quarter compared to $39 million in the Quarter.  The Quarter change is primarily attributed to a decline in long-term repayments, net of proceeds from the initial public offering, partially offset by the $32 million of TRA payments.
 
Based on our current level of operations, we believe that cash flow from operations and available cash, together with available borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities, will be adequate to meet our short-term liquidity needs over the next twelve months.  We base such belief on historical experience and the funds available under the revolving credit facility.  However, we cannot predict our future results of operations and our ability to meet our obligations involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2013.  In particular, increases in the cost of resin which we are unable to pass through to our customers on a timely basis or significant acquisitions could severely impact our liquidity.
 
Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Interest Rate Sensitivity
 
We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates primarily through our senior secured credit facilities.  Our senior secured credit facilities are comprised of (i) a $2.6 billion term loan and (ii) a $650 million revolving credit facility.  At December 28, 2013, the Company had no outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility.  The net outstanding balance of the term loan was $2.5 billion at December 28, 2013.  Borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities bear interest, at our option, at either an alternate base rate or an adjusted LIBOR rate for a one-, two-, three- or six month interest period, or a nine- or twelve-month period, if available to all relevant lenders, in each case, plus an applicable margin.  The alternate base rate is the greater of (i) in the case of our term loan, Credit Suisse’s prime rate or, in the case of our revolving credit facility, Bank of America's prime rate and (ii) one-half of 1.0% over the weighted average of rates on overnight Federal Funds as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.  At December 28, 2013, the LIBOR rate of 0.22% was applicable to the term loan and second priority senior secured floating rate notes.  A 0.25% change in LIBOR would not have a material impact on our interest expense.
 
In February 2013, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction to manage cash flow variability associated with $1 billion of outstanding variable rate term loan debt (the "2013 Swaps"). The agreement swaps the greater of a three-month variable LIBOR contract or 1.00% for a fixed three-year rate of 2.355%, with an effective date in May 2016 and expiration in May 2019.  In June 2013, the Company elected to settle this derivative instrument and received $16 million as a result of this settlement.  The offset is included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and will be amortized to Interest expense from May 2016 through May 2019, the original term of the swap agreement.
 
 
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Resin Cost Sensitivity
 
We are exposed to market risk from changes in plastic resin prices that could impact our results of operations and financial condition.  Our plastic resin purchasing strategy is to deal with only high-quality, dependable suppliers.  We believe that we have maintained strong relationships with these key suppliers and expect that such relationships will continue into the foreseeable future.  The resin market is a global market and, based on our experience, we believe that adequate quantities of plastic resins will be available at market prices, but we can give you no assurances as to such availability or the prices thereof.  If the price of resin increased or decreased by 5% it would result in a material change to our cost of goods sold.
 
Item 4.     Controls and Procedures
 
(a)           Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
 
Under applicable SEC regulations, management of a reporting company, with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, must periodically evaluate the company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” which are defined generally as controls and other procedures of a reporting company designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the reporting company in its periodic reports filed with the commission (such as this Form 10-Q) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.
 
 
The Company's management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures as of December 28, 2013.  Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 28, 2013, the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
 
 (b)           Changes in internal controls.
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 28, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Part II.  Other Information
 
Item 1.                        Legal Proceedings
 
There have been no material changes in legal proceedings from the items disclosed in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2013.
 
Item 1A.                        Risk Factors
 
You should carefully consider the risks described in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2013, including those under the heading “Risk Factors” and other information contained in this Quarterly Report before investing in our securities. Realization of any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.  There were no material changes in the Company’s risk factors since described in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2013.
 
Item 2.                        Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
Not Applicable
 
Item 3.                        Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
Not Applicable
 
Item 4.                        Mine Safety Disclosures
 
Not Applicable
 
Item 5.                        Other Information
 
Not Applicable
 
 
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Item 6.                        Exhibits

 
10.1
Employment agreement, dated as of January 1, 2002, between Berry Plastics Corporation and Curtis Begle
10.2
U.S. $1,125,000,000 Incremental Assumption Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2014, by and among Berry Plastics Group, Inc., Berry Plastics Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries referenced therein and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch
10.3
Amendment No. 1 to Employment agreement, dated as of January 1, 2002, between Berry Plastics Corporation and Curtis Begle
10.4
Amendment No. 2 to Employment agreement, dated as of January 1, 2002, between Berry Plastics Corporation and Curtis Begle
10.5
Amendment No. 3 to Employment agreement, dated as of January 1, 2002, between Berry Plastics Corporation and Curtis Begle
10.6
Amendment No. 4 to Employment agreement, dated as of January 1, 2002, between Berry Plastics Corporation and Curtis Begle
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer
32.1
Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer
32.2
Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer


 
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SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
  Berry Plastics Group, Inc.  
January 31, 2014      
 
By:
/s/ Mark W. Miles  
    Mark W. Miles  
    Chief Financial Officer  
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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