Glatfelter Corp - Quarter Report: 2018 March (Form 10-Q)

1.	ORGANIZATION

P. H. Glatfelter Company and subsidiaries (“Glatfelter”) is a manufacturer of specialty papers and fiber-based engineered materials. Headquartered in York, PA, U.S. operations include facilities in Fort Smith, AR, Spring Grove, PA and Chillicothe and Fremont, OH. International operations include facilities in Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the Philippines, and sales and distribution offices in the U.S., Russia and China. The terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company,” or “Glatfelter,” refer to P. H. Glatfelter Company and subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise. Our products are marketed worldwide, either through wholesale paper merchants, brokers and agents, or directly to customers.

 

 

2.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (“financial statements”) include the accounts of Glatfelter and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

We prepared these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“generally accepted accounting principles” or “GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission pertaining to interim financial statements. In our opinion, the financial statements reflect all normal, recurring adjustments needed to present fairly our results for the interim periods. When preparing these financial statements, we have assumed that you have read the audited consolidated financial statements included in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Reclassification   As a result of adopting the provisions of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Cost we reclassified certain amounts of periodic benefit expense for previously reported periods from Cost of products sold and Selling, general and administrative expense to Non Operating Expense.  As a result of applying the ASU, Costs of products sold for the first quarter of 2017 was increased by $1.3 million and Selling, general and administrative expenses were reduced by $0.2 million and the offsetting net reclassification reduced Non-operating expense by $1.1 million.

Accounting Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of

contingencies as of the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management believes the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of these financial statements are reasonable, based upon currently available facts and known circumstances, but recognizes that actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.

Revenue Recognition  We adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers in the first quarter of 2018. This ASU clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and establishes expanded disclosure requirements; however, the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 had no impact on the timing or amount of revenue recognized for any period presented.  Refer to Note 3 for additional information about the disaggregation of our net sales.

Our revenue is earned primarily from the manufacture and sale of specialty papers and engineered materials (“product sales”).  Revenue is earned pursuant to contracts, supply agreements and other arrangements with a wide variety of customers. Our performance obligation is to produce a specified product according to technical specifications and, in substantially all instances, to deliver the product. Revenue from product sales is earned at a point in time. We recognize revenue on product sales when we have satisfied our performance obligation and control of the product has passed to the customer thereby entitling us to payment. With respect to substantially all arrangements for product sales, this is deemed to occur when title transfers in accordance with specified shipping terms.

The prices are fixed at the time the sales arrangement is entered into and payment terms are customary for similar arrangements in our industry. Many of our agreements include customary provisions for volume rebates, discounts and similar incentives. In addition, we are obligated for products that fail to meet agreed upon specification. Provisions for such items are estimated and recorded as sales deductions in the period in which the related revenue is recognized.

Revenue from power sales and renewable energy credits is recorded under the caption “Energy and related sales, net” in the condensed consolidated statements of income and is recognized upon fulfillment of our performance obligation which is generally upon meeting capacity commitments or delivery of REC certificates. Revenue from energy sales is recognized when electricity is delivered to the customer. Prices for power sales and renewable energy credits are fixed at the time of sale and payment is generally due within normal terms and conditions customary for the industry.

Certain costs associated with the production of electricity, such as fuel, labor, depreciation and maintenance are netted against energy sales for presentation on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements   In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. (“ASU No. 2018-02”).”  In December 2017, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) was passed into law and, among other provisions, reduced the statutory federal tax rate from 35% to 21%.  The change in the tax rate impacted the carrying value of deferred tax assets and liabilities.  ASU No. 2018-02 allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA.  We elected to adopt ASU No. 2018-02 in the first quarter of 2018, and we reclassified $22.3 million of net deferred tax benefits from AOCI to retained earnings.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This ASU will require organizations such as us that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. The new guidance will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted. We are in the process of assessing the impact this standard will have on us and expect to follow a modified retrospective method provided for under the standard.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments that changes the impairment model for most financial instruments, including trade receivables from an incurred loss method to a new forward-looking approach, based on expected losses. Under the new guidance, an allowance is recognized based on an estimate of expected credit losses. This standard is effective for us in the first quarter of 2020 and must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition approach. We are currently assessing the impact this standard may have on our results of operations and financial position.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" (“ASU No. 2017-12”), which simplifies the application of hedge accounting and more closely aligns hedge accounting with an entity’s risk management strategies. ASU No. 2017-12 also amends the manner in which hedge effectiveness may be performed and changes the presentation of hedge ineffectiveness in the financial statements. ASU No. 2017-12 is effective for us beginning January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. ASU No. 2017-12 requires a cumulative-effect adjustment for certain items upon adoption. We are

currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU No. 2017-12 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

3.

REVENUE

The following tables set forth disaggregated information pertaining to our net sales:

 

 

 

 

4.	GAINS (LOSSES) ON DISPOSITION OF PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND TIMBERLANDS

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 we completed the following sales of assets:

 

 

 

5.	EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the details of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”):

 

 

The following table sets forth potential common shares outstanding that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS for the period indicated, because their effect would be anti-dilutive:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.	INCOME TAXES

Effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”) was signed into U.S. law. Among other things, the TCJA reduces the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% beginning in 2018 and requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax on previously unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred. ASC Topic 740, Accounting for Income Taxes, requires companies to recognize the effect of tax law changes in the period of enactment even though the effective date for most provisions is for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017.

Given the significance of the legislation, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), which allows registrants to record provisional amounts during a one year “measurement period” similar to that used when accounting for business combinations.  However, the measurement period is deemed to have ended earlier when the registrant has obtained, prepared, and analyzed the information necessary to finalize its accounting.  During the measurement period, impacts of the law are expected to be recorded at the time a reasonable estimate for all or a portion of the effects can be made, and provisional amounts can be recognized and adjusted as information becomes available, prepared, or analyzed.

Our accounting for certain elements of the TCJA was incomplete as of December 31, 2017 and remains incomplete as of March 31, 2018.  However, we were able to make reasonable estimates of the effects and therefore, recorded provisional estimates for these items.

During early 2018, the Internal Revenue Service issued additional guidance affecting the computation of our 2017 federal income tax liability.  As a result of this and additional analysis, we revised our prior estimates and recorded $0.2 million of additional tax benefits.  The ultimate impact of the TCJA may differ from current estimates, and such differences could be material, due to changes in interpretations or assumptions.

While the TCJA provides for a territorial tax system, beginning in 2018, it includes the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) provision.  We elected to account for GILTI tax in the period in which it is incurred. The GILTI provisions require entities to include in its U.S. income tax return foreign subsidiary earnings in excess of an allowable return on the foreign subsidiary’s tangible assets.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, our effective tax rate increased by approximately 10% as a result of the GILTI provisions due to our utilization of U.S. federal tax loss carryforward, which restricts our ability to recognize the associated foreign tax credits and a deduction of up to 50% of the GILTI income. Since we are using U.S. federal tax loss

carryforwards, there is no impact to cash taxes related to the GILTI provisions.

Income taxes are recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements or tax returns. The effects of income taxes are measured based on enacted tax laws and rates.

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had $27.8 million and $26.9 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits. As of March 31, 2018, if such benefits were to be recognized, approximately $17.6 million would be recorded as a component of income tax expense, thereby affecting our effective tax rate.

We, or one of our subsidiaries, file income tax returns with the United States Internal Revenue Service, as well as various state and foreign authorities.

The following table summarizes, by major jurisdiction, tax years that remain subject to examination:

 

 

(1)	includes provincial or similar local jurisdictions, as applicable

The amount of income taxes we pay is subject to ongoing audits by federal, state and foreign tax authorities, which often result in proposed assessments. Management performs a comprehensive review of its global tax positions on a quarterly basis and accrues amounts for uncertain tax positions. Based on these reviews and the result of discussions and resolutions of matters with certain tax authorities and the closure of tax years subject to tax audit, reserves are adjusted as necessary. However, future results may include favorable or unfavorable adjustments to our estimated tax liabilities in the period the assessments are determined or resolved or as such statutes are closed. Due to potential for resolution of federal, state and foreign examinations, and the lapse of various statutes of limitation, it is reasonably possible our gross unrecognized tax benefits balance may decrease within the next twelve months by a range of zero to $4.9 million. Substantially all of this range relates to tax positions taken in Germany and the U.S.

We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense. The following table summarizes information related to interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The P. H. Glatfelter Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) provides for the issuance of Glatfelter common stock to eligible participants in the form of restricted stock units, restricted stock awards, non-qualified stock options, performance shares, incentive stock options and performance units.

Pursuant to terms of the LTIP, we have issued to eligible participants restricted stock units, performance share awards and stock only stock appreciation rights.

Restricted Stock Units (“RSU”) and Performance Share Awards (“PSAs”) Awards of RSUs and PSAs are made under our LTIP. The RSUs vest on the passage of time, generally on a graded scale over a three, four, and five-year period, or in certain instances the RSUs were issued with five year cliff vesting. PSAs are issued to members of management and vesting is based on achievement of cumulative financial performance targets covering a two year period followed by an additional one-year service period. The performance measures include a minimum, target and maximum performance level providing the grantees an opportunity to receive more or less shares than targeted depending on actual financial performance. In addition, beginning in 2018, PSA awards include a modifier based on the three-year total shareholder return relative to a broad market index. For RSUs the grant date fair value of the awards, or the closing price per common share on the date of the award, is used to determine the amount of expense to be recognized over the applicable service period. For PSAs, the grant date fair value is estimated using a lattice model.  The significant inputs include the stock price, volatility, dividend yield, and risk free rate of return.  Settlement of RSUs and PSAs will be made in shares of our common stock currently held in treasury.

The following table summarizes RSU and PSA activity during periods indicated:

 

 

The amount granted in 2018 and 2017 includes 181,653 and 157,064, respectively, of PSAs exclusive of reinvested dividends.

The following table sets forth aggregate RSU and PSA compensation expense for the periods indicated:

 

 

Stock Only Stock Appreciation Rights (“SOSARs”) Under terms of the SOSAR, a recipient receives the right to a payment in the form of shares of common stock equal to the difference, if any, in the fair market value of one share of common stock at the time of exercising the SOSAR and the exercise price. The SOSARs vest ratably over a three year period and have a term of ten years. No SOSARs were awarded during the first quarters of 2018 or 2017.

The following table sets forth information related to outstanding SOSARS for the three months ended March 31;

 

 

The following table sets forth SOSAR compensation expense for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

 

9.	RETIREMENT PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

The following tables provide information with respect to the net periodic costs of our pension and post-retirement medical benefit plans.

 

 

In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2017-07 which requires entities to present the service cost component of net periodic benefit costs in operating profit along with other employee compensation costs.  All other components of net periodic benefit costs are to be presented below the determination of operating income in “Other, net”.

 

 

10.	INVENTORIES

Inventories, net of reserves, were as follows:

 

 

 

11.	CAPITALIZED INTEREST

 

The following table sets forth details of interest incurred, capitalized and expensed:

 

 

Capitalized interest primarily relates to spending for the Airlaid capacity expansion project in 2017 and 2018 and the Specialty Papers’ environmental compliance project in 2017.

 

 

12.	LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt is summarized as follows:

 

 

On March 12, 2015, we amended our revolving credit agreement with a consortium of banks (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) which increased the amount available for borrowing to $400 million, extended the maturity of the facility to March 12, 2020, and instituted a revised interest rate pricing grid. On February 1, 2017, the Revolving Credit Facility was further amended to, among other things, change the definition of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for purposes of calculating covenant compliance.

For all US dollar denominated borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, the borrowing rate is, at our option, either, (a) the bank’s base rate which is equal to the greater of i) the prime rate; ii) the federal funds rate plus 50 basis points; or iii) the daily Euro-rate plus 100 basis points plus an applicable spread over either i), ii) or iii) ranging from 12.5 basis points to 100 basis points based on the Company’s leverage ratio and its corporate credit ratings determined by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. (the “Corporate Credit Rating”); or (b) the daily Euro-rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 112.5 basis points to 200 basis points based on the Company’s leverage ratio and the Corporate Credit Rating. For non-US dollar denominated borrowings, interest is based on (b) above.

The Revolving Credit Facility contains a number of customary covenants for financings of this type that, among other things, restrict our ability to dispose of or create liens on assets, incur additional indebtedness, repay other indebtedness, limits certain intercompany financing arrangements, make acquisitions and engage in mergers or consolidations. We are also required to comply with specified financial tests and ratios including: i) maximum net debt to EBITDA ratio (the “leverage ratio”); and ii) a consolidated EBITDA to interest expense ratio. The most restrictive of our covenants is a maximum leverage ratio of 3.5x. As of March 31, 2018, the leverage ratio, as calculated in accordance with the definition in our amended credit agreement, was 2.8x. A breach of these requirements would give rise to certain remedies under the Revolving Credit Facility, among which are the termination of the agreement and accelerated repayment of the outstanding borrowings plus accrued and unpaid interest under the credit facility.

On October 3, 2012, we completed a private placement offering of $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “5.375% Notes”). The 5.375% Notes, which are now publically registered, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by PHG Tea Leaves, Inc., Mollanvick, Inc., Glatfelter Composite Fibers N. A., Inc., Glatfelter Advanced Materials N.A., LLC., and Glatfelter Holdings, LLC (the “Guarantors”). Interest on the 5.375% Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on April 15 and October 15.

The 5.375% Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time on or after October 15, 2016 at the redemption prices specified in the applicable Indenture. These Notes and the guarantees of the notes are senior obligations of the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, rank equally in right of payment with future senior indebtedness of the Company and the Guarantors and will mature on October 15, 2020.

The 5.375% Notes contain various covenants customary to indebtedness of this nature including limitations on i) the amount of indebtedness that may be incurred; ii) certain restricted payments including common stock dividends; iii) distributions from certain subsidiaries; iv) sales of assets; v) transactions amongst subsidiaries; and vi) incurrence of liens on assets. In addition, the 5.375% Notes contain cross default provisions that could result in all such notes becoming due and payable in the event of a failure to repay debt outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at maturity or a default under the Revolving Credit Facility that accelerates the debt outstanding thereunder. As of March 31, 2018, we met all of the requirements of our debt covenants.

Glatfelter Gernsbach GmbH & Co. KG (“Gernsbach”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, entered into a series of borrowing agreements with IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG, Düsseldorf (“IKB”) as summarized below:

 

 

Each of the borrowings require quarterly repayments of principal and interest and provide for representations, warranties and covenants customary for financings of these types. The financial covenants contained in each of the IKB loans, which relate to the minimum ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense and the maximum ratio of consolidated total net debt to consolidated adjusted EBITDA, are calculated by reference to our Revolving Credit Facility.

P. H. Glatfelter Company guarantees all debt obligations of its subsidiaries. All such obligations are recorded in these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Letters of credit issued to us by certain financial institutions totaled $5.2 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The letters of credit, which reduce amounts available under our revolving credit facility, primarily provide financial assurances for the benefit of certain state workers compensation insurance agencies in conjunction with our self-insurance program. We bear the credit risk on this amount to the extent that we do not comply with the provisions of certain agreements. No amounts are outstanding under the letters of credit.

 

 

 

 

13.	FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The amounts reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value. The following table sets forth carrying value and fair value of long-term debt:

 

 

As of March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, we had $250.0 million of 5.375% fixed rate bonds. These bonds are publicly registered, but thinly traded.  The fair value of financial derivatives is set forth below in Note 14.

 

 

14.	FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

As part of our overall risk management practices, we enter into financial derivatives primarily designed to either i) hedge foreign currency risks associated with forecasted transactions – “cash flow hedges” or ii) mitigate the impact that changes in currency exchange rates have on intercompany financing transactions and foreign currency denominated receivables and payables – “foreign currency hedges."

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments - Cash Flow Hedges We use currency forward contracts as cash flow hedges to manage our exposure to fluctuations in the currency exchange rates on certain forecasted production costs or capital expenditures expected to be incurred. Currency forward contracts involve fixing the exchange for delivery of a specified amount of foreign currency on a specified date. As of March 31, 2018, the maturity of currency forward contracts ranged from one month to 18 months.

We designate certain currency forward contracts as cash flow hedges of forecasted raw material purchases, certain production costs or capital expenditures with exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of foreign exchange risk is deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. With respect to hedges of forecasted raw material purchases or production costs, the amount deferred is subsequently reclassified into costs of products sold in the period that inventory produced using the

hedged transaction affects earnings. For hedged capital expenditures, deferred gains or losses are reclassified and included in the historical cost of the capital asset and subsequently affect earnings as depreciation is recognized. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative is recognized directly to earnings and reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income as non-operating income (expense) under the caption “Other, net.”

We had the following outstanding derivatives that were used to hedge foreign exchange risks associated with forecasted transactions and designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments - Foreign Currency Hedges We also enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to mitigate the impact changes in currency exchange rates have on balance sheet monetary assets and liabilities. None of these contracts are designated as hedges for financial accounting purposes and, accordingly, changes in value of the foreign exchange forward contracts and in the offsetting underlying on-balance-sheet transactions are reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income under the caption “Other, net.”

The following sets forth derivatives used to mitigate the impact changes in currency exchange rates have on balance sheet monetary assets and liabilities:

 

 

These contracts have maturities of one month from the date originally entered into.

Fair Value Measurements The following table summarizes the fair values of derivative instruments for the period indicated and the line items in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets where the instruments are recorded:

 

 

The amounts set forth in the table above represent the net asset or liability giving effect to rights of offset with each counterparty. The effect of netting the amounts presented above did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position.