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MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC. - Quarter Report: 2013 September (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

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 September 30, 2013

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File No.: 000-51826

 

 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Washington   47-0956945

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Suite 1120, 700 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 1G8

(Address of office)

(604) 684-1099

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    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 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 whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a 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   x
Non-Accelerated Filer   ¨    Smaller Reporting Company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  ¨    NO  x

The Registrant had 55,853,704 shares of common stock outstanding as at October 31, 2013.

 

 

 


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 2


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros)

 

     September 30,     December 31,  
     2013     2012  

ASSETS

    

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   134,168      104,239   

Receivables

     97,303        110,087   

Inventories (Note 2)

     122,604        118,300   

Prepaid expenses and other

     12,395        7,907   

Deferred income tax

     4,235        4,465   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     370,705        344,998   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term assets

    

Property, plant and equipment

     777,415        808,878   

Deferred note issuance and other

     14,138        12,162   

Deferred income tax

     14,226        17,565   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     805,779        838,605   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   1,176,484      1,183,603   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

    

Current liabilities

    

Accounts payable and other

   103,155      89,950   

Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations (Note 4)

     767        813   

Debt (Note 3)

     43,802        45,662   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     147,724        136,425   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term liabilities

    

Debt (Note 3)

     676,447        665,741   

Unrealized interest rate derivative losses (Note 10)

     36,759        50,678   

Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations (Note 4)

     30,737        32,141   

Capital leases and other

     14,505        13,936   

Deferred income tax

     7,639        5,757   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     766,087        768,253   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     913,811        904,678   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EQUITY

    

Shareholders’ equity

    

Share capital (Note 5)

     248,923        248,371   

Paid-in capital

     (10,425     (3,547

Retained earnings

     13,244        25,800   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     18,630        25,181   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     270,372        295,805   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interest (deficit) (Note 9)

     (7,699     (16,880
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     262,673        278,925   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   1,176,484      1,183,603   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 3


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,     September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Revenues

        

Pulp

   186,100      205,122      559,879      590,597   

Energy and chemicals

     17,021        18,153        51,660        55,098   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     203,121        223,275        611,539        645,695   

Costs and expenses

        

Operating costs

     166,054        191,083        518,032        531,470   

Operating depreciation and amortization

     14,632        14,972        44,107        43,784   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     22,435        17,220        49,400        70,441   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     9,437        10,006        27,695        28,688   

Restructuring expenses (Note 8)

     2,926        —          2,926        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     10,072        7,214        18,779        41,753   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

        

Interest expense

     (13,018     (14,084     (39,305     (42,080

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments (Note 10)

     1,978        (883     12,091        1,336   

Other income (expense)

     172        517        108        (261
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (10,868     (14,450     (27,106     (41,005
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (796     (7,236     (8,327     748   

Income tax benefit (provision)

        

Current

     (1,057     (870     2,022        (7,207

Deferred

     115        (1,040     (4,456     2,300   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (1,738     (9,146     (10,761     (4,159

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (482     (566     (1,795     (2,865
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

   (2,220   (9,712   (12,556   (7,024
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders (Note 7)

        

Basic and diluted

   (0.04   (0.17   (0.23   (0.13

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 4


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,     September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Net income (loss)

   (1,738   (9,146   (10,761   (4,159

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

        

Foreign currency translation adjustments (net of tax effects of (€843), (€328), (€554), €197)

     3,778        7,582        (7,453     8,395   

Change in unrecognized losses and prior service costs related to defined benefit plans (net of tax effects of €nil in all periods)

     268        (327     920        (663

Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, arising during the period (net of tax effects of €nil in all periods)

     (1     35        (18     37   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

     4,045        7,290        (6,551     7,769   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

     2,307        (1,856     (17,312     3,610   

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (482     (566     (1,795     (2,865
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

   1,825      (2,422   (19,107   745   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,     September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

   (2,220   (9,712   (12,556   (7,024

Retained earnings, beginning of period

     15,464        40,673        25,800        37,985   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Retained earnings, end of period

   13,244      30,961      13,244      30,961   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 5


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,     September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Cash flows from (used in) operating activities

        

Net income (loss)

   (1,738   (9,146   (10,761   (4,159

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities

        

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments

     (2,398     883        (12,774     (1,336

Depreciation and amortization

     14,694        15,054        44,298        43,992   

Deferred income taxes

     (115     1,040        4,456        (2,300

Stock compensation expense

     621        891        1,194        1,753   

Pension and other post-retirement expense, net of funding

     124        (73     457        (128

Other

     461        1,412        2,614        2,278   

Changes in working capital

        

Receivables

     (696     (14,122     11,349        901   

Inventories

     (15,248     5,834        (7,355     9,276   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     9,061        9,692        18,088        13,146   

Other

     77        (2,239     (6,413     (901
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

     4,843        9,226        45,153        62,522   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) investing activities

        

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (6,991     (9,152     (29,368     (27,455

Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment

     233        48        248        387   

Proceeds on maturity of marketable securities

     —          10,213        —          12,221   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) investing activities

     (6,758     1,109        (29,120     (14,847
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities

        

Repayment of debt and purchase of notes

     (22,174     (15,544     (42,719     (27,254

Proceeds from issuance of notes and borrowings of debt

     39,607        —          56,607        —     

Repayment of capital lease obligations

     (396     (508     (1,497     (1,567

Proceeds from (repayment of) credit facilities, net

     (12,226     —          728        —     

Payment of note issuance costs

     (1,794     —          (1,794     (1,621

Proceeds from government grants

     —          778        4,147        3,100   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) financing activities

     3,017        (15,274     15,472        (27,342
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (1,367     221        (1,576     764   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (265     (4,718     29,929        21,097   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     134,433        130,887        104,239        105,072   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   134,168      126,169      134,168      126,169   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 6


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,     September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

        

Cash paid during the period for

        

Interest

   2,370      3,820      26,833      30,086   

Income taxes

   1,972      370      3,500      3,389   

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities

        

Acquisition of production and other equipment under capital lease obligations

   803      (186   1,218      588   

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued purchases for property, plant and equipment

   (1,418   1,472      (3,860   3,375   

Increase (decrease) in receivables of government grants for long-term assets

   —        (200   —        (2,533

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 7


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

Note 1. The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The interim consolidated financial statements contained herein include the accounts of Mercer International Inc. (“Mercer Inc.”) and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”). The Company’s shares of common stock are quoted and listed for trading on both the NASDAQ Global Market and the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The year-end Consolidated Balance Sheet data was derived from audited financial statements. The footnote disclosure included herein has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted for interim financial statements in the United States (“GAAP”). The interim consolidated financial statements should be read together with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. In the opinion of the Company, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contained herein contain all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results of the interim periods included. The results for the periods included herein may not be indicative of the results for the entire year.

The Company has three pulp mills that are aggregated into one reportable business segment, market pulp. Accordingly, the results presented are those of the reportable business segment.

In these interim consolidated financial statements, unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are expressed in Euros (“€”). The term “U.S. dollars” and the symbol “$” refer to United States dollars. The symbol “C$” refers to Canadian dollars.

Use of Estimates

Preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant management judgment is required in determining the accounting for, among other things, doubtful accounts and reserves, depreciation and amortization, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for long-lived assets, derivative financial instruments, environmental conservation and legal liabilities, asset retirement obligations, pensions and post-retirement benefit obligations, income taxes, contingencies, and inventory obsolescence and provisions. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known.

Note 2. Inventories

 

     September 30,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  

Raw materials

   47,769       46,028   

Finished goods

     36,991         38,169   

Spare parts and other

     37,844         34,103   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   122,604       118,300   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 8


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 3. Debt

Debt consists of the following:

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
    2013     2012  

Note payable to bank, included in a total loan credit facility of €827,950 to finance the construction related to the Stendal mill (a)

  412,907      452,907   

Senior notes, interest at 9.50% accrued and payable semi-annually, unsecured (b)

    248,642        215,670   

Credit agreement with a lender with respect to a revolving credit facility of C$40.0 million (c)

    5,029        4,574   

Term bank facility for a project at the Stendal mill of €17,000 (d)

    15,370        —     

Loans payable to the noncontrolling shareholder of the Stendal mill (e)

    37,757        36,620   

Investment loan agreement with a lender with respect to a project at the Rosenthal mill of €4,351 (f)

    544        1,632   

Credit agreement with a bank with respect to a revolving credit facility of €25,000 (g)

    —          —     

Credit agreement with a bank with respect to a revolving credit facility of €5,000 (h)

    —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    720,249        711,403   

Less: current portion

    (43,802     (45,662
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Debt, less current portion

  676,447      665,741   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2013, the maturities of debt are as follows:

 

Matures

   Amount  

2013

   —     

2014

     43,802   

2015

     47,584   

2016

     52,613   

2017

     576,250   

Thereafter

     —     
  

 

 

 
   720,249   
  

 

 

 

Certain of the Company’s debt instruments were issued under an indenture which, among other things, restricts its ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to make certain payments. These limitations are subject to specific exceptions. As at September 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with the terms of the indenture.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 9


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 3. Debt (continued)

 

(a) Note payable to bank, included in a total loan facility of €827,950 to finance the construction related to the Stendal mill (“Stendal Loan Facility”), interest at rates varying from Euribor plus 0.90% to Euribor plus 1.80% (rates on amounts of borrowing at September 30, 2013 range from 1.39% to 2.14%), principal due in required installments beginning September 30, 2006 until September 30, 2017, collateralized by the gross assets of the Stendal mill, with 48% and 32% guaranteed by the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Saxony-Anhalt, respectively, of up to €352,907 of outstanding principal, subject to a debt service reserve account (“DSRA”) for purposes of paying amounts due in the following 12 months under the terms of the Stendal Loan Facility; payment of dividends is only permitted if certain cash flow requirements are met. See Note 10 – Derivative Transactions for a discussion of the Company’s variable-to-fixed interest rate swap that was put in place to effectively fix the interest rate on the Stendal Loan Facility.

On March 13, 2009, the Company finalized an agreement with its lenders to amend its Stendal Loan Facility. The amendment deferred approximately €164,000 of scheduled principal payments until the maturity date, September 30, 2017. The amendment also provided for a 100% cash sweep, referred to as the “Cash Sweep”, of any cash, in excess of a €15,000 working capital reserve, the Guarantee Amount, as discussed in Note 12(a) – Commitments and Contingencies, and other amounts as contemplated in the amendment, held by Stendal which will be used first to fund the DSRA to a level sufficient to service the amounts due and payable under the Stendal Loan Facility during the then following 12 months, which means the DSRA is “Fully Funded”, and second to prepay the deferred principal amounts. As at September 30, 2013, the DSRA balance was €32,996 and was not Fully Funded.

On September 30, 2013, the Company amended the terms of the Stendal Loan Facility and Project Blue Mill facility (the “Facilities”) (Note 3(d)). The amendment included waiving compliance with the annual debt service cover ratio and the senior debt cover ratio under the Facilities until and including December 31, 2013; amending the senior debt cover ratio so that it now deducts the DSRA and other specified cash above a stipulated threshold in the calculation of senior debt; providing that a failure to satisfy the annual debt service cover ratio under the Facilities would only be an event of default when amounts in the DSRA plus certain cash reserves are below a specified threshold; and revising the calculation of amounts required to cure a senior debt cover ratio default. Pursuant to the amended agreement the Company made a capital investment of $20.0 million in Stendal. See Note 9 – Noncontrolling Interest for details of the investment.

 

(b) On November 17, 2010, the Company completed a private offering of $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2017 (“Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes were issued at a price of 100% of their principal amount. The Senior Notes will mature on December 1, 2017 and bear interest at 9.50% which is accrued and payable semi-annually.

In July 2013, the Company issued $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its Senior Notes. The additional notes were priced at 104.50% plus accrued interest from June 1, 2013. The net proceeds from the offering were $50.5 million, after deducting the underwriter’s discounts, offering expenses and accrued interest. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering to repay the revolving credit facilities of the Rosenthal and Celgar mills and for general corporate purposes.

In June 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to €50,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Senior Notes from time to time, over a period ended June 2013. During the six month period ended June 30, 2013, the Company did not purchase any of its outstanding Senior Notes. During the twelve month period ended December 31, 2012, the Company purchased $2.0 million of its outstanding Senior Notes.

The Senior Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Company. The Senior Notes rank equal in right of payment with all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of the Company and senior in right of payment to any current or future subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Senior Notes are effectively junior in right of payment to all borrowings of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries, including borrowings under the Company’s credit agreements which are secured by certain assets of its restricted subsidiaries.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 10


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 3. Debt (continued)

 

The Company may redeem all or a part of the Senior Notes, upon not less than 30 days’ or more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to 104.75% for the twelve month period beginning on December 1, 2014, 102.38% for the twelve month period beginning on December 1, 2015, and 100.00% beginning on December 1, 2016 and at any time thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

 

(c) Credit agreement with respect to a revolving credit facility of up to C$40.0 million for the Celgar mill. The credit facility matures May 2016. Borrowings under the credit facility are collateralized by the mill’s inventory and receivables and are restricted by a borrowing base calculated on the mill’s inventory and receivables. Canadian dollar denominated amounts bear interest at bankers acceptance plus 1.75% or Canadian prime plus 0.25%. U.S. dollar denominated amounts bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.75% or U.S. base plus 0.25%. As at September 30, 2013, this facility was accruing interest at a rate of approximately 2.97%, C$7.0 million of this facility was drawn, C$1.7 million of this facility was supporting letters of credit and approximately C$21.4 million was available.

 

(d) A €17,000 amortizing term facility to partially finance a project, referred to as “Project Blue Mill”, which is expected to increase the Stendal mill’s annual pulp production capacity by 30,000 air-dried metric tonnes and includes the installation of an additional 40 megawatt steam turbine. The facility, 80% of which is guaranteed by the State of Saxony-Anhalt, bears interest at a rate of Euribor plus 3.5% per annum. The interest period for the facility, at the choice of the Company, will be of one, three or six months duration and interest is paid on the last day of the interest period selected. The facility, together with accrued interest, is scheduled to mature in September 2017. The facility will be repaid semi-annually, commencing September 30, 2013, is collateralized by the gross assets of the Stendal mill, and will be non-recourse to the Company. As at September 30, 2013, the facility was accruing interest at a rate of approximately 3.84%.

As part of this term facility, the Company was required to open an investment account with the lender for the purpose of managing project costs and is required to deposit all funding associated with Project Blue Mill in this account. As at September 30, 2013, the balance in the investment account was €1,339.

 

(e) Loans of €26,760 payable by the Stendal mill to its noncontrolling shareholder bear interest at a rate of 1.00% per annum and are due in 2017, provided that the Project Blue Mill facility (Note 3(d)) and the Stendal Loan Facility (Note 3(a)) have been fully repaid on such date. The loans are unsecured, subordinated to all liabilities of the Stendal mill, non-recourse to the Company and its restricted subsidiaries. One of the loans, which has a principal amount of €440, may be repaid prior to October 1, 2017 if the DSRA has been Fully Funded for the first time and this loan is subordinated to all liabilities of the Stendal mill only until such time as the DSRA is Fully Funded for the first time.

As at September 30, 2013, accrued interest on these loans was €10,997. As at December 31, 2012, accrued interest on these loans was €9,860.

 

(f) A four-year amortizing investment loan agreement with a lender relating to the wash press project at the Rosenthal mill with a total facility of €4,351 bearing interest at the rate of Euribor plus 2.75% that matures February 2014. Borrowings under this agreement are secured by the wash press equipment. As at September 30, 2013, the balance outstanding was €544 and was accruing interest at a rate of 3.09%.

 

(g) A €25,000 working capital facility at the Rosenthal mill that matures in October 2016. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by the mill’s inventory and receivables and bear interest at Euribor plus 3.50%. As at September 30, 2013, approximately €600 of this facility was supporting bank guarantees leaving approximately €24,400 available.

 

(h) A €5,000 facility at the Rosenthal mill that matures in December 2015. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at the rate of the three-month Euribor plus 3.50% and are secured by certain land at the Rosenthal mill. As at September 30, 2013, approximately €1,100 of this facility was supporting bank guarantees leaving approximately €3,900 available.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 11


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 4. Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Obligations

Included in pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations are amounts related to the Company’s Celgar and Rosenthal mills. The largest component of this obligation is with respect to the Celgar mill which maintains a defined benefit pension plan and post-retirement benefit plans for certain employees (“Celgar Plans”).

Pension benefits are based on employees’ earnings and years of service. The Celgar Plans are funded by contributions from the Company based on actuarial estimates and statutory requirements. Pension contributions during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 totaled €471 and €1,373, respectively (2012 – €481 and €1,493).

Effective December 31, 2008, the defined benefit plan was closed to new members. In addition, the defined benefit service accrual ceased on December 31, 2008, and members began to receive pension benefits, at a fixed contractual rate, under a new defined contribution plan effective January 1, 2009. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, the Company made contributions of €148 and €439, respectively (2012 – €142 and €462) to this plan.

Information about the Celgar Plans, in aggregate for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

     Three Months ended September 30,  
     2013      2012  
     Pension
Benefits
    Post-
Retirement
Benefits
     Pension
Benefits
    Post-
Retirement
Benefits
 

Service cost

   25      141       29      145   

Interest cost

     344        208         393        226   

Expected return on plan assets

     (399     —           (421     —     

Recognized net loss

     269        22         291        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   239      371       292      372   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Nine Months ended September 30,  
     2013      2012  
     Pension
Benefits
    Post-
Retirement
Benefits
     Pension
Benefits
    Post-
Retirement
Benefits
 

Service cost

   78      432       84      423   

Interest cost

     1,052        635         1,144        657   

Expected return on plan assets

     (1,222     —           (1,228     —     

Recognized net loss

     824        67         848        4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   732      1,134       848      1,084   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company participates in a multiemployer plan for hourly-paid employees at the Celgar mill. The contributions to this plan are determined based on an amount per hour worked pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The Company has no current or future contribution obligations in excess of the contractual contributions. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, the Company made contributions of €369 and €1,130, respectively (2012 – €632 and €1,572) to this plan.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 12


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 5. Share Capital

Common shares

The Company has authorized 200,000,000 common shares with a par value of $1 per share.

As at September 30, 2013, the Company had 55,853,704 common shares issued and outstanding. As at December 31, 2012, the Company had 55,815,704 common shares issued and outstanding. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company issued 38,000 restricted shares to directors of the Company.

Preferred shares

The Company has authorized 50,000,000 preferred shares with $1 par value issuable in series, of which 2,000,000 shares have been designated as Series A. The preferred shares may be issued in one or more series and with such designations and preferences for each series as shall be stated in the resolutions providing for the designation and issue of each such series adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company. The Board of Directors is authorized by the Company’s articles of incorporation to determine the voting, dividend, redemption and liquidation preferences pertaining to each such series. As at September 30, 2013, no preferred shares had been issued by the Company.

Note 6. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has a stock incentive plan (the “2010 Plan”) which provides for options, restricted stock rights, restricted shares, performance shares, performance share units (“PSUs”) and stock appreciation rights to be awarded to employees, consultants and non-employee directors. As at September 30, 2013, after factoring in all allocated shares, there remain approximately 1.1 million common shares available for grant pursuant to the 2010 Plan.

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 there were no changes to the issued and outstanding restricted stock rights, performance shares, or stock appreciation rights. In September 2013, 100,000 options expired leaving 75,000 outstanding as at September 30, 2013.

The following table summarizes PSU activity during the period:

 

     Number of PSUs  

Outstanding at January 1, 2012

     795,312   

Granted

     55,478   

Forfeited

     (64,661
  

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2012

     786,129   

Granted

     35,810   
  

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2013

     821,939   
  

 

 

 

The following table summarizes restricted share activity during the period:

 

     Number of  
     Restricted Shares  

Outstanding at January 1, 2012

     238,000   

Granted

     36,500   

Vested

     (78,000
  

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2012

     196,500   

Granted

     38,000   

Vested

     (76,500
  

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2013

     158,000   
  

 

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 13


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 7. Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,     September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders:

        

Basic and diluted

   (2,220   (9,712   (12,556   (7,024
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders:

        

Basic and diluted

   (0.04   (0.17   (0.23   (0.13
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

        

Basic and diluted (1)

     55,695,704        55,619,204        55,666,470        55,589,226   

 

(1) The weighted average number of shares excludes 158,000 restricted shares which have been issued, but have not vested as at September 30, 2013 (2012 – 196,500 restricted shares).

The calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders does not assume the exercise of any instruments that would have an anti-dilutive effect on net income (loss) per share. The following table summarizes the instruments excluded from the calculation of net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders because they were anti-dilutive.

 

     Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,      September 30,  
     2013      2012      2013      2012  

PSUs

     821,939         767,979         821,939         767,979   

Restricted shares

     158,000         196,500         158,000         196,500   

Stock options

     75,000         175,000         75,000         175,000   

Note 8. Restructuring Expenses

In July 2013, the Company announced a workforce reduction at the Celgar mill. The planned reduction will affect both hourly and salaried employees and will reduce the workforce by approximately 85 employees over the next five years, with the majority of employees to be affected over the next nine months. In connection with implementing this workforce reduction, the Company currently estimates that it will incur pre-tax charges in the range of approximately €4,400 to €5,900 for severance and other personnel expenses, such as termination benefits, which are expected to occur primarily over the 12-month period commencing with the third quarter of 2013. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded restructuring expenses of €2,926 and as at September 30, 2013, the Company had a liability of €2,545 in accounts payable and other.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 14


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 9. Noncontrolling Interest

The following table provides a reconciliation of the carrying amount of deficit attributable to the noncontrolling shareholders interest in the Stendal mill:

 

Balance at January 1, 2012

   18,574   

Net income

     (1,694
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

     16,880   

Net income

     (1,795

Capital contribution

     (7,386
  

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2013

   7,699   
  

 

 

 

In September 2013, the Company made a $20.0 million (€14,809) capital investment in the Stendal mill, resulting in an 8.1% increase in the Company’s equity ownership in the mill as it went from 74.9% to 83.0%. The increase in equity ownership was accounted for as an equity transaction and as a result, the noncontrolling deficit was reduced by €7,386, and the paid-in capital, which includes legal fees associated with the transaction, was reduced by €7,478.

Note 10. Derivative Transactions

The Company is exposed to certain market risks relating to its ongoing business. The Company seeks to manage these risks through internal risk management policies as well as, from time to time, the use of derivatives. The Company currently manages its interest rate risk and a small portion of its pulp sales price risk with the use of derivative instruments. The derivatives are measured at fair value with changes in fair value immediately recognized in gain (loss) on derivative instruments in the Interim Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Derivative assets are presented in prepaid expenses and other, current derivative liabilities are presented in accounts payable and other and long-term derivative liabilities are presented in unrealized interest rate derivative losses in the Interim Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Interest Rate Derivative

During 2004, the Company entered into certain variable-to-fixed interest rate swaps in connection with the Stendal mill with respect to an aggregate maximum amount of approximately €612,600 of the principal amount of the indebtedness under the Stendal Loan Facility. Under the remaining interest rate swap, the Company pays a fixed rate and receives a floating rate with the interest payments being calculated on a notional amount. As at September 30, 2013, the contract has an aggregate notional amount of €332,684 at a fixed interest rate of 5.28% and it matures in October 2017 (which for the most part matches the maturity of the Stendal Loan Facility).

The interest rate derivative contract is with a bank that is part of a banking syndicate that holds the Stendal Loan Facility and the Company does not anticipate non-performance by the bank.

Pulp Price Derivatives

In May 2012, the Company entered into a fixed price pulp swap contract with a bank. Under the terms of the contract, 5,000 metric tonnes (“MT”) of pulp per month was fixed at a price of $915 per MT. The contract expired in December 2012. In November 2012, the Company entered into two additional contracts. Under the terms of the contracts, 3,000 MT of pulp per month is fixed at prices which range from $880 to $890 per MT. These contracts expire in December 2013.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 15


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 10. Derivative Transactions (continued)

 

The following table shows the derivative gains and losses by instrument type as they are recognized in gain (loss) on derivative instruments in the Interim Consolidated Statement of Operations:

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,     September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Interest rate derivative contract

   3,038      (1,236   13,918      (636

Pulp price derivative contracts

     (1,060     353        (1,827     1,972   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   1,978      (883   12,091      1,336   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note 11. Financial Instruments

The fair value of financial instruments is summarized as follows:

 

     September 30, 2013      December 31, 2012  
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value      Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value  

Cash and cash equivalents

   134,168       134,168       104,239       104,239   

Marketable securities

     163         163         184         184   

Receivables

     97,303         97,303         110,087         110,087   

Pulp price derivative contracts—asset

     —           —           745         745   

Accounts payable and other—excluding derivatives

     102,767         102,767         89,950         89,950   

Pulp price derivative contracts—liability

     388         388         —           —     

Debt

     720,249         712,490         711,403         700,001   

Interest rate derivative contract—liability

     36,759         36,759         50,678         50,678   

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents and accounts payable and other approximates the fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying value of receivables approximates the fair value due to their short-term nature and historical collectability. Marketable securities are recorded at fair value based on recent transactions. See the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure section below for details on how the fair value of the pulp price derivative contracts, interest rate derivative contract and debt was determined.

Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure

The fair value methodologies and, as a result, the fair value of the Company’s marketable securities, debt and derivative instruments are determined based on the fair value hierarchy provided in the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, and are as follows:

Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

Level 2 – Valuations based on observable inputs in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted commodity prices or interest or currency exchange rates.

Level 3 – Valuations based on significant unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, such as discounted cash flow methodologies based on internal cash flow forecasts.

The Company classified its marketable securities within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy because quoted prices are available in an active market for the exchange-traded equities.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 16


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 11. Financial Instruments (continued)

 

The Company’s interest rate and pulp price derivatives are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy, as they are valued using internal models that use as their basis readily observable market inputs, such as forward interest rates, yield curves observable at specified intervals and commodity price curves. The observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources. In addition, the Company considered the risk of non-performance of the obligor, which in some cases reflects the Company’s own credit risk. The counterparty to our interest rate and pulp price derivatives are multi-national financial institutions.

The Company’s debt is recognized at amortized cost. The fair value of debt classified as Level 2 reflects recent market transactions and discounted cash flow estimates. Discounted cash flow models use observable market inputs taking into consideration variables such as interest rate changes, comparative securities, subordination discount and credit rating changes. The fair value of debt classified as Level 3 is valued using a discounted cash flow model which requires significant management estimates. These estimates are developed using available market, historical, and forecast data, including taking into account variables such as recent financing activities, the capital structure, and the lack of marketability of such debt.

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s outstanding financial instruments and their estimated fair values under the hierarchy defined in Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification:

 

     Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013  
Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

           

Marketable securities

   163       —         —         163   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Pulp price derivative contracts

   —         388       —         388   

Interest rate derivative contract

     —           36,759         —           36,759   

Debt

     —           699,275         13,215         712,490   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   —         736,422       13,215       749,637   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012  
Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

           

Marketable securities

   184       —         —         184   

Pulp price derivative contracts

     —           745         —           745   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   184       745       —         929   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Interest rate derivative contract

   —         50,678       —         50,678   

Debt

     —           687,184         12,817         700,001   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   —         737,862       12,817       750,679   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 17


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies

 

(a) Pursuant to an arbitration proceeding with the general construction contractor (the noncontrolling shareholder) of the Stendal mill regarding certain warranty claims, the Company acted upon a bank guarantee for defect liability on civil works that was about to expire as provided in the engineering, procurement, and construction contract. On January 28, 2011, the Company received approximately €10,000 (the “Guarantee Amount”), which is intended to compensate the Company for remediation work that is required at the Stendal mill, but it was less than the amount claimed by the Company under the arbitration. Most of the claims have been settled; however, the arbitration proceeding is ongoing, and there is no certainty that the Company will be successful with its remaining claim.

The €10,000 was initially recognized as an increase in cash and a corresponding increase in accounts payable and other. As civil works remediation steps are agreed to with the noncontrolling shareholder an agreed to portion of the payable is reversed with the offset recorded in operating costs to offset the remediation expenditures. As at September 30, 2013, the Company had Guarantee Amount proceeds of €1,768 remaining in accounts payable and other.

 

(b) The Company is involved in a property transfer tax dispute with respect to the Celgar mill and certain other legal actions and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Celgar had previously paid the property transfer tax assessment. During the second quarter of 2013, the Company lost its Supreme Court of British Columbia appeal of the property transfer tax assessment and as a result the Company filed an application to seek leave to appeal to the British Columbia Court of Appeal. In September 2013, the leave to appeal was granted to the Company. In addition, while the outcome of any legal actions and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the outcome of any such claim which is pending or threatened, either individually or on a combined basis, will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

 

(c) The Company is subject to regulations that require the handling and disposal of asbestos in a prescribed manner if a property undergoes a major renovation or demolition. Otherwise, the Company is not required to remove asbestos from its facilities. Generally asbestos is found on steam and condensate piping systems as well as certain cladding on buildings and in building insulation throughout older facilities. The Company’s obligation for the proper removal and disposal of asbestos products from the Company’s mills is a conditional asset retirement obligation. As a result of the longevity of the Company’s mills, due in part to the maintenance procedures and the fact that the Company does not have plans for major changes that require the removal of asbestos, the timing of the asbestos removal is indeterminate. As a result, the Company is currently unable to reasonably estimate the fair value of its asbestos removal and disposal obligation. The Company will recognize a liability in the period in which sufficient information is available to reasonably estimate its fair value.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 18


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 13. Restricted Group Supplemental Disclosure

The terms of the indenture governing our Senior Notes require that we provide the results of operations and financial condition of Mercer International Inc. and our restricted subsidiaries under the indenture, collectively referred to as the “Restricted Group”. As at and during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Restricted Group was comprised of Mercer International Inc., certain holding subsidiaries and our Rosenthal and Celgar mills. The Restricted Group excludes the Stendal mill.

Combined Condensed Balance Sheets

 

     September 30, 2013  
     Restricted      Unrestricted           Consolidated  
     Group      Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Group  

ASSETS

         

Current assets

         

Cash and cash equivalents

   75,075      59,093     —        134,168  

Receivables

     52,595        44,708       —          97,303  

Inventories

     68,731        53,873       —          122,604  

Prepaid expenses and other

     7,977        4,418       —          12,395  

Deferred income tax

     2,219        2,016       —          4,235  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     206,597        164,108       —          370,705  

Long-term assets

         

Property, plant and equipment

     318,865        458,550       —          777,415  

Deferred note issuance and other

     7,525        6,613       —          14,138  

Deferred income tax

     8,726        5,500       —          14,226  

Due from unrestricted group

     109,399        —          (109,399     —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   651,112      634,771     (109,399   1,176,484  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

         

Current liabilities

         

Accounts payable and other

   51,865      51,290     —        103,155  

Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations

     767        —          —          767  

Debt

     544        43,258       —          43,802  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     53,176        94,548       —          147,724  

Long-term liabilities

         

Debt

     253,671        422,776       —          676,447  

Due to restricted group

     —           109,399       (109,399     —     

Unrealized interest rate derivative losses

     —           36,759       —          36,759  

Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations

     30,737        —          —          30,737  

Capital leases and other

     6,167        8,338       —          14,505  

Deferred income tax

     7,639        —          —          7,639  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     351,390        671,820       (109,399     913,811  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EQUITY

         

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

     299,722        (29,350     —          270,372  

Noncontrolling interest (deficit)

     —           (7,699     —          (7,699
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   651,112      634,771     (109,399   1,176,484  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 19


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 13. Restricted Group Supplemental Disclosure (continued)

 

Combined Condensed Balance Sheets

 

     December 31, 2012  
     Restricted      Unrestricted           Consolidated  
     Group      Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Group  

ASSETS

         

Current assets

         

Cash and cash equivalents

   36,714      67,525     —        104,239  

Receivables

     61,212        48,875       —          110,087  

Inventories

     74,786        43,514       —          118,300  

Prepaid expenses and other

     5,811        2,096       —          7,907  

Deferred income tax

     2,188        2,277       —          4,465  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     180,711        164,287       —          344,998  

Long-term assets

         

Property, plant and equipment

     345,311        463,567       —          808,878  

Deferred note issuance and other

     6,607        5,555       —          12,162  

Deferred income tax

     9,179        8,386       —          17,565  

Due from unrestricted group

     102,311        —          (102,311     —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   644,119      641,795     (102,311   1,183,603  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

         

Current liabilities

         

Accounts payable and other

   42,106      47,844     —        89,950  

Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations

     813        —          —          813  

Debt

     5,662        40,000       —          45,662  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     48,581        87,844       —          136,425  

Long-term liabilities

         

Debt

     216,214        449,527       —          665,741  

Due to restricted group

     —           102,311       (102,311     —     

Unrealized interest rate derivative losses

     —           50,678       —          50,678  

Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations

     32,141        —          —          32,141  

Capital leases and other

     6,073        7,863       —          13,936  

Deferred income tax

     5,757        —          —          5,757  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     308,766        698,223       (102,311     904,678  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EQUITY

         

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

     335,353        (39,548     —          295,805  

Noncontrolling interest (deficit)

     —           (16,880     —          (16,880
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   644,119      641,795     (102,311   1,183,603  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 20


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 13. Restricted Group Supplemental Disclosure (continued)

 

Combined Condensed Statements of Operations

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2013  
     Restricted     Unrestricted           Consolidated  
     Group     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Group  

Revenues

        

Pulp

   105,794     80,306     —        186,100  

Energy and chemicals

     5,935       11,086       —          17,021  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     111,729       91,392       —          203,121  

Operating costs

     90,815       75,239       —          166,054  

Operating depreciation and amortization

     8,130       6,502       —          14,632  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     5,608       3,829       —          9,437  

Restructuring expenses

     2,926       —          —          2,926  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     107,479       85,570       —          193,049  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     4,250       5,822       —          10,072  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

        

Interest expense

     (6,193     (8,472     1,647       (13,018

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments

     (1,060     3,038       —          1,978  

Other income (expense)

     1,791       28       (1,647     172  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (5,462     (5,406     —          (10,868
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (1,212     416       —          (796

Income tax benefit (provision)

     (1,087     145       —          (942
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (2,299     561       —          (1,738

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     —          (482     —          (482
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

   (2,299   79     —        (2,220
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Three Months Ended September 30, 2012  
     Restricted     Unrestricted           Consolidated  
     Group     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Group  

Revenues

        

Pulp

   112,777     92,345     —        205,122  

Energy and chemicals

     6,960       11,193       —          18,153  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     119,737       103,538       —          223,275  

Operating costs

     109,815       81,268       —          191,083  

Operating depreciation and amortization

     8,303       6,669       —          14,972  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     6,392       3,614       —          10,006  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     124,510       91,551       —          216,061  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     (4,773     11,987       —          7,214  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

        

Interest expense

     (6,010     (9,473     1,399       (14,084

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments

     353       (1,236     —          (883

Other income (expense)

     1,665       251       (1,399     517  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (3,992     (10,458     —          (14,450
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (8,765     1,529       —          (7,236

Income tax benefit (provision)

     (1,192     (718     —          (1,910
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (9,957     811       —          (9,146

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     —          (566     —          (566
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

   (9,957   245     —        (9,712
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 21


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 13. Restricted Group Supplemental Disclosure (continued)

 

Combined Condensed Statements of Operations

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013  
     Restricted
Group
    Unrestricted
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Group
 

Revenues

        

Pulp

   311,575     248,304     —        559,879  

Energy and chemicals

     19,065       32,595       —          51,660  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     330,640       280,899       —          611,539  

Operating costs

     283,896       234,136       —          518,032  

Operating depreciation and amortization

     24,579       19,528       —          44,107  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     16,968       10,727       —          27,695  

Restructuring expenses

     2,926       —          —          2,926  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     328,369       264,391       —          592,760  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     2,271       16,508       —          18,779  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

        

Interest expense

     (17,939     (26,309     4,943       (39,305

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments

     (1,827     13,918       —          12,091  

Other income (expense)

     4,946       105       (4,943     108  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (14,820     (12,286     —          (27,106
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (12,549     4,222       —          (8,327

Income tax benefit (provision)

     (2,714     280       —          (2,434
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (15,263     4,502       —          (10,761

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     —          (1,795     —          (1,795
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

   (15,263   2,707     —        (12,556
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012  
     Restricted
Group
    Unrestricted
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Group
 

Revenues

        

Pulp

   326,411     264,186     —        590,597  

Energy and chemicals

     21,411       33,687       —          55,098  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     347,822       297,873       —          645,695  

Operating costs

     302,913       228,557       —          531,470  

Operating depreciation and amortization

     23,750       20,034       —          43,784  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     18,319       10,369       —          28,688  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     344,982       258,960       —          603,942  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     2,840       38,913       —          41,753  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

        

Interest expense

     (17,754     (28,449     4,123       (42,080

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments

     1,972       (636     —          1,336  

Other income (expense)

     3,405       457       (4,123     (261
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (12,377     (28,628     —          (41,005
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (9,537     10,285       —          748  

Income tax benefit (provision)

     (3,305     (1,602     —          (4,907
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (12,842     8,683       —          (4,159

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     —          (2,865     —          (2,865
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

   (12,842   5,818     —        (7,024
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 22


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 13. Restricted Group Supplemental Disclosure (continued)

 

Combined Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2013  
     Restricted     Unrestricted     Consolidated  
     Group     Subsidiaries     Group  

Cash flows from (used in) operating activities

      

Net income (loss)

   (2,299   561     (1,738

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities

      

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments

     640       (3,038     (2,398

Depreciation and amortization

     8,192       6,502       14,694  

Deferred income taxes

     (115     —          (115

Stock compensation expense

     621       —          621  

Pension and other post-retirement expense, net of funding

     124       —          124  

Other

     75       386       461  

Changes in working capital

      

Receivables

     (3,350     2,654       (696

Inventories

     (5,366     (9,882     (15,248

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     2,517       6,544       9,061  

Other(1)

     (2,659     2,736        77  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

     (1,620     6,463       4,843  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) investing activities

      

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (2,199     (4,792     (6,991

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest (Note 9)

     (14,809     14,809        —     

Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment

     194       39       233  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) investing activities

     (16,814     (10,056     (6,758
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities

      

Repayment of debt

     (544     (21,630     (22,174

Proceeds from issuance of notes and borrowings of debt

     39,607       —          39,607  

Repayment of capital lease obligations

     (122     (274     (396

Proceeds from (repayment of) credit facilities, net

     (12,226     —          (12,226

Payment of note issuance costs

     (1,306     (488     (1,794

Proceeds from government grants

     —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) financing activities

     25,409       (22,392     3,017  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (1,367     —          (1,367
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     5,608       (5,873     (265

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     69,467       64,966       134,433  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   75,075     59,093     134,168  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes intercompany related transactions.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 23


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 13. Restricted Group Supplemental Disclosure (continued)

 

Combined Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2012  
     Restricted     Unrestricted     Consolidated  
     Group     Subsidiaries     Group  

Cash flows from (used in) operating activities

      

Net income (loss)

   (9,957   811     (9,146

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities

      

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments

     (353     1,236       883  

Depreciation and amortization

     8,385       6,669       15,054  

Deferred income taxes

     1,040       —          1,040  

Stock compensation expense

     891       —          891  

Pension and other post-retirement expense, net of funding

     (73     —          (73

Other

     543       869       1,412  

Changes in working capital

      

Receivables

     (6,130     (7,992     (14,122

Inventories

     1,693       4,141       5,834  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     9,800       (108     9,692  

Other(1)

     (4,225     1,986       (2,239
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

     1,614       7,612       9,226  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) investing activities

      

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (6,380     (2,772     (9,152

Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment

     37       11       48  

Proceeds on maturity of marketable securities

     10,213       —          10,213  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) investing activities

     3,870       (2,761     1,109  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities

      

Repayment of debt

     (544     (15,000     (15,544

Repayment of capital lease obligations

     (234     (274     (508

Proceeds from government grants

     —          778       778  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) financing activities

     (778     (14,496     (15,274
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     221       —          221  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     4,927       (9,645     (4,718

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     50,096       80,791       130,887  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   55,023     71,146     126,169  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes intercompany related transactions.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 24


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 13. Restricted Group Supplemental Disclosure (continued)

 

Combined Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013  
     Restricted
Group
    Unrestricted
Subsidiaries
    Consolidated
Group
 

Cash flows from (used in) operating activities

      

Net income (loss)

   (15,263   4,502     (10,761

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities

      

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments

     1,144       (13,918     (12,774

Depreciation and amortization

     24,770       19,528       44,298  

Deferred income taxes

     1,309       3,147       4,456  

Stock compensation expense

     1,194       —          1,194  

Pension and other post-retirement expense, net of funding

     457       —          457  

Other

     778       1,836       2,614  

Changes in working capital

      

Receivables

     7,174       4,175       11,349  

Inventories

     3,004       (10,359     (7,355

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     11,143       6,945       18,088  

Other(1)

     (11,299     4,886       (6,413
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

     24,411       20,742        45,153  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) investing activities

      

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (7,446     (21,922     (29,368

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest (Note 9)

     (14,809     14,809        —     

Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment

     207       41       248  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) investing activities

     (22,048     (7,072     (29,120
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities

      

Repayment of debt

     (1,089     (41,630     (42,719

Proceeds from issuance of notes and borrowings of debt

     39,607       17,000       56,607  

Repayment of capital lease obligations

     (366     (1,131     (1,497

Proceeds from (repayment of) credit facilities, net

     728       —          728  

Payment of note issuance costs

     (1,306     (488     (1,794

Proceeds from government grants

     —          4,147       4,147  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) financing activities

     37,574       (22,102     15,472  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (1,576     —          (1,576
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     38,361       (8,432     29,929  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     36,714       67,525       104,239  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   75,075     59,093     134,168  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes intercompany related transactions.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 25


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

 

Note 13. Restricted Group Supplemental Disclosure (continued)

 

Combined Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012  
     Restricted
Group
    Unrestricted
Subsidiaries
    Consolidated
Group
 

Cash flows from (used in) operating activities

      

Net income (loss)

   (12,842   8,683     (4,159

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities

      

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments

     (1,972     636       (1,336

Depreciation and amortization

     23,958       20,034       43,992  

Deferred income taxes

     2,956       (5,256     (2,300

Stock compensation expense

     1,753       —          1,753  

Pension and other post-retirement expense, net of funding

     (128     —          (128

Other

     66       2,212       2,278  

Changes in working capital

      

Receivables

     (407     1,308       901  

Inventories

     3,946       5,330       9,276  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     12,180       966       13,146  

Other(1)

     (12,213     11,312       (901
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

     17,297       45,225       62,522  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) investing activities

      

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (19,413     (8,042     (27,455

Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment

     274       113       387  

Proceeds on maturity of marketable securities

     12,221       —          12,221  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) investing activities

     (6,918     (7,929     (14,847
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities

      

Repayment of debt and purchase of notes

     (2,671     (24,583     (27,254

Repayment of capital lease obligations

     (600     (967     (1,567

Payment of note issuance costs

     —          (1,621     (1,621

Proceeds from government grants

     2,322       778       3,100  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash from (used in) financing activities

     (949     (26,393     (27,342
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     764       —          764  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     10,194       10,903       21,097  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     44,829       60,243       105,072  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   55,023     71,146     126,169  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes intercompany related transactions.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 26


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

In this document: (i) unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we”, “our”, “us”, the “Company” or “Mercer” mean Mercer International Inc. and its subsidiaries; (ii) references to “Mercer Inc.” mean the Company excluding its subsidiaries; (iii) information is provided as of September 30, 2013, unless otherwise stated; (iv) all references to monetary amounts are to “Euros”, the lawful currency adopted by most members of the European Union, unless otherwise stated; (v) “€” refers to Euros, “$” refers to U.S. dollars and “C$” refers to Canadian dollars; (vi) “ADMTs” refers to air-dried metric tonnes; (vii) “MW” refers to megawatts; and (viii) “MWh” refers to megawatt hours.

Results of Operations

General

We operate three northern bleached softwood kraft, referred to as “NBSK”, pulp mills through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Rosenthal and Celgar, and our 83.0% owned subsidiary, Stendal (we increased our equity ownership from 74.9% as at September 30, 2013). We have a consolidated annual production capacity of approximately 1.5 million ADMTs.

The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 should be read in conjunction with our interim consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this quarterly report, as well as our most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, referred to as the “SEC”.

On July 9, 2013, we announced that, after conducting a comprehensive assessment, our Celgar mill intends to reduce its workforce by approximately 85 employees in order to improve its competitiveness with other pulp producers by reducing the mill’s fixed costs. In the current quarter, we incurred pre-tax charges of approximately €2.9 million for severance and other personnel related expenses in connection with the Celgar workforce reduction. We currently estimate incurring additional pre-tax severance and personnel charges of approximately €1.5 million to €3.0 million in connection therewith as additional personnel leave the workforce. Over 85% of these charges are expected to be recognized by the end of 2013. We expect that our Celgar mill will realize approximately €6.0 million to €7.5 million in annual pre-tax cost savings once the workforce restructuring has been fully implemented, with approximately 80% of such annual cost savings being realized in 2014.

On July 22, 2013, we issued an additional $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9.5% senior notes due 2017, referred to as the “Senior Notes”, at an issue price of 104.5% plus accrued interest from June 1, 2013. We used the proceeds to repay the revolving credit facilities of our Rosenthal and Celgar mills and for general corporate purposes.

On September 30, 2013, we completed an amendment to the Stendal mill’s senior project finance credit facility and its amortizing term facility in respect of Project Blue Mill to provide the mill greater financial flexibility. As part of the amendment, we made a capital investment of $20.0 million in Stendal on such date and increased our equity ownership of Stendal to 83.0% from 74.9%.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 27


We anticipate changing our reporting currency from Euros to the U.S. dollar commencing with the fourth quarter of 2013 as management is of the opinion that the use of U.S. dollars to prepare its financial statements will enhance communication and understanding with shareholders, analysts and other stakeholders and improve comparability of our financial information with other competitors and peer group companies. With the change in reporting currency, both the current year and historical financial information, including all comparative financial information, to be reported on our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 will be translated to U.S. dollars.

Current Market Environment

Pulp list prices increased marginally in the third quarter of 2013. At the end of the current quarter, list prices in Europe were approximately $880 per ADMT and in North America and China were approximately $945 and $695 per ADMT, respectively.

We currently expect demand and pricing to trend upwards in the fourth quarter of 2013. We expect increased demand to be driven by new tissue capacity coming online in China, and we expect supply to remain tight in the medium term due to the closure of a Norwegian mill (Tofte) and producer maintenance downtime.

Summary Financial Highlights

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  
     (in thousands, other than per share amounts)  

Pulp revenues

   186,100      205,122      559,879      590,597   

Energy and chemical revenues

     17,021        18,153        51,660        55,098   

Operating income (loss)

     10,072        7,214        18,779        41,753   

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments

     1,978        (883     12,091        1,336   

Income tax provision

     (942     (1,910     (2,434     (4,907

Net loss(1)

     (2,220     (9,712     (12,556     (7,024

Net loss per share(1)(2)

   (0.04   (0.17   (0.23   (0.13

 

(1) Attributable to common shareholders.
(2) Per share amounts are on a basic and diluted basis.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 28


Selected Production, Sales and Other Data

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013      2012      2013      2012  

Consolidated

           

Pulp production (‘000 ADMTs)

     369.0         373.4         1,079.7         1,118.8   

Scheduled production downtime (‘000 ADMTs)

     9.4         10.2         25.4         32.8   

Scheduled production downtime (days)

     10         7         21         30   

Pulp sales (‘000 ADMTs)

     356.6         404.3         1,081.6         1,138.3   

Average NBSK pulp list prices in Europe ($/ADMT)(1)

     867         777         852         817   

Average NBSK pulp list prices in Europe (€/ADMT)

     654         620         646         637   

Average pulp sales realizations (€/ADMT)(2)

     515         501         511         512   

Energy production (‘000 MWh)

     444.2         436.5         1,274.4         1,298.2   

Energy sales (‘000 MWh)

     185.4         181.3         526.6         546.4   

Average energy sales realizations (€/MWh)

     80         84         84         85   

Average Spot Currency Exchange Rates

           

€ / $(3)

     0.7547         0.7999         0.7594         0.7807   

C$ / $(3)

     1.0385         0.9954         1.0236         1.0022   

C$ / €(4)

     1.3762         1.2452         1.3485         1.2847   

 

(1) Source: RISI pricing report.
(2) Sales realizations after discounts. Incorporates the effect of pulp price variations occurring between the order and shipment dates.
(3) Average Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon spot rate over the reporting period.
(4) Average Bank of Canada noon spot rate over the reporting period.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

Total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by approximately 9% to €203.1 million from €223.3 million in the same period in 2012, due to lower pulp revenues and marginally lower energy and chemical revenues.

Pulp revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2013 decreased to €186.1 million from €205.1 million in the comparative quarter of 2012, primarily due to lower sales volumes and the impact of a weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Euro, partially offset by a higher realized price.

Energy and chemical revenues decreased by approximately 7% to €17.0 million in the third quarter of 2013 from €18.2 million in the same quarter last year, primarily as a result of lower prices.

Average list prices for NBSK pulp in Europe were approximately $867 (€654) per ADMT in the current quarter, compared to approximately $777 (€620) per ADMT in the same quarter last year. In the third quarter of 2013, average pulp sales realizations increased by approximately 3% to €515 per ADMT from approximately €501 per ADMT in the same quarter last year, primarily due to higher pulp prices partially offset by a weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Euro.

Pulp production decreased by approximately 1% to 369,011 ADMTs in the current quarter from 373,369 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2012. We took 10 days (approximately 9,400 ADMTs) of scheduled maintenance downtime at our Rosenthal mill in the third quarter of 2013, compared to seven days (approximately 10,200 ADMTs) of scheduled maintenance downtime at our Celgar mill in the third quarter of 2012.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 29


Pulp sales volumes decreased by approximately 12% to 356,619 ADMTs in the current quarter from 404,301 ADMTs in the comparative quarter, primarily due to lower sales to China, compared to exceedingly high sales to China in the comparative quarter.

Costs and expenses in the third quarter of 2013 decreased by approximately 11% to €193.0 million from €216.1 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to lower sales volumes and the reversal of certain wastewater fee accruals at our Rosenthal mill.

In the third quarter of 2013, operating depreciation and amortization marginally decreased to €14.6 million from €15.0 million in the same quarter last year. Selling, general and administrative expenses were €9.4 million in the third quarter of 2013, compared to €10.0 million in the third quarter of 2012.

In the third quarter of 2013, we incurred pre-tax charges of approximately €2.9 million for severance and other personnel related expenses in connection with the Celgar mill workforce reduction.

Transportation costs decreased to €17.1 million in the third quarter of 2013 from €21.1 million in the third quarter of 2012, primarily due to lower sales volumes.

On average, our overall per unit fiber costs in the current quarter increased by approximately 7% from the same period in 2012 as higher fiber costs in Germany were only partially offset by lower fiber costs in Canada. Strong demand from the European pellet and board producers kept fiber prices at relatively high levels in the current quarter. Fiber costs at our Celgar mill decreased as a result of strong sawmill activity in the region. For the remainder of the year, we currently expect fiber costs in Germany to increase slightly and to remain largely unchanged in Canada.

For the third quarter of 2013, our operating income increased to €10.1 million from €7.2 million in the comparative quarter of 2012, primarily due to higher pulp sales realizations.

Interest expense in the third quarter of 2013 decreased to €13.0 million from €14.1 million in the comparative quarter of 2012, primarily due to lower debt levels associated with the Stendal mill in the third quarter of 2013.

We recorded a net derivative gain of €2.0 million, which includes an unrealized gain of approximately €3.0 million on the mark to market adjustment of our Stendal mill’s interest rate derivative, partially offset by an approximately €1.0 million loss related to fixed price pulp swap contracts entered into in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to a net derivative loss of €0.9 million in the same quarter of last year.

During the current quarter, we recorded a net income tax expense of €0.9 million, compared to €1.9 million in the same quarter of 2012.

The noncontrolling shareholder’s interest in the Stendal mill’s net income in the third quarter of 2013 was €0.5 million, compared to €0.6 million in the same quarter last year.

We reported a net loss attributable to common shareholders of €2.2 million, or €0.04 per basic and diluted share, for the third quarter of 2013, which included a net non-cash unrealized gain of €2.4 million on the fixed price pulp swaps and Stendal interest rate derivative. In the third quarter of 2012, the net loss attributable to common shareholders was €9.7 million, or €0.17 per basic and diluted share, which included a total non-cash unrealized loss of €1.3 million on the Stendal interest rate derivative and fixed price pulp swaps.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 30


In the third quarter of 2013, Operating EBITDA increased to €24.8 million from €22.3 million in the third quarter of 2012. Operating EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and non-recurring capital asset impairment charges.

Operating EBITDA does not reflect the impact of a number of items that affect our net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, including financing costs and the effect of derivative instruments. Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, referred to as “GAAP”, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or income (loss) from operations as a measure of performance, nor as an alternative to net cash from operating activities as a measure of liquidity.

Operating EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are that Operating EBITDA does not reflect: (i) our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; (ii) changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs; (iii) the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our outstanding debt; (iv) noncontrolling interests on our Stendal mill operations; (v) the impact of realized or marked to market changes in our derivative positions, which can be substantial; and (vi) the impact of impairment charges against our investments or assets. Because of these limitations, Operating EBITDA should only be considered as a supplemental operational performance measure and should not be considered as a measure of liquidity or cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. See the Statement of Cash Flows set out in our interim consolidated financial statements included herein. Because all companies do not calculate Operating EBITDA in the same manner, Operating EBITDA as calculated by us may differ from Operating EBITDA or EBITDA as calculated by other companies. We compensate for these limitations by using Operating EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our operational performance and relying primarily on our GAAP financial statements.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net loss attributable to common shareholders to operating income and Operating EBITDA for the periods indicated:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

Net loss attributable to common shareholders

   (2,220   (9,712

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     482        566   

Income tax provision

     942        1,910   

Interest expense

     13,018        14,084   

(Gain) loss on derivative instruments

     (1,978     883   

Other income

     (172     (517
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     10,072        7,214   

Add: Depreciation and amortization

     14,694        15,054   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating EBITDA

   24,766      22,268   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 31


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012

Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by approximately 5% to €611.5 million from €645.7 million in the same period in 2012, due to both lower pulp and energy and chemical revenues.

Pulp revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased to €559.9 million from €590.6 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to lower pulp sales volumes and a weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Euro. The U.S. dollar was approximately 3% weaker versus the Euro in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period of last year.

Energy and chemical revenues decreased by approximately 6% to €51.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from €55.1 million in the same period last year, primarily as a result of lower pulp production and lower prices.

Average list prices for NBSK pulp in Europe were approximately $852 (€646) per ADMT in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to approximately $817 (€637) per ADMT in the same period last year. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, average pulp sales realizations decreased moderately to €511 per ADMT from approximately €512 per ADMT in the same period last year, as the increase in pulp prices was more than offset by the impact of a weaker U.S. dollar versus the Euro.

Pulp production decreased by approximately 3% to 1,079,677 ADMTs in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from 1,118,758 ADMTs in the same period of 2012, primarily due to lower pulp production at our Celgar mill. In the second quarter of 2013, the Celgar mill took its annual maintenance shutdown. As a result of weather, equipment and execution issues, the shutdown was four days longer and the startup was slower than budgeted, which resulted in a loss of approximately 30,300 ADMTs of NBSK pulp production.

Pulp sales volumes decreased by approximately 5% to 1,081,564 ADMTs in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from 1,138,304 ADMTs in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to lower sales to China and the United States.

Costs and expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by approximately 2% to €592.8 million from €603.9 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to lower sales volumes and the reversal of certain wastewater fee accruals at our Rosenthal mill.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, operating depreciation and amortization increased to €44.1 million from €43.8 million in the same period last year. Selling, general and administrative expenses were €27.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to €28.7 million in the same period of 2012.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we incurred pre-tax charges of approximately €2.9 million for severance and other personnel related expenses in connection with the Celgar mill workforce reduction.

Transportation costs decreased to €51.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from €56.5 million in the same period of 2012, primarily due to lower pulp sales volumes.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 32


On average, our per unit fiber costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by approximately 4% from the same period in 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, fiber costs at our German mills were higher than the comparative period in 2012. Strong demand from the European pellet and board producers and sawmills, reduced wood supply because of extreme winter weather conditions and lower availability of trucking transportation kept fiber prices at relatively high levels in the current period. Fiber costs at our Celgar mill decreased as a result of strong sawmill activity in the region. For the remainder of the year, we currently expect fiber costs in Germany to increase slightly and to remain largely unchanged in Canada.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, operating income decreased to €18.8 million from €41.8 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to the combined effect of higher fiber costs, the impact of a weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Euro and the Celgar mill’s maintenance shutdown.

Interest expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased to €39.3 million from €42.1 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to lower debt levels associated with the Stendal mill.

We recorded a net derivative gain of €12.1 million, which includes an unrealized gain of approximately €13.9 million on the mark to market adjustment of our Stendal mill’s interest rate derivative, partially offset by an approximately €1.8 million loss related to fixed price pulp swap contracts entered into in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to a net derivative gain of €1.3 million in the same period of last year.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded a net income tax expense of €2.4 million, compared to €4.9 million in the same period of 2012.

The noncontrolling shareholder’s interest in the Stendal mill’s income in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was €1.8 million, compared to €2.9 million in the same period last year.

We reported a net loss attributable to common shareholders of €12.6 million, or €0.23 per basic and diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, which included a net non-cash unrealized gain of €12.8 million on the fixed price pulp swaps and Stendal interest rate derivative, partially offset by a negative impact of approximately €11.0 million related to the Celgar maintenance shutdown. In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the net loss attributable to common shareholders was €7.0 million, or €0.13 per basic and diluted share, which included a net non-cash unrealized gain of €0.8 million on the fixed price pulp swaps and Stendal interest rate derivative.

Operating EBITDA in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was €63.1 million, compared to €85.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Operating EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and non-recurring capital asset impairment charges. Operating EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. See the discussion of our results for the three months ended September 30, 2013 for additional information relating to such limitations of Operating EBITDA.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 33


The following table provides a reconciliation of net loss attributable to common shareholders to operating income and Operating EBITDA for the periods indicated:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

Net loss attributable to common shareholders

   (12,556   (7,024

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     1,795        2,865   

Income tax provision

     2,434        4,907   

Interest expense

     39,305        42,080   

Gain on derivative instruments

     (12,091     (1,336

Other (income) expense

     (108     261   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     18,779        41,753   

Add: Depreciation and amortization

     44,298        43,992   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating EBITDA

   63,077      85,745   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table is a summary of selected financial information as at the dates indicated:

 

     As at
September 30,
     As at
December 31,
 
     2013      2012  
     (in thousands)  

Financial Position

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   134,168       104,239   

Working capital

     222,981         208,573   

Total assets

     1,176,484         1,183,603   

Long-term liabilities

     766,087         768,253   

Total equity

     262,673         278,925   

As at September 30, 2013, we had approximately €28.3 million and C$21.4 million available under our Rosenthal and Celgar revolving facilities, respectively.

As at September 30, 2013, our cash and cash equivalents had increased to €134.2 million from €104.2 million and working capital had increased to €223.0 million from €208.6 million at the end of 2012.

On July 22, 2013, we completed our registered public offering of an additional $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes at an issue price of 104.5% plus accrued interest from June 1, 2013. We used the proceeds to repay the revolving credit facilities of our Rosenthal and Celgar mills and for general corporate purposes.

On September 30, 2013, we completed an amendment to the Stendal Facilities (as defined below) to provide the mill greater financial flexibility. As part of the amendment, we made a capital investment of $20.0 million in Stendal on such date and increased our equity ownership of Stendal to 83.0% from 74.9%.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 34


Sources and Uses of Funds

Our principal sources of funds are cash flows from operations, cash and cash equivalents on hand and the revolving working capital loan facilities for our Celgar and Rosenthal mills. Our principal uses of funds consist of operating expenditures, payments of principal and interest on the project loan facilities relating to our development of the Stendal mill (the “Stendal Loan Facility”) and for its Project Blue Mill (collectively, the “Stendal Facilities”), capital expenditures and interest payments on our outstanding Senior Notes.

Debt Covenants

Our long-term obligations contain various financial tests and covenants customary to these types of arrangements.

The Stendal Facilities had approximately €428.3 million in total principal outstanding at September 30, 2013. The Stendal Facilities are without recourse to the Restricted Group (comprised of Mercer, the Rosenthal and Celgar mills and certain holding subsidiaries) and 80% of the principal amount thereunder is severally guaranteed by German federal and state governments.

On September 30, 2013, the Stendal mill completed an amendment agreement (the “Amendment”) with its lending syndicate (the “Lenders”) to amend the Stendal Facilities. The Amendment modifies the Stendal Facilities to provide the Stendal mill greater financial flexibility by, among other things: (i) waiving compliance with an annual debt service cover ratio and a stipulated semi-annual leverage ratio (the “Ratios”) until and including December 31, 2013; (ii) amending the Ratios so that the financial covenants now deduct from senior debt cash in the debt service reserve account and cash above a stipulated threshold in order to include certain cash reserves in the calculation of senior debt; (iii) providing that a failure to satisfy the covenant to maintain an annual debt service cover ratio under the Stendal Facilities would only be an event of default when amounts in the debt service reserve account plus certain cash reserves are below a specified threshold; and (iv) revising the calculation of amounts required to cure financial covenant defaults under the Stendal Facilities.

Cash Flow Analysis

Cash Flows from Operating Activities. We operate in a cyclical industry and our operating cash flows vary accordingly. Our principal operating cash expenditures are for labor, fiber and chemicals.

Working capital levels fluctuate throughout the year and are affected by maintenance downtime, changing sales patterns, seasonality and the timing of receivables and the payment of payables and expenses.

Cash provided by operating activities decreased to €45.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from €62.5 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to weaker operating performance. An increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses provided cash of €18.1 million, compared to €13.1 million in the same period of 2012. An increase in inventories used cash of €7.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to a decrease in inventories providing cash of €9.3 million in the same period of 2012. A decrease in receivables provided cash of €11.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to providing cash of €0.9 million in the same period of 2012.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 35


Cash Flows from Investing Activities. Investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 used cash of €29.1 million, compared to €14.8 million in the same period of 2012. Capital expenditures in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 used cash of €29.4 million, compared to €27.5 million in the same period of 2012. Capital expenditures related to Project Blue Mill used cash of €21.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, financing activities provided cash of €15.5 million, compared to using cash of €27.3 million in the same period of 2012. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, principal repayments under the Stendal Loan Facility used cash of €40.0 million, compared to €24.6 million in the same period of 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, borrowing under the loan facility for Project Blue Mill provided cash of €17.0 million and the issuance of an additional $50.0 million of Senior Notes provided cash of €39.6 million. Net borrowing from our revolving credit facilities provided cash of €0.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to €nil in the same period of 2012. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, proceeds of government grants provided cash of €4.1 million and €3.1 million, respectively.

Capital Commitments and Future Liquidity

Project Blue Mill, designed to increase our Stendal mill’s annual energy production by 109,000 MWh and annual pulp production by 30,000 ADMTs, is expected to be finalized in mid-November 2013. The project was on schedule and budget and started to generate power sales at the end of September 2013. Project Blue Mill has also received an investment decree, determining that it qualifies for up to €12.0 million in governmental grants, comprised of €9.2 million of investment incentives and €2.8 million of tax grants. The actual receipt of such grants is subject to the Stendal mill satisfying all governmental rules including verification. As at September 30, 2013, the Stendal mill, based on expenditures to date, had applied for €6.9 million and received €4.1 million in grants.

Based upon the current level of operations and our current expectations for future periods in light of the current economic environment, and in particular, current and expected pulp pricing and foreign exchange rates, we believe that cash flow from operations and available cash, together with available borrowings will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs in the next 12 months.

We currently have no material commitments to acquire assets or operating businesses. We anticipate that there may be acquisitions or commitments to capital projects in the future. To achieve the long-term goals of expanding our assets and earnings, additional capital resources may be required. Depending on the size of a transaction or project, the capital resources that will be required can be substantial. The necessary resources will be generated from cash flow from operations, cash on hand, borrowing against our assets or the issuance of securities.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

There were no material changes outside the ordinary course to any of our material contractual obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 36


In July 2013, we renewed the collective agreement for our Rosenthal mill for an additional two year period until June 2015. The agreement provides for, among other things, an initial 1.8% wage increase for employees thereunder, with a subsequent 3% wage increase in May 2014.

Foreign Currency

Our reporting currency is currently the Euro as the majority of our business transactions are denominated in Euros. However, we hold certain assets and liabilities in U.S. dollars and Canadian dollars. Further, the majority of our sales are in products quoted in U.S. dollars, whereas most of our operating costs and expenses are incurred in Euros and, to a lesser extent, Canadian dollars. Accordingly, our consolidated financial results are subject to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

We translate foreign denominated assets and liabilities into Euros at the rate of exchange on the balance sheet date. Equity accounts are translated using historical exchange rates. Unrealized gains or losses from these translations are recorded in our Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) and impact shareholders’ equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but do not affect our net income (loss).

In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, accumulated other comprehensive income decreased by €6.6 million to €18.6 million, primarily due to the foreign currency translation adjustment.

Based upon the exchange rate at September 30, 2013, the U.S. dollar has weakened by approximately 5% in value against the Euro since September 30, 2012. See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”.

We anticipate changing our reporting currency from Euros to the U.S. dollar commencing with the fourth quarter of 2013 as management is of the opinion that the use of U.S. dollars to prepare its financial statements will enhance communication and understanding with shareholders, analysts and other stakeholders and improve comparability of our financial information with other competitors and peer group companies. With the change in reporting currency, both the current year and historical financial information, including all comparative financial information, to be reported on our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 will be translated to U.S. dollars.

Results of Operations of the Restricted Group under our Senior Note Indenture

General

The indenture governing our Senior Notes requires that we also provide a discussion in annual and quarterly reports we file with the SEC under Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the results of operations and financial condition of Mercer Inc. and our restricted subsidiaries under the indenture, referred to as the “Restricted Group”. The Restricted Group is comprised of Mercer Inc., our Rosenthal and Celgar mills and certain holding subsidiaries. The Restricted Group excludes our Stendal mill.

The following is a discussion of the results of operations and financial condition of the Restricted Group. For further information regarding the Restricted Group including, without limitation, a reconciliation to our consolidated results of operations, see Note 13 of our Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 37


Summary Financial Highlights for the Restricted Group

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)     (in thousands)  

Pulp revenues

   105,794      112,777      311,575      326,411   

Energy and chemical revenues

     5,935        6,960        19,065        21,411   

Operating income (loss)

     4,250        (4,773     2,271        2,840   

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments

     (1,060     353        (1,827     1,972   

Income tax provision

     (1,087     (1,192     (2,714     (3,305

Net loss

     (2,299     (9,957     (15,263     (12,842

Selected Production, Sales and Other Data for the Restricted Group

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013      2012      2013      2012  

Restricted Group

           

Pulp production (‘000 ADMTs)

     198.8         204.1         596.4         616.8   

Scheduled production downtime (‘000 ADMTs)

     9.4         10.2         25.4         32.8   

Scheduled production downtime (days)

     10         7         21         30   

Pulp sales (‘000 ADMTs)

     205.9         224.7         607.7         634.7   

Average NBSK pulp list prices in Europe ($/ADMT)(1)

     867         777         852         817   

Average NBSK pulp list prices in Europe (€/ADMT)

     654         620         646         637   

Average pulp sales realizations (€/ADMT)(2)

     514         502         513         514   

Energy production (‘000 MWh)

     225.8         233.1         672.4         695.5   

Energy sales (‘000 MWh)

     82.3         86.0         241.1         260.1   

Average energy sales realizations (€/MWh)

     72         81         79         82   

Average Spot Currency Exchange Rates

           

€ / $(3)

     0.7547         0.7999         0.7594         0.7807   

C$ / $(3)

     1.0385         0.9954         1.0236         1.0022   

C$ / €(4)

     1.3762         1.2452         1.3485         1.2847   

 

(1) Source: RISI pricing report.
(2) Sales realizations after discounts. Incorporates the effect of pulp price variations occurring between the order and shipment dates.
(3) Average Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon spot rate over the reporting period.
(4) Average Bank of Canada noon spot rate over the reporting period.

Restricted Group Results — Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

Total revenues for the Restricted Group decreased by approximately 7% to €111.7 million in the third quarter of 2013, compared to €119.7 million in the third quarter of 2012, primarily due to lower pulp revenues.

Pulp revenues for the Restricted Group for the three months ended September 30, 2013 decreased to €105.8 million from €112.8 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to lower pulp sales volumes and a weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Euro, partially offset by a higher realized price. The U.S. dollar was approximately 6% weaker versus the Euro in the third quarter of 2013, compared to the third quarter of 2012.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 38


Energy revenues decreased by approximately 16% in the current quarter to €5.9 million from €7.0 million in the same period last year, primarily as a result of lower pulp production at our Rosenthal mill and lower prices.

Average list prices for NBSK pulp in Europe were approximately $867 (€654) per ADMT in the current quarter, compared to $777 (€620) per ADMT in the same quarter last year. In the third quarter of 2013, average pulp sales realizations for the Restricted Group increased by approximately 2% to €514 per ADMT from €502 per ADMT in the same period last year, primarily due to higher pulp prices, partially offset by a weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Euro.

Pulp production for the Restricted Group decreased by approximately 3% to 198,755 ADMTs in the third quarter of 2013 from 204,124 ADMTs in the same period of 2012. We took 10 days (approximately 9,400 ADMTs) of scheduled maintenance downtime at our Rosenthal mill in the third quarter of 2013, compared to seven days (approximately 10,200 ADMTs) of scheduled maintenance downtime at our Celgar mill in the third quarter of 2012.

Pulp sales volumes of the Restricted Group decreased by approximately 8% to 205,924 ADMTs in the third quarter of 2013 from 224,696 ADMTs in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to lower sales to China, compared to high sales to China in the comparative quarter.

Costs and expenses for the Restricted Group in the third quarter of 2013 decreased by approximately 14% to €107.5 million from €124.5 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to lower sales volumes and the reversal of certain wastewater fee accruals at our Rosenthal mill.

In the third quarter of 2013, operating depreciation and amortization for the Restricted Group was €8.1 million, compared to €8.3 million in the same quarter last year. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Restricted Group were €5.6 million, compared to €6.4 million in the same period of 2012.

In the third quarter of 2013, the Restricted Group incurred pre-tax charges of approximately €2.9 million for severance and other personnel related expenses in connection with the Celgar mill workforce reduction.

Transportation costs for the Restricted Group decreased to €12.5 million in the third quarter of 2013 from €14.6 million in the same quarter last year.

Overall, per unit fiber costs of the Restricted Group in the third quarter of 2013 were flat, compared to the same period in 2012. During the third quarter of 2013, fiber costs at our Rosenthal mill were higher than the comparative period in 2012. Strong demand from the European pellet and board producers kept fiber prices at relatively high levels in the current quarter. Fiber costs at our Celgar mill decreased as a result of strong sawmill activity in the region. For the remainder of the year, we currently expect fiber costs at our Rosenthal mill to increase slightly, whereas we expect fiber costs at our Celgar mill to remain largely unchanged.

In the third quarter of 2013, the Restricted Group reported operating income of €4.3 million, compared to an operating loss of €4.8 million in the third quarter of 2012, primarily due to a higher pulp sales realization.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 39


Interest expense for the Restricted Group increased moderately to €6.2 million in the third quarter of 2013 from €6.0 million in the same quarter of last year.

In the third quarter of 2013, the Restricted Group also recorded a loss on derivative instruments of approximately €1.1 million related to two fixed price pulp swap contracts entered into in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to a derivative gain of approximately €0.3 million in the same quarter of 2012.

During the third quarter of 2013, the Restricted Group recorded €1.1 million of net income tax expense, compared to income tax expense of €1.2 million in the same period last year.

The net loss reported by the Restricted Group for the third quarter of 2013 declined to €2.3 million from €10.0 million in the same period last year, primarily due to higher pulp sales realizations and the reversal of certain wastewater fee accruals at our Rosenthal mill, partially offset by Celgar restructuring costs.

In the third quarter of 2013, the Restricted Group’s Operating EBITDA increased to €12.4 million from €3.6 million in the same quarter of 2012. Operating EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and non-recurring capital asset impairment charges. Operating EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. See the discussion of our consolidated results for the three months ended September 30, 2013 for additional information relating to such limitations of Operating EBITDA.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net loss to operating income (loss) and Operating EBITDA for the Restricted Group for the periods indicated:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

Restricted Group(1)

    

Net loss

   (2,299   (9,957

Income tax provision (benefit)

     1,087        1,192   

Interest expense

     6,193        6,010   

Loss (gain) on derivative instruments

     1,060        (353

Other (income) expense

     (1,791     (1,665
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     4,250        (4,773

Add: Depreciation and amortization

     8,192        8,385   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating EBITDA

   12,442      3,612   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) See Note 13 of the interim consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein for a reconciliation to our consolidated results.

Restricted Group Results — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012

Total revenues for the Restricted Group decreased by approximately 5% to €330.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to €347.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to lower pulp and energy revenues at our Celgar mill.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 40


Pulp revenues for the Restricted Group for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased to €311.6 million from €326.4 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to lower pulp sales volumes and a weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Euro. The U.S. dollar was approximately 3% weaker versus the Euro in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period of 2012.

Energy revenues decreased by approximately 11% in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to €19.1 million from €21.4 million in the same period last year, primarily as a result of lower pulp production at our Celgar mill and lower prices.

Average list prices for NBSK pulp in Europe were approximately $852 (€646) per ADMT in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $817 (€637) per ADMT in the same period last year. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, average pulp sales realizations for the Restricted Group decreased marginally to €513 per ADMT from €514 per ADMT in the same period last year due to the impact of a weaker U.S. dollar compared to the Euro, mostly offset by higher NBSK list prices.

Pulp production for the Restricted Group decreased by approximately 3% to 596,447 ADMTs in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from 616,837 ADMTs in the same period of 2012, primarily due to lower pulp production at our Celgar mill. In the second quarter of 2013, the Celgar mill took its annual maintenance shutdown. As a result of weather, equipment and execution issues, the shutdown was four days longer and the startup slower than budgeted, which resulted in a loss of approximately 30,300 ADMTs of NBSK pulp production.

Pulp sales volumes of the Restricted Group decreased by approximately 4% to 607,695 ADMTs in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from 634,687 ADMTs in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to lower sales to China and the United States.

Costs and expenses for the Restricted Group in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased to €328.4 million from €345.0 million in the comparative period of 2012, primarily due to lower sales volumes and the reversal of certain wastewater fee accruals at our Rosenthal mill.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, operating depreciation and amortization for the Restricted Group was €24.6 million, compared to €23.8 million in the same period last year. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Restricted Group were €17.0 million, compared to €18.3 million in the same period of 2012.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Restricted Group incurred pre-tax charges of approximately €2.9 million for severance and other personnel related expenses in connection with the Celgar mill workforce reduction.

Transportation costs for the Restricted Group decreased to €36.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from €40.3 million in the same period last year primarily due to lower pulp sales volumes.

Overall, per unit fiber costs of the Restricted Group in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were flat, compared to the same period in 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, fiber costs at our Rosenthal mill were higher than the comparative period in 2012. Strong demand from the European pellet and board producers and sawmills, reduced wood supply because of extreme winter weather conditions and lower availability of trucking transportation kept fiber prices at relatively high levels in the current period. Fiber costs at our Celgar mill decreased as a result of strong sawmill activity in the region. For the remainder of the year, we currently expect fiber costs at our Rosenthal mill to increase slightly, whereas we expect fiber costs at our Celgar mill to remain largely unchanged.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 41


In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Restricted Group reported operating income of €2.3 million, compared to operating income of €2.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to the combined effect of the impact of a weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Euro and the Celgar mill’s maintenance shutdown, partially offset by higher NBSK list prices.

Interest expense for the Restricted Group increased marginally to €17.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from €17.8 million in the same period last year.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Restricted Group also recorded a loss on derivative instruments of approximately €1.8 million related to two fixed price pulp swap contracts entered into in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to a derivative gain of approximately €1.9 million in the same period of last year.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Restricted Group recorded €2.7 million of income tax expense, compared to €3.3 million in the same period last year.

The net loss reported by the Restricted Group increased to €15.3 million from €12.8 million in the same period last year.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Restricted Group’s Operating EBITDA increased to €27.0 million from €26.8 million in the comparative period of 2012. Operating EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and non-recurring capital asset impairment charges. Operating EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. See the discussion of our consolidated results for the three months ended September 30, 2013 for additional information relating to such limitations of Operating EBITDA.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net loss to operating income and Operating EBITDA for the Restricted Group for the periods indicated:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

Restricted Group(1)

    

Net loss

   (15,263   (12,842

Income tax provision (benefit)

     2,714        3,305   

Interest expense

     17,939        17,754   

Loss (gain) on derivative instruments

     1,827        (1,972

Other expense (income)

     (4,946     (3,405
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     2,271        2,840   

Add: Depreciation and amortization

     24,770        23,958   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating EBITDA

   27,041      26,798   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) See Note 13 of the interim consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein for a reconciliation to our consolidated results.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 42


Liquidity and Capital Resources of the Restricted Group

The following table is a summary of selected financial information for the Restricted Group as at the dates indicated:

 

    

As at

September 30,

    

As at

December 31,

 
     2013      2012  
     (in thousands)  

Restricted Group Financial Position(1)

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   75,075       36,714   

Working capital

     153,421         132,130   

Total assets

     651,112         644,119   

Long-term liabilities

     298,214         260,185   

Total equity

     299,722         335,353   

 

(1) See Note 13 of the interim consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein for a reconciliation to our consolidated results.

At September 30, 2013, cash and cash equivalents for the Restricted Group increased to €75.1 million from €36.7 million at the end of 2012. As at September 30, 2013, we had approximately €28.3 million and C$21.4 million available under our Rosenthal and Celgar revolving credit facilities, respectively.

On July 22, 2013, we completed our registered public offering of an additional $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of additional Senior Notes at an issue price of 104.5% plus accrued interest from June 1, 2013. We used the proceeds to repay the revolving credit facilities of our Rosenthal and Celgar mills and for general corporate purposes.

We currently expect the Restricted Group to meet its interest and debt service obligations and meet the working and maintenance capital requirements for its operations for the next 12 months with cash flow from operations, cash on hand and available borrowings.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect both the amount and the timing of the recording of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying note disclosures. Our management routinely makes judgments and estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. As the number of variables and assumptions affecting the probable future resolution of the uncertainties increase, these judgments become even more subjective and complex.

Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 1 to our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. While all of the significant accounting policies are important to the consolidated financial statements, some of these policies may be viewed as having a high degree of judgment. On an ongoing basis, using currently available information, management reviews its estimates, including those related to the accounting for, among other things doubtful accounts and reserves, depreciation and amortization, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for long-lived assets, derivative financial instruments, environmental conservation and legal liabilities, asset retirement obligations, pensions and post-retirement benefit obligations, income taxes, contingencies, and inventory obsolescence and provisions. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known.

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 43


We have identified certain accounting policies that are the most important to the portrayal of our current financial condition and results of operations.

For information about both our significant and critical accounting policies, see our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

The statements in this report that are not reported financial results or other historical information are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.

Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “seeks”, “estimates”, or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs, such as “will”, “should”, “could”, or “may”, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations, forecasts and assumptions by our management and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

    the highly cyclical nature of our business;

 

    our level of indebtedness could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations;

 

    a weakening of the global economy could adversely affect our business and financial results and have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and capital resources;

 

    cyclical fluctuations in the price and supply of our raw materials could adversely affect our business;

 

    we operate in highly competitive markets;

 

    we are exposed to currency exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations;

 

    we use derivatives to manage certain risks which has caused significant fluctuations in our operating results;

 

    we are subject to extensive environmental regulation and we could have environmental liabilities at our facilities;

 

    our business is subject to risks associated with climate change and social government responses thereto;

 

    our operations require substantial capital and we may be unable to maintain adequate capital resources to provide for such requirements;

 

    future acquisitions may result in additional risks and uncertainties in our business;

 

    changes in credit ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations could adversely affect our cost of financing and have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities;

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 44


    Project Blue Mill might not generate the results we expect;

 

    the actual timing, costs and benefits of the Celgar workforce reduction may differ from those currently expected;

 

    we are subject to risks related to our employees;

 

    we rely on German federal and state government grants and guarantees and participate in European statutory programs;

 

    we are dependent on key personnel;

 

    we may experience material disruptions to our production (including as a result of, among other things, planned and unplanned maintenance shutdowns);

 

    if our long-lived assets become impaired, we may be required to record non-cash impairment that could have a material impact on our results of operations;

 

    we may incur losses as a result of unforeseen or catastrophic events, including the emergence of a pandemic, terrorist attacks or natural disasters;

 

    our insurance coverage may not be adequate;

 

    we rely on third parties for transportation services; and

 

    the price of our common stock may be volatile.

Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. The forgoing review of important factors is not exhaustive or necessarily in order of importance and should be read in conjunction with the risks and assumptions including those set forth in reports and other documents we have filed with or furnished to the SEC, including in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. We advise you that these cautionary remarks expressly qualify in their entirety all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf. Unless required by law, we do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements based on unanticipated events or changed expectations. However, you should carefully review the reports and other documents we file from time to time with the SEC.

Cyclical Nature of Business

Revenues

The pulp business is highly cyclical in nature and markets are characterized by periods of supply and demand imbalance, which in turn affects prices. Pulp markets are highly competitive and are sensitive to cyclical changes in the global economy, industry capacity and foreign exchange rates, all of which can have a significant influence on selling prices and our operating results. The length and magnitude of industry cycles have varied over time but generally reflect changes in macro-economic conditions and levels of industry capacity. Pulp is a commodity that is generally available from other producers. Because commodity products have few distinguishing qualities from producer to producer, competition is generally based upon price, which is generally determined by supply relative to demand.

Industry capacity can fluctuate as changing industry conditions can influence producers to idle production capacity or permanently close mills. In addition, to avoid substantial cash costs in idling or closing a mill, some producers will choose to operate at a loss, sometimes even a cash loss, which can prolong weak pricing environments due to oversupply. Oversupply of our products can also result from producers introducing new capacity in response to favorable pricing trends.

 

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Demand for pulp has historically been determined primarily by general global macro-economic conditions and has been closely tied to overall business activity. From 2006 to mid-2008, pulp prices steadily improved. However, the global economic crisis in the latter half of 2008 resulted in a sharp decline of pulp prices from a high of $900 per ADMT to $635 per ADMT at the end of 2008. Pulp prices began to increase in the second half of 2009 and continued to increase to record levels through June of 2010, before declining slightly in the fourth quarter of 2010. Pulp prices again rebounded to record levels in the first half of 2011 but declined sharply in the latter part of the year, primarily due to economic uncertainty in Europe and credit tightening in China. Economic uncertainty in Europe and China, respectively, impacted both demand and prices. In 2012, list prices were on average approximately 15% lower than 2011. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, pulp prices marginally increased in Europe, North America and China. As at September 30, 2013, list prices for NBSK pulp were approximately $880 per ADMT in Europe, $945 per ADMT in North America and $695 per ADMT in China.

Accordingly, prices for pulp are driven by many factors outside our control, and we have little influence over the timing and extent of price changes, which are often volatile. Because market conditions beyond our control determine the price for pulp, prices may fall below our cash production costs, requiring us to either incur short-term losses on product sales or cease production at one or more of our mills. Therefore, our profitability depends on managing our cost structure, particularly raw materials which represent a significant component of our operating costs and can fluctuate based upon factors beyond our control. If the prices of our products decline, or if prices for our raw materials increase, or both, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Costs

Our production costs are influenced by the availability and cost of raw materials, energy and labor, and our plant efficiencies and productivity. Our main raw material is fiber in the form of wood chips and pulp logs. Wood chip and pulp log costs are primarily affected by the supply of, and demand for, lumber and pulp, which are both cyclical and, to a lesser extent, by increasing demand from renewable energy producers. Higher fiber costs could affect producer profit margins if they are unable to pass along price increases to pulp customers or purchasers of surplus energy. The state of lumber markets affects both the amount of sawmill residuals, such as chips, produced as a by-product of lumber and the level of timber harvesting, which provides us with pulp logs. Production costs also depend on the total volume of production. Lower operating rates during periods of cyclically low demand result in higher average production costs and lower margins.

Currency

The majority of our sales are in products quoted in U.S. dollars while most of our operating costs and expenses, other than those of the Celgar mill, are incurred in Euros. In addition, all of the products sold by the Celgar mill are quoted in U.S. dollars and the Celgar mill costs are primarily incurred in Canadian dollars. Our results of operations and financial condition are reported in Euros. As a result, our revenues are adversely affected by a decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Euro and to the Canadian dollar. Such shifts in currencies relative to the Euro and the Canadian dollar reduce our operating margins and the cash flow available to fund our operations and to service our debt. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risks from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the exchange rates between the Euro and the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar and the Euro. Changes in these rates may affect our results of operations and financial condition and, consequently, our fair value. We seek to manage these risks through internal risk management policies as well as the use of derivatives. We use derivatives to reduce or limit our exposure to interest rate and currency risks. We also use derivatives to reduce or limit our exposure to fluctuations in pulp prices. We use derivatives to reduce our potential losses or to augment our potential gains, depending on our management’s perception of future economic events and developments. These types of derivatives are generally highly speculative in nature. They are also very volatile as they are highly leveraged given that margin requirements are relatively low in proportion to notional amounts.

Many of our strategies, including the use of derivatives, and the types of derivatives selected by us, are based on historical trading patterns and correlations and our management’s expectations of future events. However, these strategies may not be effective in all market environments or against all types of risks. Unexpected market developments may affect our risk management strategies during this time, and unanticipated developments could impact our risk management strategies in the future. If any of the variety of instruments and strategies we utilize is not effective, we may incur significant losses.

All of our derivatives are marked to market at the end of each reporting period, and all unrealized gains and losses are recognized in earnings for a reporting period. We determine market valuations based primarily upon observable inputs including applicable yield curves.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded an unrealized gain of approximately €13.9 million on our outstanding interest rate derivative, compared to an unrealized loss of €0.6 million in the same period of 2012.

In November 2012, we entered into two fixed price pulp swap contracts with a bank. Under the terms of these contracts, 3,000 metric tonnes of pulp per month is fixed at prices which range from $880 to $890 per metric tonne. These contracts expire in December 2013.

We recorded a loss of approximately €1.8 million related to these swap contracts in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and a gain of approximately €1.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

We are also subject to some energy price risk, primarily for the natural gas and the electricity that our operations purchase.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, referred to as the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act.

It should be noted that any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions designed to obtain reasonable (and not absolute) assurance as to its effectiveness, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals.

Changes in Internal Controls

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are subject to routine litigation incidental to our business, including those described in our latest annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. We do not believe that the outcome of such litigation will have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

As of September 30, 2013, there have been no material changes to the factors disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our latest annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 except with respect to the risk factor set forth below.

The actual timing, costs and benefits of the Celgar mill workforce reduction may differ from those currently expected.

On July 9, 2013, we announced that our Celgar mill intended to undertake a workforce reduction designed to, among other things, reduce the mill’s fixed costs and improve its competitiveness. The Celgar workforce reduction initiative is subject to various risks, which could result in the actual timing, costs and benefits of the initiative differing from those currently anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, among others that: we may not be able to implement the planned reduction in the timeframe currently planned; our costs related to such reduction may be higher than currently estimated; and unanticipated disruptions to the Celgar mill’s operations may result in additional costs being incurred, anticipated benefits not being realized and may adversely impact the mill’s operations.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALE OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.    Description
4.1    Indenture, dated November 17, 2010, between Mercer International Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Mercer International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K on July 23, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.1    Amendment Agreement, dated September 30, 2013, among Zellstoff Stendal GmbH, as Borrower, UniCredit Bank AG, as Arranger, Agent, Security Agent and Original Lender, the Lenders from time to time parties thereto, E & Z Industrie-Lösungen GmbH, Mercer International Inc. and Stendal Pulp Holding GmbH
31.1    Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2    Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1*    Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2*    Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
101    The following financial statements from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013, formatted in XBRL: (i) Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) Interim Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings; (iv) Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (v) Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

* In accordance with Release 33-8212 of the Commission, these Certifications: (i) are “furnished” to the Commission and are not “filed” for the purposes of liability under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and (ii) are not to be subject to automatic incorporation by reference into any of the Company’s registration statements filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for the purposes of liability thereunder or any offering memorandum, unless the Company specifically incorporates them by reference therein.

 

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SIGNATURES

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.

 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
By:  

/s/ David M. Gandossi

  David M. Gandossi
  Secretary and Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 1, 2013

 

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