PACKAGING CORP OF AMERICA - Quarter Report: 2009 September (Form 10-Q)

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

Commission file number 1-15399

 

PACKAGING CORPORATION OF AMERICA

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

(847) 482-3000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

 

 

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 þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o     No o

 

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

 

(Do not check if a 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 o     No þ

 

As of November 2, 2009, the Registrant had outstanding 102,983,542 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Packaging Corporation of America

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Packaging Corporation of America

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Packaging Corporation of America

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Packaging Corporation of America

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2009

 

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2009 and 2008 of Packaging Corporation of America (“PCA” or the “Company”) and for the three- and nine-month periods then ended are unaudited but include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete audited financial statements. Operating results for the period ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with PCA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

Basis of Consolidation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of PCA include all majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The Company has one joint venture that is accounted for under the equity method.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue as title to the products is transferred to customers. Shipping and handling billings to a customer are included in net sales. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales. In addition, the Company offers volume rebates to certain of its customers. The total cost of these programs is estimated and accrued as a reduction to net sales at the time of the respective sale.

 

Segment Information

 

PCA is engaged in one line of business: the integrated manufacture and sale of packaging materials, boxes and containers for industrial and consumer markets. No single customer accounts for more than 10% of total net sales.

 

Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income is as follows:

 

 

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2009

 

 

 

On June 12, 2003, in connection with a contemplated issuance of five-year and ten-year debt securities, PCA entered into interest rate protection agreements with a counterparty to protect against increases in the five-year and ten-year U.S. Treasury Note rates. On January 17, 2008, in connection with a contemplated issuance of ten-year debt securities, PCA entered into an interest rate protection agreement with a counterparty to protect against increases in the ten-year U.S. Treasury Note rate. These treasury rates served as references in determining the interest rates applicable to the debt securities the Company issued in July 2003 and March 2008. As a result of changes in the interest rates on those treasury securities between the time PCA entered into the agreements and the time PCA priced and issued the debt securities, the Company: (1) received a payment of $27.0 million from the counterparty upon settlement of the 2003 interest rate protection agreements on July 21, 2003; and (2) made a payment of $4.4 million to the counterparty upon settlement of the 2008 interest rate protection agreement on March 25, 2008. The Company recorded the settlements in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is amortizing the $27.0 million gain and the $4.4 million loss to interest expense over the lives of the respective notes.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In August 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) updated its guidance in the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the Codification related to fair value measurement of liabilities. This update provides clarification that in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for an identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more valuation techniques. This guidance is effective for the first reporting period beginning after issuance. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have any impact on its financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance in the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Topic of the Codification. This guidance established a new hierarchy of GAAP sources for non-governmental entities under the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The Codification is the sole source for authoritative U.S. GAAP and supersedes all accounting standards in U.S. GAAP, except for those issued by the SEC. The guidance was effective for financial statements issued for reporting periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company adopted this guidance effective July 1, 2009. The adoption had no impact on the Company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

 

In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance in the Subsequent Events Topic of the Codification, which sets forth: (1) the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, (2) the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements and (3) the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2009

 

 

balance sheet date. The guidance was effective on a prospective basis for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted this guidance on June 30, 2009. See Note 15 for additional information.

 

In April 2009, the FASB updated its guidance in the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the Codification related to estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased and identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. The guidance was effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The adoption of this guidance on June 30, 2009 did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations.

 

Also in April 2009, the FASB updated its guidance in the Financial Instruments Topic of the Codification, which requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. This guidance also requires those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. The guidance was effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company adopted this guidance on June 30, 2009. For additional information, see Note 9.

 

The FASB updated its guidance in the Business Combinations Topic of the Codification in April 2009, which addresses application issues on initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. This guidance was effective for business combinations occurring on or after the beginning of the first annual period on or after December 15, 2008. The Company applied the guidance to its accounting for the sheet plant that was acquired on July 2, 2009. See Note 14 for additional information regarding this acquisition.

 

In December 2008, the FASB updated its guidance in the Compensation — Retirement Benefits Topic of the Codification, which requires detailed disclosures about employers’ plan assets, including employers’ investment strategies, major categories of plan assets, concentrations of risk within plan assets, and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets. The disclosures required by this guidance must be provided in financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. Earlier application of the provisions of this guidance is permitted. The Company will comply with the additional disclosures required by this guidance upon its adoption in December 2009.

 

In June 2008, the FASB updated its guidance in the Earnings Per Share Topic of the Codification. This guidance clarified that all unvested share-based payment awards with a right to receive nonforfeitable dividends are participating securities and provides guidance on how to allocate earnings to participating securities and compute basic earnings per share using the two-class method. This guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2009. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s earnings per share calculations.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued guidance in the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the Codification, which changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Entities will be required to provide enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and how derivative instruments and related items affect an entity’s financial position, operations and cash flows. This guidance was effective as of the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2008. To the extent that PCA is a party to any derivative instruments after December 31, 2008, this guidance will impact PCA’s disclosures related to derivative instruments and hedging activities.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance in the Business Combinations Topic of the Codification. This guidance significantly changes the accounting for and reporting of business combination transactions in consolidated financial statements. These significant changes include: (1) recognition of 100% of the fair value of assets

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2009

 

 

acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests of acquired businesses, even if 100% of the business has not been acquired; (2) recognition of contingent consideration arrangements and preacquisition gain and loss contingencies at their acquisition-date fair values; (3) capitalization of research and development assets acquired at acquisition-date fair value; (4) recognition of acquisition-related transaction costs as expense when incurred; and (5) recognition of acquisition-related restructuring cost accruals only if the criteria in the Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations Topic of the Codification are met as of the acquisition date. This guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company applied the guidance to its accounting for the sheet plant that was acquired on July 2, 2009. See Note 14 for additional information regarding this acquisition.

 

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income per common share for the periods presented.

 

 

 

Options to purchase 1.5 million shares and 1.9 million shares for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and 0.2 million shares for both the three- and nine-month periods ended

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2009

 

 

September 30, 2008 were not included in the computation of diluted common shares outstanding as their exercise price exceeded the average market price of the Company’s common stock for each respective reporting period.

 

 

In October 1999, the Company adopted a long-term equity incentive plan, which provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance awards to directors, officers and employees of PCA, as well as others who engage in services for PCA. Option awards granted to directors, officers and employees have contractual lives of seven or ten years. Options granted to officers and employees vest ratably over a three-year period, and options granted to directors vest immediately. Restricted stock awards granted to employees vest at the end of a four-year period, and restricted stock awards granted to directors vest at the end of a six-month period. The plan, which was scheduled to terminate on October 19, 2009, was amended on May 27, 2009. The amendment extended the plan’s term by five years to October 19, 2014 and increased the number of shares that may be granted under the plan by 2,000,000 shares, to a total issuance of up to 8,550,000 shares of common stock over the life of the plan (including prior awards). As of September 30, 2009, options and restricted stock of 6,546,494 shares have been granted, net of forfeitures. Forfeitures are added back to the pool of shares of common stock available to be granted at a future date.

 

Compensation expense for both stock options and restricted stock recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was as follows:

 

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of each option grant as of the date of grant. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The expected life of the option is estimated using historical data pertaining to option exercises and employee terminations. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for estimating the expected life. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of grant. The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. There were no option grants during the first, second, or third quarters of 2009.

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2009

 

 

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information follows:

 

 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 the intrinsic value was both $1.4 million. As of September 30, 2009, there was $0.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards granted under the Company’s equity incentive plan. The Company expects to recognize the cost of these stock option awards over a weighted-average period of 0.75 year.

 

A summary of the Company’s restricted stock activity follows:

 

 

The Company generally recognizes compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards ratably over their vesting periods. As PCA’s Board of Directors has the ability to accelerate vesting of restricted stock upon an employee’s retirement, the Company accelerates the recognition of compensation expense for certain employees approaching normal retirement age. As of September 30, 2009, there was $10.7 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the above restricted stock awards. The Company expects to recognize the cost of these stock awards over a weighted-average period of 2.9 years.

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2009

 

 

 

The components of inventories are as follows:

 

 

An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method is made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations must necessarily be based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs. Because these are subject to many factors beyond management’s control, interim results are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation.

 

 

Goodwill

 

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the period ended September 30, 2009 are as follows:

 

 

Other Intangible Assets

 

The components of other intangible assets are as follows:

 

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2009

 

 

 

For the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, net pension costs were comprised of the following:

 

 

The Company makes pension plan contributions that are sufficient to fund its actuarially determined costs, generally equal to the minimum amounts required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). However, from time to time the Company may make discretionary contributions in excess of the required minimum amounts. The Company expects to contribute $35.2 million to the pension plans in 2009, of which $30.9 million has been contributed through September 30, 2009.

 

For the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, net postretirement costs were comprised of the following:

 

 

 

PCA has an on-balance sheet securitization program for its trade accounts receivable that is accounted for as a secured borrowing under the Transfers and Servicing Topic of the Codification. To effectuate this program, the Company formed a wholly owned limited purpose subsidiary, Packaging Credit Company, LLC (“PCC”), which in turn formed a wholly owned, bankruptcy-remote, special-purpose subsidiary, Packaging Receivables Company, LLC (“PRC”), for the purpose of acquiring receivables from PCC. Both of these entities are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Under this program, PCC purchases on an ongoing basis substantially all of the receivables of the Company and sells such receivables to PRC. PRC and lenders established a $150.0 million receivables-backed revolving credit facility (“Receivables Credit Facility”) through which PRC obtains funds to purchase receivables from PCC. The receivables purchased by PRC are solely the property of PRC. In the event of liquidation of PRC, the creditors of PRC would be entitled to satisfy their claims from PRC’s assets prior to any distribution to PCC or the Company. Credit available under the receivables credit facility is on a

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2009

 

 

borrowing-base formula. As a result, the full amount of the facility may not be available at all times. At September 30, 2009, $109.0 million was outstanding and included in “Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Approximately $253.2 million of accounts receivable at September 30, 2009 have been sold to PRC and are included in “Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and customer deductions” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 

 

The carrying and estimated fair values of PCA’s financial instruments at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were as follows:

 

 

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, net and accounts and dividends payable approximate their carrying amounts due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

 

The fair value of the receivables credit facility approximates its carrying amount due to the variable interest-rate feature of the instrument. The fair values of the senior notes are based on quoted market prices. The fair value of the capital lease obligations was estimated to not be materially different from the carrying amount.

 

 

PCA adopted the guidance in the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the Codification on January 1, 2008. The guidance defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. The guidance clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

 

Level 1 — observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets

 

Level 2 — inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly

 

Level 3 — unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2009

 

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of three valuation techniques noted in the guidance. The valuation techniques are as follows:

 

(a) Market approach — prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities

 

(b) Cost approach — amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost)

 

(c) Income approach — techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models)

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:

 

 

The money market funds PCA invests in include funds comprised of U.S. Treasury obligations or backed by U.S. Treasury obligations.

 

There were no changes in the Company’s valuation techniques used to measure fair values on a recurring basis as a result of adopting this guidance. PCA had no assets or liabilities that were measured on a nonrecurring basis.

 

 

The potential costs for various environmental matters are uncertain due to such factors as the unknown magnitude of possible cleanup costs, the complexity and evolving nature of governmental laws and regulations and their interpretations, and the timing, varying costs and effectiveness of alternative cleanup technologies. From 1994 through September 30, 2009, remediation costs at the PCA’s mills and corrugated plants totaled approximately $3.2 million. As of September 30, 2009, the Company maintained an environmental reserve of $8.9 million relating to on-site landfills and surface impoundments as well as ongoing and anticipated remedial projects. Liabilities recorded for environmental contingencies are estimates of the probable costs based upon available information and assumptions. Because of these uncertainties, PCA’s estimates may change. As of the date of this filing, the Company believes that it is not reasonably possible that future environmental expenditures and asset retirement obligations above the $8.9 million accrued as of September 30, 2009, will have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

 

On October 17, 2007, PCA announced that its Board of Directors authorized a $150.0 million common stock repurchase program. There is no expiration date for the common stock repurchase program. Through December 31, 2008, the Company repurchased 3,818,729 shares of common stock. All repurchased shares were retired prior to December 31, 2008. No shares were repurchased during the first nine months of 2009. As of September 30, 2009, $65.0 million of the $150.0 million authorization remained available for repurchase of the Company’s common stock.

 

 

The Company generates “black liquor” as a by-product of its pulp manufacturing process and uses it in a mixture with diesel fuel to produce energy at its Counce, Tennessee, Valdosta, Georgia, and Tomahawk, Wisconsin mills. The U.S. Internal Revenue Code provides a $0.50 per gallon refundable tax credit for taxpayers who use

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2009

 

 

alternative fuels in their trade or business. The Company filed applications with the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) in December 2008 to be registered as an alternative fuel mixer and received approval in April 2009. As a registered alternative fuel mixer, the Company believes the use of black liquor as an alternative fuel qualifies for this tax credit. The laws governing this credit, as well as the taxability of benefits received from this credit, are complex. The alternative fuel mixture tax credit is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2009, unless proposed legislation to eliminate the credit goes into effect prior to that date. During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009, PCA recorded $47.1 million and $126.8 million, respectively, of these credits after net operating expenses of $0.5 million and $2.0 million, respectively. The Company applied $18.7 million of these credits against its second quarter 2009 federal cash tax payment and $3.7 million against its third quarter 2009 federal cash tax payment, resulting in a receivable of $106.4 million for the remaining balance of the alternative fuel mixture tax credits earned through September 30, 2009 that is included on the Company’s balance sheet at September 30, 2009.

 

 

On July 2, 2009, the Company acquired a specialty sheet business located in Chicago, Illinois, for approximately $3.1 million, net of cash acquired. The purchase method of accounting was used to account for the acquisition. Goodwill of $1.7 million (which is deductible for income tax purposes) was recorded in connection with the acquisition. Sales and total assets of the acquisition were not material to the Company’s overall sales and total assets prior to the acquisition. Operating results of the plant subsequent to the date of the acquisition are included in the Company’s operating results.

 

 

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through November 4, 2009, the filing date of this Form 10-Q, and determined there were no events to disclose.

 

Overview

 

Packaging Corporation of America, or PCA, is the fifth largest producer of containerboard and corrugated products in the United States, based on production capacity. We produce a wide variety of corrugated products ranging from basic corrugated shipping containers to specialized packaging, such as wax-coated boxes for the agriculture industry. We also have multi-color printing capabilities to make high-impact graphics boxes and displays that offer our customers more attractive packaging. Our operating facilities and customers are located primarily in the United States.

 

In analyzing our operating performance, we focus on the following factors that affect our business and are important to consider when reviewing our financial and operating results:

 

 

The cost to manufacture containerboard is dependent, in large part, on the costs of wood fiber, recycled fiber, purchased fuels, electricity and labor and fringe benefits. Excluding the cost of containerboard, labor and benefits costs make up the largest component of corrugated products’ manufactured costs.

 

The market for containerboard is generally subject to changes in the U.S. economy. Historically, supply and demand, as well as industry-wide inventory levels, have influenced prices of containerboard. In addition to U.S. shipments, approximately 10% of all domestically produced containerboard has been exported annually for use in other countries.

 

Industry Conditions

 

The U.S. economy experienced a severe downturn in the fourth quarter of 2008 which continued through the first quarter of 2009 with some improvement seen in the second and third quarter. Industry-wide shipments of corrugated products decreased 8.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, but were up 1.5% compared to the second quarter of 2009. Reported third quarter 2009 industry containerboard production decreased 7.4% from the third quarter of 2008. However, export shipments of containerboard decreased only 1.7% over the same time period. Industry published prices for containerboard stabilized during June, July and August, but fell $10 per ton in September. Third quarter average published transaction prices for linerboard were $73 per ton lower than third quarter 2008. Reported industry containerboard inventories at the end of September 2009 were approximately 200,000 tons below September 2008, the lowest September-ending level in nearly 30 years.

 

PCA Operations Summary

 

During the third quarter of 2009, we produced approximately 588,000 tons of containerboard at our mills, of which about 80% was consumed in our corrugated products manufacturing plants, 12% was sold to domestic customers and 8% was sold in the export market. Production in the third quarter was down about 33,000 tons compared to the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to market-related downtime.

 

Our corrugated products manufacturing plants sold about 7.5 billion square feet (“bsf”) of corrugated products during the third quarter of 2009. Corrugated products shipments were up 1.5% compared to the second quarter of 2009, but were 4.8% below third quarter 2008. Sales prices of containerboard and corrugated products prices were lower than the third quarter 2008 primarily due to the published price decreases during the first half of 2009. In addition, recycled fiber, transportation and energy costs were lower than last year’s third quarter. However, the improvement from decreased costs was more than offset by the impact of lower sales prices due to the weaker economy.

 

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, our earnings are expected to be impacted by lower volume due to three less shipping days than the third quarter along with normal seasonality that typically results in lower fourth quarter

volume. Prices are expected to be lower as a result of previously published containerboard price changes. We also expect wood costs and energy usage to increase with colder and wetter weather. Considering these items, and excluding any income from alternative fuel mixture tax credits, described in Note 13 to the financial statements included elsewhere in this report, we expect our fourth quarter 2009 earnings to be lower than our earnings in the third quarter of 2009.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

 

The historical results of operations of PCA for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are set forth below:

 

 

Net Sales

 

Net sales decreased by $67.2 million, or 10.8%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 from the comparable period in 2008, primarily as a result of the impact of decreased sales volume of corrugated products and containerboard to third parties ($35.0 million) and decreased sales prices ($32.2 million). Sales prices decreased as a result of monthly published industry containerboard price decreases from December 2008 through May 2009 and also in September 2009, which reduced linerboard and corrugating medium transaction prices by a total $80 per ton (or 13.1%) and $90 per ton (or 15.3%), respectively, compared to November 2008 published price levels.

 

Corrugated products shipments on a total and per-workday basis for the third quarter decreased 4.8% compared to the third quarter of 2008. The number of workdays were the same in the third quarters of 2008 and 2009. Containerboard volume sold to domestic and export customers was 6.0% lower for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008. Containerboard mill production for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was 588,000 tons compared to 621,000 tons during the same period in 2008, down 33,000 tons as a result of the market-related downtime taken during the third quarter.

 

Income from Operations

 

Income from operations increased by $27.6 million, or 40.2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008, primarily due to an alternative fuel mixture tax credit ($47.1 million). Please see Note 13 to the financial statements included in this report for a description of the alternative fuel mixture tax credit. Excluding the alternative fuel mixture tax credit, income from operations was $19.5 million below the previous year’s third quarter primarily as a result of the impact of decreased sales prices of corrugated products and containerboard ($32.2 million) and lower sales volume ($10.2 million). These items were partially offset by decreased costs of transportation ($8.8 million) energy ($7.8 million), recycled fiber ($3.2 million) and chemicals ($2.7 million).

 

Gross profit decreased $21.5 million, or 16.3%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 from the comparable period in 2008. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased from 21.3% of net sales in the three months ended September 30, 2008 to 20.0% of net sales in the current quarter due primarily to the decreased prices described above.

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $0.5 million, or 1.2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, as a result of reduced salary and fringe benefit expenses ($0.7 million) partially offset by other items which were individually insignificant.

 

Corporate overhead decreased $2.9 million, or 18.0%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, primarily attributable to a decrease in salary expense due to the timing of both share-based compensation and incentive compensation ($2.4 million) and lower fees for professional services related to tax, audit and human resource matters ($0.3 million).

 

Other expense for the three months ended September 30, 2009 increased $1.4 million or 57.6% compared to the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to increased fixed asset disposals in the third quarter of 2009 ($1.4 million).

 

Interest Expense, Net and Income Taxes

 

Net interest expense increased $0.9 million, or 11.0%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 from the three months ended September 30, 2008, primarily as a result of lower interest income ($1.0 million) earned on PCA’s cash equivalents. The $1.0 million decrease in interest income was primarily due to lower interest income rates during the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

 

PCA’s effective tax rate was 16.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 37.2% for the comparable period in 2008. The effective tax rate varies from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% principally due to the impact of the alternative fuel mixture tax credit, state and local income taxes, and the domestic manufacturers’ deduction.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

 

The historical results of operations of PCA for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are set forth below:

 

 

Net Sales

 

Net sales decreased by $199.1 million, or 11.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from the comparable period in 2008 primarily as a result of decreased sales volume of corrugated products and containerboard to third parties ($185.6 million) and lower average prices for the first nine months of 2009 ($13.5 million) compared to the first nine months of 2008. Sales prices decreased as a result of published price reductions since December 2008 described earlier.

 

Corrugated products shipments per workday for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased 7.4% compared to the same period in 2008 and were 8.3% lower on a total shipments basis due to the fact that the first nine months of 2009 contained two fewer workdays than the same period in 2008. Containerboard volume sold to domestic and export customers was 19.9% lower for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Containerboard mill production for the first nine months of 2009 was approximately 1,658,000 tons compared to 1,820,000 tons produced in the first nine months of 2008, a decrease of 162,000 tons as a result of market-related downtime, planned annual maintenance outages and machine slowbacks.

Income from Operations

 

Income from operations increased by $91.6 million, or 48.2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily attributable to the alternative fuel mixture tax credit of $126.8 million described previously. Excluding the alternative fuel mixture tax credit, income from operations decreased $35.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008 primarily attributable to lower sales volume ($66.4 million), decreased sales prices of corrugated products and containerboard ($13.5 million) and increased labor and fringe benefit costs ($7.7 million). These items were partially offset by decreased costs of recycled fiber ($19.7 million), transportation ($18.6 million), energy ($11.8 million) and starch and wax ($1.9 million).

 

Gross profit decreased $38.4 million, or 10.2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from the comparable period in 2008. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased from 20.8% of net sales in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to 21.0% of net sales in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 due primarily to the cost decreases described above.

 

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $1.6 million, or 1.2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, primarily as a result of lower expenses related to travel and entertainment ($1.0 million), warehousing costs ($0.4 million) and salary and fringe benefits ($0.3 million).

 

Corporate overhead for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased $2.4 million or 5.4% compared to the same period in 2008, primarily due to decreased salary and incentive compensation expense ($1.7 million), reduced fees paid for professional services related to tax, audit and human resource matters ($0.4 million) and other items which were individually insignificant.

 

Other expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 increased $0.8 million or 7.3% compared to the same period in 2008, primarily due to increased fixed asset disposals ($1.0 million).

 

Interest Expense, Net and Income Taxes

 

Net interest expense increased $4.0 million, or 17.5%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from the nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily as a result of lower interest income ($4.9 million) earned on PCA’s cash equivalents, partially offset by lower interest expense ($0.9 million) related to PCA’s outstanding debt balances. The $4.9 million decrease in interest income was primarily due to lower interest income rates during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The $0.9 million decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in interest expense related to the Company’s receivables credit facility due to lower interest rates.

 

PCA’s effective tax rate was 18.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 37.1% for the comparable period in 2008. The effective tax rate varies from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% principally due to the impact of the alternative fuel mixture tax credit, state and local income taxes, and the domestic manufacturers’ deduction. The Company had no material changes impacting FIN No. 48 during the first nine months of 2009.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The following table presents a summary of our cash flows for the periods presented:

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $209.3 million compared to $182.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, an increase of $27.1 million, or 14.9%. Net income, excluding the impact of the alternative fuel mixture tax credits described in Note 13 to the financial statements included in this report, was $79.7 million for the first nine months of 2009 compared to $105.4 million for the comparable period in 2008, a decrease of $25.7 million that reduced net cash provided by operating activities. This decrease was more than offset by reduced cash requirements, including a $22.4 million reduction in federal tax payments in the second and third quarters of 2009 as a result of the alternative fuel mixture tax credits. Cash requirements for operating activities are subject to PCA’s operating needs, which were impacted by the weakened business conditions during the first nine months of 2009, the timing of collection of receivables and payments of payables and expenses, and seasonal fluctuations in the Company’s operations.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash used for investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased $26.7 million, or 26.6%, to $73.6 million, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily related to lower additions to property, plant and equipment of $29.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, partially offset by a $3.1 million acquisition completed during the third quarter of 2009.

 

In October 2009, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved a major energy optimization project at its Counce and Valdosta mills. The total capital is expected to be about $295 million to be spent over the next two years. The project is expected to be funded with existing cash and cash generated from operating activities and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2011.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash used for financing activities totaled $60.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $101.2 million, or 62.5%, compared to the same period in 2008. The difference was primarily attributable to lower debt payments of $169.7 million in 2009, $45.3 million in repurchases of PCA common stock during the first nine months of 2008 and lower common stock dividends paid of $32.5 million during the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, partially offset by $145.2 million in net proceeds received from PCA’s notes offering in 2008 described below.

 

In connection with the senior notes offering in March of 2008, PCA received proceeds, net of discount, of $149.9 million and paid $4.4 million for settlement of a treasury lock that it entered into to protect it against increases in the ten-year U.S. Treasury rate, which served as a reference in determining the interest rate applicable to the notes. PCA also incurred financing costs in the amount of $0.3 million in connection with the senior notes offering. PCA later used the proceeds of this offering, together with cash on hand, to repay all of the $150.0 million of outstanding 43/8% senior notes due 2008 on August 1, 2008.

 

PCA’s primary sources of liquidity are net cash provided by operating activities, borrowings under PCA’s revolving credit facility, and additional borrowings under PCA’s receivables credit facility. As of September 30, 2009, PCA had $172.2 million in unused borrowing capacity under its existing credit agreements, net of the impact on this borrowing capacity of $18.8 million of outstanding letters of credit. Currently, PCA’s primary uses of cash are for capital expenditures, debt service and declared common stock dividends, which it expects to be able to fund from these sources.

The following table provides the outstanding balances, excluding unamortized debt discount of $1.3 million, and the weighted average interest rates as of September 30, 2009 for PCA’s revolving credit facility, the receivables credit facility, and the senior notes:

 

 

The above table excludes from the projected annual cash interest payments, the non-cash income from the annual amortization of the $22.8 million received in July 2003 and the non-cash expense from the annual amortization of the $4.4 million paid in March 2008 to settle the treasury locks related to the 53/4% senior notes due 2013 and 61/2% senior notes due 2018. The amortization is being recognized over the terms of the 53/4% senior notes due 2013 and 61/2% senior notes due 2018 and is included in interest expense, net.

 

On April 15, 2009, PCA extended its $150.0 million receivables-backed credit facility through April 14, 2010.

 

The instruments governing PCA’s indebtedness contain financial and other covenants that limit, among other things, the ability of PCA and its subsidiaries to:

 

 

These limitations could limit corporate and operating activities.

 

In addition, PCA must maintain minimum net worth and maximum debt to total capitalization and minimum interest coverage ratios under the revolving credit facility. A failure to comply with the restrictions contained in the revolving credit facility could lead to an event of default, which could result in an acceleration of any outstanding indebtedness and/or prohibit PCA from drawing on the revolving credit facility. Such an acceleration may also constitute an event of default under the senior notes indentures and the receivables credit facility. As of September 30, 2009, PCA was in compliance with these covenants.

 

PCA currently expects to incur capital expenditures of about $120.0 million in 2009, including $20.0 million for major energy projects at its Counce and Valdosta mills. These expenditures will be used primarily for maintenance capital, cost reduction, business growth and environmental compliance. As of September 30, 2009, PCA spent $68.6 million for capital expenditures and had committed to spend an additional $37.3 million in the remainder of 2009 and beyond.

 

On February 26, 2009, PCA announced that it had reduced its quarterly common stock dividend from $0.30 per share to $0.15 per share effective for the dividend payable April 15, 2009 to shareholders of record as of March 13, 2009.

 

PCA believes that net cash generated from operating activities, available cash reserves and available borrowings under its committed credit facilities and available capital through access to capital markets will be adequate to meet its liquidity and capital requirements, including payments of any declared common stock dividends, for the foreseeable future. As its debt or credit facilities become due, PCA will need to repay, extend or replace such facilities, which will be subject to future economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond PCA’s control.

Market Risk and Risk Management Policies

 

PCA is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes and changes in the market value of its financial instruments. PCA periodically enters into derivatives in order to minimize these risks, but not for trading purposes. As of September 30, 2009, PCA was not a party to any derivative instruments.

 

The interest rates on approximately 84% of PCA’s debt are fixed. A one percent increase in interest rates related to variable rate debt would have resulted in an increase in interest expense and a corresponding decrease in income before taxes of $1.1 million annually. In the event of a change in interest rates, management could take actions to mitigate its exposure to the change. However, due to the uncertainty of the specific actions that would be taken and their possible effects, the sensitivity analysis assumes no changes in PCA’s financial structure.

 

Environmental Matters

 

PCA is subject to, and must comply with, a variety of federal, state and local environmental laws, particularly those relating to air and water quality, waste disposal and the cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater. The most significant of these laws affecting the Company are:

 

 

PCA believes that it is currently in material compliance with these and all applicable environmental rules and regulations. Because environmental regulations are constantly evolving, the Company has incurred, and will continue to incur, costs to maintain compliance with these and other environmental laws. PCA works diligently to anticipate and budget for the impact of applicable environmental regulations, and does not currently expect that future environmental compliance obligations will materially affect its business or financial condition.

 

Impact of Inflation

 

PCA does not believe that inflation has had a material impact on its financial position or results of operations during the three- and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2009 and 2008.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

PCA does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2009 that would require disclosure under SEC FR-67, “Disclosure in Management’s Discussion and Analysis About Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement and Aggregate Contractual Obligations.”

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Management’s discussion and analysis of PCA’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, PCA evaluates its estimates, including those related to bad debts, inventories, intangible assets, pensions and other postretirement benefits, income taxes, contingencies and litigation. PCA bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

PCA has included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, a discussion of its critical accounting policies which it believes affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. PCA has not made any changes in any of these critical accounting policies during the first nine months of 2009.

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Some of the statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and in particular, statements found in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, that are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are often identified by the words “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “hope,” or similar expressions. These statements reflect management’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond our control. These factors, risks and uncertainties include the following:

 

 

Our actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements, and accordingly, we can give no assurances that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do occur, what impact they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. In view of these uncertainties, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements that have been made to reflect the occurrence of events after the date hereof. For a discussion of other factors, risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, see Item 1A. Risk Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

For a discussion of market risks related to PCA, see Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Market Risk and Risk Management Policies” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

 

PCA maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in PCA’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to PCA’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Prior to filing this report, PCA completed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of PCA’s management, including PCA’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of PCA’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2009. The evaluation of PCA’s disclosure controls and procedures included a review of the controls’ objectives and design, PCA’s implementation of the controls and the effect of the controls on the information generated for use in this report. Based on this evaluation, PCA’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that PCA’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of September 30, 2009.

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, there were no changes in internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, PCA’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

PCA is a party to various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business. These legal actions cover a broad variety of claims spanning our entire business. As of the date of this filing, we believe it is not reasonably possible that the resolution of these legal actions will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

 

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

As summarized in the following table, the Company did not repurchase any of its stock in the third quarter of 2009:

 

 

 

None.

 

 

None.

 

 

None.

 

 

 

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.

 

Packaging Corporation of America
(Registrant)

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: November 4, 2009