PACKAGING CORP OF AMERICA - Quarter Report: 2009 March (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 May 6, 2009, the Registrant had outstanding 102,472,792 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 Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2009

 

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2009 and 2008 of Packaging Corporation of America (“PCA” or the “Company”) and for the three 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 March 31, 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.

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2009

 

 

Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income is as follows:

 

 

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 April 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Staff Position (“FSP”) No. 157-4, “Determining Fair Value when the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions that are not Orderly.” FSP No. 157-4 provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. The FSP also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. FSP No. 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 and is to be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company does not expect the adoption of this FSP to have a material impact on its results of operations.

 

Also in April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” This FSP amends SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also amends Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting,” to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 is effective for interim reporting periods ending after

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2009

 

 

June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company will comply with the additional disclosures required by this FSP upon its adoption in June 2009.

 

The FASB issued FSP No. 141(R)-1, “Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination that Arise from Contingencies,” in April 2009. FSP No. 141(R)-1 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 FSP was effective for business combinations occurring on or after the beginning of the first annual period on or after December 15, 2008. To the extent the Company makes an acquisition after December 31, 2008, FSP No. 141(R)-1 will impact the Company’s accounting for such acquisition.

 

In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 132(R)-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets,” which amends SFAS No. 132(R), “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits,” to require 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 FSP must be provided in financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. Earlier application of the provisions of this FSP is permitted. The Company will comply with the additional disclosures required by this FSP upon its adoption in December 2009.

 

In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions are Participating Securities.” FSP EITF 03-6-1 was issued to clarify that unvested share-based payment awards with a right to receive nonforfeitable dividends are participating securities. This FSP also provides guidance on how to allocate earnings to participating securities and compute basic earnings per share using the two-class method. FSP EITF 03-6-1 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted FSP EITF 03-6-1 on January 1, 2009. The adoption of this FSP did not have a material impact on the Company’s earnings per share calculations.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 161 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 under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and its related interpretations, and how derivative instruments and related items affect an entity’s financial position, operations and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 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, SFAS No. 161 will impact PCA’s disclosures related to derivative instruments and hedging activities.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations.” SFAS No. 141(R) 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 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 SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” are met as of the acquisition date. SFAS No. 141(R) was effective for

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2009

 

 

fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. To the extent the Company makes an acquisition after December 31, 2008, SFAS No. 141(R) will impact the Company’s accounting for such acquisition.

 

 

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

 

 

Options to purchase 2.0 million and 0.2 million shares for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, 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- or four-year period, whereas options granted to directors vest immediately. Restricted stock awards granted to employees vest at the end of a three- or four-year period, whereas restricted stock awards granted to directors vest at the end of a six-month period. The plan, which will terminate on October 19, 2009, provides for the issuance of up to 6,550,000 shares of common stock. As of March 31, 2009, options or restricted stock for 6,170,088 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.

 

The Company measures and records stock-based compensation cost in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment.” Stock compensation cost includes: (a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not vested, as of January 1, 2006, the effective date of SFAS 123(R), based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). Compensation expense for both stock options and restricted

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2009

 

 

stock recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 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 or restricted stock awards during the first quarter of 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 March 31, 2009 and 2008 was $24,000 and $0.4 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2009, there was $0.5 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 1.1 years.

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2009

 

 

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 March 31, 2009, there was $8.0 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 2.6 years.

 

 

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.

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2009

 

 

The components of other intangible assets are as follows:

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 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 $36.8 million to the pension plans in 2009, of which $11.5 million has been contributed through March 31, 2009.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, net postretirement costs were comprised of the following:

 

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2009

 

 

 

PCA has an on-balance sheet securitization program for its trade accounts receivable that is accounted for as a secured borrowing under SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities.” 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 borrowing-base formula. As a result, the full amount of the facility may not be available at all times. At March 31, 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 $240.2 million of accounts receivable at March 31, 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.

 

 

PCA adopted SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008. SFAS No. 157 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. SFAS No. 157 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, SFAS No. 157 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

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of three valuation techniques noted in SFAS No. 157. 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)

 

Packaging Corporation of America

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2009

 

 

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 SFAS No. 157. 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 March 31, 2009, remediation costs at the PCA’s mills and corrugated plants totaled approximately $3.2 million. As of March 31, 2009, the Company maintained an environmental reserve of $8.7 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 $8.7 million accrued as of March 31, 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 quarter of 2009. As of March 31, 2009, $65.0 million of the $150.0 million authorization remained available for repurchase of the Company’s common stock.

 

 

On April 15, 2009, PCA renewed its $150.0 million receivables-backed credit facility, which was scheduled to expire on September 18, 2009, to April 14, 2010.

 

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. During the first quarter of 2009, we produced approximately 515,000 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. Our corrugated products manufacturing plants sold about 6.7 billion square feet (“bsf”) of corrugated products during the first quarter of 2009. Our net sales to third parties totaled $512.4 million in the first quarter.

 

Besides containerboard, we produce a wide variety of 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 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.

 

The U.S. economy experienced a severe downturn in the fourth quarter of 2008 which continued into the first quarter of 2009. As a result, reported industry-wide shipments of corrugated products decreased 11.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. During this same period, reported industry containerboard production decreased 18.6% from first quarter of 2008 levels. As reported by industry publications, containerboard prices declined $10 per ton both in January and February and an additional $15 per ton in March. Average published prices for linerboard ended March 2009 $10 per ton higher than March 2008 and average published prices for corrugating medium at the end of March 2009 were unchanged from March 2008. During this same period, industry containerboard inventory levels at the end of March 2009 decreased approximately 109,800 tons, or 4.3%, compared to March 2008. In April 2009 industry publications further reported that prices for linerboard and corrugating medium dropped an additional $15 per ton.

 

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.

 

For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, PCA’s earnings were negatively impacted by the severe economic downturn described above. First quarter corrugated products sales volume was down 12.6% compared to the first quarter of 2008 and mill downtime and slowbacks related to market conditions and a planned maintenance outage at our Valdosta, Georgia mill reduced mill production by 90,000 tons. Sales prices of containerboard and corrugated products prices were higher than last year’s first quarter due to the implementation of the July 2008 containerboard price increase and the corresponding corrugated products price increases. In addition, recycled fiber and transportation costs were lower than the prior year’s first quarter. However, the improvement from higher prices and reduced recycled fiber and transportation costs was more than offset by the impact of lower sales volume due to the continued weak economy and higher costs for labor and fringe benefits and chemicals.

We expect corrugated products shipments to increase in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter; however, this improvement in shipments is expected to be more than offset by the impact of the published price decreases described previously. In addition, our Counce, Tomahawk and Filer City mills will be shut down for their annual maintenance outages which will reduce our containerboard production by approximately 50,000 tons in the second quarter. Despite the expected increase in corrugated products shipments, we expect that additional market-related downtime will also be necessary during the second quarter. Considering these items and without regard to any alternative fuel mixture tax credit, described below, we expect our second quarter 2009 earnings to be lower than our earnings in the first quarter of 2009.

 

We have produced and consumed an alternative fuel mixture at our Counce, Tennessee and Valdosta, Georgia mills since December 2008. We filed applications with the Internal Revenue Service in December 2008 to be registered as an alternative fuel mixer and received notification on April 14, 2009 that our registration had been approved. The U.S. Internal Revenue Code allows a tax credit for alternative fuel mixtures produced by a taxpayer for sale or for use as a fuel in the taxpayer’s business equal to $0.50 per gallon of alternative fuel used. We are evaluating the effect of any alternative fuel mixture tax credits for financial reporting purposes.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

 

The historical results of operations of PCA for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 are set forth below:

 

 

Net Sales

 

Net sales decreased by $65.1 million, or 11.3%, for the three months ended March 31, 2009 from the comparable period in 2008, primarily as a result of decreased sales volume of corrugated products and containerboard to third parties ($86.6 million), partially offset by the impact of increased sales prices ($21.5 million). Sales prices increased as a result of the July 2008 containerboard price increase and the realization of those increases in our sales prices of corrugated products and containerboard. These price increases were partially offset by the published price reductions since December 2008 described earlier.

 

Corrugated products volume sold for the three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased 11.2% compared to the same period in 2008 on a shipments-per-workday basis. Total corrugated products volume sold for the three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased 12.6% to 6.7 billion square feet (“bsf”) compared to 7.6 bsf in the first quarter of 2008. The percentage decrease, on a shipments-per-workday basis, was lower due to one less workday in the first quarter of 2009 (62 days), those days not falling on a weekend or holiday, than the first quarter of 2008 (63 days). Containerboard volume sold to domestic and export customers was 31.1% lower for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008. Containerboard mill production for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was 515,000 tons compared to 586,000 tons during the same period in 2008, primarily as a result of the market-related downtime and slowbacks taken during the first quarter.

Income from Operations

 

Income from operations decreased by $7.5 million, or 13.2%, for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily attributable to the impact of lower sales volume ($32.5 million), increased labor and fringe benefit costs ($4.4 million) and chemical costs ($3.5 million). The impact of reduced sales volume and higher labor and chemical costs was partially offset by increased sales prices of corrugated products and containerboard ($21.5 million) and decreased costs of recycled fiber ($7.7 million) and transportation ($3.0 million).

 

Gross profit decreased $8.2 million, or 6.9%, for the three months ended March 31, 2009 from the comparable period in 2008. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased from 20.5% of net sales in the three months ended March 31, 2008 to 21.5% of net sales in the current quarter due primarily to the sales price increases described above.

 

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $0.3 million, or 0.7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, primarily due to reduced expenses for travel and entertainment ($0.3 million).

 

Corporate overhead decreased $0.6 million, or 4.3%, for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, primarily attributable to the timing of share-based compensation expense ($0.4 million), reduced professional fees ($0.1) and other items which were individually insignificant.

 

Other expense for the three months ended March 31, 2009 increased $0.3 million, or 8.4%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to the reduction of the reserve for vacation pay which was no longer required in the first quarter of 2008 ($0.3 million).

 

Interest Expense, Net and Income Taxes

 

Net interest expense increased $2.4 million, or 38.6%, for the three months ended March 31, 2009 from the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily as a result of lower interest income ($1.8 million) earned on PCA’s cash equivalents and higher interest expense ($0.6 million) related to PCA’s outstanding debt balances. The $1.8 million decrease in interest income was primarily due to lower interest income rates during the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The $0.6 million increase in interest expense was due to a $1.1 million increase in interest expense related to PCA’s senior notes as a result of the higher interest rates on the 61/2% notes due 2018 we issued in March 2008, the proceeds of which were used to refinance the 43/8% notes due August 2008. This was partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease in interest expense related to the Company’s receivables credit facility due to lower interest rates.

 

PCA’s effective tax rate was 37.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 36.9% 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 state and local income taxes offset by the domestic manufacturers’ deduction.

 

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 three months ended March 31, 2009 was $50.7 million compared to $44.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $6.1 million, or 13.7%. Although lower net income reduced net cash provided by operating activities by $6.4 million, this decrease was more than offset by reduced cash requirements. Cash requirements for operating activities are subject to PCA’s operating needs, which were impacted by the weakened business conditions during the first quarter 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 three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased $5.8 million, or 16.6%, to $29.3 million, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008. The decrease was primarily related to lower additions to property, plant and equipment of $6.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash used for financing activities totaled $30.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, an increase of $103.5 million, or 142.2%. The increase was primarily attributable to $144.4 million in net proceeds received from PCA’s notes offering in 2008 described below, partially offset by a debt prepayment of $20.0 million made in the first quarter of 2008 and $20.4 million in repurchases of PCA common stock during the first quarter of 2008.

 

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 $1.1 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 March 31, 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 $1.5 million, and the weighted average interest rates as of March 31, 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 March 31, 2009, PCA was in compliance with these covenants.

 

PCA currently expects to incur capital expenditures of about $90.0 million in 2009. These expenditures will be used primarily for maintenance capital, cost reduction, business growth and environmental compliance. As of March 31, 2009, PCA spent $27.9 million for capital expenditures and had committed to spend an additional $32.0 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 March 31, 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 month periods ending March 31, 2009 and 2008.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

PCA does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 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 three 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 March 31, 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 March 31, 2009.

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 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.

 

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock repurchases in the first quarter of 2009 under the 2007 plan:

 

 

 

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: May 8, 2009