10-Q 1 thirdq10-qcurrent.htm 3RD QUARTER FORM 10-Q thirdq10-qcurrent.htm
 



 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 2007
OR
 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from:              to             
 
Commission file numbers: 333-82084-01
333-82084
 
   
PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP.
APPLETON PAPERS INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
   
Wisconsin
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
   
39-2014992
36-2556469
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
   
825 East Wisconsin Avenue, P.O. Box 359,
Appleton, Wisconsin
54912-0359
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
 
Registrants’ telephone number, including area code: (920) 734-9841

 
Indicate by check mark whether each Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether each of the registrants is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer  ¨                Accelerated filer  ¨                Non-accelerated filer  x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x
 
As of November 1, 2007, 10,925,633 shares of Paperweight Development Corp. common stock, $.01 par value, were outstanding. There is no trading market for the common stock of Paperweight Development Corp. As of November 1, 2007, 100 shares of Appleton Papers Inc.’s common stock, $100.00 par value, were outstanding. There is no trading market for the common stock of Appleton Papers Inc. No shares of Paperweight Development Corp. or Appleton Papers Inc. were held by non-affiliates.
 
Appleton Papers Inc. meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format.
-1-


 
     
 
 
Page
Number
 
 
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1
3
     
 
3
     
 
 4
     
 
 5
     
 
 6
     
 
 7
     
Item 2
 31
     
Item 3
 36
     
Item 4
 36
     
PART II    
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1
 36
     
Item 1A
 36
     
Item 2
 38
     
Item 3
 38
     
Item 4
 38
     
Item 5
 38
     
Item 6
 39
   
 40



PART 1—FINANCIAL INFORMATION


PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
   
 
(unaudited)
 
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
   
   
September 30, 2007
   
December 30, 2006
 
ASSETS
           
             
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $
37,132
    $
19,975
 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,810 and $2,799, respectively
   
147,625
     
139,776
 
Inventories
   
136,045
     
138,754
 
Other current assets
   
27,043
     
26,416
 
Total current assets
   
347,845
     
324,921
 
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $348,905 and $306,139, respectively
   
413,826
     
432,710
 
Goodwill
   
80,544
     
80,669
 
Intangible assets, net
   
86,058
     
97,283
 
Environmental indemnification receivable
   
103,485
     
58,031
 
Other assets
   
32,990
     
22,509
 
                 
Total assets
  $
1,064,748
    $
1,016,123
 
                 
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK, ACCUMULATED DEFICIT
AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
               
Current liabilities
               
Current portion of long-term debt
  $
2,250
    $
6,384
 
Accounts payable
   
71,287
     
76,281
 
Accrued interest
   
11,049
     
2,610
 
Restructuring reserve
   
611
     
2,305
 
Other accrued liabilities
   
85,379
     
95,276
 
Total current liabilities
   
170,576
     
182,856
 
                 
Senior secured notes payable
   
222,188
     
189,149
 
Revolving lines of credit
   
2,737
     
186
 
Variable rate industrial development bonds
   
8,650
     
8,650
 
State of Ohio assistance loan
   
9,105
     
-
 
Capital lease obligation
   
1,500
     
1,931
 
Postretirement benefits other than pension
   
55,984
     
57,180
 
Accrued pension
   
39,233
     
44,458
 
Environmental liability
   
128,485
     
83,031
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
3,609
     
6,511
 
Senior notes payable
   
162,130
     
167,600
 
Senior subordinated notes payable
   
157,000
     
157,000
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
   
-
     
-
 
Redeemable common stock, $0.01 par value, shares authorized: 30,000,000, shares issued and outstanding:
     10,925,734 and 11,550,231, respectively
   
172,224
     
190,466
 
Accumulated deficit
    (64,820 )     (67,885 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (3,853 )     (5,010 )
                 
Total liabilities, redeemable common stock, accumulated deficit and accumulated other comprehensive loss
  $
1,064,748
    $
1,016,123
 


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




PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
   
 
(unaudited)
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
   
Three Months Ended September 30, 2007
   
Three Months Ended October 1, 2006
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
   
Nine Months Ended October 1, 2006
 
                         
Net sales
  $
272,947
    $
272,227
    $
793,483
    $
810,139
 
                                 
Cost of sales
   
206,341
     
202,179
     
604,994
     
606,923
 
                                 
Gross profit
   
66,606
     
70,048
     
188,489
     
203,216
 
                                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
48,109
     
51,370
     
146,709
     
153,668
 
Restructuring and other charges
   
365
     
1,402
     
3,349
     
2,088
 
                                 
Operating income
   
18,132
     
17,276
     
38,431
     
47,460
 
                                 
Other expense (income)
                               
Interest expense
   
12,554
     
12,622
     
37,047
     
37,206
 
Debt extinguishment expenses
   
88
     
-
     
1,141
     
-
 
Interest income
    (522 )     (177 )     (1,898 )     (633 )
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
    (664 )    
23
      (1,251 )     (281 )
                                 
Income before income taxes
   
6,676
     
4,808
     
3,392
     
11,168
 
                                 
Benefit for income taxes
    (603 )     (238 )     (2,064 )     (654 )
                                 
Net income
  $
7,279
    $
5,046
    $
5,456
    $
11,822
 


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



PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
   
 
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
 
(unaudited)
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
   
September 30, 2007
   
October 1, 2006
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $
5,456
    $
11,822
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation
   
47,372
     
49,873
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
5,821
     
7,069
 
Amortization of financing fees
   
2,065
     
1,878
 
Employer 401(k) noncash matching contributions
   
5,158
     
5,264
 
Foreign exchange gain
    (1,251 )     (281 )
Loss on disposals of equipment
   
970
     
715
 
Accretion of capital lease obligation
   
117
     
146
 
Debt extinguishment expenses
   
266
     
-
 
(Increase)/decrease in assets and increase/(decrease) in liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (5,752 )     (8,591 )
Inventories
   
3,095
     
564
 
Other current assets
    (595 )     (2,857 )
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
    (5,689 )    
15,339
 
Restructuring reserve
    (1,707 )     (3,976 )
Accrued pension
    (5,698 )     (1,937 )
Other, net
   
775
      (238 )
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
50,403
     
74,790
 
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Proceeds from sale of equipment
   
4
     
794
 
Restricted cash for mill expansion
    (8,665 )    
-
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (28,427 )     (17,710 )
                 
Net cash used by investing activities
    (37,088 )     (16,916 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Payments of senior secured notes payable
    (196,095 )     (30,261 )
Proceeds from senior secured notes payable
   
225,000
     
-
 
Payments of senior notes payable
    (5,470 )     (100 )
Debt acquisition costs
    (2,229 )    
-
 
Bond consent costs
   
-
      (7,994 )
Payments relating to capital lease obligation
    (548 )     (548 )
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit
   
72,129
     
24,368
 
Payments of revolving lines of credit
    (69,578 )     (25,535 )
Proceeds from State of Ohio financing
   
9,105
     
-
 
Proceeds from issuance of redeemable common stock
   
4,355
     
4,460
 
Payments to redeem common stock
    (28,590 )     (17,514 )
Decrease in cash overdraft
    (3,990 )     (3,709 )
                 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
   
4,089
      (56,833 )
                 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    (247 )    
293
 
Change in cash and cash equivalents
   
17,157
     
1,334
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
19,975
     
18,422
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $
37,132
    $
19,756
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
   
 
ACCUMULATED DEFICIT, ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
 
(unaudited)
 
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
   
   
Redeemable Common Stock
                   
   
Shares Outstanding
   
Amount
   
Accumulated Deficit
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
   
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
                               
Balance, December 30, 2006
   
11,550,231
    $
190,466
    $ (67,885 )   $ (5,010 )      
                                       
Comprehensive income:
                                     
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
5,456
     
-
    $
5,456
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,992
     
1,992
 
Realized and unrealized losses on derivatives
   
-
     
-
     
-
      (835 )     (835 )
Total comprehensive income
                                  $
6,613
 
Issuance of redeemable common stock
   
241,924
     
7,957
     
-
     
-
         
Redemption of redeemable common stock
    (866,421 )     (28,590 )    
-
     
-
         
Accretion of redeemable common stock
   
-
     
2,391
      (2,391 )    
-
         
                                         
Balance, September 30, 2007
   
10,925,734
    $
172,224
    $ (64,820 )   $ (3,853 )        
                                         
Balance, December 31, 2005
   
11,938,060
    $
185,292
    $ (61,982 )   $ (25,854 )        
                                         
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
11,822
     
-
    $
11,822
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
5,332
     
5,332
 
Realized and unrealized gains on derivatives
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
346
     
346
 
Total comprehensive income
                                  $
17,500
 
Issuance of redeemable common stock
   
278,714
     
8,042
     
-
     
-
         
Redemption of redeemable common stock
    (587,764 )     (17,514 )    
-
     
-
         
Accretion of redeemable common stock
   
-
     
13,461
      (13,461 )    
-
         
                                         
Balance, October 1, 2006
   
11,629,010
    $
189,281
    $ (63,621 )   $ (20,176 )        
                                         
                                         
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
 




PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES



1.           BASIS OF PRESENTATION

In the opinion of management, all necessary adjustments have been made for the fair presentation of the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006, the cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006 and financial position at September 30, 2007. All adjustments were of a normal recurring nature.

These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes of Paperweight Development Corp. (“PDC”) and subsidiaries for each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 2006, which are included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2006. The consolidated balance sheet data as of December 30, 2006, contained within these Condensed Financial Statements, was derived from the audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Appleton Papers Inc. (“Appleton”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PDC.

The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.


2.           GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized; however, they are tested for impairment annually. Amortization is recorded for other intangible assets with determinable lives. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Goodwill
 
Secure and Specialized Print Services
   
Performance Packaging
   
Total
 
Balance as of December 30, 2006
  $
30,421
    $
50,248
    $
80,669
 
Currency translation and other
    (125 )    
-
      (125 )
Balance as of September 30, 2007
  $
30,296
    $
50,248
    $
80,544
 




PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


Appleton’s other intangible assets consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

   
As of September 30, 2007
   
As of December 30, 2006
 
   
Gross Carrying Amount
   
Accumulated Amortization
   
Gross Carrying Amount
   
Accumulated Amortization
 
Amortizable intangible assets:
                       
Trademarks
  $
54,225
    $
16,945
    $
56,553
    $
14,966
 
Patents
   
30,988
     
29,270
     
32,630
     
26,904
 
Customer relationships
   
31,062
     
6,946
     
31,231
     
5,542
 
Non-compete agreements
   
2,381
     
2,307
     
2,382
     
2,235
 
Subtotal
   
118,656
     
55,468
     
122,796
     
49,647
 
Unamortizable intangible assets:
Trademarks
   
22,870
     
-
     
24,134
     
-
 
Total
  $
141,526
    $
55,468
    $
146,930
    $
49,647
 

Of the $141.5 million of acquired intangible assets, $77.1 million was assigned to registered trademarks. Trademarks of $44.7 million related to carbonless paper and $9.5 million related to Appleton’s 2003 and 2005 acquisitions are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of 20 years, while the remaining $22.9 million are considered to have an indefinite life and, as such, are not subject to amortization. The remaining acquired intangible assets are being amortized over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 25 years for patents and customer relationships and 1 to 5 years for non-compete agreements. Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 approximated $1.8 million and $5.8 million, respectively. Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2006 approximated $2.4 million and $7.1 million, respectively.

During first quarter 2007, Appleton received formal notice from the Internal Revenue Service that it agreed to settle Appleton’s refund claims filed for tax years 1999 and 2000. The total amount of the refund was $6.3 million, of which, $5.2 million was a refund of income tax paid and $1.1 million was interest. As this refund related to tax periods prior to the November 9, 2001 acquisition date, the $5.2 million was recorded as a reduction in purchase price via a decrease to long-lived intangible assets. Of the $1.1 million of interest, approximately $1.0 million pertained to the accrual of interest subsequent to the acquisition date, and as such, was included in first quarter 2007 interest income. The remaining $0.1 million of interest earned was related to tax periods prior to the acquisition date and was also recorded as a reduction in purchase price via a decrease to long-lived intangible assets. This refund was received by Appleton in early April. During second quarter 2007, Appleton filed claims for the corresponding state income tax refunds. The total amount of these refund claims is $0.4 million, of which, $0.3 million is a refund of state income tax paid and $0.1 million is interest. As this refund also related to tax periods prior to the acquisition date, $0.3 million of tax and interest has been recorded as a reduction in purchase price via a decrease to long-lived intangible assets. The remaining $0.1 million of interest pertained to the accrual of interest subsequent to the acquisition date and is included in second quarter 2007 interest income.



PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


3.           RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES

During the first nine months of 2007, Appleton reduced salaried employment in the U.S. by 13 employees. As a result, Appleton recorded $1.1 million of expense during the first nine months of 2007 for employee termination benefits. During this same period, Appleton paid $1.5 million related to these employee termination benefits, liabilities for which were incurred in 2007 and prior periods. See Note 15 for allocation of restructuring charges by segment.

Late in 2006, BemroseBooth Limited (“BemroseBooth”) began an employee reduction plan at its Derby facility. These efforts continued during 2007 with employment being reduced by an additional 56 employees. As a result, BemroseBooth recorded $1.9 million of expense during the first nine months of 2007 for employee termination benefits. During this same period, BemroseBooth paid $2.2 million related to these employee termination benefits, liabilities for which were incurred in 2007 and prior periods.

In 1999, Appleton committed to exiting its New York distribution center in 2001, because it was no longer needed as a result of the closure of the Newton Falls mill, and thus recorded $6.0 million of related restructuring and other charges expected to be incurred until the long-term lease expired in July 2007. During 2007, $0.3 million of additional restructuring expense was recorded for repairs to be made to the facility in accordance with the expiration terms of the lease agreement. Through the first nine months of 2007, Appleton paid $1.3 million for lease payments and repairs.

The table below summarizes the components of the restructuring reserve included in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2007 and December 30, 2006 (dollars in thousands):

   
December 30, 2006 Reserve
   
2007 Additions to Reserve
   
2007 Charges Against Reserve
   
September 30, 2007 Reserve
 
Distribution center exit costs
  $
1,194
    $
348
    $ (1,342 )   $
200
 
BemroseBooth restructuring
   
391
     
1,907
      (2,247 )    
51
 
U.S. employee termination benefits
   
720
     
1,094
      (1,454 )    
360
 
    $
2,305
    $
3,349
    $ (5,043 )   $
611
 




PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


4.           INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

   
September 30, 2007
   
December 30, 2006
 
             
Finished goods
  $
74,498
    $
76,189
 
Raw materials, work in process and supplies
   
70,919
     
73,615
 
     
145,417
     
149,804
 
Inventory reserve
    (5,691 )     (7,369 )
     
139,726
     
142,435
 
LIFO reserve
    (3,681 )     (3,681 )
    $
136,045
    $
138,754
 

Stores and spare parts inventory balances of $21.9 million and $22.4 million at September 30, 2007 and December 30, 2006, respectively, are valued at average cost and included in raw materials, work in process and supplies. Inventories valued using the FIFO method approximated 23% of Appleton’s total inventory balance at September 30, 2007 and 21% of Appleton’s total inventory balance at December 30, 2006.


5.           PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment balances consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

   
September 30, 2007
   
December 30, 2006
 
Land and improvements
  $
14,227
    $
14,023
 
Buildings and improvements
   
104,674
     
101,342
 
Machinery and equipment
   
571,112
     
556,520
 
Software
   
34,475
     
33,331
 
Capital lease
   
4,764
     
4,764
 
Construction in progress
   
33,479
     
28,869
 
     
762,731
     
738,849
 
Accumulated depreciation/amortization
    (348,905 )     (306,139 )
    $
413,826
    $
432,710
 




PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


    Depreciation expense for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and  October 1, 2006 consists of the following (dollars in thousands):

Depreciation Expense
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007
   
For the Three Months Ended October 1, 2006
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
   
For the Nine Months Ended October 1, 2006
 
                         
Cost of sales
  $
13,396
    $
14,226
    $
40,928
    $
42,752
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
2,033
     
2,267
     
6,444
     
7,121
 
    $
15,429
    $
16,493
    $
47,372
    $
49,873
 


6.           OTHER ASSETS
 
    Other assets consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

   
September 30, 2007
   
December 30, 2006
 
Deferred debt issuance costs
  $
14,834
    $
15,811
 
Other
   
9,491
     
6,698
 
    $
24,325
    $
22,509
 


7.           OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES
 
    Other accrued liabilities, as presented in the current liabilities section of the balance sheet, consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

   
September 30, 2007
   
December 30, 2006
 
Payroll and bonus
  $
15,320
    $
23,090
 
Trade discounts
   
24,177
     
25,672
 
Workers’ compensation
   
3,238
     
3,165
 
Accrued insurance
   
2,326
     
912
 
Other accrued taxes
   
2,702
     
5,764
 
Postretirement benefits other than pension
   
2,863
     
2,863
 
Fox River liabilities
   
18,200
     
18,200
 
Other
   
16,553
     
15,610
 
    $
85,379
    $
95,276
 




PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


8.           NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109.” FIN 48 prescribes a comprehensive model for how a company should recognize, measure, present and disclose, in its financial statements, uncertain tax positions the company has taken or expects to take on a tax return (including a decision whether to file a return in a particular jurisdiction). Under FIN 48, financial statements will reflect expected future tax consequences of such positions presuming the taxing authorities’ full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts, but without considering time values. Additionally, FIN 48 also revises disclosure requirements and introduces a prescriptive, annual, tabular rollforward of the unrecognized tax benefits. The provisions of FIN 48 were adopted by PDC in the beginning of 2007 and did not have a significant effect on its financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 157, “Fair Value Measurements.”  SFAS 157 provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS 157 also emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Fair value refers to the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts. The standard clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. In support of this principle, the standard establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop assumptions. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data, for example, the reporting entity’s own data. Under the standard, fair value measurements would be separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy. These provisions are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. PDC is currently evaluating the impact, if any, on its financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).”  SFAS 158 requires the Company to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of its defined benefit and retiree medical plans as an asset or liability on the 2007 year-end balance sheet with changes in the funded status recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income in the year in which they occur. Additionally, SFAS 158 requires the Company to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end no later than 2008. PDC is currently evaluating the impact on its financial statements.




PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


9.           PENSION BENEFITS

Appleton has both defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans. The components of the corresponding net periodic pension cost include the following (dollars in thousands):

Pension Benefits
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007
   
For the Three Months Ended October 1, 2006
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
   
For the Nine Months Ended October 1, 2006
 
Net periodic benefit cost
                       
Service cost
  $
1,910
    $
1,883
    $
5,731
    $
5,648
 
Interest cost
   
5,603
     
5,251
     
16,808
     
15,754
 
Expected return on plan assets
    (6,436 )     (5,799 )     (19,309 )     (17,396 )
Amortization of
                               
Prior service cost
   
56
     
54
     
169
     
162
 
Actuarial loss
   
471
     
559
     
1,414
     
1,677
 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $
1,604
    $
1,948
    $
4,813
    $
5,845
 

During the first nine months of 2007, Appleton contributed $9 million to its pension plan for plan year 2006.


10.           POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS OTHER THAN PENSIONS

Appleton has defined postretirement benefit plans that provide medical, dental and life insurance for certain retirees and eligible dependents. The components of other postretirement benefit cost include the following (dollars in thousands):

Other Postretirement Benefits
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007
   
For the Three Months Ended October 1, 2006
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
   
For the Nine Months Ended October 1, 2006
 
Net periodic benefit cost
                       
Service cost
  $
209
    $
211
    $
625
    $
633
 
Interest cost
   
647
     
649
     
1,943
     
1,947
 
Amortization of
                               
Prior service cost
    (539 )     (539 )     (1,617 )     (1,617 )
Net periodic benefit cost
  $
317
    $
321
    $
951
    $
963
 



PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


11.           SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

       In December 2001, Appleton adopted the Appleton Papers Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan. In July 2002, Appleton adopted the Appleton Papers Canada Ltd. Share Appreciation Rights Plan. These plans provide officers and key employees the opportunity to earn phantom stock units, the value of which is related to the change in the fair market value of PDC’s common stock under the terms of the employee stock ownership plan (the “ESOP”) prior to the grant date or the exercise date, as applicable. Appleton adopted SFAS 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” effective January 1, 2006. As of January 1, 2007, 337,000 new phantom stock units were issued under the Appleton Papers Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan at a share price of $33.62. In addition, as of January 1, 2007, 2,082 new share units were issued to the non-employee directors at a share price of $33.62. As of July 1, 2007, 3,192 additional share units were issued to the non-employee directors at a share price of $32.89. The year-end 2006 share price of $33.62 decreased to $32.89 as of July 1, 2007. Compensation income of $0.8 million and $1.0 million was recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. Compensation expense for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2006 was $1.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively.


12.           COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Lower Fox River

Various state and federal government agencies and Native American tribes have asserted claims against Appleton and other parties with respect to historic discharges of polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCBs”) into the Lower Fox River in Wisconsin.

In June 1997, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published notice that it intended to list the Lower Fox River on the National Priorities List of Contaminated Sites pursuant to the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. The EPA identified seven potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) for PCB contamination in the Lower Fox River, including NCR and Appleton as the former and current owners and operators of the Appleton plant and a paper mill in Combined Locks.

A study performed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“FWS”) in 2000 concluded that the discharges from the Appleton plant and the Combined Locks paper mill represent a percentage in the range of 36% to 52% of the total PCBs discharged. These preliminary estimates have not been finalized and will not be binding on the PRPs. The final allocation of liability among the PRPs will be determined by negotiation, litigation or other dispute resolution processes. Based on historical and technical analyses performed by environmental engineers Appleton has engaged, Appleton believes that the percentage of PCBs discharged from the Appleton and Combined Locks facilities is less than 20% of the total PCBs discharged.



PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


As part of the November 9, 2001 acquisition, Arjo Wiggins Appleton Ltd. (“AWA”), agreed to indemnify PDC for the first $75 million and for all amounts over $100 million in liabilities relating to the Lower Fox River and, in turn, PDC agreed to indemnify Appleton for the first $75 million and for all amounts over $100 million in liabilities relating to the Lower Fox River. A portion of Appleton’s potential liability for the Lower Fox River may be joint and several. If, in the future, one or more of the other PRPs were to become insolvent or unable to pay their respective share(s) of the potential liability, Appleton could be responsible for a portion of their share(s). Based on a review of publicly available financial information, Appleton believes the other PRPs will be required, and have adequate financial resources, to pay their share of the remediation and natural resource damages (“NRD”) claims for the Lower Fox River.

Pursuant to a 2001 consent decree with various government agencies, which expired in 2005, Appleton and NCR collectively paid $41.5 million for interim restoration and remediation efforts. The consent decree does not constitute a final settlement or provide protection against future claims; however, Appleton and NCR will receive full credit against remediation costs and NRD claims for all monies expended under the consent decree.

In 2003, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) issued two Records of Decision (“RODs”), with which the EPA concurred, estimating total costs for the Lower Fox River remedial action plan of approximately $400 million.

Pursuant to a 2006 consent decree, NCR and Sonoco Products Company agreed to fund a remedial project in the fourth segment of the Lower Fox River at an estimated cost of $30 million. Appleton expects it will contribute to NCR’s portion of this remedial project, consistent with a 1998 interim settlement agreement and a 2006 arbitration determination between Appleton and NCR. In addition, pursuant to a 2006 consent decree, which expired in 2006, Appleton and NCR collectively paid approximately $750,000 toward interim restoration efforts and the preparation of a report analyzing the progress toward the restoration goals related to the Lower Fox River.

In February 2007, the EPA and DNR issued a General Notice letter to the PRPs. The EPA and DNR are seeking to have one or more of the PRPs enter into an agreement to implement all remaining remedial actions for segments two, three, four and five of the river. On June 6, 2007, the EPA issued an Amended ROD (also referred to as the Optimized Remedy) which modifies the remedial action plan outlined in the 2003 RODs and provides a revised estimate of $390 million of remaining costs to complete the remedial work on the Lower Fox River. Appleton has re-evaluated its estimate of potential liability pursuant to the Amended ROD, as discussed below.

In June 2007, Appleton and NCR collectively agreed to pay $2.8 million to fund a land acquisition in partial settlement of NRD claims. The land acquisition payment does not constitute a final settlement or provide protection against future claims; however, Appleton and NCR will receive full credit against NRD claims.



PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


A precise estimate of Appleton’s ultimate share of liability cannot be made at this time due to uncertainties with respect to: the scope and cost of implementing the final remediation plan; the scope of restoration and final valuation of NRD assessments; the evolving nature of remediation and restoration technologies and governmental policies; and Appleton’s share of liability relative to the other PRPs. However, the issuance of the RODs and the beginning of remediation activities, provides Appleton the ability to reasonably estimate its potential liability. Accordingly, at December 30, 2006 the total reserve was $101.2 million for this environmental liability. During second quarter 2007, and based upon the Amended ROD, Appleton re-evaluated its estimate of potential liability and as a result increased its reserve by $58.9 million. This additional reserve amount will accrete at a discount rate of 5% until it reaches $65.1 million. During the first nine months of 2007, $14.7 million of payments were made against this reserve and $1.3 million of accretion was recorded. As a result, $146.7 million is remaining in the reserve as of September 30, 2007; $18.2 million is recorded in other accrued liabilities and $128.5 million is recorded as a long-term environmental liability.

As stated above, AWA agreed to indemnify Appleton for the first $75 million and for all amounts over $100 million in liabilities relating to the Lower Fox River. At December 30, 2006, the total indemnification receivable from AWA was $76.2 million. During the first nine months of 2007, $14.7 million of indemnification payments were received from AWA, $1.3 million of accretion was recorded and $58.9 million of additional indemnification receivable was recorded. As a result, at September 30, 2007, $121.7 million remains as the indemnification receivable; $18.2 million is recorded as other current assets and $103.5 million is recorded as environmental indemnification receivable. The $25.0 million difference between the reserve and the indemnification receivable represents the share of Lower Fox River costs for which Appleton is responsible.

Appleton used the following estimates in evaluating its total Lower Fox River liability and establishing its reserves:  (1) total remaining costs for remediation of $468 million, based on the DNR’s estimate in the 2007 Amended ROD of $390 million of remaining costs for remediation, plus a 20% contingency; (2) the FWS preliminary estimate that discharges from the Appleton plant and the Combined Locks mill represent 36% to 52% of the total PCBs discharged by the PRPs, which is substantially greater than Appleton’s estimate (Appleton assumes that Appleton and NCR are primarily responsible for only the discharges from the Appleton and Combined Locks facilities and not for discharges from other sources as alleged by other PRPs); (3) costs to settle NRD claims against Appleton and NCR, estimated at $20 million or less based on the IGP’s settlement of other NRD claims; (4) Appleton’s responsibility for over half of the claims asserted against Appleton and NCR, based on the interim settlement agreement with NCR and the arbitration determination; (5) $38 million in fees and expenses through 2010; and (6) actual costs, fees and expenses paid through September 30, 2007. Because of the numerous uncertainties underlying these estimates, it is possible that Appleton’s share of costs could be materially different than what is currently recorded.



PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


West Carrollton Mill

The West Carrollton mill operates pursuant to various state and federal permits for discharges and emissions to air and water. As a result of the de-inking of carbonless paper containing PCBs through the early 1970s, there have been releases of PCBs and volatile organic compounds into the soil in the area of the wastewater impoundments at the West Carrollton facility and low levels of PCBs have been detected in groundwater immediately under this area. In addition, PCB contamination is present in sediment in the adjacent Great Miami River, but it is believed that this contamination is from a source other than the West Carrollton mill.

Based on investigation and delineation of PCB contamination in soil and groundwater in the area of the wastewater impoundments, Appleton believes that it could be necessary to undertake remedial action in the future, although Appleton is currently under no obligation to do so. Appleton has not had any discussions or communications with any federal, state or local agencies or authorities regarding remedial action to address PCB contamination at the West Carrollton mill. The cost for remedial action, which could include installation of a cap, long-term pumping, treating and/or monitoring of groundwater and removal of sediment in the Great Miami River, was estimated in 2001 to range up to approximately $10.5 million, with approximately $3 million in short-term costs and the remainder to be incurred over a period of 30 years. However, costs could exceed this amount if additional contamination is discovered, if additional remedial action is necessary or if the remedial action costs are more than expected.

Because of the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate course of action for the West Carrollton mill property, the Great Miami River remediation and Appleton’s share of these remediation costs, if any, no provision has been recorded in the accompanying financial statements for estimated remediation costs. In conjunction with the November 9, 2001 acquisition of PDC by the ESOP, and as limited by the terms of the purchase agreement, AWA agreed to indemnify PDC for 50% of all environmental liabilities at the West Carrollton mill up to $5.0 million and 100% of all such environmental costs exceeding $5.0 million. In addition, the former owners and operators of the West Carrollton mill may be liable for all or part of the cost of remediation of historic PCB contamination.

Other

From time to time, Appleton may be subject to various demands, claims, suits or other legal or regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of its business. A comprehensive insurance program is maintained to provide a measure of financial protection against such matters, though not all such exposures are, or can be, addressed by insurance. Estimated costs are recorded for such demands, claims, suits or proceedings of this nature when reasonably determinable. Appleton has successfully defended such claims, settling some for amounts which are not material to the business and obtaining dismissals in others. While Appleton vigorously defends itself and expects to prevail in any similar cases that may be brought against Appleton in the future, there can be no assurance that Appleton will be successful in its defense.

Except as described above, assuming Appleton’s expectations regarding defending such demands, claims, suits or other legal or regulatory proceedings prove accurate, Appleton does not believe that any pending or threatened demands, claims, suits or other legal or regulatory proceedings will have, individually or in the aggregate, a materially adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.



PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


13.           EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Appleton’s matching contribution charged to expense was $1.6 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006, respectively. Appleton’s matching contribution charged to expense was $5.2 million and $5.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006, respectively. The third quarter 2007 matching contribution of $1.6 million will be made to the Company Stock Fund upon receipt of the corresponding employee deferrals to be received from the ESOP trustee at the end of the fourth quarter 2007. As a result of hardship withdrawals, required diversifications and employee terminations, 866,421 shares of PDC redeemable common stock were repurchased during the first nine months of 2007 at an aggregate price of approximately $28.6 million. During the same period, the ESOP trustee purchased 132,417 shares of PDC redeemable common stock for an aggregate price of $4.4 million from pre-tax deferrals, rollovers and loan payments made by employees, while Appleton’s matching contribution for this same period resulted in an additional 109,507 shares of redeemable common stock being purchased.

Redeemable common stock is being accreted up to the earliest redemption date based upon the estimated fair market value of the redeemable common stock as of September 30, 2007. PDC accreted the redeemable common stock by $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Based upon the estimated fair value of the redeemable common stock, an ultimate redemption liability of approximately $337 million was determined. The redeemable common stock recorded book value as of September 30, 2007 was $172 million, which leaves a remaining unrecognized liability to be accreted of approximately $165 million.

14.           LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

Long-term obligations, excluding the capital lease obligation, consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

   
September 30, 2007
   
December 30, 2006
 
Senior secured variable rate notes payable at LIBOR plus 2.25%, $501 due quarterly with $94,758 due March 31, 2010 and $94,758 due June 11, 2010
  $
-
    $
195,533
 
Senior secured variable rate notes payable at LIBOR plus 1.75%, $563 due quarterly with $209,812 due June 5, 2014
   
224,438
     
-
 
Revolving line of credit at U.K. bank base rate plus 1.75%
   
2,737
     
186
 
     
227,175
     
195,719
 
Less obligations due within one year
    (2,250 )     (6,384 )
     
224,925
     
189,335
 
Unsecured variable rate industrial development bonds, 3.9% average interest rate at September 30, 2007, $2,650 due in 2013 and $6,000 due in 2027
   
8,650
     
8,650
 
State of Ohio assistance loan at 6%, approximately $100 due monthly and final payment due May 15, 2017
   
9,105
     
-
 
Senior notes payable at 8.125%, due June 15, 2011
   
162,130
     
167,600
 
Senior subordinated notes payable at 9.75%, due June 15, 2014
   
150,000
     
150,000
 
Senior subordinated notes payable at 12.5%, due December 15, 2008
   
7,000
     
7,000
 



PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


During the third quarter of 2007, Appleton purchased $5.5 million, plus interest, of the 8.125% senior notes payable due June 15, 2011. This purchase was made in four separate blocks of $0.3 million, $0.2 million, $3.0 million and $2.0 million with Appleton purchasing at a discount of 0.75%, at a discount of 0.75%, at a discount of 0.25% and at par, respectively.

In July 2007, Appleton entered into a new $12.1 million Loan and Security Agreement with the Director of Development of the State of Ohio, consisting of a $9.1 million State Assistance Loan and a $3.0 million State Loan (together “the Ohio Loans”). Proceeds of the Ohio Loans will be used to fund a portion of the costs of acquiring and installing paper coating and production equipment at the Company’s paper mill in West Carrollton, Ohio. As of the end of third quarter 2007, Appleton had only received the proceeds of the $9.1 million State Assistance Loan. To date, the Company has spent $0.4 million of these proceeds with the remaining $8.7 million recorded as restricted cash within long-term other assets as its use is restricted to funding capital additions. The Ohio State Assistance Loan provides for monthly principal payments and interest at 6% and, upon receipt of the funds, the State Loan provides for monthly principal payments and interest of 1% for the first two years and 3% thereafter.

In June 2007, Appleton entered into a new $375 million senior secured credit facility consisting of a seven-year, $225 million term loan bearing interest at a base rate, or at LIBOR, at Appleton’s option, plus an applicable margin, which is initially set at  0.75% for base rate loans and 1.75% for LIBOR loans. Mandatory principal payments of $0.6 million are due quarterly with the remaining balance due June 5, 2014. It also provides access to a six-year, $150 million revolving credit facility. The new senior credit facility is unconditionally guaranteed by PDC and by substantially all of Appleton’s subsidiaries, other than certain immaterial subsidiaries. In addition, it is secured by liens on substantially all Appleton’s, the subsidiary guarantors’ and certain of Appleton’s other subsidiaries’ assets and by a pledge of Appleton’s and its subsidiaries’ capital stock. These funds were used to repay the $190.7 million of previous senior secured variable rate notes, plus interest of $1.9 million, as well as the $7.5 million outstanding amount borrowed against the previous $125 million line of credit, plus interest. As a result of this refinancing, $0.3 million of deferred debt issuance costs related to the previous senior credit facility were written off. Financing fees of $2.0 million were also incurred, of which, $0.9 million was recorded as expense in Appleton’s statement of operations and $1.1 million was capitalized as deferred debt issuance costs and will be amortized over the term of the new senior credit facility.

During the first quarter of 2007, Appleton made a $4.4 million excess cash flow payment, plus interest, and a $0.5 million mandatory debt repayment, plus interest, on its previous senior credit facility. Also during the quarter, Appleton borrowed $23.0 million against its revolving lines of credit. By the end of the quarter, this $23.0 million was repaid, as well as the $0.2 million revolving line of credit balance outstanding at the end of 2006. During the second quarter of 2007, Appleton borrowed $46.9 million against its revolving lines of credit. By the end of the quarter, $44.5 million had been repaid and a balance of $2.4 million remained outstanding. During the third quarter of 2007, Appleton borrowed $2.2 million against its revolving lines of credit under the new senior credit facility. By the end of the quarter, $1.9 million had been repaid, leaving an outstanding balance of $2.7 million. Also during the third quarter, Appleton made a $0.6 million mandatory debt repayment, plus interest, on its new senior credit facility.

During March 2006, Appleton fixed the interest rate, at 7.16%, on $100.0 million of the previous term loan principal with a three-year interest rate swap contract. Due to the refinancing of the previous senior secured variable rate notes, this interest rate swap was terminated and settled in May 2007 resulting in a gain of $0.1 million.



PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


At September 30, 2007, there was approximately $135.6 million of unused borrowing capacity under the $150 million revolving credit facility for working capital and other corporate purposes. Approximately $14.4 million of the revolving credit facility was used to support outstanding letters of credit. A commitment fee of 0.35% per annum is assessed on the unused borrowing capacity.


15.           SEGMENT INFORMATION

PDC’s five reportable segments are as follows:  coated solutions, thermal papers, security papers, secure and specialized print services and performance packaging. Management evaluates the performance of the segments based primarily on operating income. Items excluded from the determination of segment operating income are unallocated corporate charges, business development costs not associated with specific segments, interest income, interest expense, debt extinguishment expenses and foreign currency gains and losses.

PDC does not allocate total assets internally in assessing operating performance. Net sales, operating income and depreciation and amortization, as determined by PDC for its reportable segments, are as follows (dollars in thousands):

   
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007
   
For the Three Months Ended October 1, 2006
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
   
For the Nine Months Ended October 1, 2006
 
Net sales
                       
Technical Papers
                       
Coated solutions
  $
145,686
    $
145,841
    $
430,743
    $
436,025
 
Thermal papers
   
69,156
     
65,092
     
194,251
     
195,676
 
Security papers
   
7,658
     
7,498
     
23,485
     
21,576
 
     
222,500
     
218,431
     
648,479
     
653,277
 
Secure and specialized print services
   
25,705
     
25,443
     
71,126
     
72,439
 
Performance packaging
   
24,742
     
28,353
     
73,878
     
84,423
 
Total
  $
272,947
    $
272,227
    $
793,483
    $
810,139
 
                                 
Operating income (loss)
                               
Technical Papers
                               
Coated solutions
  $
17,242
    $
14,818
    $
43,134
    $
42,737
 
Thermal papers
   
851
     
3,653
     
5,532
     
9,726
 
Security papers
   
1,054
     
430
     
2,495
     
1,187
 
     
19,147
     
18,901
     
51,161
     
53,650
 
Secure and specialized print services
   
62
      (187 )     (4,323 )     (408 )
Performance packaging
   
1,976
     
2,707
     
4,097
     
6,828
 
Unallocated corporate charges and business development costs
    (3,053 )     (4,145 )     (12,504 )     (12,610 )
Total
  $
18,132
    $
17,276
    $
38,431
    $
47,460
 



PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


   
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007
   
For the Three Months Ended October 1, 2006
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
   
For the Nine Months Ended October 1, 2006
 
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets
                       
Technical Papers
                       
Coated solutions
  $
9,967
    $
11,425
    $
30,530
    $
34,390
 
Thermal papers
   
3,505
     
3,617
     
10,833
     
11,069
 
Security papers
   
700
     
709
     
2,102
     
2,102
 
     
14,172
     
15,751
     
43,465
     
47,561
 
Secure and specialized print services
   
1,606
     
1,654
     
4,900
     
4,829
 
Performance packaging
   
1,426
     
1,344
     
4,788
     
4,254
 
Unallocated corporate charges
   
13
     
99
     
40
     
298
 
Total
  $
17,217
    $
18,848
    $
53,193
    $
56,942
 

During the third quarter of 2007, Appleton recorded restructuring costs within its reportable segments as follows:  $0.1 million in secure and specialized print services and $0.3 million in unallocated corporate charges. During third quarter 2006, Appleton recorded restructuring costs within its reportable segments as follows: $0.5 million in secure and specialized print services and $0.9 million in unallocated corporate charges and business development costs.

During the first nine months of 2007, Appleton recorded restructuring costs within its reportable segments as follows:  $0.1 million in coated solutions, $0.2 million in thermal papers, $1.9 million in secure and specialized print services, $0.2 million in performance packaging and $0.9 million in unallocated corporate charges. During the first nine months of 2006, Appleton recorded restructuring costs within its reportable segments as follows:  $0.3 million in coated solutions, $0.1 million in thermal papers, $0.1 million in security papers, $0.2 million in performance packaging, $0.5 million in secure and specialized print services and $0.9 million in unallocated corporate charges and business development costs.
 
Given the seasonality of BemroseBooth's (secure and specialized print services segment) product offerings, the majority of its profit is generated in the fourth quarter of each year. To the extent that BemroseBooth's operating performance in the fourth quarter of 2007 does not meet the Company's projections, certain of its assets may not be fully recoverable, and the resultant impact could be material to the Company's consolidated financial statements.


16.           GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Appleton (the “Issuer”) has issued senior notes and senior subordinated notes which have been guaranteed by PDC (the “Parent Guarantor”), C&H Packaging Company, Inc., American Plastics Company, Inc., Rose Holdings Limited, Bemrose Group Limited, The Henry Booth Group Limited, BemroseBooth Limited, HBGI Holdings Limited, Bemrose Security & Promotional Printing Limited and New England Extrusion Inc., each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Appleton (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). These guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and several.



PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


Presented below is condensed consolidating financial information for the Parent Guarantor, the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and a wholly-owned non-guarantor subsidiary (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiary”) as of September 30, 2007 and December 30, 2006 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006. This financial information should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes.

Separate financial statements for the Parent and Subsidiary Guarantors are not presented based on management’s determination that they would not provide additional information that is material to readers of these financial statements.

The senior credit facility, the senior notes and the senior subordinated notes place restrictions on the subsidiaries of the Issuer that would limit dividend distributions by these subsidiaries.



PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
   
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
 
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
 
(unaudited)
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
   
   
Parent Guarantor
   
Issuer
   
Subsidiary Guarantors
   
Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiary
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
                                     
ASSETS
                                   
Current assets
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents
  $
-
    $
32,683
    $
659
    $
3,790
    $
-
    $
37,132
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
-
     
113,362
     
27,289
     
6,974
     
-
     
147,625
 
Inventories
   
-
     
104,656
     
30,091
     
1,298
     
-
     
136,045
 
Other current assets
   
18,200
     
6,886
     
1,873
     
84
     
-
     
27,043
 
Total current assets
   
18,200
     
257,587
     
59,912
     
12,146
     
-
     
347,845
 
                                                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
   
-
     
351,865
     
61,937
     
24
     
-
     
413,826
 
Investment in subsidiaries
   
332,469
     
170,231
     
-
     
-
      (502,700 )    
-
 
Other assets
   
103,497
     
86,634
     
112,896
     
50
     
-
     
303,077
 
Total assets
  $
454,166
    $
866,317
    $
234,745
    $
12,220
    $ (502,700 )   $
1,064,748
 
                                                 
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK, ACCUMULATED DEFICIT AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
                                               
Current liabilities
                                               
Current portion of long-term debt
  $
-
    $
2,250
    $
-
    $
-
    $
-
    $
2,250
 
Accounts payable
   
-
     
56,324
     
14,859
     
104
     
-
     
71,287
 
Due to (from) parent and affiliated companies
   
350,615
      (383,341 )    
35,623
      (2,897 )    
-
     
-
 
Other accrued liabilities
   
-
     
83,198
     
11,800
     
2,041
     
-
     
97,039
 
Total current liabilities
   
350,615
      (241,569 )    
62,282
      (752 )    
-
     
170,576
 
                                                 
Long-term debt
   
-
     
559,073
     
2,737
     
-
     
-
     
561,810
 
Capital lease obligation
   
-
     
1,500
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,500
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
-
     
214,844
     
12,409
     
58
     
-
     
227,311
 
Redeemable common stock, accumulated deficit and accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
103,551
     
332,469
     
157,317
     
12,914
      (502,700 )    
103,551
 
                                                 
Total liabilities, redeemable common stock, accumulated deficit and accumulated other comprehensive loss
  $
454,166
    $
866,317
    $
234,745
    $
12,220
    $ (502,700 )   $
1,064,748
 
                                                 




PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
   
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
 
DECEMBER 30, 2006
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
   
   
Parent Guarantor
   
Issuer
   
Subsidiary Guarantors
   
Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiary
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
                                     
ASSETS
                                   
Current assets
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents
   $
-
    $
17,249
    $
817
    $
1,909
    $
-
    $
19,975
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
-
     
94,081
     
37,199
     
8,496
     
-
     
139,776
 
Inventories
   
-
     
109,747
     
27,361
     
1,646
     
-
     
138,754
 
Other current assets
   
18,200
     
6,680
     
1,446
     
90
     
-
     
26,416
 
Total current assets
   
18,200
     
227,757
     
66,823
     
12,141
     
-
     
324,921
 
                                                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
   
-
     
367,327
     
65,363
     
20
     
-
     
432,710
 
Investment in subsidiaries
   
317,687
     
170,040
     
-
     
-
      (487,727 )    
-
 
Other assets
   
58,043
     
87,513
     
112,893
     
43
     
-
     
258,492
 
Total assets
  $
393,930
    $
852,637
    $
245,079
    $
12,204
    $ (487,727 )   $
1,016,123
 
                                                 
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK, ACCUMULATED DEFICIT AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
                                               
Current liabilities
                                               
Current portion of long-term debt
  $
-
    $
6,384
    $
-
    $
-
    $
-
    $
6,384
 
Accounts payable
   
-
     
58,451
     
17,633
     
197
     
-
     
76,281
 
Due to (from) parent and affiliated companies
   
276,359
      (312,220 )    
37,948
      (2,087 )    
-
     
-
 
Other accrued liabilities
   
-
     
82,060
     
16,197
     
1,934
     
-
     
100,191
 
Total current liabilities
   
276,359
      (165,325 )    
71,778
     
44
     
-
     
182,856
 
                                                 
Long-term debt
   
-
     
522,399
     
186
     
-
     
-
     
522,585
 
Capital lease obligation
   
-
     
1,931
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,931
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
-
     
175,945
     
14,754
     
481
     
-
     
191,180
 
Redeemable common stock, accumulated deficit and accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
117,571
     
317,687
     
158,361
     
11,679
      (487,727 )    
117,571
 
                                                 
Total liabilities, redeemable common stock, accumulated deficit and accumulated other comprehensive loss
  $
393,930
    $
852,637
    $
245,079
    $
12,204
    $ (487,727 )   $
1,016,123
 
                                                 




PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
   
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
 
(unaudited)
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
   
   
Parent Guarantor
   
Issuer
   
Subsidiary Guarantors
   
Non-Guarantor Subsidiary
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net sales
  $
-
    $
647,450
    $
144,883
    $
45,820
    $ (44,670 )   $
793,483
 
Cost of sales
   
-
     
490,773
     
115,027
     
44,003
      (44,809 )    
604,994
 
                                                 
Gross profit
   
-
     
156,677
     
29,856
     
1,817
     
139
     
188,489
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
-
     
116,694
     
28,367
     
1,648
     
-
     
146,709
 
Restructuring and other charges
   
-
     
1,302
     
2,047
     
-
     
-
     
3,349
 
                                                 
Operating income (loss)
   
-
     
38,681
      (558 )    
169
     
139
     
38,431
 
Interest expense
   
8,172
     
36,924
     
3,081
     
4
      (11,134 )    
37,047
 
Debt extinguishment expenses
   
-
     
1,141
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,141
 
Interest income
   
-
      (12,987 )    
-
      (45 )    
11,134
      (1,898 )
(Income) loss in equity investments
    (13,628 )    
263
     
-
     
-
     
13,365
     
-
 
Other (income) expense
   
-
      (393 )    
50
      (1,099 )    
191
      (1,251 )
                                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
   
5,456
     
13,733
      (3,689 )    
1,309
      (13,417 )    
3,392
 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
   
-
     
105
      (2,244 )    
75
     
-
      (2,064 )
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $
5,456
    $
13,628
    $ (1,445 )   $
1,234
    $ (13,417 )   $
5,456
 
                                                 




PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
   
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 1, 2006
 
(unaudited)
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
   
   
Parent Guarantor
   
Issuer
   
Subsidiary Guarantors
   
Non-Guarantor Subsidiary
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net sales
  $
-
    $
653,385
    $
156,284
    $
49,068
    $ (48,598 )   $
810,139
 
Cost of sales
   
-
     
489,346
     
120,028
     
46,717
      (49,168 )    
606,923
 
                                                 
Gross profit
   
-
     
164,039
     
36,256
     
2,351
     
570
     
203,216
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
-
     
122,893
     
28,773
     
2,002
     
-
     
153,668
 
Restructuring and other charges
   
-
     
1,486
     
602
     
-
     
-
     
2,088
 
                                                 
Operating income
   
-
     
39,660
     
6,881
     
349
     
570
     
47,460
 
Interest expense
   
7,499
     
37,070
     
2,436
     
-
      (9,799 )    
37,206
 
Interest income
   
-
      (10,379 )     (6 )     (47 )    
9,799
      (633 )
Income in equity investments
    (19,321 )     (5,984 )    
-
     
-
     
25,305
     
-
 
Other (income) expense
   
-
      (536 )    
163
      (257 )    
349
      (281 )
                                                 
Income before income taxes
   
11,822
     
19,489
     
4,288
     
653
      (25,084 )    
11,168
 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
   
-
     
168
      (822 )    
-
     
-
      (654 )
                                                 
Net income
  $
11,822
    $
19,321
    $
5,110
    $
653
    $ (25,084 )   $
11,822
 




PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
   
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
 
(unaudited)
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
   
   
Parent Guarantor
   
Issuer
   
Subsidiary Guarantors
   
Non-Guarantor Subsidiary
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net sales
  $
-
    $
223,267
    $
50,386
    $
14,475
    $ (15,181 )   $
272,947
 
Cost of sales
   
-
     
168,225
     
38,732
     
14,845
      (15,461 )    
206,341
 
                                                 
Gross profit (loss)
   
-
     
55,042
     
11,654
      (370 )    
280
     
66,606
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
-
     
37,924
     
9,633
     
552
     
-
     
48,109
 
Restructuring and other charges
   
-
     
248
     
117
             
-
     
365
 
                                                 
Operating income (loss)
   
-
     
16,870
     
1,904
      (922 )    
280
     
18,132
 
Interest expense
   
2,819
     
12,487
     
1,110
     
4
      (3,866 )    
12,554
 
Debt extinguishment expenses
   
-
     
88
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
88
 
Interest income
   
-
      (4,370 )    
-
      (18 )    
3,866
      (522 )
Income in equity investments
    (10,098 )     (1,227 )    
-
     
-
     
11,325
     
-
 
Other income
   
-
      (259 )     (37 )     (425 )    
57
      (664 )
                                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
   
7,279
     
10,151
     
831
      (483 )     (11,102 )    
6,676
 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
   
-
     
53
      (350 )     (306 )    
-
      (603 )
                                                 
Net income (loss)
  $
7,279
    $
10,098
    $
1,181
    $ (177 )   $ (11,102 )   $
7,279
 




PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
   
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 1, 2006
 
(unaudited)
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
   
   
Parent Guarantor
   
Issuer
   
Subsidiary Guarantors
   
Non-Guarantor
 Subsidiary
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net sales
  $
-
    $
217,038
    $
53,696
    $
17,106
    $ (15,613 )   $
272,227
 
Cost of sales
   
-
     
161,442
     
40,856
     
15,850
      (15,969 )    
202,179
 
                                                 
Gross profit
   
-
     
55,596
     
12,840
     
1,256
     
356
     
70,048
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
-
     
41,116
     
9,605
     
649
     
-
     
51,370
 
Restructuring and other charges
   
-
     
893
     
509
     
-
     
-
     
1,402
 
                                                 
Operating income
   
-
     
13,587
     
2,726
     
607
     
356
     
17,276
 
Interest expense
   
2,568
     
12,536
     
915
     
-
      (3,397 )    
12,622
 
Interest income
   
-
      (3,557 )    
-
      (17 )    
3,397
      (177 )
Income in equity investments
    (7,614 )     (2,904 )    
-
     
-
     
10,518
     
-
 
Other (income) expense
   
-
      (191 )    
63
     
1
     
150
     
23
 
                                                 
Income before income taxes
   
5,046
     
7,703
     
1,748
     
623
      (10,312 )    
4,808
 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
   
-
     
89
      (327 )    
-
     
-
      (238 )
                                                 
Net income
  $
5,046
    $
7,614
    $
2,075
    $
623
    $ (10,312 )   $
5,046
 




PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
   
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
 
(unaudited)
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
   
Parent Guarantor
   
Issuer
   
Subsidiary Guarantors
   
Non-Guarantor Subsidiary
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                                   
Net income (loss)
  $
5,456
    $
13,628
    $ (1,445 )   $
1,234
    $ (13,417 )   $
5,456
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used) provided by operating activities:
                                               
Depreciation and amortization
   
-
     
43,883
     
9,298
     
12
     
-
     
53,193
 
Other
   
-
     
7,894
     
530
      (1,099 )    
-
     
7,325
 
Change in assets and liabilities, net
    (55,477 )    
29,245
      (5,314 )    
2,558
     
13,417
      (15,571 )
                                                 
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities
    (50,021 )    
94,650
     
3,069
     
2,705
     
-
     
50,403
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                               
Proceeds from sale of equipment
   
-
     
4
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
4
 
Restricted cash for mill expansion
   
-
      (8,665 )    
-
     
-
     
-
      (8,665 )
Additions to property, plant and equipment
   
-
      (24,960 )     (3,453 )     (14 )    
-
      (28,427 )
                                                 
Net cash used by investing activities
   
-
      (33,621 )     (3,453 )     (14 )    
-
      (37,088 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                               
Payments of long-term debt
   
-
      (201,565 )    
-
     
-
     
-
      (201,565 )
Proceeds from long-term debt
   
-
     
225,000
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
225,000
 
Debt acquisition costs
   
-
      (2,229 )    
-
     
-
     
-
      (2,229 )
Payments relating to capital lease obligation
   
-
      (548 )    
-
     
-
     
-
      (548 )
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit
   
-
     
67,550
     
4,579
     
-
     
-
     
72,129
 
Payments of revolving lines of credit
   
-
      (67,550 )     (2,028 )    
-
     
-
      (69,578 )
Proceeds from State of Ohio financing
   
-
     
9,105
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
9,105
 
Due to parent and affiliated companies, net
   
74,256
      (71,121 )     (2,325 )     (810 )    
-
     
-
 
Proceeds from issuance of redeemable common stock
   
4,355
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
4,355
 
Payments to redeem common stock
    (28,590 )    
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
      (28,590 )
Decrease in cash overdraft
   
-
      (3,990 )    
-
     
-
     
-
      (3,990 )
                                                 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
   
50,021
      (45,348 )    
226
      (810 )    
-
     
4,089
 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
   
-
      (247 )    
-
     
-
     
-
      (247 )
Change in cash and cash equivalents
   
-
     
15,434
      (158 )    
1,881
     
-
     
17,157
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
-
     
17,249
     
817
     
1,909
     
-
     
19,975
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $
-
    $
32,683
    $
659
    $
3,790
    $
-
    $
37,132
 




PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
   
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 1, 2006
 
(unaudited)
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
   
Parent Guarantor
   
Issuer
   
Subsidiary Guarantors
   
Non-Guarantor 
Subsidiary
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
                                     
Cash flows from operating activities:
                                   
Net income
  $
11,822
    $
19,321
    $
5,110
    $
653
    $ (25,084 )   $
11,822
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                                               
Depreciation and amortization
   
-
     
47,954
     
8,981
     
7
     
-
     
56,942
 
Other
   
-
     
7,932
     
47
      (257 )    
-
     
7,722
 
Change in assets and liabilities, net
    (9,165 )     (7,789 )     (11,444 )    
1,618
     
25,084
      (1,696 )
                                                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
2,657
     
67,418
     
2,694
     
2,021
     
-
     
74,790
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                               
Proceeds from sale of equipment
   
-
     
6
     
788
     
-
     
-
     
794
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
   
-
      (12,498 )     (5,212 )    
-
     
-
      (17,710 )
                                                 
Net cash used by investing activities
   
-
      (12,492 )     (4,424 )    
-
     
-
      (16,916 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
                                               
Payments of long-term debt
   
-
      (30,361 )    
-
     
-
     
-
      (30,361 )
Bond consent costs
   
-
      (7,994 )    
-
     
-
     
-
      (7,994 )
Payments relating to capital lease obligation
   
-
      (548 )    
-
             
-
      (548 )
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit
   
-
     
20,000
     
4,368
     
-
     
-
     
24,368
 
Payments of revolving lines of credit
   
-
      (22,000 )     (3,535 )    
-
     
-
      (25,535 )
Due to parent and affiliated companies, net
   
10,397
      (5,567 )     (3,245 )     (1,585 )    
-
     
-
 
Proceeds from issuance of redeemable common stock
   
4,460
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
4,460
 
Payments to redeem common stock
    (17,514 )    
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
      (17,514 )
Decrease in cash overdraft
   
-
      (3,709 )    
-
     
-
     
-
      (3,709 )
                                                 
Net cash used by financing activities
    (2,657 )     (50,179 )     (2,412 )     (1,585 )    
-
      (56,833 )
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 
    -        -        293        -        -        293   
Change in cash and cash equivalents
   
-
     
4,747
      (3,849 )    
436
     
-
     
1,334
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
-
     
11,144
     
4,834
     
2,444
     
-
     
18,422
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $
-
    $
15,891
    $
985
    $
2,880
    $
-
    $
19,756
 


 
 
Unless stated to the contrary or the context requires otherwise, all references to “Paperweight Development,” “PDC,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Paperweight Development Corp. and its subsidiaries and predecessors. Appleton Papers Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Paperweight Development, which we refer to as “Appleton” in this report.
 
The purpose of this discussion is to provide an understanding of PDC’s and Appleton’s financial results and condition by focusing on changes in key measures from period to period. Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) is organized in the following sections:
 
Overview
 
Summary of Results
 
Results of Operations – Three Months Ended September 30, 2007
 
Results of Operations – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
 
Business Segment Discussion – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
This discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes. Reference should also be made to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2006, the consolidated financial statements and related notes therein.
 
Overview
 
Appleton manufactures and sells carbonless and thermal papers as well as other specialty papers. We also manufacture and sell plastic films and flexible packaging solutions, and we produce promotional products and other print solutions in the U.K. Appleton is organized under three business units: technical papers, international and performance packaging. Under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, we have five reportable business segments: coated solutions, thermal papers, security papers, secure and specialized print services and performance packaging.
 
Summary of Results
 
Following are highlights of results for the three months ended September 30, 2007:
 
·  
Net sales grew 0.3% to $272.9 million.
 
·  
Improved pricing offset lower unit volumes and unfavorable mix during the quarter.
 
·  
Net income increased 43.1% to $7.3 million. Despite lower volumes, net income increased on the strength of improved pricing, lower selling, general and administrative expenses and an increase of $1.0 million in non-operating income.
 
Following are highlights of results for the nine months ended September 30, 2007:
 
·  
Net sales declined 2.0% to $793.5 million on lower volumes and unfavorable mix offset by improved pricing in the paper segments.
 
·  
Lower unit volumes and unfavorable mix offset pricing improvements on a year-to-date basis. Unit volumes declined in all business segments except for security papers. Gains in international shipment volumes softened declines in domestic markets.
 
·  
Net income decreased 53.4% to $5.5 million. Net income decreased as lower volumes and higher raw material costs offset improved pricing, manufacturing gains and lower selling, general and administrative expenses.
 
Results of Operations – Three Months Ended September 30, 2007
 
The following discussion provides a review of results for the three months ended September 30, 2007 versus the three months ended October 1, 2006.


 

   
Third Quarter
       
   
2007
   
2006
   
% Chg
 
   
(dollars in millions)
       
                   
Net sales
  $
272.9
    $
272.2
      0.3 %
Cost of sales
   
206.3
     
202.2
      2.0 %
                         
Gross profit
   
66.6
     
70.0
      -4.9 %
                         
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
48.1
     
51.3
      -6.2 %
Restructuring and other charges
   
0.4
     
1.4
      -71.4 %
                         
Operating income
   
18.1
     
17.3
      4.6 %
                         
Interest expense
   
12.6
     
12.6
     
-
 
Other non-operating income, net
    (1.2 )     (0.2 )     500.0 %
                         
Income before income taxes
   
6.7
     
4.9
      36.7 %
Benefit for income taxes
    (0.6 )     (0.2 )     200.0 %
                         
Net income
  $
7.3
    $
5.1
      43.1 %
                         
Comparisons as a percentage of net sales:
                       
Cost of sales
    75.6 %     74.3 %     1.3 %
Gross margin
    24.4 %     25.7 %     -1.3 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    17.6 %     18.8 %     -1.2 %
Operating margin
    6.6 %     6.4 %     0.2 %
Income before income taxes
    2.5 %     1.8 %     0.7 %
Net income
    2.7 %     1.9 %     0.8 %
 

 
Net sales for the quarter increased 0.3% to $272.9 million. All reportable segments except the coated solutions and performance packaging segments grew sales in the quarter as improved pricing offset lower volumes and unfavorable mix. Declines in domestic volumes offset strong growth in international shipments during the quarter.
 
Gross margin was down 1.3 percentage points during the quarter to 24.4% of net sales. Higher raw material costs offset improved pricing and manufacturing gains.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 6.2% or $3.2 million during the quarter. As a percentage of net sales selling, general and administrative expenses were down 1.2 percentage points as lower shipment volumes reduced distribution costs. In addition, overhead spending was reduced in the current quarter in part as the result of restructuring activities undertaken in prior quarters.
 
Restructuring and other charges declined $1.0 million compared to the prior year period.
 
Other non-operating income increased $1.0 million during the quarter due to $0.7 million of foreign currency gains and $0.4 million increased interest income offset by $0.1 million of debt extinguishment expenses.
 
Appleton recorded an income tax benefit of $0.6 million for third quarter 2007, primarily due to operating losses in its U.K. subsidiary.
 
As a result of the foregoing, net income for the quarter increased $2.2 million to $7.3 million.
 
Results of Operations – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
 
The following discussion provides a review of results for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 versus the nine months ended October 1, 2006.


 

   
Year to Date
       
   
2007
   
2006
   
% Chg
 
   
(dollars in millions)
       
                   
Net sales
  $
793.5
    $
810.1
      -2.0 %
Cost of sales
   
605.0
     
606.9
      -0.3 %
                         
Gross profit
   
188.5
     
203.2
      -7.2 %
                         
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
146.7
     
153.6
      -4.5 %
Restructuring and other charges
   
3.4
     
2.1
      61.9 %
                         
Operating income
   
38.4
     
47.5
      -19.2 %
                         
Interest expense
   
37.0
     
37.2
      -0.5 %
Other non-operating income, net
    (2.0 )     (0.9 )     122.2 %
                         
Income before income taxes
   
3.4
     
11.2
      -69.6 %
Benefit for income taxes
    (2.1 )     (0.6 )     250.0 %
                         
Net income
  $
5.5
    $
11.8
      -53.4 %
                         
Comparisons as a percentage of net sales:
                       
Cost of sales
    76.2 %     74.9 %     1.3 %
Gross margin
    23.8 %     25.1 %     -1.3 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    18.5 %     19.0 %     -0.5 %
Operating margin
    4.8 %     5.9 %     -1.1 %
Income before income taxes
    0.4 %     1.4 %     -1.0 %
Net income
    0.7 %     1.5 %     -0.8 %
 

 
Net sales declined 2.0% to $793.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007. Lower shipment volumes and unfavorable mix offset the effects of improved pricing. Net sales growth in international markets provided some offset to lower volumes in domestic markets.
 
Year-to-date in 2007, gross margin declined 1.3 percentage points to 23.8%. Lower volumes and unfavorable mix contributed to lower overall margins. In addition, higher raw material costs offset improved pricing and manufacturing gains.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 4.5% or $6.9 million during 2007. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses declined 0.5 percentage points due to lower distribution costs from reduced shipment volumes and lower overhead spending in part as the result of restructuring activities and lower variable incentive accruals tied to lower operating performance.
 
Restructuring and other charges increased $1.3 million to $3.4 million as the company’s U.K. subsidiary continued to restructure operations in 2007.
 
Other non-operating income in 2007 increased $1.1 million to $2.0 million year-to-date due to $0.9 million of foreign currency gains and $1.3 million increased interest income, primarily as the result of income tax recoveries, offset by $1.1 million of debt extinguishment expenses from terminating its previous credit facility during second quarter 2007.
 
Appleton recorded a year-to-date income tax benefit of $2.1 million as the result of operating losses and restructuring expenses experienced in its U.K. subsidiary.
 
As a result of the foregoing, 2007 year-to-date net income decreased $6.3 million to $5.5 million.
 
Business Segment Discussion – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
 
Technical Papers
 
•
Coated solutions segment net sales totaled $145.7 million for third quarter 2007, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 0.1% from prior year levels. Lower shipment volumes and unfavorable mix offset improved pricing during the current quarter. Despite lower shipments in domestic markets, Appleton experienced increased shipments in international markets. Coated solutions segment third quarter 2007 operating income increased $2.4 million to $17.2 million as pricing improvement, manufacturing cost reductions and lower selling, general and administrative expenses offset higher commodity costs.
 
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, coated solutions segment net sales totaled $430.7 million, a decrease of $5.3 million or 1.2% from prior year levels. Lower carbonless shipment volumes in the first nine months of 2007 and unfavorable mix offset the impact of improved pricing. Coated solutions segment operating income increased $0.4 million to $43.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. As compared to the prior year period, results for 2007 benefited from improved pricing, manufacturing gains and lower selling, general and administrative expenses, which offset negative impacts of  lower volumes, higher raw material costs and higher costs from a bi-annual planned mill maintenance outage.
 
•
Thermal papers segment net sales totaled $69.2 million for third quarter 2007, an increase of $4.1 million or 6.2% from prior year levels. The current quarter benefited from higher shipment volumes and improved mix. Thermal papers segment operating income decreased $2.8 million to $0.8 million for third quarter 2007. Segment results were affected by competitive pricing actions and higher raw material costs.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, thermal papers segment net sales totaled $194.3 million, a decrease of $1.4 million or 0.7% from prior year levels. Improved mix was offset by lower shipment volumes in the first nine months of 2007. Thermal papers segment operating income decreased $4.2 million to $5.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The current period results reflect the effects of volume declines, competitive pricing actions, higher raw material prices and mill maintenance outage costs, which offset improved mix and reductions in manufacturing and selling, general and administrative costs.
 
Prices for our lightweight thermal papers have been adversely affected by increased imports of low-priced products from China, Germany and Korea. In September 2007, Appleton filed antidumping petitions against imports of certain lightweight thermal paper from China, Germany and Korea and a countervailing duty petition against such imports from China. If the U.S. Department of Commerce finds illegal dumping and subsidization and the U.S. International Trade Commission finds that the domestic industry making these products has been injured by or is threatened with injury from these unfairly traded imports, then duties will be imposed to offset the unfair prices and to restore fair competition to the U.S. market. There can be no assurance that we will prevail in these cases.
 
•
Security papers segment net sales totaled $7.7 million for third quarter 2007, an increase of $0.2 million or 2.1%, as the effects of improved pricing offset lower shipment volumes. Security papers segment third quarter 2007 operating income increased $0.6 million to $1.1 million on the strength of improved pricing and manufacturing cost reductions.
 
Security papers segment net sales totaled $23.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, an increase of $1.9 million or 8.8% primarily due to improved pricing. For the first nine months of 2007, security papers segment operating income increased $1.3 million as a result of improved pricing and lower manufacturing costs.
 
Secure and Specialized Print Services
 
•
Secure and specialized print services segment net sales totaled $25.7 million for third quarter 2007, an increase of $0.3 million or 1.0%. Lower volumes, unfavorable pricing and unfavorable mix offset favorable exchange rates compared to the prior year period. Secure and specialized print services segment third quarter 2007 operating income increased $0.2 million to $0.1 million. Segment results were adversely affected by volume declines and unfavorable pricing which offset savings from restructuring activities.
 
Secure and specialized print services segment net sales totaled $71.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $1.3 million or 1.8% from prior year levels. Volume decreases and unfavorable pricing and mix offset favorable exchange rates compared to the prior year period. For the first nine months of 2007, secure and specialized print services segment operating income decreased by $3.9 million compared to the first nine months of 2006. The current period results reflect lower volumes and also include a $1.9 million restructuring charge for employee terminations, whereas the 2006 period included a $1.1 million gain on the sale of fixed assets.
 
Given the seasonality of BemroseBooth's (secure and specialized print services segment) product offerings, the majority of its profit is generated in the fourth quarter of each year. To the extent that BemroseBooth's operating performance in the fourth quarter of 2007 does not meet the Company's projections, certain of its assets may not be fully recoverable, and the resultant impact could be material to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Performance Packaging
 
•
Performance packaging segment net sales totaled $24.7 million for third quarter 2007, a decrease of $3.6 million or 12.7% from prior year levels. Lower shipment volumes and unfavorable mix offset improved pricing during the current quarter. Performance packaging segment third quarter 2007 operating income decreased $0.7 million to $2.0 million. Results for 2007 reflect the impact of lower volumes as well as margin declines derived from resin price increases, which were partially offset by improved pricing and gains in manufacturing efficiencies.
 
Performance packaging segment net sales totaled $73.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $10.5 million or 12.5% from prior year levels. Net sales for the current year period were unfavorably impacted by lower shipment volumes, lower pricing and unfavorable mix. For the first nine months of 2007, performance packaging segment operating income decreased by $2.7 million compared to the first nine months of 2006. Segment results for 2007 were adversely impacted by volume decreases, unfavorable mix and fluctuations in resin prices, which offset productivity gains and reductions in manufacturing, selling, general and administrative costs.
 
Unallocated Corporate Charges and Business Development Costs
 
•
Unallocated corporate charges and business development costs decreased $1.1 million in third quarter 2007 compared to third quarter 2006. Third quarter 2007 benefited from reductions in corporate expenses in comparison to the prior year quarter. For the first nine months of 2007, unallocated corporate charges and business development costs decreased $0.1 million compared to the first nine months of 2006.
 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Overview. Appleton’s primary sources of liquidity are cash provided by operations and available borrowings under its credit facility. Appleton expects that cash on hand, internally generated cash flow and available credit from its credit facility will provide the necessary funds for reasonably foreseeable operating and recurring cash needs (e.g., working capital, debt service, other contractual obligations and capital expenditures). Subject to meeting covenants in its credit facility, Appleton currently has approximately $135.6 million of unused borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility. In July, 2007, Appleton entered into a new $12.1 million financing arrangement with the State of Ohio as part of its funding plans for an expansion project at its West Carrollton, Ohio facility, as described below.
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months of 2007 was $50.4 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $74.8 million for the first nine months of 2006. Net income, adjusted for non-cash items, provided $66.0 million in operating cash during the first nine months of 2007. Non-cash items included $53.2 million of depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and $5.2 million in non-cash employer matching contributions to the Appleton Papers Retirement Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “KSOP”). Uses of cash included a $9.0 million increase in working capital, a $5.7 million reduction in accrued pension, a net $1.7 million decrease in restructuring reserves as Appleton paid severance benefits and other amounts related to restructuring activities, and a net $0.8 million change in other assets and liabilities.
 
Major components of the $9.0 million increase in working capital during the first nine months of 2007 were a $5.7 million reduction in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities, a $3.1 million decrease in inventories, a $0.6 million increase in other current assets and a $5.8 million increase in accounts receivable.
 
As discussed in Note 12 of the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, during second quarter 2007, in response to new estimates of remaining costs established by the Amended ROD, Appleton recorded a $58.9 million increase to its reserve for environmental liabilities and an equal and offsetting increase to its indemnification receivable from AWA.
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities. Net cash used by investing activities in the first nine months of 2007 totaled $37.1 million. Capital spending in 2007 includes initial amounts expended for the expansion of Appleton’s West Carrollton, Ohio paper mill. The mill expansion project is expected to extend into the third quarter of 2008. The expansion project is being funded through a combination of cash flows from operations, special financing provided by the State of Ohio and borrowings under Appleton’s new senior secured credit facility. To date, Appleton has received $9.1 million from the State of Ohio special financing and has spent $0.4 million of these proceeds. The remaining $8.7 million is recorded as restricted cash within other long-term assets and will be disbursed within the next twelve months to fund capital additions.
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities was $4.1 million for the first nine months of 2007, while $56.8 million was used in the comparable 2006 period.
 
In June 2007, Appleton entered into a new $375 million senior secured credit facility consisting of a seven-year, $225 million term loan bearing interest at a base rate, or at LIBOR, at Appleton’s option, plus an applicable margin, which is initially set at 0.75% for base rate loans and 1.75% for LIBOR loans. Mandatory principal payments of $0.6 million are due quarterly with the remaining balance due June 5, 2014. It also provides access to a six-year, $150 million revolving credit facility. The new senior credit facility is unconditionally guaranteed by PDC and by substantially all of Appleton’s subsidiaries, other than certain immaterial subsidiaries. In addition, it is secured by liens on substantially all Appleton’s, the subsidiary guarantors’ and certain of Appleton’s other subsidiaries’ assets and by a pledge of Appleton’s and its subsidiaries’ capital stock. Funding proceeds from the new facility were applied to repay outstanding balances on Appleton’s previous senior secured notes payable and revolving lines of credit, which were terminated contemporaneously with the consummation of the new senior secured credit facility.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, Appleton borrowed $72.1 million and repaid $69.6 million under its revolving lines of credit. In 2007, Appleton made market purchases of senior notes totaling $5.5 million. Proceeds from the issuance of PDC redeemable common stock during the nine months of 2007 totaled $4.4 million. The ESOP trustee purchased this stock with pre-tax deferrals, rollovers and loan payments made by employees during the first six months of 2007. Payments to redeem PDC common stock were $28.6 million during the first nine months of 2007. Common stock redemptions during 2007 were $11.1 million higher than in the comparable period of 2006 based on the number of redemption requests received from plan participants.
 
In July 2007, Appleton entered into a new $12.1 million Loan and Security Agreement with the Director of Development of the State of Ohio, consisting of a $9.1 million State Assistance Loan and a $3.0 million State Loan (together “the Ohio Loans”). Proceeds of the Ohio Loans will be used to fund a portion of the costs of acquiring and installing paper coating and production equipment at Appleton’s paper mill located in West Carrollton, Ohio. The Ohio State Assistance Loan provides for monthly principal payments and interest at 6% and, upon receipt of the funds, the State Loan provides for monthly principal payments and interest of 1% for the first two years and 3% thereafter.
 
Cash overdrafts decreased by $4.0 million during the first nine months of 2007. Cash overdrafts represent checks issued but not yet cleared through the banking system. Fluctuations in the balance are a function of quarter-end payment patterns and the speed with which payees deposit the checks.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
For information regarding new accounting pronouncements, see Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Related Notes.
 
 
 
For information regarding quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, see the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006.
 
There have been no material changes in the quantitative or qualitative exposure to market risk from that described in the Form 10-K.
 
 
Appleton and PDC carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of their management, including their respective principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of their disclosure controls and procedures as such terms are defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Appleton and PDC maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Appleton and PDC in the reports filed or submitted by them under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. The disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that the information is accumulated and communicated to management, including their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Based on their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Appleton and PDC have concluded that their disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q.
 
There were no changes in the internal control over financial reporting of Appleton or PDC during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, their internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
For information regarding legal matters, please refer to Item 3 in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2006 and Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included therein. Reference is also made to Note 12 of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report.
 
Prices for our lightweight thermal papers have been adversely affected by increased imports of low-priced products from China, Germany and Korea. In September 2007, Appleton filed antidumping petitions against imports of certain lightweight thermal paper from China, Germany and Korea and a countervailing duty petition against such imports from China. If the U.S. Department of Commerce finds illegal dumping and subsidization and the U.S. International Trade Commission finds that the domestic industry making these products has been injured by or is threatened with injury from these unfairly traded imports, then duties will be imposed to offset the unfair prices and to restore fair competition to the U.S. market. There can be no assurance that we will prevail in these cases.
 
 
Other than with respect to the risk factors set forth below, there have been no material changes in the risk factors disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2006.
 
We are subject to substantial costs and potential liabilities relating to environmental regulation and litigation.
 
We are subject to comprehensive and frequently changing laws and regulations enacted by various federal, state and local authorities concerned with the impact of the environment on human health, the limitation and control of emissions and discharges into the air, ground and waters, the quality of ambient air and bodies of water and the handling, use and disposal of specified substances. Financial responsibility for the cleanup or other remediation of contaminated property or for natural resource damages can extend to previously owned or used properties, waterways and properties owned by unrelated companies or individuals, as well as properties currently owned and used by us, regardless of whether the contamination is attributable entirely to prior owners. As described in the following risk factor, we have been identified as a potentially responsible party for remediation and alleged natural resource damages related to the Lower Fox River and Green Bay system, which we refer to as the Lower Fox River. In addition, we make capital expenditures and incur operating expenses for environmental obligations and matters arising from our daily operations.
 
Including the Lower Fox River, we have approximately $146.7 million of accrued liabilities as of September 30, 2007, for estimated or anticipated liabilities and legal and consulting costs relating to environmental matters arising from past operations. We also have approximately $121.7 million of indemnification receivables from our former parent company, AWA, as of September 30, 2007. While the accrued liabilities reflect our current estimate of the cost of these environmental matters, the amount that we have accrued may be inadequate. In addition, we may be named as a potentially responsible party at other sites in the future and the costs associated with such future sites may be material. We expect environmental laws and regulations and the interpretation and enforcement of those laws and regulations to become increasingly stringent and to further limit emission and discharge levels and to increase the likelihood and cost of environmental cleanups and related activities. All of these factors are likely to increase our operating expenses, require continuing capital expenditures and adversely affect the operating flexibility of our manufacturing operations and may require indeterminable and significant additional expenditures in connection with such compliance.
 
 
We have been named as a potentially responsible party related to the Lower Fox River.
 
We have been named by the EPA as a PRP, under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. We have been named a PRP because of discharges of PCBs, into the Lower Fox River from our Appleton Plant in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s and because of discharges from the Appleton Coated paper mill in Combined Locks, Wisconsin, which we owned from 1978 to 2000. We could be liable for a significant portion of the costs of remediating the PCBs that remain in the Lower Fox River. These costs could be material to our financial position. In 2003, the DNR and EPA issued two RODs covering all five segments of the Lower Fox River, which includes Green Bay. The RODs provide for a combination of dredging and capping and monitored natural recovery and contain revised estimates of total costs for remediation of $400 million over a 7 to 18-year time period. In addition to remediation, various government agencies are also asserting that we and the other PRPs are liable for natural resource damages caused by the PCBs. In October 2000, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service estimated that total natural resource damages would be in a range between $176 million to $333 million for all PRPs in the aggregate. In February 2007, the EPA and DNR issued a General Notice letter to the PRPs. The EPA and DNR are seeking to have one or more of the PRPs enter into an agreement to implement all remaining remedial action for segments two, three, four and five of the river.
 
On June 6, 2007, the EPA issued an Amended ROD (also referred to as the Optimized Remedy) which modifies the remedial action plan outlined in the 2003 RODs and provides a revised estimate of $390 million of remaining costs to complete the remedial work on the Lower Fox River. Appleton has re-evaluated its estimate of potential liability pursuant to the Amended ROD. At this time, we cannot precisely estimate our total liability for the Lower Fox River because we do not know how much the remedial actions and natural resource damages may cost or how large our share of those costs will be. Our liability could be material to our financial position. The issuance of the RODs and the Amended ROD and the beginning of remediation activities provides Appleton the ability to reasonably estimate its potential liability. Accordingly, Appleton has recorded a reserve for this environmental liability, before indemnification by our former parent.
 
At December 30, 2006, the total reserve was $101.2 million. During the first nine months of 2007, $14.7 million of payments were made against this reserve and $1.3 million of accretion was realized. Also during second quarter 2007, and based upon the Amended ROD, Appleton re-evaluated its estimate of potential liability and as a result increased its reserve by $58.9 million. This additional reserve amount will accrete at a discount rate of 5% until it reaches $65.1 million. As a result, $146.7 million is remaining in the reserve as of September 30, 2007; $18.2 million is recorded in other accrued liabilities and $128.5 million is recorded as a long-term environmental liability. Although we believe our recorded environmental liability reflects a reasonable estimate of our liabilities associated with the Lower Fox River based on the RODs and the Amended ROD, the actual amount of liabilities associated with the Lower Fox River could prove to be significantly larger than our recorded environmental liability.
 
We have a substantial amount of indebtedness outstanding and, as a result, we are operating as a highly leveraged company.
 
Our total debt at September 30, 2007, was approximately $566 million. For a description of the components of our debt see “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 14 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. This large amount of indebtedness could:
 
 
•
make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the senior credit facility, the senior notes and senior subordinated notes;
 
 
•
require us to dedicate a substantial portion of cash flow from operations to payments on indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, research and development efforts and other general corporate activities;
 
 
•
limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate activities; or
 
 
•
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our businesses and the industries in which we operate.
 
Furthermore, although our ability to borrow money is restricted by the terms of the senior credit facility and the indentures governing the senior notes and senior subordinated notes, it may be possible for us to incur even more debt and, if we do so, these risks could intensify.
 
We may be unsuccessful in constructing, starting up and integrating the $100 million expansion at our West Carrollton, Ohio paper mill.
 
Appleton previously announced its intention to invest approximately $100 million to expand thermal paper manufacturing capacity at its existing paper mill located in West Carrollton, Ohio. Work on the expansion project commenced during first quarter 2007 and will continue through the second half of 2008. Unforeseen circumstances may interfere with the project such that we may be required to spend more than the planned amounts to complete the expansion project, or the completion may be delayed beyond the planned start up in the second half of 2008. Moreover, we may not be able to integrate operation of the expansion equipment with existing paper mill equipment as expected or achieve anticipated operational improvements. Additionally, although the thermal paper market in recent years has been growing, market conditions may be different when the project is completed such that we are not able to capture the intended benefits from the expansion project. Among other things, prices of the lightweight thermal paper that will be produced with the expanded capacity are being affected by increasing imports of low-priced products from China, Germany and Korea. As a result, we may not achieve the revenue and profits that supported the investment analysis. If any one or all or combination of these risks materialize, then our operating efficiency, profitability and cash flow may be materially adversely affected.
 
 
We have competitors in our various markets and we may not be able to maintain prices and margins for our products.
 
We face strong competition in all of our business segments. Our competitors vary in size and the breadth of their product offerings and some of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. Regardless of the continuing quality of our primary products, we may be unable to maintain our prices or margins due to:
 
 
•
declining overall carbonless market size;
 
 
•
accelerating decline in carbonless sheet sales;
 
 
•
variations in demand for, or pricing of, carbonless products;
 
 
•
increasing manufacturing costs;
 
 
•
increasing competition in international markets or from domestic or foreign producers; or
 
 
•
declining general economic conditions.
 
Our inability to compete effectively or to maintain our prices and margins could have a material adverse effect on our earnings and cash flow.
 
Our North American market is highly competitive. We compete based on a number of factors, including price, product availability, quality and customer service. Additionally, we compete with domestic production and imports from Europe and Asia. We believe that competitors in China, Germany and Korea are illegally dumping lightweight thermal paper into the United States and that competitors in China are being subsidized by the Chinese Government. No assurances can be given that such illegal dumping and subsidization will not continue or that the U.S. Department of Commerce will take actions to offset unfair prices or restore fair competition in the U.S. market. As a result, our prices for lightweight thermal paper may continue to be adversely affected and could result in a material adverse impact on our earnings and cash flow in the future. For additional information, see “Item 1 – Legal Proceedings.”
 
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This report contains forward-looking statements. The words “will,” “may,” “should,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “plans,” “seek” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements in this report other than statements of historical fact, including statements which address Appleton’s strategy, future operations, future financial position, estimated revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management and events or developments that Appleton expects or anticipates will occur, are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. They rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company’s control that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors listed under “Item 1A – Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2006, which factors are incorporated herein by reference and as updated above. Many of these factors are beyond Appleton’s ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Appleton disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
 
None.
 
 
None.
 
 
None.
 
 
Not applicable.
 
 
 
   
   
31.1
Certification of Mark R. Richards, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Appleton Papers Inc., pursuant
to Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended.
   
31.2
Certification of Thomas J. Ferree, Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Appleton Papers Inc., pursuant to Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended.
   
31.3
Certification of Mark R. Richards, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Paperweight Development Corp., pursuant to Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended.
   
31.4
Certification of Thomas J. Ferree, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Paperweight Development Corp., pursuant to Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended.
   
32.1
Certification of Mark R. Richards, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Appleton Papers Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
   
32.2
Certification of Thomas J. Ferree, Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Appleton Papers Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
   
32.3
Certification of Mark R. Richards, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Paperweight Development Corp., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
   
32.4
Certification of Thomas J. Ferree, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Paperweight Development Corp., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
 


 
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.
 
   
 
APPLETON PAPERS INC.
(Registrant)
   
Date: November 12, 2007
 
/s/ Thomas J. Ferree
 
Thomas J. Ferree
 
Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer
(Signing on behalf of the Registrant and as the Principal
Financial Officer)
 


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
   
 
PAPERWEIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORP.
(Registrant)
   
Date: November 12, 2007
 
/s/ Thomas J. Ferree
 
Thomas J. Ferree
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Signing on behalf of the Registrant and as the Principal
Financial Officer)