10-Q 1 d10q.htm QUARTERLY REPORT Quarterly Report
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2007

 


LOGO

8540 Gander Creek Drive

Miamisburg, Ohio 45342

877.855.7243

 


 

Commission

File Number

  

Registrant

   IRS
Employer
Identification
Number
   State of
Incorporation
001-32956    NEWPAGE HOLDING CORPORATION    05-0616158    Delaware
333-125952    NEWPAGE CORPORATION    05-0616156    Delaware

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

  NewPage Holding Corporation  

    Yes  x                No  ¨

  
  NewPage Corporation  

    Yes  x                No  ¨

  

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

 

  NewPage Holding Corporation   Large accelerated filer  ¨       Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  x   
  NewPage Corporation   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).

 

  NewPage Holding Corporation  

    Yes  ¨                No  x

  
  NewPage Corporation  

    Yes  ¨                No  x

  

There were 45,288,000 Common Shares, $0.01 par value, of NewPage Holding Corporation and 100 Common Shares, $0.01 par value, of NewPage Corporation outstanding as of November 1, 2007.

This Form 10-Q is a combined quarterly report being filed separately by two registrants: NewPage Holding Corporation and NewPage Corporation. NewPage Corporation meets the conditions set forth in general instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format.

 



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References to “NewPage Holding” refer to NewPage Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation; references to “NewPage” refer to NewPage Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of NewPage Holding. As applicable by the context used, references to “we,” “us” and “our” refer to NewPage Holding and its subsidiaries. Other than NewPage Holding’s debt obligation and related financing costs, accounts payable, interest expense and income tax effects; all other assets, liabilities, income, expenses and cash flows presented for all periods represent those of its wholly-owned subsidiary, NewPage. Unless otherwise noted, the information provided pertains to both NewPage Holding and NewPage.

Our address is 8540 Gander Creek Drive, Miamisburg, Ohio 45342, and our telephone number is 877.855.7243. Our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) are available on our website at www.newpagecorp.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This quarterly report contains “forward-looking statements.” All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include the words “may,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends” and similar expressions. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, they are subject to numerous factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected or assumed in our forward-looking statements. These factors, risks and uncertainties include, among others, the following:

 

   

our substantial level of indebtedness;

 

   

changes in the supply of, demand for, or prices of our products;

 

   

the activities of competitors, including those engaged in unfair trade practices;

 

   

changes in significant operating expenses, including raw material and energy costs;

 

   

changes in currency exchange rates;

 

   

changes in the availability of capital;

 

   

general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere;

 

   

changes in the regulatory environment, including requirements for enhanced environmental compliance;

 

   

our ability to operate as a stand-alone business;

 

   

our ability to consummate the acquisition of Stora Enso North America, Inc. (“SENA”), including obtaining regulatory approvals and the financing required for the acquisition on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule; and

 

   

the other factors described under “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Given these risks and uncertainties, we caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, either to reflect new developments or for any other reason, except as required by law.

 

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INDEX

 

     Page

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

   Financial Statements:   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

   4

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the third quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

   5

Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity for the three quarters ended September 30, 2007

   7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three quarters ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

   8

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   9

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    16

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    22

Item 4T.

   Controls and Procedures    23

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    23

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    23

Item 6.

   Exhibits    25
   Signatures    25

 

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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND DECEMBER 31, 2006

Dollars in millions, except per share amounts

 

    

NewPage

Holding

    NewPage  
     Sept. 30,
2007
    Dec. 31,
2006
    Sept. 30,
2007
    Dec. 31,
2006
 

ASSETS

        

Cash and cash equivalents (Note B)

   $ 67     $ 44     $ 67     $ 44  

Accounts receivable, net

     182       149       182       149  

Inventories (Note C)

     308       317       308       317  

Other current assets

     33       26       33       27  
                                

Total current assets

     590       536       590       537  

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $316 as of September 30, 2007 and $223 as of December 31, 2006

     1,270       1,309       1,270       1,309  

Intangibles and other assets (Note D)

     124       140       121       135  
                                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 1,984     $ 1,985     $ 1,981     $ 1,981  
                                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

        

Accounts payable

   $ 139     $ 135     $ 139     $ 134  

Accrued expenses

     148       120       148       120  

Current maturities of long-term debt (Note F)

     5       5       5       5  
                                

Total current liabilities

     292       260       292       259  

Long-term debt (Note F)

     1,421       1,429       1,265       1,289  

Other long-term obligations

     72       64       72       64  

Commitments and contingencies (Note K)

        

Minority interest

     32       38       32       38  

STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

        

Common stock, NewPage Holding—300,000,000 shares authorized, 45,288,000 shares issued and outstanding, $0.01 per share par value; NewPage—100 shares authorized, issued and outstanding, $0.01 per share par value

     —         —         —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     292       293       398       400  

Accumulated deficit

     (140 )     (119 )     (93 )     (89 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     15       20       15       20  
                                

Total stockholder’s equity

     167       194       320       331  
                                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

   $ 1,984     $ 1,985     $ 1,981     $ 1,981  
                                

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEWPAGE HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

THIRD QUARTER AND THREE QUARTERS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND 2006

Dollars in millions, except per share amounts

 

     NewPage Holding  
     Third
Quarter
Ended
Sept. 30,
2007
    Third
Quarter
Ended
Sept. 30,
2006
    Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2007
    Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2006
 

Net sales

   $ 545     $ 522     $ 1,516     $ 1,519  

Cost of sales

     470       466       1,347       1,349  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     27       21       79       81  

Interest expense (including non-cash interest expense of $8, $8, $22 and $22)

     38       39       113       125  

Other (income) expense, net (Notes E and N)

     —         —         —         (24 )
                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes

     10       (4 )     (23 )     (12 )

Income tax (benefit)

     (1 )     1       (2 )     1  
                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     11       (5 )     (21 )     (13 )

Income (loss) from discontinued operations (Note M)

     —         1       —         (14 )
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 11     $ (4 )   $ (21 )   $ (27 )
                                

Income (loss) per share—basic and diluted:

        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.23     $ (0.09 )   $ (0.47 )   $ (0.28 )

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     —         0.02       —         (0.31 )
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 0.23     $ (0.07 )   $ (0.47 )   $ (0.59 )
                                

Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands)

     45,288       45,288       45,288       45,288  

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEWPAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

THIRD QUARTER AND THREE QUARTERS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND 2006

Dollars in millions

 

     NewPage  
     Third
Quarter
Ended
Sept. 30,
2007
   Third
Quarter
Ended
Sept. 30,
2006
   Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2007
    Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2006
 

Net sales

   $ 545    $ 522    $ 1,516     $ 1,519  

Cost of sales

     470      466      1,347       1,349  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     27      21      76       81  

Interest expense (including non-cash interest expense of $2, $3, $6 and $8)

     32      34      97       111  

Other (income) expense, net (Notes E and N)

     —        —        —         (24 )
                              

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes

     16      1      (4 )     2  

Income tax (benefit)

     —        —        —         —    
                              

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     16      1      (4 )     2  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations (Note M)

     —        1      —         (14 )
                              

Net income (loss)

   $ 16    $ 2    $ (4 )   $ (12 )
                              

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEWPAGE HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY (unaudited)

THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

Dollars in millions; shares in thousands

 

     Common Stock    Additional
Paid-in
    Accumulated     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
 
     Shares    Amount    Capital     Deficit     Income  

Balance at December 31, 2006

   45,288    $ —      $ 293     $ (119 )   $ 20  

Net income (loss)

             (21 )  

Change in unrealized gain on cash-flow hedges

               (5 )

Equity awards (Note G)

           2      

Loan to Maple Timber Acquisition

           (3 )    
                                    

Balance at September 30, 2007

   45,288    $ —      $ 292     $ (140 )   $ 15  
                                    

NEWPAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY (unaudited)

THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

Dollars in millions

 

     Common Stock    Additional
Paid-in
    Accumulated     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
 
     Shares    Amount    Capital     Deficit     Income  

Balance at December 31, 2006

   100    $ —      $ 400     $ (89 )   $ 20  

Net income (loss)

             (4 )  

Change in unrealized gain on cash-flow hedges

               (5 )

Equity awards (Note G)

           2      

Loans to parent companies

           (4 )    
                                    

Balance at September 30, 2007

   100    $ —      $ 398     $ (93 )   $ 15  
                                    

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND 2006

Dollars in millions

 

    

NewPage

Holding

    NewPage  
     Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2007
    Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2006
    Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2007
    Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2006
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Net income (loss)

   $ (21 )   $ (27 )   $ (4 )   $ (12 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

        

Loss on discontinued operations

     —         14       —         14  

Depreciation and amortization

     98       107       98       107  

Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount

     8       9       6       8  

Interest expense on NewPage Holding PIK notes

     14       13       —         —    

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

     2       (65 )     2       (65 )

Unrealized (gain) loss on option contracts

     —         48       —         48  

Deferred income taxes

     (2 )     —         —         —    

Write-off of costs of proposed initial public offering (Note O)

     3       —         —         —    

LIFO effect

     3       (1 )     3       (1 )

Equity award expense (Note G)

     2       8       2       8  

Change in operating assets and liabilities

     9       (9 )     10       (10 )

Net cash flows of discontinued operations

     —         (10 )     —         (10 )
                                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     116       87       117       87  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        

Proceeds from sales of assets

     —         228       —         228  

Capital expenditures

     (58 )     (63 )     (58 )     (63 )

Net cash flows of discontinued operations

     —         (1 )     —         (1 )
                                

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (58 )     164       (58 )     164  

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        

Payment of financing costs

     (1 )     (1 )     (1 )     (1 )

Distributions from Rumford Cogeneration to limited partners

     (7 )     (6 )     (7 )     (6 )

Loans to parent companies (Note G)

     (3 )     (7 )     (4 )     (7 )

Payments on long-term debt

     (24 )     (167 )     (24 )     (167 )

Net borrowings (payments) on revolving credit facility

     —         (46 )     —         (46 )
                                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (35 )     (227 )     (36 )     (227 )

Increase in cash and cash equivalents from initial consolidation of Rumford Cogeneration

     —         10       —         10  
                                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     23       34       23       34  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     44       1       44       1  
                                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 67     $ 35     $ 67     $ 35  
                                

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION—

        

Cash paid for interest

   $ 80     $ 91     $ 80     $ 91  
                                

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEWPAGE HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NEWPAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Dollars in millions

 

A. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

NewPage Holding Corporation (“NewPage Holding”) and its subsidiaries are engaged in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of coated papers primarily used for commercial printing, magazines, catalogs, textbooks and labels. Our products also include uncoated papers and market pulp. Our products are manufactured at four U.S. mills and supported by multiple distribution and converting locations. We operate within one operating segment. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NewPage Holding and its majority-owned or -controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “we,” “our” and “us” refer to NewPage Holding and its consolidated subsidiaries, including NewPage Corporation, a separate public-reporting company. Unless otherwise noted, “NewPage” refers to NewPage Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. Other than NewPage Holding’s debt obligation and related financing costs, accounts payable, interest expense, write-off of costs for a proposed initial public offering and income tax effects, all other assets, liabilities, income, expenses, and cash flows presented for all periods represent those of its wholly-owned subsidiary, NewPage. Unless otherwise noted, the information provided pertains to both NewPage Holding and NewPage.

Effective April 1, 2006, we completed the sale of our carbonless paper business, which comprised our carbonless paper segment, to P. H. Glatfelter Company. In the quarter ended March 31, 2006 we began reporting the carbonless paper business as a discontinued operation. See Note M for further information.

The balance sheets as of December 31, 2006 are condensed financial information derived from the audited balance sheets, but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The interim financial statements are unaudited. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for the periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. The results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

B. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Consolidated cash and cash equivalents include those of Rumford Cogeneration Company L.P. (“Rumford Cogeneration”). There are no compensating balance arrangements or legal restrictions on the cash and cash equivalents of Rumford Cogeneration; however, $1 and $11 of the consolidated cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 is the property of Rumford Cogeneration and is not available to NewPage Holding or NewPage for debt service or other purposes until distributed from the partnership to its partners.

 

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C. INVENTORIES

Inventories as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 consist of:

 

     Sept. 30,
2007
   Dec. 31,
2006

Finished and in-process goods

   $ 211    $ 232

Raw materials

     40      32

Stores and supplies

     57      53
             
   $ 308    $ 317
             

If inventories had been valued at current costs, they would have been valued at $291 and $306 at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006.

 

D. INTANGIBLES AND OTHER ASSETS

Intangibles and other assets as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 consist of:

 

     Sept. 30,
2007
   Dec. 31,
2006

NewPage:

     

Financing costs (net of accumulated amortization of $20 and $15)

   $ 28    $ 33

Prepaid pension asset

     45      47

Intangibles—customer relationships (net of accumulated amortization of $5 and $3)

     21      23

Deferred taxes

     13      13

Other

     14      19
             

Subtotal

     121      135

NewPage Holding:

     

Financing costs (net of accumulated amortization of $2 and $1)

     1      2

Other

     2      3
             
   $ 124    $ 140
             

 

E. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

As of May 2, 2005, we purchased a commodity basket option contract from J. Aron & Company, an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co., and paid a premium of $72 for the contract, which was the fair value of the option at inception. This contract is a basket of options on a mix of natural gas, market pulp and the Euro. While the commodity basket option contract was designed to help protect against decreases in the North American prices of coated paper by reference to the prices of natural gas and market pulp, and material decreases in the value of the Euro relative to the U.S. dollar, there is no assurance that the commodity basket option contract will actually protect us against price decreases or that the historical level of correlation will continue during the three-year period of the contract. Because of the uncertainty of future correlation, we do not apply hedge accounting treatment for this contract and record changes in the fair value of the contract in other (income) expense. The fair value of the contract was zero at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006. Other (income) expense for the third quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2006 include non-cash losses of $2 and $47 determined based on the mark-to-market value of the option contract.

 

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F. LONG-TERM DEBT

The balances of long-term debt as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are as follows:

 

     Sept. 30,
2007
   Dec. 31,
2006

NewPage:

     

Revolving senior secured credit facility

   $ —      $ —  

Term loan senior secured credit facility

     500      524

Floating rate senior secured notes (LIBOR plus 6.25%)

     225      225

10% senior secured notes (face amount $350)

     347      347

12% senior subordinated notes (face amount $200)

     198      198
             

Total long-term debt, including current portion

     1,270      1,294

Current maturities of long-term debt

     5      5
             

Subtotal

     1,265      1,289

NewPage Holding:

     

Senior unsecured PIK notes (face amount $166 and $151; LIBOR plus 7.00%)

     156      140
             

Long-term debt

   $ 1,421    $ 1,429
             

In January 2007, we entered into amendments to our Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement and the Term Loan Credit and Guaranty Agreement. The amendments provide for reductions in the interest rate spreads in each agreement and a reduction of the commitment under the Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement from $275 million to $250 million. In addition, changes were made to certain covenants and other terms that, as a result, are now generally less restrictive to the Company. Amounts outstanding under our revolving facility now bear interest, at our option, at a rate per annum equal to either: (i) the base rate plus 0.75%, or (ii) LIBOR plus 1.75%. The loans under the senior term facility now bear interest, at our option, at a rate per annum equal to either: (i) the base rate plus 1.25%, or (ii) LIBOR plus 2.25%.

All of our assets are pledged as collateral under our various debt agreements. See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 for further details on our debt agreements.

 

G. EQUITY AWARD EXPENSE AND REPURCHASE

Included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 is equity award expense of $1 and $1. Included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the three quarters ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 is equity award expense of $2 and $8, including $6 in 2006 for the repurchase of unvested equity interests granted to our former chief executive officer, Peter H. Vogel, Jr.

Under a Repurchase Agreement dated July 27, 2007 between Maple Timber Acquisition LLC (“Maple Timber”), our indirect parent, and our former vice president of human resources, Charles J. Aardema, Maple Timber agreed to repurchase all of Mr. Aardema’s Paper Class A Common Percentage Interests and Paper Class B Common Percentage Interests for an aggregate of $1 on October 31, 2007. The expense associated with this transaction was recognized during the third quarter of 2007. During the fourth quarter of 2007, NewPage loaned $1 to Maple Timber to enable Maple Timber to satisfy its repurchase obligations, which was recorded as a reduction in shareholder’s equity as repayment is not assured.

Under a Repurchase Agreement dated January 31, 2007 between Maple Timber and our former chief financial officer, Matthew L. Jesch, Maple Timber agreed to repurchase all of Mr. Jesch’s Paper Class A

 

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Common Percentage Interests and Paper Class B Common Percentage Interests for an aggregate of $3 on March 30, 2007. The expense associated with this transaction was recognized during the fourth quarter of 2006. During the first quarter of 2007, NewPage loaned $3 to Maple Timber to enable Maple Timber to satisfy its repurchase obligations, which was recorded as a reduction in shareholder’s equity as repayment is not assured.

Under a Repurchase Agreement dated April 5, 2006 between Maple Timber and Mr. Vogel, Maple Timber agreed to repurchase all of Mr. Vogel’s Paper Class A Common Percentage Interests and Paper Class B Common Percentage Interests for an aggregate of $7 on May 16, 2006. During the second quarter of 2006, NewPage loaned $7 to Maple Timber to enable Maple Timber to satisfy its repurchase obligations, which was recorded as a reduction in shareholder’s equity as repayment is not assured.

 

H. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Total comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income (loss) and net unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges. Total comprehensive income (loss) is as follows:

 

     Third
Quarter
Ended
Sept. 30,
2007
   Third
Quarter
Ended
Sept. 30,
2006
    Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2007
    Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2006
 

NewPage Holding

   $ 5    $ (12 )   $ (26 )   $ (27 )

NewPage

   $ 10    $ (6 )   $ (9 )   $ (12 )

 

I. RETIREMENT AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

A summary of the components of net periodic pension cost for the defined benefit retirement plans is as follows:

 

     Third
Quarter
Ended
Sept. 30,
2007
    Third
Quarter
Ended
Sept. 30,
2006
    Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2007
    Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2006
 

Service cost

   $ 1     $ 2     $ 5     $ 7  

Interest cost

     3       3       9       10  

Expected return on plan assets

     (4 )     (4 )     (13 )     (15 )
                                

Net periodic costs

     —         1       1       2  

Curtailment loss

     —         —         1       2  

Settlement loss

     —         —         —         5  

Less—allocated to discontinued operations

     —         —         —         (7 )
                                

Net cost allocated to continuing operations

   $ —       $ 1     $ 2     $ 2  
                                

 

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A summary of the components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the postretirement health care and life insurance benefits plans is as follows:

 

     Third
Quarter
Ended
Sept. 30,
2007
   Third
Quarter
Ended
Sept. 30,
2006
   Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2007
   Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2006
 

Service cost

   $ 1    $ —      $ 1    $ 1  

Interest cost

     —        —        1      1  
                             

Net periodic costs

     1      —        2      2  

Settlement gain

     —        —        —        (8 )

Less—allocated to discontinued operations

     —        —        —        7  
                             

Net cost allocated to continuing operations

   $ 1    $ —      $ 2    $ 1  
                             

A curtailment loss of $1 resulted from the permanent shutdown of our No. 7 paper machine and related activities at the Luke, Maryland operation during the fourth quarter of 2006. Because the curtailment loss occurred after the plan measurement date, but before our year end, the loss was recognized in the first quarter of 2007 in accordance with SFAS No. 88, Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits.

 

J. SHUTDOWN OF PAPER MACHINE

During the fourth quarter of 2006, we announced a plan to permanently shut down the No. 7 paper machine and related activities and to reduce headcount by approximately 130 employees at the Luke, Maryland operation largely as a result of the growing influx of low-priced imported paper, particularly from China, Indonesia and South Korea. We took this action in order to continue to improve our cost position and financial performance and better align capacity with market demand.

As a result of this action, we incurred total pretax charges of $18, including $15 for accelerated depreciation and inventory write-offs recorded in the fourth quarter of 2006 and $3 in cost of sales for severance and early retirement benefits, of which $2 was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2006 and $1 was recorded in the first quarter of 2007. As of June 30, 2007, this action was complete.

The activity in the accrued severance liability relating to this action for the first half ended June 30, 2007 was as follows:

 

     Employee
Costs
 

Balance accrued at December 31, 2006

   $ 2  

Current charges

     —    

Payments

     (2 )
        

Balance accrued at June 30, 2007

   $ —    
        

 

K. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Claims have been made against us for the costs of environmental remedial measures taken or to be taken. Reserves for these liabilities have been established and no insurance recoveries have been anticipated in the determination of the reserves. We are involved in various other litigation and administrative proceedings arising in the normal course of business. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters

 

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cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the currently expected outcome of any matter, lawsuit or claim that is pending or threatened, or all of them combined, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

 

L. INCOME TAXES

We file income tax returns in the United States for federal and various state jurisdictions. As of January 1, 2007, we have filed tax returns for the period ended December 31, 2005 and this period is still open for examination by various taxing authorities.

We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of Interpretation 48, we recognized a $1 reduction in deferred tax assets and a corresponding decrease in the valuation allowance. As of January 1, 2007 the implementation had no effect on the beginning balance of accumulated deficit.

We have elected to recognize all income tax-related interest expense and statutory penalties imposed by taxing authorities as income tax expense.

We have recorded a valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets for federal income taxes and for certain states since it is more likely than not that we will not realize these benefits, as defined in SFAS No. 109, as a result of the negative evidence presented by our and our predecessor’s history of losses over the past three years.

 

M. SALE OF CARBONLESS PAPER BUSINESS

Effective April 1, 2006, we sold our carbonless paper business to P. H. Glatfelter Company for a cash sales price of $84. In the first quarter ended March 31, 2006, we began reporting the former carbonless paper business as a discontinued operation.

Net sales for our former carbonless paper segment were $106 in the first quarter of 2006. Included in the loss from discontinued operations for the three quarters ended September 30, 2006 is $18 of charges related to the sale of the business, including curtailment and settlement costs related to employee benefit plans.

 

N. SALE OF HYDROELECTRIC FACILITIES

On June 8, 2006, Rumford Falls Power Company, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NewPage, completed the sale of two hydroelectric generating facilities located on the Androscoggin River in Rumford, Maine to Brookfield Power Inc. for a cash sales price of $144. Included in other income (expense) for the three quarters ended September 30, 2006 is a gain on the sale of $66.

 

O. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING OF NEWPAGE HOLDING

During the second quarter ended June 30, 2007, NewPage Holding determined that the postponement of the proposed initial public offering of its common stock extended beyond a “short postponement” and, accordingly, expensed $3 of costs for activities related to the offering.

 

P. ACQUISITION OF STORA ENSO NORTH AMERICA

On September 20, 2007, NewPage Holding and Stora Enso Oyj entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions in the agreement, NewPage will acquire all of the

 

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equity of Stora Enso North America, Inc., the wholly-owned subsidiary of Stora Enso Oyj that manufactures paper in North America. Under the terms of the agreement, Stora Enso Oyj will receive approximately $1,500 in cash, a $200 note to be issued by NewPage Group Inc. (“NewPage Group”), which will be the new parent company of NewPage Holding after the acquisition is completed, and a 19.9% equity interest in NewPage Group. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close by the first quarter of 2008.

 

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

Overview

Company Background

We believe we are the largest coated paper manufacturer in North America based on production capacity. Coated paper is used primarily in media and marketing applications, including corporate annual reports, high-end advertising brochures, magazines and catalogs and direct mail advertising. Our largest product category is coated freesheet paper, which is used primarily for higher-end applications such as annual reports, brochures, coated labels and magazine covers. The remainder of our coated paper is coated groundwood paper, which is used primarily for catalogs, magazines and textbooks. We also produce uncoated paper and market pulp, a component used in the manufacturing of paper.

Recent Developments

On September 20, 2007, NewPage Holding and Stora Enso Oyj entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions in the agreement, NewPage will acquire all of the equity of SENA, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Stora Enso Oyj that manufactures paper in North America. Under the terms of the agreement, Stora Enso Oyj will receive approximately $1.5 billion in cash, a $200 million note to be issued by NewPage Group, which will be the new parent company of NewPage Holding after the acquisition is completed, and a 19.9% equity interest in NewPage Group. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close by the first quarter of 2008.

SENA is a leading producer of coated and supercalendered papers, and a premier producer of specialty papers. Other products include newsprint and market pulp. SENA produces approximately 3.0 million tons of paper annually and had revenues of $2.0 billion with about 4,350 employees in 2006.

Results of Operations

The following tables set forth the historical results of operations of NewPage Holding for the periods indicated below. In the quarter ended March 31, 2006 we began reporting the former carbonless paper business as a discontinued operation. The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report.

 

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     NewPage Holding  
    

Third Quarter

Ended Sept. 30,

   

Three Quarters

Ended Sept. 30,

 
     2007     2006     2007     2006  
(in millions)    $     %     $     %     $     %     $     %  

Net sales

     545     100.0       522     100.0       1,516     100.0       1,519     100.0  

Cost of sales

     470     86.2       466     89.2       1,347     88.9       1,349     88.8  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     27     5.1       21     4.0       79     5.2       81     5.4  

Interest expense

     38     6.8       39     7.5       113     7.4       125     8.2  

Other (income) expense, net

     —       0.0       —       0.0       —       0.0       (24 )   (1.6 )
                                                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes

     10     1.9       (4 )   (0.7 )     (23 )   (1.5 )     (12 )   (0.8 )

Income tax (benefit)

     (1 )   (0.1 )     1     0.1       (2 )   (0.1 )     1     0.1  
                                                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     11     2.0       (5 )   (0.8 )     (21 )   (1.4 )     (13 )   (0.9 )

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     —       0.0       1     0.2       —       0.0       (14 )   (0.9 )
                                                        

Net income (loss)

     11     2.0       (4 )   (0.6 )     (21 )   (1.4 )     (27 )   (1.8 )
                                                        

Supplemental Information

                

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)

   $ 79       $ 70       $ 188       $ 206    
                                        

Third Quarter 2007 Compared to Third Quarter 2006

Net sales for the third quarter of 2007 were $545 million compared to $522 million for the third quarter of 2006, an increase of 4.4%. The increase was driven by favorable coated paper sales volume, partially offset by a decrease in average coated paper prices and a decrease in sales of uncoated paper and market pulp. Coated paper sales volumes increased from 528,000 tons in the third quarter of 2006 to 576,000 tons in the third quarter of 2007. Average coated paper prices decreased from $907 per ton in the third quarter of 2006 to $884 per ton in the third quarter of 2007 as we continued to experience the negative effects of low-priced imports of coated freesheet paper from China, Indonesia and South Korea.

We believe that announced industry capacity closures in North America and improved seasonal demand compared to 2006 may help us realize recently announced price increases. We expect that these effects will be partially offset by continued low-priced Asian imports, as we believe some Asian producers may be trying to circumvent the antidumping and countervailing duties imposed on coated freesheet paper imports from China, Indonesia and South Korea, for example, by increasing imports of paper labeled as coated groundwood paper, which are not subject to these duties. We believe that business drivers such as continuing capacity rationalization, lower Canadian and European imports resulting from the strengthening of the Canadian dollar and Euro relative to the U.S. dollar, gross domestic product (“GDP”) growth, and continued advertising spending remain favorable to us. We did not take any market-related downtime for coated paper in the third quarter of 2007 or 2006. We will consider the need for downtime from time to time based on market conditions.

Cost of sales for the third quarter of 2007 was $470 million compared to $466 million for the third quarter of 2006. Gross margin for the third quarter of 2007 increased to 13.8% compared to 10.8% for the third quarter of 2006. The lower gross margin in 2006 was primarily driven by higher maintenance expense primarily attributable to the planned maintenance shutdown which took place at our Escanaba operations during the third quarter of 2006. Energy costs in the third quarter of 2007 decreased slightly from the third quarter of 2006, partially offset by an increase in our chemical usage. Over time, increases in the

 

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price of crude oil increase our direct energy costs and indirect costs, such as costs for transportation and petroleum-based chemicals. Overall, we expect crude oil and energy costs to remain volatile for the foreseeable future.

Maintenance expense at our mills totaled $44 million and $50 million in the third quarter of 2007 and 2006. In conjunction with our annual maintenance shutdowns, we also had incidental incremental costs for the third quarter of 2007 and 2006 of $5 million and $13 million that were primarily comprised of unabsorbed fixed costs from lower production volumes and other incremental costs for purchased materials and energy that would otherwise have been produced as part of normal operations of our mills. The $6 decrease in maintenance expense and $8 million decrease in incidental incremental costs was primarily attributed to the planned shutdown at our Escanaba operations during the third quarter of 2006 for improvements to one of our paper machines, investment in certain coating equipment and other maintenance-related items. Maintenance expense will be higher in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2007 due primarily to a planned maintenance outage at our Wickliffe mill.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $27 million for the third quarter of 2007 from $21 million for the third quarter of 2006, primarily as a result of higher costs for legal services and employee benefits. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 5.1% in the third quarter of 2007 compared to 4.0% in the third quarter of 2006.

Interest expense for the third quarter of 2007 was $38 million compared to $39 million for the third quarter of 2006. Interest expense for the third quarter of 2007 for NewPage was $32 million compared to $34 million for the third quarter of 2006. The slight decrease was primarily a result of lower outstanding debt balances and a reduction in the interest rate spread on our term loan after the amendment in January 2007.

The income tax expense (benefit) for the third quarter of 2007 and 2006 was $(1) and $1 million. We have recorded a valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets for federal and certain state income taxes as it is more likely than not that we will not realize these benefits, as defined in SFAS No. 109, as a result of the negative evidence presented by our history and our predecessor’s history of losses over the past three years. We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of Interpretation 48, we recognized a $1 million reduction in deferred tax assets and a corresponding decrease in the valuation allowance. The implementation had no effect on the accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2007.

Net income (loss) was $11 million in the third quarter of 2007 compared to net income (loss) of $(4) million in the third quarter of 2006. Significant items in 2006 included $8 million of maintenance costs and $12 million of incidental incremental costs primarily attributable to the planned maintenance shutdown which took place at our Escanaba operations for improvements to one of our paper machines, certain coating equipment and other maintenance-related items.

EBITDA was $79 million and $70 million for the third quarter of 2007 and 2006. Significant items in 2006 included an unrealized non-cash loss of $2 million for the basket option contract. See “Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA” for further information on the use of EBITDA as a measurement tool.

First Three Quarters 2007 Compared to First Three Quarters 2006

Net sales for the first three quarters of 2007 were $1,516 million compared to $1,519 million for the first three quarters of 2006. The decrease was driven by lower average coated paper prices offset by an increase in coated papers sales volume and favorable prices for pulp and uncoated paper. Average coated

 

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paper prices decreased from $896 per ton in the first three quarters of 2006 to $878 per ton in the first three quarters of 2007 as we continued to experience the negative effects of low-priced imports of coated freesheet paper from China, Indonesia and South Korea. Coated paper sales volume increased from 1,590,000 tons in the first three quarters of 2006 to 1,601,000 tons in the first three quarters of 2007. We took 27,000 tons of market-related downtime for coated paper during the first three quarters of 2007. We did not take any market-related downtime for coated paper during the first three quarters of 2006.

Cost of sales for the first three quarters of 2007 was $1,347 million compared to $1,349 million for the first three quarters of 2006. Gross margin for the first three quarters of 2007 was essentially flat at 11.1% compared to 11.2% for the first three quarters of 2006. Gross margin was affected by lower average coated paper prices offset by lower maintenance expenses, primarily attributable to the planned maintenance shutdown which took place at our Escanaba operations during the third quarter of 2006. Energy costs in the first three quarters of 2007 increased slightly over the first three quarters of 2006 offset by a slight decrease in our chemical usage.

Maintenance expense at our mills totaled $124 million and $129 million in the first three quarters of 2007 and 2006. In conjunction with our annual maintenance shutdowns, we also had incidental incremental costs for the first three quarters of 2007 and 2006 of $6 million and $16 million that are primarily comprised of unabsorbed fixed costs from lower production volumes and other incremental costs for purchased materials and energy that would otherwise be produced as part of normal operations of our mills. Maintenance expense and related incremental costs for the first three quarters of 2006 include $8 million in maintenance expense and $12 million in incremental costs primarily attributable to the planned shutdown which took place at our Escanaba operations for improvements to one of our paper machines, investment in certain coating equipment and other maintenance-related items during the third quarter.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $79 million for the first three quarters of 2007 compared to $81 million for the first three quarters of 2006. During the first three quarters of 2007, NewPage Holding expensed $3 million of costs for activities related to the proposed initial public offering of its common stock. Included in SG&A for the first three quarters of 2006 were equity award expense recognized for our former chief executive officer of $6 million and transitional costs of $8 million relating to the setup of our business as a stand-alone business, including professional services and consulting costs related to information technology, human resources and finance. After considering the above items, remaining SG&A costs were higher in 2007 primarily as a result of higher costs for legal fees related to the antidumping and countervailing duties petitions. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased in the first three quarters of 2007 to 5.2% from 5.4% in the first three quarters of 2006. Selling, general and administrative expenses for NewPage declined to $76 million for the first three quarters of 2007 compared to $81 million for the first three quarters of 2006 primarily as a result of the transitional costs and equity award expense in 2006 and the higher legal fees in 2007, as explained above.

Interest expense for the first three quarters of 2007 was $113 million compared to $125 million for the first three quarters of 2006. Interest expense for the first three quarters of 2007 for NewPage was $97 million compared to $111 million for the first three quarters of 2006. The decrease was primarily a result of lower outstanding debt balances and a reduction in the interest rate spread on our term loan after the amendment in January 2007.

Other (income) expense for the first three quarters of 2006 primarily consists of a gain of $66 million on the sale of two hydroelectric generating facilities and an unrealized non-cash loss of $47 million on our basket option contract.

 

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The income tax expense (benefit) for the first three quarters of 2007 and 2006 was $(2) million and $1 million. We have recorded a valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets for federal and certain state income taxes as it is more likely than not that we will not realize these benefits, as defined in SFAS No. 109, as a result of the negative evidence presented by our history and our predecessor’s history of losses over the past three years. We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of Interpretation 48, we recognized a $1 million reduction in deferred tax assets and a corresponding decrease in the valuation allowance. As of January 1, 2007 the implementation had no effect on the beginning balance of accumulated deficit.

Net income (loss) was $(21) million in the first three quarters of 2007 compared to net income (loss) of $(27) million in the first three quarters of 2006. Significant items in 2006 included a $66 million gain on the sale of the hydroelectric generating facilities, $47 million of unrealized non-cash losses on the basket option contract and $20 million of maintenance and incidental incremental costs primarily attributable to the planned shutdown which took place at our Escanaba operations for improvements to one of our paper machines, certain coated equipment and other maintenance-related items.

EBITDA was $188 million and $206 million for the first three quarters of 2007 and 2006. Significant items in 2006 included a $66 million gain on the sale of the hydroelectric generating facilities, $47 million of unrealized non-cash losses on the basket option contract, equity award expense recognized for our former chief executive officer of $6 million, $8 million of transition costs and $18 million of non-cash charges and sale-related costs included in loss from discontinued operations. See “Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA” for further information on the use of EBITDA as a measurement tool.

Carbonless Paper Business

Effective April 1, 2006, we sold our carbonless paper business to P. H. Glatfelter Company for a cash sales price of $84. In the first quarter ended March 31, 2006, we began reporting the former carbonless paper business as a discontinued operation.

Net sales for our former carbonless paper segment were $106 million in the first quarter of 2006. Included in the loss from discontinued operations for the first three quarters ended September 30, 2006 is $18 million of charges related to the sale of the business, including curtailment and settlement costs related to employee benefit plans.

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA

EBITDA is not a measure of our performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), is not intended to represent net income (loss), and should not be used as an alternative to net income (loss) as an indicator of performance. EBITDA is shown because it is a primary component of certain covenants under our senior secured credit facilities and is a basis upon which our management assesses performance. In addition, our management believes EBITDA is useful to investors because it and similar measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies with substantial financial leverage. The use of EBITDA instead of net income (loss) has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.

 

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The following table presents a reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA:

 

     NewPage Holding  
     Third
Quarter
Ended
Sept. 30,
2007
    Third
Quarter
Ended
Sept. 30,
2006
    Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2007
    Three
Quarters
Ended
Sept. 30,
2006
 

Net income (loss)

   $ 11     $ (4 )   $ (21 )   $ (27 )

Interest expense

     38       39       113       125  

Income taxes (benefit)

     (1 )     1       (2 )     1  

Depreciation and amortization

     31       34       98       107  
                                

EBITDA

   $ 79     $ 70     $ 188     $ 206  
                                

Seasonality

We are exposed to fluctuations in quarterly sales volumes and expenses due to seasonal factors. These seasonal factors are common in the coated paper industry. The first quarter is typically a lighter sales volume quarter with some inventory build in anticipation of higher sales volumes in the third quarter. Our second quarter typically begins to build to a higher sales rate. Our third quarter is typically our strongest sales quarter, reflecting an increase in sales volume as printers prepare for year-end holiday catalogs and advertising. Our accounts receivable and payable generally peak in the third quarter, while inventory generally peaks in the second quarter in anticipation of the third quarter season. The fourth quarter is typically our second strongest sales volume quarter as printing for year-end holidays continues.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash generated from operating activities and availability under our revolving senior secured credit facility are our principal sources of liquidity. As of September 30, 2007, we had available cash on hand of $66 million. In addition, there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving senior secured credit facility and, based on availability under the borrowing base as of that date, we had $207 million of borrowing availability under the revolving senior secured credit facility (after taking into account $42 million of outstanding letters of credit). Based on our current level of operations, we believe our cash flow from operations and available borrowings under our revolving senior secured credit facility will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs for our current ongoing operations for at least the next twelve months. We cannot assure you, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our senior secured credit facilities in an amount sufficient to enable us to repay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs.

We have arranged committed financing for the acquisition of SENA. Concurrently with the closing of the acquisition of SENA, we expect to enter into a new senior secured term loan credit facility and a new senior secured revolving credit facility, which will be used to partially finance the acquisition and to refinance our existing credit facility.

We are highly leveraged, with aggregate indebtedness at September 30, 2007 of $1,426 million, which includes $1,270 million at NewPage. Beginning in 2010, our current debt service requirements substantially increase as a result of scheduled payments of our indebtedness. We anticipate that we will refinance our borrowings prior to their maturity and/or repay portions of the indebtedness with issuances of equity securities or proceeds from the sale of assets.

 

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Our current senior secured credit facilities include a remaining balance at September 30, 2007 of $500 million on our term loan, maturing in 2011, and up to $250 million in available revolving loan borrowings maturing in 2010. Our senior secured credit facilities contain customary financial and other covenants, including minimum interest coverage and fixed charge coverage ratios and maximum total debt and senior debt to EBITDA ratios. Our senior secured credit facilities also place certain restrictions on our ability to make capital expenditures. As of September 30, 2007, we were in compliance with all covenants. Below are the required financial covenant levels and the actual levels as of September 30, 2007:

 

     Required    Actual

Maximum Leverage Ratio

   5.00    4.77

Maximum Senior Leverage Ratio

   2.25    1.88

Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio

   2.00    2.13

Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

   1.00    1.59

Capital expenditures were $58 million and $63 million for the three quarters ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.

Our ability to operate our business and service our debt requirements will depend upon our future operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, as well as the availability of revolving credit borrowings and borrowings to refinance our indebtedness.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

We have issued fixed- and floating-rate debt in order to manage our variability to cash flows from interest rates. As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, $881 million and $889 million of our debt consisted of borrowings with variable interest rates under our senior secured credit facilities, our floating-rate senior secured notes due 2012 and the NewPage Holding PIK notes. The potential increase in interest expense resulting from a 100 basis point increase in quoted interest rates on our debt balances outstanding at September 30, 2007 would be $9 million without taking into account any interest rate hedging agreements. While we may enter into agreements limiting our exposure to higher interest rates, these agreements may not offer complete protection from this risk. We are a party to two interest rate swap agreements and one interest rate cap agreement to hedge the variability of cash flows on $450 million of our floating-rate debt. Taking into account our interest rate hedging agreements and rates in effect at September 30, 2007, a 100 basis point increase in quoted interest rates would result in an increase in interest expense of $4 million.

Commodity Price Risk

As of May 2, 2005, we purchased a commodity basket option contract for a premium of $72 million. This contract is a basket of options on a mix of natural gas, market pulp and the Euro. While the commodity basket option contract was designed to help protect against decreases in the North American prices of coated paper by reference to the prices of natural gas and market pulp, and material decreases in the value of the Euro relative to the U.S. dollar, there is no assurance that the commodity basket option contract will actually protect us against price decreases or that the historical level of correlation will continue during the three-year period of the contract. The value of the basket option contract is not specific to changes in coated paper prices, but instead is tied to market prices for a mix of commodities and currency. The contract was designed to have a similar response to movements in market pricing that would be

 

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equivalent to essentially all of our coated paper sales each year for three years. As we account for this contract at fair value with changes recorded as other income (expense), we may experience significant variability in reported income (loss) from operations. Because the contract is a purchased option contract, we are not exposed to cash flow risks from changes in market rates. This contract expires April 2008 and had a fair value of zero at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006.

 

ITEM 4T. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain a system of internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are properly recorded and summarized so that reliable financial records and reports can be prepared and assets safeguarded. In addition, a system of disclosure controls is maintained to ensure that information required to be disclosed is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely manner to management responsible for the preparation and reporting of our financial information.

Management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assesses the disclosure control systems as being effective as they encompass material matters for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. To the best of our knowledge, there were no changes in the internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 included a discussion of petitions we filed with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission alleging that manufacturers of coated freesheet paper in China, Indonesia and South Korea are illegally dumping their products in the United States and that these manufacturers have been illegally subsidized by their governments. On October 18, 2007, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued final determinations in these cases that resulted in antidumping and countervailing duties against various producers in these countries, confirming similar preliminary determinations earlier in the year. The U.S. International Trade Commission is expected to issue shortly a final determination of whether to confirm its preliminary finding that injury to the domestic industry has occurred. If the preliminary injury determination is confirmed, the duties imposed by the Department of Commerce will become final. Imports of coated groundwood paper are not subject to these duties.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

The acquisition of SENA is subject to certain conditions to closing that, if not satisfied or waived, will result in the acquisition not being completed.

The acquisition of SENA is subject to customary conditions to closing, as set forth in the acquisition agreement. The conditions include, among others, the receipt of required regulatory approvals. The completion of the acquisition will also depend on our ability to secure financing on acceptable terms. If any of the conditions to the acquisition is not satisfied or, if a waiver is not obtained, or if we are not able to secure financing on acceptable terms, then the acquisition will not be completed.

Under circumstances specified in the acquisition agreement, we or Stora Enso Oyj may terminate the acquisition agreement. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will complete the acquisition or that we will complete it without effecting some divestitures or other changes to our respective business, assets or operations. We will also be obligated to pay certain investment banking, financing, legal and accounting

 

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fees in connection with the acquisition, whether or not the acquisition is completed. Moreover, we may be required to pay a termination fee to Stora Enso Oyj in connection with the termination of the acquisition agreement of $180 million if U.S. antitrust approval is not obtained in specified certain circumstances or $50 million if we fail to obtain the required financing in certain specified circumstances.

 

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Item 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number
 

Description

10.1   Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Stora Enso Oyj, Stora Enso North America, Inc. and NewPage Holding Corporation, dated as of September 20, 2007
10.2   Separation Letter Agreement dated July 27, 2007, by and between NewPage Corporation and Charles J. Aardema
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, NewPage Holding Corporation and NewPage Corporation have duly caused this Report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

NEWPAGE HOLDING CORPORATION

    NEWPAGE CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Jason W. Bixby

    By:  

/s/ Jason W. Bixby

  Jason W. Bixby       Jason W. Bixby
  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer       Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial Officer)       (Principal Financial Officer)
Date:   November 8, 2007     Date:   November 8, 2007

 

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