10-Q 1 d10q.htm QUARTERLY REPORT Quarterly Report
Table of Contents

 

 

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, 2009

 

 

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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

NewPage Holding Corporation   Yes  ¨    No  ¨  
NewPage Corporation   Yes  ¨    No  ¨  

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

 

NewPage Holding Corporation   Large accelerated filer   ¨     Accelerated filer   ¨
  Non-accelerated filer   x     Smaller reporting company   ¨
NewPage Corporation   Large accelerated filer   ¨     Accelerated filer   ¨
  Non-accelerated filer   x     Smaller reporting company   ¨

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 10 Common Shares, $0.01 per share par value, of NewPage Holding Corporation and 100 Common Shares, $0.01 per share par value, of NewPage Corporation outstanding as of November 1, 2009.

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. References to “NewPage Group” refer to NewPage Group Inc., a Delaware corporation and the direct parent of NewPage Holding. Unless the context provides otherwise, references to “we,” “us” and “our” refer to NewPage Holding and its subsidiaries. All assets, liabilities, income, expenses and cash flows presented for all periods represent those of NewPage Holding’s wholly-owned subsidiary, NewPage, except for NewPage Holding’s debt obligation and related financing costs, interest expense and income tax effect. Unless otherwise noted, the information provided pertains to both NewPage Holding and NewPage.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This quarterly report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other related laws. 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

 

   

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

 

   

the ability of our customers to continue as a going concern, including our ability to collect accounts receivable according to customary business terms

 

   

the activities of competitors, including those that may be 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

 

   

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

 

   

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, 2008

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, 2009 and December 31, 2008

  4
 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the third quarter and three quarters ended September  30, 2009 and 2008

  5
 

Consolidated Statements of Equity (Deficit) for the three quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

  7
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three quarters ended September  30, 2009 and 2008

  10
 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  11

Item 2.

 

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

  28

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

  36

Item 4T.

 

Controls and Procedures

  37

PART II

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

  38

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

  38

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

  39

Signatures

  40

 

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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND DECEMBER 31, 2008

Dollars in millions, except per share amounts

 

     NewPage Holding     NewPage  
   Sept. 30,     Dec. 31,     Sept. 30,     Dec. 31,  
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

ASSETS

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 11      $ 3      $ 11      $ 3   

Accounts receivable, net

     299        278        299        278   

Inventories (Note C)

     682        628        682        628   

Other current assets

     20        22        20        22   
                                

Total current assets

     1,012        931        1,012        931   

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $841 as of September 30, 2009 and $641 as of December 31, 2008

     3,014        3,205        3,014        3,205   

Other assets

     120        110        119        109   
                                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 4,146      $ 4,246      $ 4,145      $ 4,245   
                                

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)

        

Accounts payable

   $ 203      $ 254      $ 203      $ 254   

Other current liabilities

     293        270        293        270   

Current maturities of long-term debt (Note D)

            16               16   
                                

Total current liabilities

     496        540        496        540   

Long-term debt (Note D)

     3,252        3,082        3,056        2,900   

Other long-term obligations

     578        622        578        622   

Commitments and contingencies (Note L)

        

EQUITY (DEFICIT)

        

Common stock, NewPage Holding—10 shares authorized, 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

     665        661        771        767   

Accumulated deficit

     (546     (283     (467     (214

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (329     (402     (319     (396
                                

Shareholder’s equity (deficit)

     (210     (24     (15     157   

Noncontrolling interests

     30        26        30        26   
                                

Total equity (deficit)

     (180     2        15        183   
                                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)

   $ 4,146      $ 4,246      $ 4,145      $ 4,245   
                                

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, 2009 AND 2008

Dollars in millions

 

     NewPage Holding  
   Third Quarter
Ended Sept. 30,
    Three Quarters
Ended Sept. 30,
 
   2009     2008     2009     2008  

Net sales

   $ 791      $ 1,126      $ 2,249      $ 3,379   

Cost of sales

     785        1,034        2,261        3,066   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     47        62        142        179   

Interest expense (including loss on extinguishment of debt of $85 in 2009 and non-cash interest expense of $59, $12, $82 and $35) (Note D)

     199        75        343        224   

Other (income) expense, net (Note H)

     (93     5        (218     (5
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (147     (50     (279     (85

Income tax (benefit)

     (10     5        (20     2   
                                

Net income (loss)

     (137     (55     (259     (87

Net income (loss)—noncontrolling interests

     1               4        2   
                                

Net income (loss) attributable to the company

   $ (138   $ (55   $ (263   $ (89
                                

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, 2009 AND 2008

Dollars in millions

 

     NewPage  
   Third Quarter
Ended Sept. 30,
    Three Quarters
Ended Sept. 30,
 
   2009     2008     2009     2008  

Net sales

   $ 791      $ 1,126      $ 2,249      $ 3,379   

Cost of sales

     785        1,034        2,261        3,066   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     47        62        142        179   

Interest expense (including loss on extinguishment of debt of $85 in 2009 and non-cash interest expense of $55, $8, $68 and $20) (Note D)

     194        69        328        208   

Other (income) expense, net (Note H)

     (93     5        (218     (5
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (142     (44     (264     (69

Income tax (benefit)

     (5     17        (15     4   
                                

Net income (loss)

     (137     (61     (249     (73

Net income (loss)—noncontrolling interests

     1               4        2   
                                

Net income (loss) attributable to the company

   $ (138   $ (61   $ (253   $ (75
                                

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEWPAGE HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (DEFICIT) (unaudited)

THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Dollars in millions

 

     Equity attributable to the company              
   Common Stock    Additional
Paid-in
    Accumulated     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
    Non-controlling     Total  
   Shares    Amount    Capital     Deficit     Loss     Interests    

Balance at December 31, 2008

   10    $    $ 661      $ (283   $ (402   $ 26      $ 2   

Net income (loss)

             (263       4        (259

Amortization of net actuarial loss on defined benefit plans, net of tax of $6

               7          7   

Cash-flow hedges:

                

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on cash-flow hedges, net of tax benefit of $9

               (13       (13

Reclassification adjustment to net income (loss), net of tax of $10 (Note B)

               67          67   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

               12          12   

Equity awards

           7              7   

Loan to NewPage Group

           (3           (3
                                                    

Balance at September 30, 2009

   10    $    $ 665      $ (546   $ (329   $ 30      $ (180
                                                    

THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

Dollars in millions

 

  

  

     Equity attributable to the company              
   Common Stock    Additional
Paid-in
    Accumulated     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Non-controlling        
   Shares    Amount    Capital     Deficit     (Loss)     Interests     Total  

Balance at December 31, 2007

   10    $    $ 632      $ (141   $ 23      $ 31      $ 545   

Net income (loss)

             (89       2        (87

Distributions from Rumford Cogeneration to limited partners

                 (6     (6

Foreign currency translation adjustment

               (1       (1

Adjustment to fair value of equity issued by NewPage Group in connection with the acquisition of SENA

           18              18   

Equity awards

           25              25   

Loan to NewPage Group

           (6           (6
                                                    

Balance at September 30, 2008

   10    $    $ 669      $ (230   $ 22      $ 27      $ 488   
                                                    

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEWPAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (unaudited)

THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Dollars in millions

 

     Equity attributable to the company             
   Common Stock    Additional
Paid-in
    Accumulated     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
    Non-controlling    Total  
   Shares    Amount    Capital     Deficit     Loss     Interests   

Balance at December 31, 2008

   100    $    $ 767      $ (214   $ (396   $ 26    $ 183   

Net income (loss)

             (253       4      (249

Amortization of net actuarial loss on defined benefit plans, net of tax of $6

               7           7   

Cash-flow hedges:

                 

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on cash-flow hedges, net of tax benefit of $9

               (13        (13

Reclassification adjustment to net income (loss), net of tax of $6 (Note B)

               71           71   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

               12           12   

Equity awards

           7               7   

Loans to parent companies

           (3            (3
                                                   

Balance at September 30, 2009

   100    $    $ 771      $ (467   $ (319   $ 30    $ 15   
                                                   

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEWPAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (unaudited)

THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

Dollars in millions

 

     Equity attributable to the company              
  

 

Common Stock

  

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

   

Accumulated

Deficit

   

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income

(Loss)

   

Non-controlling

Interests

    Total  
   Shares    Amount           

Balance at December 31, 2007

   100    $    $ 729      $ (97   $ 23      $ 31      $ 686   

Net income (loss)

             (75       2        (73

Distributions from Rumford Cogeneration to limited partners

                 (6     (6

Foreign currency translation adjustment

               (1       (1

Restoration of tax valuation allowance on NewPage Holding as a result of changes in deferred income tax position related to the Acquisition

           9              9   

Adjustment to fair value of equity issued by NewPage Group in connection with the acquisition of SENA

           18              18   

Equity awards

           25              25   

Loans to parent companies

           (6           (6
                                                    

Balance at September 30, 2008

   100    $    $ 775      $ (172   $ 22      $ 27      $ 652   
                                                    

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2008

Dollars in millions

 

     NewPage
Holding
    NewPage  
   2009     2008     2009     2008  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Net income (loss)

   $ (259   $ (87   $ (249   $ (73

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

        

Depreciation and amortization

     208        220        208        220   

Non-cash interest expense (Note D)

     82        35        68        20   

Loss on extinguishment of debt (Note D)

     72               72          

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

     5        10        5        10   

Deferred income taxes

     (21     1        (17     3   

LIFO effect

     6        24        6        24   

Pension expense

     37               37          

Equity award expense (Note E)

     7        25        7        25   

Change in operating assets and liabilities

     (150     (244     (150     (245
                                

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

     (13     (16     (13     (16

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        

Capital expenditures

     (45     (114     (45     (114

Cash paid for acquisition

            (7            (7

Proceeds from sales of assets

     22        6        22        6   
                                

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

     (23     (115     (23     (115

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        

Distributions from Rumford Cogeneration to limited partners

            (6            (6

Loans to parent companies (Note E)

     (3     (6     (3     (6

Issuance of long-term debt

     1,598               1,598          

Payment of financing costs

     (54            (54       

Repayments of long-term debt

     (1,584     (12     (1,584     (12

Borrowings on revolving credit facility

     907        100        907        100   

Payments on revolving credit facility

     (823            (823       
                                

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

     41        76        41        76   

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     3        (1     3        (1
                                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     8        (56     8        (56

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     3        143        3        143   
                                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 11      $ 87      $ 11      $ 87   
                                

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

        

Cash paid for interest

   $ 153      $ 167      $ 153      $ 167   
                                

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 (unaudited)

Dollars in millions, except per share amounts

 

A. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

NewPage Holding Corporation (“NewPage Holding”) is a holding company that owns all of the outstanding capital stock of NewPage Corporation. NewPage Corporation and its subsidiaries are engaged in manufacturing, marketing and distributing printing papers used primarily for commercial printing, magazines, catalogs, textbooks and labels. Our products include coated, uncoated, supercalendered, newsprint and specialty papers and market pulp. Our products are manufactured at multiple mills in the United States and one mill in Canada and are supported by multiple distribution and converting locations. We operate within one operating segment. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NewPage Holding and all entities it controls. This includes Rumford Cogeneration Company L.P. (“Rumford Cogeneration”), a limited partnership for which we are the general partner, which generates power for our use and for third-party sale. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Unless the context provides otherwise, 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, 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.

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued accounting guidance that establishes accounting and reporting standards for ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent. The guidance also establishes reporting requirements that provide disclosures to identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. We adopted the accounting treatment effective January 1, 2009 and retroactively adjusted amounts related to the minority interests in the condensed consolidated financial statements to equity and removed the amount of minority interest in the condensed statements of operations from other (income) expense. Revisions were made to prior period financial statements to present them on a comparable basis.

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements have not been audited. However, in the opinion of management, these financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP 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 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. We have evaluated subsequent events through the time of filing this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on November 10, 2009.

 

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B. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Derivative Financial Instruments

We periodically use derivative financial instruments as part of our overall strategy to manage exposure to market risks associated with interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate and natural gas price fluctuations. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. We regularly monitor the credit-worthiness of the counterparties to our derivative instruments in order to manage our credit risk exposures under these agreements. Our risk of loss in the event of nonperformance by any counterparty under derivative financial instrument agreements is not considered significant by management. These derivative instruments are measured at fair value and are classified as other assets or other long-term obligations on our balance sheets depending on the fair value of the instrument. If the derivative is designated as a fair-value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash-flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash-flow hedges and financial instruments not designated as hedges are recognized in earnings.

Interest Rates

Prior to the debt refinancing in September 2009, we utilized interest-rate swap agreements to manage a portion of our interest-rate risk on our variable-rate debt instruments. During the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, we reclassified $48 of unrealized losses from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense as the hedged forecasted cash flows are no longer probable of occurring as a result of the refinancing. After the debt refinancing, we no longer have sufficient variable-rate debt exposure for our outstanding interest rate swaps to qualify for hedge accounting treatment and will record the changes in fair value as adjustments to interest expense.

As of September 30, 2009, we had outstanding interest rate swaps totaling $1,200 for which we receive amounts based on LIBOR and pay amounts at a weighted-average fixed rate of 3.7%. These swaps expire from December 2009 through December 2012. In September 2009, we entered into a $200 interest rate swap with an offsetting exposure for a portion of our interest rate swaps. This swap expires in December 2012 and we receive amounts at a weighted-average fixed rate of 2.7% and pay amounts based on LIBOR. We measure the fair values of our interest rate swaps using observable interest-rate yield curves for comparable assets and liabilities at commonly quoted intervals. We paid cash on our interest rate swap agreements of $(15) and $(3) for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and $(31) and $(4) for the three quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008. Gains and losses on the interest rate swaps are recorded in interest expense.

Foreign Currency

As of September 30, 2009, we were a party to foreign currency forward contracts aggregating $15 of contract value, expiring monthly through December 2009, to manage the variability of cash flows and revenues on anticipated U.S. dollar-denominated sales of our Canadian subsidiary. We measure the fair values of our foreign currency forward contracts based on current quoted market prices for similar contracts.

 

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Natural Gas

In order to hedge the future cost of natural gas consumed at our mills, we engage in financial hedging of future gas purchase prices, designated as cash flow hedges. We hedge with financial instruments that are priced based on New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) natural gas futures contracts. We do not hedge basis (the effect of varying delivery points or locations) or transportation costs (the cost to transport the gas from the delivery point to a company location) under these transactions. As of September 30, 2009, we were party to natural gas futures contracts for notional amounts aggregating 2,670,000 MMBTUs, which expire through October 2011. We measure the fair values of our natural gas contracts based on natural gas futures contracts priced on the NYMEX.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the fair values and carrying amounts of our financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are as follows:

 

Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)    Sept. 30,
2009
    Dec. 31,
2008
 

Qualifying as hedges:

    

Other assets—foreign exchange forward contracts

   $ 3      $   

Other long-term liabilities:

    

Interest rate swap agreements

   $      $ (58

Natural gas contracts

     (2     (2

Not qualifying as hedges:

    

Other current liabilities:

    

Interest rate swap agreements

   $ (43   $   

Interest rate swap agreements

     5          

The amount of gain (loss) on cash flow hedges recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and the amount reclassified to income (loss) during the third quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2009 are as follows:

 

Derivative Type   

Amount of

gain (loss)

recognized

in OCI

   

Location of gain

(loss) reclassified

from AOCI to

income (loss)

  

Amount of

gain (loss)

reclassified

from AOCI

to income

(loss)

 

Third quarter ended September 30, 2009

       

Interest rate swap agreements

   $ (17   Interest expense    $ (57

Natural gas contracts

     (1   Cost of sales      (2

Three quarters ended September 30, 2009

       

Interest rate swap agreements

   $ (18   Interest expense    $ (73

Natural gas contracts

     (4   Cost of sales      (4

Assets and Liabilities Not Carried at Fair Value

The fair value of long-term debt is based upon quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current interest rates available to us for debt of similar terms and maturities. At September 30, 2009

 

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and December 31, 2008, the carrying amounts of all other assets and liabilities that qualify as financial instruments approximated their fair value. Details of our long-term debt are as follows:

 

     Sept. 30, 2009     Dec. 31, 2008  
  

Fair

Value

   

Carrying

Amount

   

Fair

Value

   

Carrying

Amount

 

Long-term debt:

        

NewPage Holding

   $ (2,476   $ (3,106   $ (1,343   $ (2,951

NewPage

     (2,437     (2,910     (1,305     (2,769

 

C. INVENTORIES

Inventories as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 consist of:

 

     Sept. 30,
2009
   Dec. 31,
2008

Finished and in-process goods

   $ 463    $ 385

Raw materials

     81      110

Stores and supplies

     138      133
             
   $ 682    $ 628
             

If inventories had been valued at current costs, they would have been valued at $690 and $630 at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

 

D. LONG-TERM DEBT

The balances of long-term debt as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are as follows:

 

     Sept. 30,
2009
   Dec. 31,
2008

NewPage:

     

Revolving senior secured credit facility

   $ 84    $

Term loan senior secured credit facility (face amount zero and $1,584)

          1,541

11.375% first-lien senior secured notes (face amount $1,700)

     1,598     

Floating rate second-lien senior secured notes (LIBOR plus 6.25%)

     225      225

10% second-lien senior secured notes (face amount $806)

     804      804

12% senior subordinated notes (face amount $200)

     199      199

Capital lease

     146      147
             

Total long-term debt, including current portion

     3,056      2,916

Current portion of long-term debt

          16
             

Subtotal

     3,056      2,900

NewPage Holding—

     

Senior unsecured NewPage Holding PIK Notes (face amount $203 and $190; LIBOR plus 7.00%)

     196      182
             

Long-term debt

   $ 3,252    $ 3,082
             

Substantially 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, 2008 for further details on our debt agreements.

In September 2009, NewPage and NewPage Holding amended the senior secured credit facilities to obtain more favorable financial covenants. We paid consent fees totaling $15 in order to amend the senior secured credit facilities and agreed to higher interest rates, as well as changes to other provisions in the agreements.

 

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Later in September 2009, NewPage issued $1,700 of 11.375% senior secured notes for proceeds of $1,598 in a private placement in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Notes Offering”). The net proceeds of the Notes Offering, together with approximately $5 of borrowings under our revolving credit facility, were used to repay all amounts outstanding under our term loan and to pay fees and expenses of the Notes Offering.

In connection with the Notes Offering, NewPage entered into an exchange and registration rights agreement and has agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission as soon as practicable, but no later than January 28, 2010, to use all reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission as soon as reasonably practicable, but no later than April 28, 2010, to use all reasonable efforts to commence the exchange offer promptly, but no later than 45 business days after such registration statement has become effective, and to hold the exchange offer open for at least 20 business days. If NewPage fails to satisfy these obligations, subject to certain exceptions, special interest up to a maximum of 1% per annum will accrue and be payable with respect to the 11.375% senior secured notes.

Included in interest expense for the third quarter of 2009 is a loss of $85 from the extinguishment of debt, including the write-off of $13 of consent fees paid in order to amend the senior secured credit facilities, and a reclassification adjustment of $48 of unrealized losses from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as the hedged forecasted cash flows are no longer probable of occurring as a result of the refinancing.

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

The revolving credit facility was amended in September 2009 to provide that amounts outstanding bear interest, at the option of NewPage, at a rate per annum equal to either (i) the base rate plus 2.50%, or (ii) LIBOR plus 3.50% (representing a 1.50% per annum increase above the prior applicable rates).

Additionally, the revolving credit facility was amended to require the maintenance of at least $50 of borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility through the date of the delivery of the compliance certificate with respect to the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2011 and limit our ability to make capital expenditures.

11.375% Senior Secured Notes

The senior secured notes consist of $1,700 face value of 11.375% senior secured notes (the “First-Lien Notes”) (with an effective interest rate of 13.7%) issued by NewPage. Interest on the First-Lien Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on December 31 and June 30, starting on December 31, 2009 and is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

The First-Lien Notes are secured on a first-priority basis by substantially all of the assets of NewPage and the guarantor subsidiaries (other than the cash, deposit accounts, accounts receivables, inventory, the capital stock of NewPage’s subsidiaries and intercompany debt). The First-Lien Notes are secured on a second priority basis by the cash, deposit accounts, accounts receivables and inventory of NewPage and the guarantor subsidiaries and secured equally and ratably with all existing and future first-priority obligations (other than capital stock of NewPage’s subsidiaries and intercompany debt of NewPage and the guarantor subsidiaries). The First-Lien Notes are effectively subordinated to any permitted liens other than liens securing second-priority obligations, to the extent of the value of the assets of NewPage and the

 

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guarantor subsidiaries subject to those permitted liens and are senior in right of payment to NewPage’s existing and future subordinated indebtedness, including NewPage’s 10% second-lien senior secured notes due 2010, floating rate second-lien senior secured notes due 2012, and 12% senior subordinated notes due 2013. The First-Lien Notes are jointly and severally unconditionally guaranteed by most of NewPage’s subsidiaries.

The First-Lien Notes mature on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2014 or (ii) the date that is 31 days prior to the maturity date of the second-lien notes, the senior subordinated notes, the NewPage Holding PIK notes or any refinancing thereof. At any time after March 30, 2012, NewPage may redeem some or all of the First-Lien Notes at specified redemption prices. In addition, at any time prior to March 31, 2012, NewPage may, on one or more occasions, redeem some or all of the First-Lien Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% plus a “make-whole” premium. At any time before March 31, 2012, NewPage may, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 35% of the First-Lien Notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more qualified public equity offerings at 111.375% of the principal amount of the First-Lien Notes. At any time prior to March 31, 2012, but not more than once in any twelve-month period, NewPage may redeem up to 10% of the original aggregate principal amount of the First-Lien Notes at a redemption price of 103%, subject to certain rights of holders of the First-Lien Notes. Upon a change of control of NewPage, each holder of First-Lien Notes may require NewPage to repurchase all or any part of that holder’s First-Lien Notes for a payment equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the First-Lien Notes.

The First-Lien Notes contain various customary covenants.

 

E. EQUITY

Under repurchase agreements between NewPage Group and certain former executive officers, NewPage Group agreed to repurchase the executive officers’ NewPage Group stock. During the first quarter ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, NewPage loaned $1 and $6 to NewPage Group to enable NewPage Group to satisfy its repurchase obligations, which were recorded as reductions in shareholder’s equity as repayment is not assured.

Included in selling, general and administrative expenses is equity award expense of $1 and $10 for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 and $7 and $25 for the three quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008. In March 2008, a portion of the performance-based options was considered granted for accounting purposes. These options had an aggregate fair value of $13 at the grant date. In March 2009, an additional portion of the performance-based options, with an aggregate fair value of $3 at the grant date, was considered granted for accounting purposes. Expense of $1 for the 2009 grants was recognized during the first two quarters of 2009 and reversed during the third quarter of 2009 when it became improbable that performance targets would be met for 2009.

 

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The following table summarizes activity in the plan:

 

Shares of NewPage Group issuable under stock options, in thousands    Options    Weighted-
average
exercise
price

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

   4,022    $ 20.46

Granted

   1,128      21.23
       

Outstanding at September 30, 2009

   5,150      20.49
       

Exercisable at September 30, 2009

   847      21.24
       

The outstanding options and the exercisable options at September 30, 2009, have a weighted-average remaining contractual life of 8.3 years.

We utilize a Black-Scholes pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of other variables. These variables include expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors (term of option). We estimate the expected term of options granted by incorporating the contractual term of the options and employees’ expected exercise behaviors. We estimate the volatility of NewPage Group’s common stock by considering volatility of appropriate peer companies and adjusting for factors unique to our stock, including the effect of debt leverage.

Assumptions used to determine the fair value of option grants are as follows:

 

     Three Quarters
Ended Sept. 30,
 
   2009     2008  

Weighted-average fair value of options granted

   $ 3.06      $ 11.68   

Weighted-average assumptions used for grants:

    

Expected volatility

     90     60

Risk-free interest rate

     2.0     2.8

Expected life of option (in years)

     5        5   

 

F. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Total comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income (loss), amortization of unrealized losses under our defined benefit plans, net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges and changes in foreign currency translation adjustment. Total comprehensive income (loss) is as follows:

 

     Third Quarter
Ended Sept. 30,
    Three Quarters
Ended Sept. 30,
 
   2009     2008     2009     2008  
NewPage Holding         

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (83   $ (58   $ (186   $ (88

Comprehensive income (loss)—noncontrolling interests

     1               4        2   

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the company

     (84     (58     (190     (90
NewPage         

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (79   $ (64   $ (172   $ (74

Comprehensive income (loss)—noncontrolling interests

     1               4        2   

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the company

     (80     (64     (176     (76

 

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G. RETIREMENT AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

A summary of the components of net periodic costs for the third quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:

Pension Plans

 

     U.S. Plans     Canadian Plans  
   Third Quarter
Ended Sept. 30,
    Third Quarter
Ended Sept. 30,
 
   2009     2008     2009     2008  

Service cost

   $ 6      $ 4      $ 1      $ 1   

Interest cost

     15        15        4        4   

Expected return on plan assets

     (14     (20     (4     (5

Amortization of net loss

     5                        
                                

Net periodic cost (income)

   $ 12      $ (1   $ 1      $   
                                
     U.S. Plans     Canadian Plans  
   Three Quarters
Ended Sept. 30,
    Three Quarters
Ended Sept. 30,
 
   2009     2008     2009     2008  

Service cost

   $ 17      $ 13      $ 2      $ 3   

Interest cost

     47        46        13        13   

Expected return on plan assets

     (42     (62     (11     (15

Amortization of net loss

     15                        
                                

Net periodic cost (income) before termination benefits

     37        (3     4        1   

Termination benefits

            1                 
                                

Net periodic cost (income) after termination benefits

   $ 37      $ (2   $ 4      $ 1   
                                
Other Postretirement Plans         
     U.S. Plans     Canadian Plans  
   Third Quarter
Ended Sept. 30,
    Third Quarter
Ended Sept. 30,
 
   2009     2008     2009     2008  

Service cost

   $      $      $ 1      $   

Interest cost

     3        2               1   
                                

Net periodic cost

   $ 3      $ 2      $ 1      $ 1   
                                
     U.S. Plans     Canadian Plans  
   Three Quarters
Ended Sept. 30,
    Three Quarters
Ended Sept. 30,
 
   2009     2008     2009     2008  

Service cost

   $ 1      $ 1      $ 1      $ 1   

Interest cost

     9        10        1        1   

Amortization of prior service cost

     (1                     
                                

Net periodic cost

   $ 9      $ 11      $ 2      $ 2   
                                

As a result of the restructuring actions described in Note J, during the first quarter ended March 31, 2008 we recognized a special termination charge of $1 in cost of sales for employees affected by the shutdown of the No. 11 paper machine in Rumford, Maine.

 

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H. OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE

The U.S. Internal Revenue Code allows a refundable excise tax credit for alternative fuel mixtures produced for sale or for use as a fuel in a trade or business. The credit is equal to fifty cents per gallon of alternative fuel contained in the mixture. During the first quarter ended March 31, 2009, we filed to be registered as an alternative fuel mixer, and in April 2009 received notification that the registration was approved. Through September 30, 2009, we have received payments of $198 for alternative fuel mixtures used in the first three quarters of 2009. We recognize income for the credits at the time the alternative fuel mixtures are used in our operations and when all revenue recognition criteria have been met. The amounts of credits eligible for recognition, but not received at the end of the period are included in accounts receivable, net. We recognized $94 and $214 of income in other (income) expense for the third quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2009 for alternative fuels used through September 30, 2009.

 

I. INCOME TAXES

We have recorded a valuation allowance against our net deferred income tax benefits as it is unlikely that we will realize those benefits. For purposes of allocating the income tax benefit to income (loss) before taxes, amounts of other comprehensive income result in income tax expense recorded in other comprehensive income and the offsetting amount as an allocation to tax benefit from operations. For the third quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2009, we have allocated $(4) and $7 of tax expense (benefit) to other comprehensive income (loss) and the corresponding offset as an allocation to tax expense (benefit) from operations. For the third quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2009, for NewPage, we have allocated $(8) and $3 of tax expense (benefit) to other comprehensive income (loss) and the corresponding offset as an allocation to tax expense (benefit) from operations. The amounts for the third quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2009, reflect the reclassification to income tax (benefit) of all amounts previously allocated to other comprehensive income (loss) related to the interest rate swap cash flow hedges. Also included in the third quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2009 is a tax benefit of $12, reflecting the decreases to our state deferred tax liabilities resulting from changes in the company’s distribution channels that have occurred as part of our integration with Stora Enso North America, Inc. (“SENA”).

 

J. RESTRUCTURING

During 2008, we announced actions being taken to integrate NewPage operations and the former SENA facilities and services. These actions were intended to expand our business platform, serve our customers more efficiently and deliver on the projected synergies of the acquisition.

The restructuring actions taken were as follows:

 

   

Permanently close the No. 11 paper machine in Rumford, Maine, in February 2008; approximately 60 employees were affected by the shutdown

 

   

Permanently close the pulp mill and both paper machines in Niagara, Wisconsin, in June 2008; approximately 320 employees were affected by the shutdown

 

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Permanently close the No. 95 paper machine in Kimberly, Wisconsin, in May 2008 and the mill and both remaining paper machines, Nos. 96 and 97, in September 2008; approximately 600 employees were affected by the shutdowns

 

   

Permanently close the Chillicothe, Ohio, converting facility in February 2009; approximately 160 employees were affected by the shutdown

 

   

Reduce personnel in other areas, including sales, finance and other support functions; approximately 200 employees will be affected by this action

During the first quarter ended March 31, 2009, we recorded an adjustment of $1 in selling, general and administrative expenses for the reversal of employee-related costs included as an assumed liability in the purchase price allocation as a result of a change in estimate. During the third quarter ended September 30, 2008, we incurred total charges of $15, including $9 in accelerated depreciation and $4 in inventory write-offs recorded in cost of sales and $2 of employee-related costs, of which $1 is recorded in cost of sales and $1 is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. During the three quarters ended September 30, 2008, we incurred total charges of $32, including $20 in accelerated depreciation and $5 in inventory write-offs recorded in cost of sales and $7 of employee-related costs, of which $5 is recorded in cost of sales and $2 is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. In addition, as of September 30, 2008, we recorded $39 of employee-related costs for former SENA employees and $22 for costs for closures of acquired plants as a liability in the purchase price allocation.

The activity in the accrued restructuring liability related to these actions for the three quarters ended September 30, 2009 was as follows:

 

     Closure
Costs
    Employee
Costs
 

Balance accrued at December 31, 2008

   $ 14      $ 19   

Adjustments

            (1

Payments

     (7     (14
                

Balance accrued at September 30, 2009

   $ 7      $ 4   
                

The activity in the accrued restructuring liability related to these actions for the three quarters ended September 30, 2008 was as follows:

 

     Closure
Costs
    Employee
Costs
 

Balance accrued at December 31, 2007

   $      $ 4   

Additions to reserve recorded on opening balance sheet

     22        39   

Current charges

            7   

Payments

     (5     (18
                

Balance accrued at September 30, 2008

   $ 17      $ 32   
                

 

K. SALE OF HYDROELECTRIC FACILITY

On March 23, 2009, NewPage Wisconsin System Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NewPage, completed the sale of a hydroelectric generating facility located in Niagara, Wisconsin to Northbrook Wisconsin, LLC for a net cash sales price of $22. Included in cost of sales for the three quarters ended September 30, 2009 is a loss on the sale of $3.

 

L. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Claims have been made against us for the costs of environmental remediation 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 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.

 

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M. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING OF NEWPAGE GROUP

On May 5, 2008, NewPage Group filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission related to an initial public offering of its common stock. There can be no assurance that NewPage Group will complete the offering or what the terms of the offering will be.

 

N. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Variable interest entity

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new guidance on the accounting for a variable interest entity (VIE). This guidance requires a qualitative approach to identifying a controlling financial interest in a VIE, and requires ongoing assessment of whether an entity is a VIE and whether an interest in a VIE makes the holder the primary beneficiary of the VIE. This guidance is effective for us as of January 1, 2010. We are currently evaluating the potential effect of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

O. SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION

NewPage has issued $1,700 face amount of 11.375% senior secured notes due May 2014, $225 face amount of floating rate senior secured notes due May 2012, $806 face amount of 10% senior secured notes due May 2012 and $200 face amount of 12% senior subordinated notes due May 2013 (the “Notes”). The Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by NewPage’s 100%-owned subsidiaries, except Consolidated Water Power Company, our non-guarantor subsidiary.

The following condensed consolidating financial statements have been prepared from financial information on the same basis of accounting as the consolidated financial statements. Investments in our subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method. Certain adjustments totaling $18 have been made that decrease the net losses of the parent and guarantor subsidiaries columns in the supplemental consolidating statement of operations to correct the classification of certain expenses in the period ended March 31, 2009. This adjustment is not considered material to the current period or to the prior period to which it relates.

 

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NEWPAGE CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

 

     NewPage
Corporation
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiary
   Consolidation/
Eliminations  
    Consolidated

ASSETS

            

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1      $    $ 2    $ 8      $ 11

Accounts receivable

     241        57      1             299

Inventories

     376        306                  682

Other current assets

     13        6      1             20
                                    

Total current assets

     631        369      4      8        1,012

Intercompany receivables

     1,428        411      66      (1,905    

Property, plant and equipment, net

     28        2,928      39      19        3,014

Investment in subsidiaries

     1,984        48           (2,032    

Other assets

     115             1      3        119
                                    

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 4,186      $ 3,756    $ 110    $ (3,907   $ 4,145
                                    

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

            

Accounts payable

   $ 52      $ 151    $    $      $ 203

Other current liabilities

     177        107      9             293
                                    

Total current liabilities

     229        258      9             496

Intercompany payables

     560        1,302      43      (1,905    

Long-term debt

     2,910        146                  3,056

Other long-term liabilities

     502        66      10             578

Equity (deficit)

     (15     1,984      48      (2,002     15
                                    

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 4,186      $ 3,756    $ 110    $ (3,907   $ 4,145
                                    

 

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NEWPAGE CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

DECEMBER 31, 2008

 

     NewPage
Corporation
   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiary
   Consolidation/
Eliminations  
    Consolidated

ASSETS

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1    $    $ 2    $      $ 3

Accounts receivable

     242      35      1             278

Inventories

     249      379                  628

Other current assets

     11      10      1             22
                                   

Total current assets

     503      424      4             931

Intercompany receivables

     1,194      168      20      (1,382    

Property, plant and equipment, net

     16      3,122      40      27        3,205

Investment in subsidiaries

     2,051      47           (2,098    

Other assets

     97      12      1      (1     109
                                   

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 3,861    $ 3,773    $ 65    $ (3,454   $ 4,245
                                   

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

             

Accounts payable

   $ 51    $ 201    $ 1    $ 1      $ 254

Other current liabilities

     99      164      7             270

Current maturities of long-term debt

     16                       16
                                   

Total current liabilities

     166      365      8      1        540

Intercompany payables

     244      1,139           (1,383    

Long-term debt

     2,753      147                  2,900

Other long-term liabilities

     541      71      10             622

Equity

     157      2,051      47      (2,072     183
                                   

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 3,861    $ 3,773    $ 65    $ (3,454   $ 4,245
                                   

 

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NEWPAGE CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

THIRD QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

 

     NewPage
Corporation
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiary
   Consolidation/
Eliminations  
    Consolidated  

Net sales

   $ 700      $ 623      $ 22    $ (554   $ 791   

Cost of sales

     627        692        21      (555     785   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     41        6                    47   

Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries

     68        (1          (67       

Interest expense

     193        1                    194   

Other (income) expense, net

     (90     (3                 (93
                                       

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (139     (72     1      68        (142

Income tax (benefit)

     (1     (4                 (5
                                       

Net income (loss)

     (138     (68     1      68        (137

Net income (loss)—noncontrolling interests

                        1        1   
                                       

Net income (loss) attributable to the company

   $ (138   $ (68   $ 1    $ 67      $ (138
                                       

NEWPAGE CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

 

     NewPage
Corporation
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiary
   Consolidation/
Eliminations  
    Consolidated  

Net sales

   $ 1,772      $ 2,077      $ 63    $ (1,663   $ 2,249   

Cost of sales

     1,738        2,128        62      (1,667     2,261   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     128        14                    142   

Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries

     64        (1          (63       

Interest expense

     322        6                    328   

Other (income) expense, net

     (216     (2                 (218
                                       

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (264     (68     1      67        (264

Income tax (benefit)

     (11     (4                 (15
                                       

Net income (loss)

     (253     (64     1      67        (249

Net income (loss)—noncontrolling interests

                        4        4   
                                       

Net income (loss) attributable to the company

   $ (253   $ (64   $ 1    $ 63      $ (253
                                       

 

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Table of Contents

NEWPAGE CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

THIRD QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

 

     NewPage
Corporation
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiary
    Consolidation/
Eliminations  
    Consolidated  

Net sales

   $ 565      $ 963      $ 23      $ (425   $ 1,126   

Cost of sales

     522        913        24        (425     1,034   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     42        20                      62   

Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries

     (52     1               51          

Interest expense

     68        1                      69   

Other (income) expense, net

     2        3                      5   
                                        

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (17     25        (1     (51     (44

Income tax (benefit)

     44        (27                   17   
                                        

Net income (loss)

     (61     52        (1     (51     (61

Net income (loss)—noncontrolling interests

                                   
                                        

Net income (loss) attributable to the company

   $ (61   $ 52      $ (1   $ (51   $ (61
                                        

NEWPAGE CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

 

     NewPage
Corporation
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiary
    Consolidation/
Eliminations  
    Consolidated  

Net sales

   $ 1,539      $ 3,114      $ 69      $ (1,343   $ 3,379   

Cost of sales

     1,382        2,959        70        (1,345     3,066   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     119        60                      179   

Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries

     (97     2               95          

Interest expense

     202        6                      208   

Other (income) expense, net

     1        (6                   (5
                                        

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (68     93        (1     (93     (69

Income tax (benefit)

     7        (4     1               4   
                                        

Net income (loss)

     (75     97        (2     (93     (73

Net income (loss)—noncontrolling interests

                          2        2   
                                        

Net income (loss) attributable to the company

   $ (75   $ 97      $ (2   $ (95   $ (75
                                        

 

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Table of Contents

NEWPAGE CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

 

     NewPage
Corporation
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiary
   Consolidation/
Eliminations  
   Consolidated  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

            

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

   $ (37   $ 16      $    $ 8    $ (13

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

            

Capital expenditures

     (4     (41               (45

Proceeds from sales of assets

            22                  22   
                                      

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

     (4     (19               (23

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

            

Loans to parent companies

     (3                      (3

Issuance of long-term debt

     1,598                         1,598   

Payment of financing fees

     (54                      (54

Repayments on long-term debt

     (1,584                      (1,584

Borrowings on revolving credit facility

     907                         907   

Payments on revolving credit facility

     (823                      (823
                                      

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

     41                         41   

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

            3                  3   
                                      

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

                        8      8   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     1               2           3   
                                      

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 1      $      $ 2    $ 8    $ 11   
                                      

 

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Table of Contents

NEWPAGE CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

THREE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

 

     NewPage
Corporation
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   

Non-

Guarantor
Subsidiary

    Consolidation/
Eliminations  
    Consolidated  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

          

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

   $ (76   $ 59      $ (5   $ 6      $ (16

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

          

Capital expenditures

     (8     (106                   (114

Cash paid for acquisition

     (7                          (7

Proceeds from sales of assets

            4        2               6   
                                        

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

     (15     (102     2               (115

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

          

Distributions from Rumford Cogeneration to limited partners

                          (6     (6

Loans to parent companies

     (6                          (6

Net borrowings from revolving credit facility

     100                             100   

Repayments on long-term debt

     (12                          (12
                                        

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

     82                      (6     76   

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

            (1                   (1
                                        

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (9     (44     (3            (56

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     88        49        5        1        143   
                                        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 79      $ 5      $ 2      $ 1      $ 87   
                                        

*  *  *  *  *

 

27


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

Overview

Company Background

We believe that we are the largest coated paper manufacturer in North America based on production capacity. Coated paper is used primarily in media and marketing applications, such as high-end advertising brochures, direct mail advertising, coated labels, magazines, magazine covers and inserts, catalogs and textbooks. We operate 20 paper machines at ten paper mills located in Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nova Scotia, Canada.

Trends in Our Business

North American coated paper demand is primarily driven by advertising and print media usage. In particular, the demand for certain grades of coated paper is affected by spending on catalog and promotional materials by retailers and spending on magazine advertising, which affects the number of printed pages in magazines. During the three quarters ended September 30, 2009, North American coated paper demand declined significantly compared to the three quarters ended September 30, 2008, as a result of decreased advertising spending and magazine and catalog circulation largely attributable to macroeconomic factors and inventory reductions by customers. During the second and third quarters of 2009, North American coated paper demand has shown some quarterly improvement as the result of seasonal demand, but still remains significantly below prior year comparable periods. In response to this reduction in coated paper demand, we took 411,000 tons of market-related downtime during the three quarters ended September 30, 2009 and have announced that we intend to take up to an additional 160,000 tons of market-related downtime in the fourth quarter of 2009 depending on market conditions. We will consider the need for additional market-related downtime from time to time based on market conditions.

The available supply of coated paper in North America also declined during the three quarters ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three quarters ended September 30, 2008. The North American coated paper supply has been affected by North American capacity closures and market-related downtime in response to the lower demand, partially offset by an increase in imports into North America. We believe imports continue to gain North American market share, placing downward pressure on North American coated paper prices, as a result of low transportation costs and foreign overcapacity. Asian producers, in particular, have significantly increased imports to the U.S. in recent years. The increase in import volume, combined with lower North American supply, has resulted in a higher market share for imported products. In September 2009, NewPage along with two other U.S. paper producers and the United Steelworkers, filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission alleging that manufacturers of certain coated paper in China and Indonesia are dumping their products in the United States and that these manufacturers have been subsidized by their governments in violation of U.S. trade laws. The petitions also allege that the U.S. industry producing comparable coated paper is being injured as a result of unfairly traded imports from these countries.

During the three quarters ended September 30, 2009, we experienced a decrease in our transportation, chemical and other raw material costs compared to the three quarters ended September 30, 2008, as a result of lower crude oil prices. We expect crude oil and chemical costs to remain volatile for the foreseeable future, although at lower levels compared to the peak levels in 2008.

 

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North American prices for coated paper products historically have been determined by North American supply and demand, rather than directly by raw material costs or other costs of sales. In the short term, therefore, we have limited ability to increase prices in response to increases in our costs if demand relative to supply does not remain strong. Coated paper prices in the United States generally declined during the first three quarters of 2009. We believe the decline resulted primarily from producers passing on the benefits of the alternative fuel mixture credit to customers, the negative effects of low-cost imports of coated paper from China and Indonesia, which we believe are being sold in our markets at artificially low prices, lower demand for catalog and promotional materials by retailers and lower spending on magazine advertising as a result of general economic factors. As a result of the current economic environment and not taking into consideration any effects of the anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations on imports of certain coated paper from China and Indonesia, we anticipate continued pressure on paper prices for the near term.

Restructuring

During 2008, we announced actions being taken to integrate the historical NewPage operations and the former Stora Enso North America, Inc. (“SENA”) facilities and services that included the shutdown in 2008 and early 2009 of six of our less efficient, higher cash cost paper machines, as well as selected headcount reductions, all of which have been substantially completed.

During the first quarter ended March 31, 2009, we recorded an adjustment of $1 million in selling, general and administrative expenses for the reversal of employee-related costs included as an assumed liability in the purchase price allocation as a result of a change in estimate. During the third quarter ended September 30, 2008, we incurred total charges of $15 million, including $9 million in accelerated depreciation and $4 million in inventory write-offs recorded in cost of sales and $2 million of employee-related costs, of which $1 million is recorded in cost of sales and $1 million is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. During the three quarters ended September 30, 2008, we incurred total charges of $32 million, including $20 million in accelerated depreciation and $5 million in inventory write-offs recorded in cost of sales and $7 million of employee-related costs, of which $5 million is recorded in cost of sales and $2 million is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. In addition, as of September 30, 2008, we recorded $39 million of employee-related costs for former SENA employees and $22 million for costs for closures of acquired plants as a liability in the purchase price allocation.

Debt Refinancing and Amendments

In September 2009, NewPage and NewPage Holding entered into amendments to the senior secured credit facilities to suspend the requirements to comply with certain covenants and to increase our operating and financial flexibility. The revolving credit facility was amended to require the maintenance of at least $50 million of borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility through the date of the delivery of the compliance certificate with respect to the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2011 and limits our ability to make capital expenditures.

On September 30, 2009, the term loan was repaid in full with $1,598 million of proceeds from the offering of 11.375% senior secured notes (the “First-Lien Notes”) and $5 million of borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

On September 29, 2009, NP Investor LLC (“NPI”), an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., the indirect controlling shareholder of NewPage, completed a cash tender offer to purchase $23 million in principal amount of 10% second-lien senior secured notes and $2 million in principal amount of floating rate second-lien senior secured notes in a tender offer. We have been advised that NPI currently intends to hold the notes purchased for investment purposes.

Results of Operations

The following tables set forth the historical results of operations of NewPage Holding for the periods indicated below. The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be

 

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Table of Contents

read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report. All assets, liabilities, income, expenses and cash flows presented for all periods represent those of NewPage Holding’s wholly-owned subsidiary, NewPage, except for NewPage Holding’s debt obligation and related financing costs, interest expense and income tax effects. Unless otherwise noted, the information provided pertains to both NewPage Holding and NewPage.

Third Quarter 2009 Compared to Third Quarter 2008

 

     NewPage Holding  
    

Third Quarter
Ended Sept. 30,

 
   2009     2008  
(in millions)    $     %     $     %  

Net sales

     791      100.0        1,126      100.0   

Cost of sales

     785      99.2        1,034      91.9   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     47      5.9        62      5.5   

Interest expense

     199      25.2        75      6.6   

Other (income) expense, net

     (93   (11.7     5      0.4   
                            

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (147   (18.6     (50   (4.4

Income tax (benefit)

     (10   (1.3     5      0.4   
                            

Net income (loss)

     (137   (17.3     (55   (4.8

Net income (loss)—noncontrolling interests

     1      0.2             0.0   
                            

Net income (loss) attributable to the company

     (138   (17.5     (55   (4.8
                            

Supplemental Information

        

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

   $ 120        $ 96     
                    

Net sales for the third quarter of 2009 were $791 million, compared to $1,126 million for the third quarter of 2008, a decrease of $335 million, or 30%. The decrease in net sales reflects lower sales volume of coated paper ($186 million), lower coated paper prices ($80 million) and lower revenues from other papers caused by lower paper prices and lower volumes in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008. Weighted-average coated paper prices decreased to $891 per ton in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $1,005 per ton in the third quarter of 2008. We believe that some of the decline in pricing resulted from producers passing on the benefits of the alternative fuel mixture credit to customers and the negative effects on pricing of low-cost imports of coated paper from China and Indonesia. Coated paper sales volume decreased to 708,000 tons in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 893,000 tons in the third quarter of 2008. Our volume for coated and other paper was lower primarily from lower demand for catalog and promotional materials by retailers and lower spending on magazine advertising during the third quarter of 2009 as a result of general economic factors and the effect of a greater share of imports from China and Indonesia. As a result of these factors, we took 101,000 tons of market-related downtime during the third quarter of 2009 and have announced that we intend to take up to an additional 160,000 tons of market-related downtime in the fourth quarter of 2009, depending on market conditions. During the third quarter of 2008, we took 13,000 tons of market-related downtime. We will consider the need for additional downtime from time to time based on market conditions.

Cost of sales for the third quarter of 2009 was $785 million, compared to $1,034 million for the third quarter of 2008, a decrease of $249 million, or 24%. The decrease was primarily a result of lower coated paper sales volume ($134 million). Gross margin for the third quarter of 2009 decreased to 0.8% compared to 8.1% for the third quarter of 2008 primarily as a result of significantly lower sales volume and the effects of taking market-related downtime, partially offset by productivity improvement initiatives

 

30


Table of Contents

and lower input costs resulting primarily from lower crude oil prices. Included in cost of sales for the third quarter of 2008 was $9 million for accelerated depreciation, $4 million for inventory write-offs and $1 million of employee-related costs associated with our restructuring plans. Maintenance expense at our mills totaled $66 million and $94 million in the third quarter of 2009 and 2008.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $47 million for the third quarter of 2009 from $62 million for the third quarter of 2008, primarily as a result of lower costs related to the integration of the two businesses, as well as $9 million in lower stock compensation expense. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased in the third quarter of 2009 to 5.9% from 5.5% in the third quarter of 2008, as a result of lower sales volumes.

Interest expense for the third quarter of 2009 was $199 million compared to $75 million for the third quarter of 2008. Interest expense for NewPage for the third quarter of 2009 was $194 million compared to $69 million for the third quarter of 2008. Included in interest expense for the third quarter of 2009 is a charge of $85 million on the extinguishment of debt and $48 million of unrealized losses on our interest rate swaps reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a result of the retirement of the senior secured term loan. For future periods, we expect an increase in interest expense over prior periods because the First-Lien Notes have a higher interest rate than the term loan that was repaid. Because of the debt refinancing in September 2009, we no longer have sufficient variable-rate debt exposure for our outstanding interest rate swaps to qualify for hedge accounting treatment and will record the changes in fair value as an adjustment to interest expense.

Other (income) expense was $(93) million for the third quarter of 2009 and $5 million in the third quarter of 2008. The amount recognized in the third quarter of 2009 was primarily the result of $94 million of income recognized for alternative fuel mixture tax credits.

Income tax expense (benefit) for the third quarter of 2009 and 2008 was $(10) million and $5 million. Income tax expense (benefit) for NewPage for the third quarter of 2009 and 2008 was $(5) million and $17 million. We have recorded a valuation allowance against our net deferred income tax benefits as it is unlikely that we will realize those benefits. For purposes of allocating the income tax benefit to income (loss) before taxes, amounts of other comprehensive income result in income tax expense recorded in other comprehensive income and the offsetting amount as an allocation to tax benefit from operations. For the third quarter of 2009, we have allocated $(4) million of tax benefit to other comprehensive income (loss) and the corresponding offset as an allocation to tax expense from operations. For the third quarter of 2009, for NewPage, we have allocated $(8) million of tax benefit to other comprehensive income (loss) and the corresponding offset as an allocation to tax expense from operations. The amounts for the third quarter of 2009 reflect the reclassification to income tax (benefit) of all amounts previously allocated to other comprehensive income (loss) related to the interest rate swap cash flow hedges. Also included in the third quarter ended September 30, 2009 is a tax benefit of $12 million, reflecting the decreases to our state deferred tax liabilities as a result of changes in the company’s distribution channels that have occurred as part of our integration with SENA.

Net income (loss) attributable to the company was $(138) million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to net income (loss) attributable to the company of $(55) million in the third quarter of 2008, primarily as a result of loss on extinguishment of debt and lower sales volumes, partially offset by the alternative fuel mixture tax credits.

EBITDA was $120 million and $96 million for the third quarter of 2009 and 2008. See “Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Attributable to the Company to EBITDA” for further information on the use of EBITDA as a measurement tool.

 

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Table of Contents

First Three Quarters 2009 Compared to First Three Quarters 2008

 

     NewPage Holding  
     Three Quarters
Ended Sept. 30,
 
   2009     2008  
(in millions)    $     %     $     %  

Net sales

     2,249      100.0        3,379      100.0   

Cost of sales

     2,261      100.5        3,066      90.7   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     142      6.3        179      5.3   

Interest expense

     343      15.3        224      6.6   

Other (income) expense, net

     (218   (9.7     (5   (0.2
                            

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (279   (12.4     (85   (2.4

Income tax (benefit)

     (20   (0.9     2      0.1   
                            

Net income (loss)

     (259   (11.5     (87   (2.5

Net income (loss)—noncontrolling interests

     4      0.2        2      0.1   
                            

Net income (loss) attributable to the company

     (263   (11.7     (89   (2.6
                            

Supplemental Information

        

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

   $ 268        $ 357     
                    

Net sales for the first three quarters of 2009 were $2,249 million, compared to $3,379 million for the first three quarters of 2008, a decrease of $1,130 million, or 33%. The decrease in net sales reflects lower sales volume of coated paper ($890 million), lower coated paper prices ($96 million) and lower revenues from other papers caused by lower paper prices and lower volumes in the first three quarters of 2009 compared to the first three quarters of 2008. Weighted-average coated paper prices decreased to $930 per ton in the first three quarters of 2009 compared to $980 per ton in the first three quarters of 2008. We believe that some of the decline in pricing resulted from producers passing on the benefits of the alternative fuel mixture credit to customers in addition to the negative effects of low-cost imports of coated paper from China and Indonesia. Coated paper sales volume decreased to 1,897,000 tons in the first three quarters of 2009 compared to 2,805,000 tons in the first three quarters of 2008. Our volume for coated and other paper was lower primarily because of lower demand for catalog and promotional materials by retailers and lower spending on magazine advertising during the first three quarters of 2009, as a result of general economic factors and the effect of a greater share of imports from China and Indonesia. As a result of these factors, we took 411,000 tons of market-related downtime during the first three quarters of 2009. During the first three quarters of 2008, we took 31,000 tons of market-related downtime.

Cost of sales for the first three quarters of 2009 was $2,261 million, compared to $3,066 million for the first three quarters of 2008, a decrease of $805 million, or 26%. The decrease was primarily a result of lower coated paper sales volume ($661 million). Gross margin for the first three quarters of 2009 decreased to (0.5)% compared to 9.3% for the first three quarters of 2008, primarily as a result of significantly lower sales volume and the effects of taking market-related downtime, partially offset by productivity improvement initiatives and lower input costs resulting primarily from lower crude oil prices. Included in cost of sales for the first three quarters of 2008 was $20 million for accelerated depreciation, $5 million for inventory write-offs and $5 million of employee-related costs associated with our restructuring plans. Maintenance expense at our mills totaled $208 million and $277 million in the first three quarters of 2009 and 2008.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $142 million for the first three quarters of 2009 from $179 million for the first three quarters of 2008, primarily as a result of $18 million in lower stock

 

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compensation expense, as well as lower restructuring charges and lower costs related to the integration of the two businesses. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased in the first three quarters of 2009 to 6.3% from 5.3% in the first three quarters of 2008, as a result of lower sales volumes.

Interest expense for the first three quarters of 2009 was $343 million compared to $224 million for the first three quarters of 2008. Interest expense for NewPage for the first three quarters of 2009 was $328 million compared to $208 million for the first three quarters of 2008. Included in interest expense for the first three quarters of 2009 is a loss of $85 million on the extinguishment of debt and $48 million of unrealized losses on our interest rate swaps reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a result of the retirement of the senior secured term loan.

Other (income) expense was $(218) million for the first three quarters of 2009 and $(5) million in the first three quarters of 2008. The amount recognized in the first three quarters of 2009 was primarily the result of $214 million of income recognized for alternative fuel mixture tax credits.

Income tax expense (benefit) for the first three quarters of 2009 and 2008 was $(20) million and $2 million. Income tax expense (benefit) for NewPage for the first three quarters of 2009 and 2008 was $(15) million and $4 million. We have recorded a valuation allowance against our net deferred income tax benefits as it is unlikely that we will realize those benefits. For purposes of allocating the income tax benefit to income (loss) before taxes, amounts of other comprehensive income result in income tax expense recorded in other comprehensive income and the offsetting amount as an allocation to tax benefit from operations. For the first three quarters of 2009, we have allocated $7 million of tax expense to other comprehensive income (loss) and the corresponding offset as an allocation to tax benefit from operations. For the first three quarters of 2009, for NewPage, we have allocated $3 million of tax expense to other comprehensive income (loss) and the corresponding offset as an allocation to tax benefit from operations. The amounts for the first three quarters of 2009 reflect the reclassification to income tax (benefit) of all amounts previously allocated to other comprehensive income (loss) related to the interest rate swap cash flow hedges. Also included in the three quarters ended September 30, 2009 is a tax benefit of $12 million, reflecting the decreases to our state deferred tax liabilities as a result of changes in the company’s distribution channels that have occurred as part of our integration with SENA.

Net income (loss) attributable to the company was $(263) million in the first three quarters of 2009 compared to net income (loss) attributable to the company of $(89) million in the first three quarters of 2008, primarily as a result of significantly lower sales volumes, partially offset by the alternative fuel mixture tax credits.

EBITDA was $268 million and $357 million for the first three quarters of 2009 and 2008. See “Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Attributable to the Company to EBITDA” for further information on the use of EBITDA as a measurement tool.

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Attributable to the Company to EBITDA

EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) attributable to the company before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a measure of our performance under GAAP, is not intended to represent net income (loss) attributable to the company, and should not be used as an alternative to net income (loss) attributable to the company as an indicator of performance. EBITDA is shown because it is a primary component of certain covenants under our revolving credit facility 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

 

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EBITDA instead of net income (loss) attributable to the company 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. Some of these limitations are:

 

   

EBITDA does not reflect our current cash expenditure requirements, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments

 

   

EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs

 

   

EBITDA does not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt

 

   

although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized often will have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements

 

   

our measure of EBITDA is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the methods of calculation

Because of these limitations, EBITDA should not be considered as discretionary cash available to us to reinvest in the growth of our business.

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

 

     NewPage Holding  
     Third Quarter
Ended Sept. 30,
    Three Quarters
Ended Sept. 30,
 
(in millions)    2009     2008     2009     2008  

Net income (loss) attributable to the company

   $ (138   $ (55   $ (263   $ (89

Interest expense

     199        75        343        224   

Income taxes (benefit)

     (10     5        (20     2   

Depreciation and amortization

     69        71        208        220   
                                

EBITDA

   $ 120      $ 96      $ 268      $ 357   
                                

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Variable interest entity

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new guidance on the accounting for a variable interest entity (VIE). This guidance requires a qualitative approach to identifying a controlling financial interest in a VIE, and requires ongoing assessment of whether an entity is a VIE and whether an interest in a VIE makes the holder the primary beneficiary of the VIE. This guidance is effective for us as of January 1, 2010. We are currently evaluating the potential effect of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

In September 2009, NewPage and NewPage Holding amended the senior secured credit facilities to obtain more favorable financial covenants. We paid consent fees totaling $15 million in order to amend the senior secured credit facilities and agreed to higher interest rates, as well as changes to other provision in the agreements.

 

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Later in September 2009, NewPage issued $1,700 million of First-Lien Notes for proceeds of $1,598 million in a private placement in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Notes Offering”). The net proceeds of the Notes Offering, together with approximately $5 million of borrowings under our revolving credit facility, were used to repay all amounts outstanding under our term loan senior secured facility, and to pay fees and expenses of the Notes Offering. We amended the revolving credit facility and repaid the outstanding term loan to increase our operating and financial flexibility. In connection with the Notes Offering, NewPage entered into an exchange and registration rights agreement and has agreed to file a registration statement related to the First-Lien Notes with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Available Liquidity

As of September 30, 2009, our principal sources of liquidity include cash generated from operating activities and availability under our revolving credit facility. The amount of loans and letters of credit available to NewPage pursuant to the revolving credit facility is limited to the lesser of $500 million or an amount determined pursuant to a borrowing base ($451 million as of September 30, 2009).

In September 2009, as part of the amendment of the revolving credit facility, we agreed to maintain a minimum of $50 million of availability through March 2011. As of September 30, 2009, we had $224 million available for borrowing, after reduction for the foregoing $50 million minimum, $93 million in letters of credit and $84 million in outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. We have not experienced, and do not currently anticipate that we will experience, any limitations in our ability to access funds available under our revolving credit facility. In an effort to manage credit risk exposures under our debt and derivative instruments, we regularly monitor the credit-worthiness of the counterparties to these agreements. We believe our cash flow from operations, available borrowings under our revolving credit facility and cash and cash equivalents will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs for the next twelve months. However, given the uncertainty of the current economic environment, we cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our revolving credit facility in an amount sufficient to enable us to fund our liquidity needs.

Aggregate indebtedness as of September 30, 2009 totaled $3,364 million, which includes $3,161 million at NewPage. We expect an increase in interest expense over prior periods because the First-Lien Notes have a higher interest rate than the term loan that was repaid. Beginning in 2012, our debt service requirements will substantially increase as a result of scheduled payments of our indebtedness. We anticipate that we will seek to refinance our indebtedness prior to that time or retire portions of indebtedness with issuances of equity securities, proceeds from the sale of assets or cash generated from operations. Our ability to operate our business, service our debt requirements and reduce our total debt will depend upon our future operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, as well as the availability of revolving credit borrowings and other borrowings to refinance our existing indebtedness.

Cash Flows

Cash provided by (used for) operating activities was $(13) million during the first three quarters of 2009 compared to $(16) million during the first three quarters of 2008, primarily the result of cash received from the alternative fuel mixture credits, largely offset by the decline in sales demand and lower pricing. In response to these challenges, we took 411,000 tons of market-related downtime during the first three

 

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quarters of 2009. We will continue to monitor North American paper demand in order to align our production to customer demand and will consider the need for additional market-related downtime from time to time based on market conditions. Investing activities in the first three quarters of 2009 include spending of $45 million for capital expenditures and $22 million of proceeds from the sales of assets. Financing activities in the first three quarters of 2009 included the issuance of $1,700 million of First-Lien Notes (proceeds of $1,598 million) used to repay the senior secured term loan and to pay fees and expenses related to the Notes Offering. We had net borrowings of $84 million under the revolving credit facility in the first three quarters of 2009 that were used to pay fees and expenses related to the amendments of our senior secured credit facilities, to repay a portion of the term loan and for working capital purposes.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $45 million and $114 million for the three quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

Financial Discussion

We continue to achieve cost savings from operating efficiencies, synergies and other restructuring activities that resulted from the acquisition of SENA. In an effort to manage costs and cash flows in 2009, we have implemented a wage freeze for all salaried exempt and non-exempt employees, reduced 2008 bonuses paid in 2009, suspended the matching contribution for our salaried 401(k) plan effective June 1, 2009 and significantly reduced our expected capital expenditures from $165 million in 2008 to a projected $75 million in 2009.

We have various investments held by our defined-benefit pension plan trusts. The returns on these assets have generally matched the broader market. We are monitoring the effects of the market declines on our minimum pension funding requirements and pension expense for future periods. We do not anticipate material increases in our minimum funding requirements during 2010.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Code allows a refundable excise tax credit for alternative fuel mixtures produced for sale or for use as a fuel in a trade or business. The credit is equal to fifty cents per gallon of alternative fuel contained in the mixture and is currently scheduled to expire on December 31, 2009. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we filed to be registered as an alternative fuel mixer, and, in April 2009, we received notification that our registration was approved. We have received payments of $198 million through September 30, 2009. Income recognized for the credit is included in net income (loss) attributable to the company. We recognized $94 million and $214 million of income in other (income) expense for the third quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2009 for alternative fuel mixtures used through September 30, 2009. There can be no assurance that this credit will continue in effect, that its provisions will not be changed in a manner that adversely affects us, that our operations will remain qualified to receive the credit or that our claims for the credit will be approved and paid.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, $512 million and $1,999 million of our debt consisted of borrowings with variable interest rates. If market interest rates increase, variable-rate debt will create higher debt service requirements, which could adversely affect our cash flow or compliance with our debt covenants. The potential annual increase in interest expense resulting from a 100 basis point increase in

 

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quoted interest rates on our debt balances outstanding at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, would be $5 million and $20 million, without taking into account any interest rate derivative agreements.

As of September 30, 2009, we had outstanding interest rate swaps totaling $1,200 million for which we receive amounts based on LIBOR and pay amounts at a weighted-average fixed rate of 3.7%. These swaps expire from December 2009 through December 2012. In September 2009, we entered into a $200 million interest rate swap with an offsetting exposure for a portion of our interest rate swaps. This swap expires in December 2012 and we receive amounts at a weighted-average fixed rate of 2.7% and pay amounts based on LIBOR. Because of the debt refinancing in September 2009, we no longer have sufficient variable-rate debt exposure for our outstanding interest rate swaps to qualify for hedge accounting treatment and will record the changes in fair value as an adjustment to interest expense.

A 100 basis point change in quoted interest rates on our interest rate derivative agreements outstanding at September 30, 2009, would have the following effects, assuming that the decrease in LIBOR interest rates is limited to an interest rate of zero percent:

 

     Effect of change in
interest rates
(in millions)    Increase     Decrease

Increase (decrease) in fair value of the interest rate swap liability with offset recorded as an increase (decrease) in interest expense

   $ (9   $ 6

Increase (decrease) in cash interest payments for the next twelve months

     (6     2

Foreign Currency Risk

Our Canadian subsidiary makes a portion of its purchases and sales in U.S. dollars. As a result, it is subject to transaction exposures that arise from foreign exchange movements between the date that the foreign currency transaction is recorded and the date it is consummated. Foreign currency exchange contracts may be used periodically to manage the variability in cash flows and revenues from the forecasted payment or receipt of currencies other than our functional currency, the U.S. dollar. As of September 30, 2009, we were a party to foreign currency forward contracts aggregating $15 million of contract value, expiring monthly through December 2009, to manage the variability of cash flows and revenues on anticipated U.S. dollar-denominated transactions of our Canadian subsidiary. As of September 30, 2009, the fair values of these contracts were an asset of $3 million.

 

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, assessed the disclosure control systems as being effective as they encompass material matters for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. To the best of our knowledge, there were no changes in the internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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PART II OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In September 2009, NewPage along with two other U.S. paper producers and the United Steelworkers, filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission alleging that manufacturers of certain coated paper in China and Indonesia are dumping their products in the United States and that these manufactures have been subsidized by their governments in violation of U.S. trade laws. The petitions also allege that the U.S. industry producing comparable coated paper is being injured as a result of unfairly traded imports from these countries.

The U.S. International Trade Commission, by unanimous vote on November 6, 2009, determined that there is reasonable indication that the U.S. industry is being materially injured by unfairly traded Chinese and Indonesian imports. As a result, the U.S. Department of Commerce will proceed with a full investigation of coated paper imports from China and Indonesia. It is expected that the Department of Commerce will issue their preliminary determinations by early 2010. The cases are expected to take about a year to complete.

If the Department of Commerce determines that dumping or subsidies are present and the International Trade Commission determines that the industry has been injured by these illegal trade practices, the Department of Commerce will impose duties on coated paper imported from these countries in order to offset the effects of the dumping and subsidies. No assurance can be given that these determinations will be made, that duties will be imposed or as to the amount of any duties that may be imposed.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The alternative fuel mixture tax credit provided by the U.S. government may be amended in a manner that eliminates or reduces the benefits of the tax credit for pulp and paper companies.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Code allows a refundable excise tax credit for alternative fuel mixtures produced for sale or for use as a fuel in a trade or business. The credit is equal to fifty cents per gallon of alternative fuel contained in the mixture and is currently scheduled to expire at December 31, 2009. During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we filed to be registered as an alternative fuel mixer, and, in April 2009, we received notification that our registration was approved. We have received payments of $198 million through September 30, 2009.

There can be no assurance, however, that this credit will continue in effect, that its provisions will not be changed in a manner that adversely affects us, that our operations will remain qualified to receive the credit or that our claims for the credit will be approved and paid.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
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

 

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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/    DAVID J. PRYSTASH             By:   /S/    DAVID J. PRYSTASH        
  David J. Prystash       David J. Prystash
  Senior Vice President and       Senior Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer       Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial Officer)       (Principal Financial Officer)
Date:   November 10, 2009     Date:   November 10, 2009

 

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