EX-99.1 6 a2188859zex-99_1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

Polymer Group, Inc.

9335 Harris Corners Parkway

Suite 300

Charlotte, NC 28269

www.polymergroupinc.com

704-697-5100

 

 

PGI Reports Third Quarter and Nine-Month Results

 

For Immediate Release

 

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

 

[Charlotte, N.C.] — Polymer Group, Inc. (PGI) (OTC Bulletin Board: POLGA/POLGB) reported results from operations for the third quarter and nine-month periods ended September 27, 2008.

 

Highlights included:

 

·                  Sales continued to reach record levels during the quarter, up 17.5% to $301.0 million over the third quarter of 2007 and up 9.0% to $865.7 million for the first nine months compared to the same period of the prior year.

 

·                  Gross profit for the quarter was up 8.5% over the prior year to $43.0 million; however, margins were negatively impacted by significant increases in raw material costs during the quarter.  Year-to-date, gross profit was $131.8 million compared to $130.0 million for the first nine months of 2007.

 

·                  Net income in the third quarter increased 43.8% over the second quarter of 2008 to $3.4 million, or $0.18 per share, and improved $24.3 million from the net loss of $20.9 million recorded in third quarter of 2007.  For the first nine months of fiscal 2008, net income improved to $7.2 million compared to a loss of $19.4 million for the same period in 2007.

 

·                  The decline in raw material costs experienced since August is expected to result in an improvement in gross profit margins and bottom line profitability in the fourth quarter.

 

THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

 

PGI reported record sales for the third quarter of $301.0 million, up 17.5% over the prior year.  The top line growth was driven predominantly by higher selling prices in response to higher raw material costs, but also included positive contributions from an improved mix in many market segments and higher overall volumes in the Nonwovens business of $12.6 million.  Volume growth was achieved in Latin America, predominantly in Argentina, where the company added capacity at the end of last year, and in Asia where steady increases in high grade medical fabric production have resulted in higher volumes and an improved profit mix.  Additionally, the company’s proprietary Spinlace® product volumes were contributing at full capacity during the quarter.  Sales in the Oriented Polymers business were negatively impacted by lower volumes; however, positive contributions from improved product mix and higher selling prices resulted in year-over-year sales growth.

 

While gross profit of $43.0 million for the third quarter was $3.3 million higher than the third quarter of 2007, profitability was negatively impacted during the quarter by the large run up in raw

 



 

material unit costs in July, specifically in polypropylene, on the heels of cost increases already experienced late in the second quarter.  These cost increases were greater than the increase in selling prices that the company was able to achieve during the same period.  The impact of higher raw material costs was partially offset by improved price/mix of sales and lower depreciation charges, resulting from fiscal 2007 impairments, during fiscal 2008. The raw material component of the cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales increased from 53.3% in 2007 to 56.8% in 2008.

 

Operating income for the third quarter of 2008 was $9.0 million compared to a loss of $7.2 million in the third quarter of 2007 and operating income of $14.0 million in the second quarter of 2008.  Included in operating income were special charges of $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2008 primarily related to exit costs associated with our previously announced plant closures and consolidations in the US and Europe.  Special charges amounted to $20.4 million in the third quarter of 2007 and $1.8 million in the second quarter of 2008.  Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were lower than the previous quarter by $0.7 million, due primarily to the absence of certain separation costs recognized in the second quarter.  However, total SG&A was higher than the prior year by $3.9 million, with $1.1 million of this increase due to strengthening foreign currencies and an additional $1.0 million dollars resulting from higher export and distribution expenses associated with new volumes in Argentina.

 

PGI reported net income for the third quarter of $3.4 million compared to $2.4 million in the second quarter and a loss of $20.9 million in the third quarter of 2007.

 

YEAR-TO-DATE RESULTS

 

For the nine months ended September 27, 2008, sales were $865.7 million, up $71.4 million, or 9.0%, from the same period in 2007.  Net sales improved in the Nonwovens segment over comparable 2007 results by 9.8%, and net sales in fiscal 2008 in the Oriented Polymers segment increased 4.7% from 2007 results.  The primary driver of increased sales was price increases resulting from the pass-through of higher raw material costs.  Net volume in the Nonwovens segment declined $7.1 million compared to the prior year period due primarily to declines in the U.S. and Europe from underperforming business lines that were exited.  These volume declines were partially offset by volume growth in Asia and Latin America.  The increases in the developing regions consisted of hygiene sales in Latin America, including sales generated by the company’s new facility in Argentina, and growth in Asia that was predominantly driven by year-over-year growth in medical sales.  The Oriented Polymers segment increased sales by $6.0 million from the nine-month period of fiscal 2007 primarily as a result of higher selling prices, partially offset by lower sales volumes.

 

Gross profit was $131.8 million compared to $130.0 million the prior year, primarily reflecting the impact of raw material costs that have increased significantly in recent periods and manufacturing inefficiencies associated with new line and new product start-ups during the year, and offset by lower depreciation charges resulting from impairments recognized in 2007 and other manufacturing gains.

 

SG&A costs for the first nine months were up 10.3% compared to the same period in the prior year.  $4.2 million of the $8.5 million increase was due to translation of costs incurred outside of the U.S. in strengthening foreign currencies.  Additionally, freight and distribution costs, primarily incurred in Latin America, were up $2.2 million and management separation costs of $1.6 million also contributed to higher year-over-year expenses.  Special charges were $4.8 million for the first nine months of 2008, compared to $30.2 million the prior year.  The charges in 2008 primarily consisted

 

2



 

of remaining costs associated with the European plant closure announced in 2007 and activities associated with the closure of the plant in Landisville, NJ.  Operations at the Landisville facility officially ceased during the third quarter.  Operating income in the first nine months of 2008 was $35.1 million compared to $17.4 million for the first nine months of the previous year due primarily to the factors discussed above.

 

Net income for the first nine months of 2008 amounted to $7.2 million, or $0.37 per share, compared to a loss of $19.4 million, or $1.00 per share, for the first nine months of 2007.

 

PGI’s chief executive officer, Veronica (Ronee) M. Hagen, stated, “Our performance in the third quarter was overshadowed by the extreme fluctuations in the raw material market. However, underlying volume demand was stable during the quarter in the disposable nonwovens applications, reflecting PGI’s more defensive model in a turbulent economic environment.  We continued to achieve growth in our developing regions of Latin American and Asia, despite a challenging market environment in South America.  Our proprietary Spinlace™ line was running at full capacity during the quarter and we began rolling the product out in our converted wipes business both in the U.S. and Europe.  While we began to experience some softening in the durable goods applications in the industrial markets, certain product applications contributed offsetting volume gains during the quarter.”

 

“Beginning in September, we have experienced a dramatic drop in raw material costs that we expect to continue through the remainder of the year.  As such, we expect to end the year with a very strong fourth quarter with higher margins and bottom line profitability, producing an improved second half of 2008 compared to the first half,” Hagen said.

 

The company continued to manage the balance sheet and investments relative to cash flows during the quarter.  For the first nine months, cash flows from operations increased 33.4% to $34.4 million compared to $25.8 million for the first nine months of 2007.  Capital expenditures for the quarter were $7.5 million compared to $26.1 million in the third quarter of 2007 and were $28.4 million for the first nine months of 2008 compared to $46.4 million for the same period the prior year.  Operating working capital, defined as accounts receivable plus inventories less trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities, decreased to $135.8 million and represented 11.2% of annualized sales compared to 12.8% of annualized sales for the third quarter of 2007 and 12.2% of annualized sales at the end of the second quarter.  The company reduced debt during the quarter to $416.5 million compared to $427.0 million at the end of the 2007 fiscal year.

 

ADJUSTED EBITDA

 

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure defined below, for the third quarter of 2008 was $25.9 million compared to $28.9 million in the third quarter of 2007.  For the nine months ended September 27, 2008, Adjusted EBITDA was $82.3 million compared to $92.5 million for the same period of 2007.

 

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE

 

Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) is used in this release as a “non-GAAP financial measure,” which is a measure of the company’s financial performance that is different from measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, within the meaning of applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules.  A non-GAAP financial measure, such as EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA, should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance such as (1) net income determined in accordance with GAAP or

 

3



 

(2) operating cash flows determined in accordance with GAAP. Our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to the calculation of similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

 

As defined in the company’s credit agreement, Adjusted EBITDA equals net income (loss) before income and franchise tax expense (benefit), interest expense net, depreciation and amortization, minority interests net of cash distributions, write-off of loan acquisition costs, non-cash compensation, foreign currency gain and losses, net, and special charges net of unusual or non-recurring gains. The company presents Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in its credit facility, as the measurement used as a basis for determining our compliance with several covenants thereunder.  It is also generally consistent with the metric used by management as a performance measurement for certain performance-based incentive compensation plans.  In addition, the company considers Adjusted EBITDA an important supplemental measure of our performance and believes it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry.

 

Included in this release is a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA, which illustrates the differences in these measures of operating performance.

 

Polymer Group, Inc., one of the world’s leading producers of nonwovens, is a global, technology-driven developer, producer and marketer of engineered materials. With the broadest range of process technologies in the nonwovens industry, PGI is a global supplier to leading consumer and industrial product manufacturers. The company operates 17 manufacturing and converting facilities in 8 countries throughout the world.

 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements include: general economic factors including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates, foreign currency translation rates, consumer confidence, trends in disposable income, changes in consumer demand for goods produced, and cyclical or other downturns; substantial debt levels and potential inability to maintain sufficient liquidity to finance the company’s operations and make necessary capital expenditures; inability to meet existing debt covenants; information and technological advances; changes in environmental laws and regulations; cost and availability of raw materials, labor and natural and other resources and the inability to pass raw material cost increases along to customers; changes in selling prices to customers which are based, by contract, on an underlying index; domestic and foreign competition; reliance on major customers and suppliers; inability to achieve successful or timely start-up on new or modified production lines; achievement of objectives for strategic acquisitions and dispositions; and risks related to operations in foreign jurisdictions.  Investors and other readers are directed to consider the risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed by Polymer Group, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

 

4



 

For further information, please contact:

Dennis Norman

Vice President – Strategy & Corporate Development

(704) 697-5186

normand@pginw.com

 

5


 

POLYMER GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 27, 2008,

Three Months Ended June 28, 2008 and

Three Months Ended September 29, 2007

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

 

 

Three Months

 

Three Months

 

Three Months

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

September 27,

 

June 28,

 

September 29,

 

 

 

2008

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

301,037

 

$

290,873

 

$

256,186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

258,011

 

244,986

 

216,515

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

43,026

 

45,887

 

39,671

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

29,968

 

30,675

 

26,097

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special charges, net

 

1,687

 

1,794

 

20,350

 

Foreign currency (gain) loss, net

 

2,348

 

(561

)

464

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

9,023

 

13,979

 

(7,240

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

8,002

 

7,958

 

8,666

 

Other gain, net

 

(3,205

)

(87

)

(615

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense and minority interests

 

4,226

 

6,108

 

(15,291

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

2,542

 

3,545

 

5,219

 

Minority interests, net of tax

 

(1,738

)

183

 

400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

3,422

 

$

2,380

 

$

(20,910

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average common shares outstanding

 

19,336

 

19,286

 

19,388

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.18

 

$

0.12

 

$

(1.08

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

$

0.18

 

$

0.12

 

$

(1.08

)

 

6



 

POLYMER GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 27, 2008 and

Nine Months Ended September 29, 2007

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

 

 

Nine Months

 

Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

September 27,

 

September 29,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

865,683

 

$

794,238

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

733,864

 

664,241

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

131,819

 

129,997

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

91,343

 

82,807

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special charges, net

 

4,844

 

30,247

 

Foreign currency (gain) loss, net

 

495

 

(436

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

35,137

 

17,379

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

24,667

 

24,887

 

Other gain, net

 

(2,805

)

(2,014

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense and minority interests

 

13,275

 

(5,494

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

7,711

 

12,328

 

Minority interests, net of tax

 

(1,662

)

1,555

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

7,226

 

$

(19,377

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average common shares outstanding

 

19,258

 

19,346

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.37

 

$

(1.00

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

$

0.37

 

$

(1.00

)

 

7


 

POLYMER GROUP, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

September 27,

 

December 29,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

27,598

 

$

31,698

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

158,121

 

139,505

 

Inventories

 

144,792

 

139,726

 

Other

 

34,255

 

28,906

 

Total current assets

 

364,766

 

339,835

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

383,440

 

395,394

 

Intangibles and loan acquisition costs, net

 

7,995

 

9,341

 

Other assets

 

11,323

 

6,101

 

Total assets

 

$

767,524

 

$

750,671

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

167,112

 

$

150,365

 

Current portion of long-term debt and short-term borrowings

 

19,267

 

11,444

 

Other

 

2,056

 

2,069

 

Total current liabilities

 

188,435

 

163,878

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

397,202

 

415,514

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

55,046

 

53,002

 

Total liabilities

 

640,683

 

632,394

 

Minority interests

 

18,083

 

19,745

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

108,758

 

98,532

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

767,524

 

$

750,671

 

 

8



 

POLYMER GROUP, INC.

Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months

 

Three Months

 

Three Months

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

September 27,

 

June 28,

 

September 29,

 

 

 

2008

 

2008

 

2007

 

Selected Financial Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense included in operating income

 

$

12,124

 

$

12,724

 

$

14,191

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncash compensation costs included in operating income

 

$

495

 

$

352

 

$

1,047

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of loan acquisition costs

 

$

345

 

$

346

 

$

345

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

7,503

 

$

8,332

 

$

26,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special charges, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset Impairment charges

 

$

 

$

 

$

12,156

 

Restructuring and plant realignment costs

 

1,512

 

1,398

 

8,175

 

Other

 

175

 

396

 

19

 

 

 

$

1,687

 

$

1,794

 

$

20,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign Currency (Gain) Loss included in operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

242

 

$

(1

)

$

(301

)

Canada

 

$

25

 

$

109

 

$

365

 

Europe

 

$

(178

)

$

(25

)

$

236

 

Asia

 

$

39

 

$

120

 

$

(6

)

Latin America

 

2,220

 

(764

)

170

 

 

 

$

2,348

 

$

(561

)

$

464

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to net income for the periods presented:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,422

 

$

2,380

 

$

(20,910

)

Income & franchise tax expense

 

2,582

 

4,167

 

5,331

 

Interest expense, net

 

8,002

 

7,958

 

8,666

 

Depreciation and amortization included expense in operating income

 

12,124

 

12,724

 

14,191

 

Minority interests, net of tax & cash disbursements

 

(1,738

)

183

 

136

 

Non-cash compensation

 

495

 

352

 

1,047

 

Foreign currency gain, net

 

(1,248

)

(1,268

)

(47

)

Special charges, net

 

1,687

 

1,794

 

20,350

 

Other charges (gains), net

 

559

 

644

 

139

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

25,885

 

$

28,934

 

$

28,903

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months

 

Nine Months

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

 

 

September 27,

 

September 29,

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Selected Financial Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense included in operating income

 

 

 

$

37,636

 

$

42,751

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncash compensation costs included in operating income

 

 

 

$

2,695

 

$

2,655

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of loan acquisition costs

 

 

 

$

1,036

 

$

1,034

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

 

$

28,414

 

$

46,373

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special charges, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset Impairment charges

 

 

 

$

 

$

12,491

 

Restructuring and plant realignment costs

 

 

 

4,262

 

17,450

 

Other

 

 

 

582

 

306

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,844

 

$

30,247

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign Currency (Gain) Loss included in operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

$

404

 

$

(444

)

Canada

 

 

 

$

(129

)

$

542

 

Europe

 

 

 

$

156

 

$

235

 

Asia

 

 

 

$

464

 

$

116

 

Latin America

 

 

 

(400

)

(885

)

 

 

 

 

$

495

 

$

(436

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to net income for the periods presented:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

$

7,226

 

$

(19,377

)

Income & franchise tax expense

 

 

 

8,986

 

13,001

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

24,667

 

24,887

 

Depreciation and amortization included expense in operating income

 

 

 

37,636

 

42,751

 

Minority interests, net of tax & cash disbursements

 

 

 

(1,662

)

(589

)

Non-cash compensation

 

 

 

2,695

 

2,655

 

Foreign currency gain, net

 

 

 

(3,507

)

(796

)

Special charges, net

 

 

 

4,844

 

30,247

 

Other charges (gains), net

 

 

 

1,402

 

(302

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

 

$

82,287

 

$

92,477

 

 

9