10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

 

þ Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

or

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from                             to                            

 

LOGO

96 South George Street, Suite 520

York, Pennsylvania 17401

(Address of principal executive offices)

(717) 225-4711

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Commission file number

 

Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter

 

IRS Employer

Identification No.

 

State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization

1-03560   P. H. Glatfelter Company   23-0628360   Pennsylvania

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     Yes  ¨     No   þ.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.     Yes  ¨     No  þ.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes   þ     No  ¨.

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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes   þ     No  ¨.

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.     ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a small reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  þ Large accelerated filer  ¨ Accelerated filer  ¨ Non-accelerated filer  ¨ Small reporting company (Do not check if a smaller reporting company).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)     Yes  ¨    No  þ.

Based on the closing price as of June 30, 2014, the aggregate market value of the Common Stock of the Registrant held by non-affiliates was $1,123 million.

Common Stock outstanding on February 25, 2015 totaled 43,095,572 shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the following documents are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement to be dated on or about April 2, 2015 are incorporated by reference to Part III.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

P. H. GLATFELTER COMPANY

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

For the Year Ended

DECEMBER 31, 2014

Table of Contents

 

          Page  
PART I      
Item 1    Business      1   
Item 1A   

Risk Factors

     7   
Item 1B   

Unresolved Staff Comments

     12   
Item 2   

Properties

     12   
Item 3   

Legal Proceedings

     12   
  

Executive Officers

     12   
Item 4   

Mine Safety Disclosures

     13   
PART II      
Item 5   

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     14   
Item 6   

Selected Financial Data

     15   
Item 7   

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

     16   
Item 7A   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     28   
Item 8   

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     29   
Item 9   

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures

     66   
Item 9A   

Controls and Procedures

     66   
Item 9B   

Other Information

     66   
PART III      
Item 10    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance      66   
Item 11   

Executive Compensation

     66   
Item 12   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     66   
Item 13   

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

     66   
Item 14   

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

     66   
PART IV      
Item 15    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules      67   
SIGNATURES         70   

CERTIFICATIONS

     71   

SCHEDULE II

     73   


Table of Contents

PART I

We make regular filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. These filings are available, free of charge, on our website, www.glatfelter.com, and the SEC website at www.sec.gov. We also provide copies of our SEC filings at no charge upon request to Investor Relations at (717) 225-2719, ir@glatfelter.com, or by mail to Investor Relations, 96 South George Street, Suite 520, York, PA, 17401. In this filing, unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company,” or “Glatfelter” refer to P. H. Glatfelter Company and subsidiaries.

 

ITEM 1 BUSINESS

Overview    Glatfelter began operations in 1864, and we believe we are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialty papers and fiber-based engineered materials. Headquartered in York, Pennsylvania, we own and operate manufacturing facilities located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and the Philippines and we have sales and distribution offices in Russia and China.

Acquisitions    Over the past several years, we have completed several acquisitions that have diversified our revenue, expanded our geographic footprint and enhanced our asset base. These transactions include the April 30, 2013, $211 million acquisition of Dresden Papier GmbH (“Dresden”), a leading supplier of non-woven wall covering products. Revenue from the sale of non-woven wall covering products totaled $150.0 million and $97.7 million, in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

On October 1, 2014, we acquired Spezialpapierfabrik Oberschmitten GmbH (“SPO”) for $8.0 million. SPO is a producer of highly technical papers for a wide range of capacitors used in consumer and industrial products; insulation papers for cables and transformers; and materials for industrial power inverters, electromagnetic current filters and electric rail traction. SPO’s annual sales total approximately $33 million.

Products    Our three business units manufacture a wide array of specialty papers and fiber-based engineered materials including:

 

   

Composite Fibers with revenue from the sale of single-serve coffee and tea filtration papers, nonwoven wall covering materials, metallized and self adhesive labeling papers, composite

   

laminates, and technical specialties including substrates for electrical applications such as batteries and capacitors.

 

   

Advanced Airlaid Materials with revenue from the sale of airlaid non-woven fabric-like materials used in feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products, baby wipes, cleaning pads and wipes, food pads, napkins, and tablecloths, and

 

   

Specialty Papers with revenue from the sale of papers for carbonless and other forms, book publishing, envelopes, and engineered products such as papers for digital imaging, packaging, casting, release, transfer, playing card, postal, FDA-compliant food and beverage applications, and other niche specialty applications.

The global growth markets served by the Composite Fibers and Advance Airlaid Materials business units are characterized by attractive growth rates as the result of new and emerging products and markets, changing end-user preferences and evolving demographics. Specialty Papers serves more mature market segments, many of which are in decline.

As a result of our strategy to diversify sources of revenue and invest in growth businesses, revenue generated from Composite Fibers and Advanced Airlaid Materials is expected to represent an increasingly greater proportion of total revenue. Combined, these two business units comprised 50% of consolidated revenue in 2014 compared with 30% in 2006.

Consolidated net sales and the relative net sales contribution of each of our business units for the past three years are summarized below:

 

    Dollars in thousands   2014     2013     2012  

Net sales

  $ 1,802,415      $ 1,722,615      $ 1,577,788   

Business unit contribution

       

Composite Fibers

    34.3     32.9     27.7

Advanced Airlaid Materials

    15.6        15.6        15.6   

Specialty Papers

    50.1        51.5        56.7   

Total

    100.0     100.0     100.0

Our strategies are focused on growing revenues, in part, by leveraging leading positions in key global growth markets including the single-serve coffee and tea, non-woven wall covering materials and the hygiene products markets. To ensure we are best positioned to serve these markets, we have made investments to increase production capacity and intend to make additional investments in the future.

 

 

GLATFELTER 2014 FORM 10-K        1


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In addition to leveraging our leading positions, our focus on product innovation is a critical component of our business strategy. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, we invested $12.3 million, $12.2 million and $10.9 million, respectively, in new product development activities. In each of the past three years, in excess of 50% of net sales were generated from products developed, enhanced or improved within the past five years.

Other key elements to our success include margin expansion, driven by cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives; the generation of strong and reliable cash flows; and strategic investments to improve our returns on invested capital. In addition, the strength of our balance sheet and generation of cash flows has allowed us to pursue strategic actions such as the Dresden and SPO acquisitions, a $50 million investment to expand capacity in Composite Fibers, share repurchase programs and increase our dividend. These actions and our disciplined approach to capital expenditures has resulted in the generation of returns on invested capital that exceed our cost of capital.

We have a demonstrated ability to establish leading market positions through the successful acquisition and integration of complementary businesses. Since 2006, we have successfully completed and integrated six acquisitions. Our acquisition strategy complements our long-term strategy of driving growth in our markets.

Our Business Units    We manage our company as three distinct business units: Composite Fibers; Advanced Airlaid Materials; and Specialty Papers. Net tons sold by each business unit for the past three years were as follows:

 

    Short tons    2014     2013      2012  

Composite Fibers

     157,336        133,570         90,300   

Advanced Airlaid Materials

     99,667        96,098         90,332   

Specialty Papers

     802,877        800,151         789,201   

Total

     1,059,880        1,029,819         969,833   

Composite Fibers    Our Composite Fibers business unit serves customers globally and focuses on higher value-added products in the following markets:

 

   

Food & Beverage paper primarily used for single-serve coffee and tea products;

 

   

Non-woven wall covering base materials used by the world’s largest wallpaper manufacturers;

 

   

Metallized products used in the labeling of bottles, packaging innerliners, gift wrap, self-adhesive labels and other consumer product applications;

   

Composite Laminates papers used in production of decorative laminates, furniture, and flooring applications; and

 

   

Technical Specialties a diverse line of special paper products used in batteries, capacitors, adhesive tapes and other highly-engineered applications.

During 2013, we completed the acquisition of Dresden a leading global supplier of nonwoven wallpaper base materials. Dresden has a preeminent position in nonwoven wallpaper materials – as both the cost and quality leader because of its innovative products, proprietary manufacturing techniques, and long-standing customer relationship. It produces products with superior performance and characteristics such as dry strip-ability, higher tear resistance, and no material shrinkage or expansion when wet. As a result, nonwovens are increasingly the product of choice for wallpaper installers and design professionals in Europe and Russia, with growth potential in Asia. The acquisition of Dresden added another industry-leading nonwovens product line to our Composite Fibers business, and broadened our relationship with leading producers of consumer and industrial products.

We believe this business unit maintains a market leadership position in the single-serve coffee and tea markets and nonwoven wallpaper materials markets. Composite Fibers’ revenue composition by market consisted of the following for the years indicated:

 

    In thousands    2014     2013      2012  

Food & beverage

   $ 296,304      $ 302,738       $ 265,423   

Wall covering

     149,957        97,698           

Metallized

     80,839        83,949         87,720   

Composite laminates

     38,159        39,296         44,613   

Technical specialties and other

     52,592        42,679         38,984   

Total

   $ 617,851      $ 566,360       $ 436,740   

We believe many of the market segments served by Composite Fibers, particularly single-serve coffee and tea, nonwoven wallpaper materials and electrical products present attractive growth opportunities by capitalizing on evolving consumer preferences, expanding into new or emerging geographic markets, and by gaining market share through quality product and service offerings. Many of this business’ papers are technically sophisticated and, in the case of single serve-coffee and tea products, are extremely lightweight and require specialized fibers. Our engineering capabilities, specifically designed papermaking equipment, use of specialized fibers and customer orientation positions us well to compete in these global markets.

 

 

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The primary raw materials used in the production of our lightweight papers are abaca pulp, wood pulp and synthetic fibers. Abaca pulp is a specialized pulp with limited sources of availability. Our abaca pulp production process, fulfilled by our Philippine mill, provides a unique advantage to our Composite Fibers business unit. Sufficient quantities of abaca pulp and its source fiber are required to support growth in this business unit. In the event the supply of abaca fiber becomes constrained or when production demands exceed the capacity of the Philippines mill, alternative sources and/or substitute fibers are used to meet customer demands.

The Composite Fibers business unit is comprised of four paper making facilities (Germany, France and England), a non-woven wall cover base mill (Germany), metallizing operations (Wales and Germany) and a pulp mill (the Philippines) with the following combined attributes:

 

Production

Capacity

(short tons)

    

Principal Raw

Material

(“PRM”)

  

Estimated Annual

Quantity of PRM

(short tons)

153,500 lightweight and other

     Abaca pulp    17,200
     Wood pulp    91,600
     Synthetic fiber    26,900

28,100 metallized

     Base stock    26,800

17,600 abaca pulp

     Abaca fiber    26,900

Composite Fibers’ lightweight products are produced using highly specialized inclined wire paper machine technology and we believe we currently maintain approximately 25% of the global inclined wire capacity.

In addition to critical raw materials, the cost to produce Composite Fibers’ products is influenced by energy. Although the business unit generates all of its steam needed for production, in 2014, it purchased 75% of its electricity.

In Composite Fibers’ markets, competition is product line specific as the necessity for technical expertise and specialized manufacturing equipment limits the number of companies offering multiple product lines. The following chart summarizes key competitors by market segment:

 

Market segment    Competitor

Single serve coffee & tea

   Ahlstrom, Purico, MB Papeles and Zhejiang Kan

Nonwoven wallcovering

   Ahlstrom, Technocell, Neu Kaliss, Goznak and Neenah Paper

Composite laminates

   PdM, a division of Schweitzer-Maudit, Purico, MB Papeles and Oi feng

Metallized

   AR Metallizing, Torras Papel Novelis, Vaassen, Galileo Nanotech, and Wenzhou Protec Vacuum Metallizing Co.

Our strategy in Composite Fibers is focused on:

 

   

Capitalizing on growing global markets in food & beverage, nonwoven wall covering materials, and electrical products;

 

   

maximizing capacity utilization provided by the investment in state-of-the-art inclined wire technology to support consistent growth of key markets;

 

   

enhancing product mix across all of the business unit’s markets by utilizing new product and new business development capabilities;

 

   

implementing continuous improvement methodologies to increase productivity, reduce costs and expand capacity; and

 

   

ensuring readily available access to specialized raw material requirements to support projected growth.

As part of our commitment to realizing the growth potential of certain of this business unit’s markets, in 2013 we completed a $50 million investment to expand our inclined wire capacity by nearly 20%, or approximately 10,500 short tons. We converted a flat wire machine in Gernsbach, Germany into a state-of-the-art inclined wire machine. Production of saleable products from the new machine began in the second quarter of 2013.

In addition, the acquisition of SPO furthers our strategy of capitalizing on the fast-growing electrical market by broadening our electrical papers platform and know-how.

Advanced Airlaid Materials    is a leading global supplier of highly absorbent cellulose-based airlaid non-woven materials used to manufacture consumer and industrial products for growing global end-user markets. These products include:

 

   

feminine hygiene;

 

   

adult incontinence;

 

   

specialty wipes;

 

   

home care;

 

   

table top; and

 

   

food pads.

Advanced Airlaid Materials serves customers who are industry leading consumer product companies for feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products. Advanced Airlaid Materials holds leading market share positions in many of

 

 

GLATFELTER 2014 FORM 10-K        3


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the markets it serves, excels in building long-term customer relationships through superior quality and customer service programs, and has a well-earned reputation for innovation and its ability to quickly bring new products to market.

Advanced Airlaid Materials’ revenue composition by market consisted of the following for the years indicated:

 

    In thousands    2014      2013      2012  

Feminine hygiene

   $ 216,836       $ 219,222       $ 197,792   

Adult incontinence

     17,586         5,046         6,959   

Wipes

     16,002         15,186         13,562   

Home care

     15,401         14,857         14,527   

Other

     15,848         14,085         13,442   

Total

   $ 281,673       $ 268,396       $ 246,282   

The feminine hygiene category accounted for 77% of Advanced Airlaid Material’s revenue in 2014. The majority of sales of this product are to a small group of large, leading global consumer products companies. This market is considered to be more growth oriented driven by population growth in certain geographic regions, consumer preferences, and suppliers’ ability to provide innovative products. In developing regions, demand is also influenced by increases in disposable income and cultural preferences. During 2014, sales to the adult incontinence market increased substantially compared with previous years reflecting this unit’s success developing and bringing to market products in support of its customers’ growth initiatives.

The Advanced Airlaid Materials business unit operates state-of-the-art facilities in Falkenhagen, Germany and Gatineau, Canada. The Falkenhagen location operates three multi-bonded production lines and three proprietary single-lane festooners. The Gatineau location consists of two airlaid production lines employing multi-bonded and thermal-bonded airlaid technologies and two proprietary single-lane festooners.

The business unit’s two facilities operate with the following combined attributes:

 

Airlaid Production

Capacity (short tons)

  

Principal Raw

Material (“PRM”)

   Estimated Annual
Quantity of PRM
(short tons)
 

107,000

   Fluff pulp      73,900   

In addition to the cost of critical raw materials, the cost to produce multi-bonded and thermal-bonded airlaid materials is impacted by energy. Advanced Airlaid Materials purchases substantially all of the electricity and natural gas used in its operations. Approximately 90% of this business unit’s revenue is earned under contracts with pass-through provisions directly related to the price of key raw material costs.

Advanced Airlaid Materials continues to be a technology and product innovation leader in technically

demanding segments of the airlaid market, most notably feminine hygiene. We believe that its facilities are among the most modern and flexible airlaid facilities in the world, allowing it to produce at industry leading operating rates. Its proprietary single-lane festooning technology provides product packaging which supports efficiency optimization by the customers converting processes. This business unit’s in-house technical expertise, combined with significant capital investment requirements and rigorous customer expectations creates large barriers to entry for new competitors.

The following summarizes this business unit’s key competitors:

 

Market segment    Competitor

Airlaid products

   Georgia-Pacific LLC, Duni AB, Fitesa, McAirlaid’s GmbH, Domtar

The global markets served by this business unit are characterized by attractive growth opportunities. To take advantage of this, our strategy is focused on:

 

   

maintaining and expanding relationships with customers that are market-leading consumer product companies;

 

   

capitalizing on our product and process innovation capabilities;

 

   

expanding geographic reach of markets served;

 

   

optimizing the use of existing production capacity; and

 

   

employing continuous improvement methodologies and initiatives to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and create capacity.

Specialty Papers    Our North America-based Specialty Papers business unit focuses on producing papers for the following markets:

 

   

Carbonless & non-carbonless forms papers for credit card receipts, multi-part forms, security papers and other end-user applications;

 

   

Engineered products for digital imaging, packaging, casting, release, transfer, playing card, postal, FDA-compliant food and beverage applications, and other niche specialty applications;

 

   

Envelope and converting papers primarily utilized for transactional and direct mail envelopes; and

 

   

Book publishing papers for the production of high-quality hardbound books and other book publishing needs.

 

 

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The market segments in which Specialty Papers competes continue to undergo significant changes in response to declining demand resulting in excess capacity. As a result, over the past several years, certain producers have closed, or announced plans to reduce, production capacity due to a supply/demand imbalance. In addition, foreign producers have been increasing the volume of product imported into the U.S. creating additional imbalance.

This business unit produces both commodity products and higher-value-added specialty products. Specialty Papers’ revenue composition by market consisted of the following for the years indicated:

 

    In thousands    2014     2013      2012  

Carbonless & forms

   $ 376,959      $ 369,618       $ 372,950   

Engineered products

     194,189        184,913         187,724   

Envelope & converting

     183,194        175,928         174,781   

Book publishing

     144,744        153,054         155,925   

Other

     3,805        4,346         3,397   

Total

   $ 902,891      $ 887,859       $ 894,777   

Although many of the markets served by Specialty Papers are mature and, in many instances, declining, we have been successful at maintaining this unit’s shipments through new product and new business development initiatives while leveraging the flexibility of our operating assets to efficiently respond to changing customer demands. In each of the past ten years, our flexible asset base, new product development capabilities and superior customer service offerings have allowed us to outperform the broader uncoated free sheet market in terms of shipping volumes.

We believe we are one of the leading suppliers of carbonless and book publishing papers in the United States. Although the markets for these products are declining, we have been successful in executing our strategy to replace this lost volume with products such as envelope papers, business forms, and other value-added specialty products. Specialty Papers also produces paper that is converted into specialized envelopes in a wide array of colors, finishes and end-uses. While this market is also declining, we have leveraged our customer service capabilities to grow our market share in each of the last several years.

Specialty Papers’ highly technical engineered products include digital imaging, packaging, casting, release, transfer, playing card, postal, FDA-compliant food and beverage applications, and other niche specialty applications. Such products comprise an array of distinct business niches that are in a continuous state of evolution. Many of these products are utilized for demanding,

specialized customer and end-user applications. Some of our products are new and higher growth while others are more mature and further along in the product life cycle. Because many of these products are technically complex and involve substantial customer-supplier development collaboration, they typically command higher per ton prices and generally exhibit greater pricing stability relative to commodity grade paper products.

The Specialty Papers business unit operates two integrated pulp and paper making facilities with the following combined attributes:

 

Uncoated Production

Capacity

(short tons)

 

Principal Raw

Material

(“PRM”)

 

Estimated Annual

Quantity of PRM

(short tons)

820,000

  Pulpwood  

2,250,000

    Wood- and other pulps      708,000

This business unit’s pulp mills have a combined pulp making capacity of 615,000 tons of bleached pulp per year. The principal raw material used to produce pulp is pulpwood, including both hardwoods and softwoods. Pulpwood is obtained from a variety of locations including the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. To protect our sources of pulpwood, we actively promote conservation and forest management among suppliers and woodland owners.

The Spring Grove facility includes five uncoated paper machines as well as an off-line combi-blade coater and a Specialty Coater (“S-Coater”), which together provide annual production capacity for coated paper of approximately 65,000 tons. The Chillicothe facility operates four paper machines producing uncoated and carbonless paper. Two of the machines have built-in coating capability which along with three additional coaters at the facility provide annual coated capacity of approximately 126,000 tons. Since uncoated paper is used in producing coated paper, this is not additional capacity.

In addition to critical raw materials, the cost to produce Specialty Papers’ products is influenced by energy. Although the business unit generates all of its steam needed for production at both facilities and generates more power than it consumes at the Spring Grove, PA facility, it purchased approximately 25% of its electricity needed for the Chillicothe, OH mill in 2014. The facilities’ source of fuel is primarily coal and, to a lesser extent, natural gas. As discussed more fully under “Environmental Matters”, to comply with new air quality regulations we will be implementing modifications that will convert certain boilers to burn natural gas rather than coal.

 

 

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In Special Papers’ markets, competition is product line specific due to, in certain instances, the necessity for technical expertise and specialized manufacturing. The following chart summarizes key competitors by market segment:

 

Market segment    Competitor

Carbonless paper

   Appvion, Inc., and to a lesser extent, Fibria Celulose, Koehler Paper, Mitsubishi Paper, Nekoosa Coated Products and Asia Pulp and Paper Co.

Engineered products

   Specialty papers divisions of International Paper, Domtar Corp., Packaging Corp, and Sappi Limited, among others.

Envelope & converting

   Domtar and International Paper

Book publishing

   Domtar Corp., North Pacific Paper (NORPAC), Resolute Forest and others

Customer service, product performance, technological advances and product pricing are important competitive factors with respect to all our products. We believe our reputation in these areas continues to be excellent.

To be successful in the market environment in which Specialty Papers operates, our strategy is focused on:

 

   

employing our new product and new business development capabilities to meet changing customer demands and ensure optimal utilization of capacity;

 

   

leveraging our flexible operating platform to optimize product mix by shifting production among facilities to more closely match output with changing demand trends;

 

   

aggressively employing methodologies to manage pressures on margins presented by more mature markets;

 

   

utilizing ongoing continuous improvement methodologies to ensure operational efficiencies; and

 

   

maintaining superior customer service.

Additional financial information for each of our business units is included in Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 24 including geographic revenue and long-lived asset financial information.

Balance Sheet    We are focused on prudent financial management and maintaining a strong balance sheet. This includes:

 

   

aggressively managing working capital to enhance cash flow from operations;

 

   

making disciplined capital expenditure decisions; and

 

   

monetizing the value of our timberland assets as opportunities develop.

The success of these actions positions us with the flexibility to pursue strategic opportunities that will benefit our shareholders.

Concentration of Customers    For each of the past three years, no single customer represented more than 10% of our consolidated net sales. However, as discussed in Item 1A Risk Factors, one customer accounted for the majority of Advanced Airlaid Materials net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Capital Expenditures    Our business is capital intensive and requires extensive expenditures for new and enhanced equipment. These capital investments are necessary to support growth strategies, research and development initiatives, environmental compliance, and for normal upgrades or replacements. Capital expenditures totaled $66.0 million, $103.0 million and $58.8 million, in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For 2015, capital expenditures are estimated to be $120 million to $130 million including approximately $40 million related to compliance with certain environmental matters discussed below.

Environmental Matters    We are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations intended to protect the environment as well as human health and safety. At various times, we have incurred significant costs to comply with these regulations and we could incur additional costs as new regulations are developed or regulatory priorities change.

We will incur material capital costs to comply with new air quality regulations including the U.S. EPA Best Available Retrofit Technology rule (BART; otherwise known as the Regional Haze Rule) and the Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology rule (Boiler MACT). These rules will require process modifications and/or installation of air pollution controls on boilers at two of our facilities. We have begun converting or replacing four coal-fired boilers to natural gas and upgrading site infrastructure to accommodate the new boilers, including connecting to gas

 

 

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pipelines. The total cost of these projects is estimated at $85 million to $90 million. However, the amount of capital spending ultimately incurred may differ, and the difference could be material. We expect to incur the majority of expenditures in 2015 and 2016. Enactment of new environmental laws or regulations or changes in existing laws or regulations could significantly change our estimates. For a discussion of other environmental matters, see Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 23.

Employees    As of December 31, 2014, we employed 4,610 people worldwide, of which 68% are unionized. The United Steelworkers International Union and the Office and Professional Employees International Union represents approximately 1,570 hourly employees at our Chillicothe, OH and Spring Grove, PA facilities under labor contracts expiring in August 2016 for Chillicothe and January 2017 for Spring Grove. Hourly employees at each of our international locations are represented by various unions or works councils. We consider the overall relationship with our employees to be satisfactory.

Other Available Information    The Corporate Governance page of our corporate web site includes our Governance Principles and Code of Business Conduct, and biographies of our Board of Directors and Executive Officers. In addition, the website includes the charters for the Audit, Compensation, Finance, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of the Board of Directors. The Corporate Governance page also includes the Code of Business Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers of Glatfelter, our “whistle-blower” policy and other related material. We satisfy the disclosure requirement for any future amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Business Conduct or Code of Business Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers by posting such information on our website. We will provide a copy of the Code of Business Conduct or Code of Business Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers, without charge, to any person who requests one, by contacting Investor Relations at (717) 225-2719, ir@glatfelter.com or by mail to 96 South George Street, Suite 520, York, PA, 17401.

ITEM 1A RISK FACTORS

Our business and financial performance may be adversely affected by a weak global economic environment or downturns in the target markets that we serve.

Adverse global economic conditions could impact our target markets resulting in decreased demand for our products.

Approximately $125 million of our annual revenue is earned from shipments to customers located in Ukraine, Russia and members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (also known as “CIS”). Uncertain geo-political and economic conditions in this region, oil prices, and weak currencies have and may continue to cause significant volatility in demand for our products as well as our customers buying patterns.

Approximately 20% of our net sales in 2014 were shipped to customers in western Europe, the demand for which, in many cases, is dependent on economic conditions in this area, or to the extent such customers do business outside of Europe, in other regions of the world.

Our results could be adversely affected if economic conditions weaken or fail to improve. In the event of significant currency weakening in the countries into which our products are sold, demand for or pricing of our products could be adversely impacted. Also, there may be periods during which demand for our products is insufficient to enable us to operate our production facilities in an economical manner. As a result, we may be forced to take machine downtime. The economic environment may also cause customer insolvencies which may result in their inability to satisfy their financial obligations to us. These conditions are beyond our ability to control and may have a significant impact on our sales and results of operations.

Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect our results of operations.

As we diversify our business and expand our global footprint, an increasing proportion of our revenue is generated outside of the United States. We own and operate manufacturing facilities in Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the Philippines. Currently, the majority of our business is transacted in U.S. dollars; however, an increasing portion of business is transacted in Euros, British Pound Sterling, Canadian dollars or Philippine Peso. Our euro denominated revenue exceeds euro expenses by approximately 120 million. With respect

 

 

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to the British Pound Sterling, Canadian dollar, and Philippine Peso, we have greater outflows than inflows of these currencies, although to a lesser degree. As a result, particularly with respect to the euro, we are exposed to changes in currency exchange rates and such changes could be significant.

Economic weakness, the potential inability of certain European countries to continue to service their sovereign debt obligations, and the related actions of this region’s central banks has caused, and could continue to cause, the value of the euro to weaken. As a result, our operating results could be negatively impacted. In the event that one or more European countries were to replace the euro with another currency, business may be adversely affected until stable exchange rates are established.

Our ability to maintain our products’ price competitiveness is reliant, in part, on the relative strength of the currency in which the product is denominated compared to the currency of the market into which it is sold and the functional currency of our competitors. Changes in the rate of exchange of foreign currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar, and other currencies, may adversely impact our results of operations and our ability to offer products in certain markets at acceptable prices. For example, approximately $125 million of our annual revenue is earned from shipments to customers located in Ukraine, Russia and members of the CIS. Although these sales are denominated in euros, a significant weakening of the customers’ local currencies could adversely affect our customers’ credit risk and our revenue and results of operation.

The cost of raw materials and energy used to manufacture our products could increase and the availability of certain raw materials could become constrained.

We require access to sufficient and reasonably priced quantities of pulpwood, purchased pulps, pulp substitutes, abaca fiber, synthetic fibers, and certain other raw materials.

Our Specialty Papers’ locations are vertically integrated manufacturing facilities that can generate approximately 85% of their annual pulp requirements.

Our Philippine mill purchases abaca fiber to produce abaca pulp a key fiber used to manufacture paper for single-serve coffee, tea and technical specialty products at our Gernsbach, Scaër, and Lydney facilities. At certain times, the supply of abaca fiber has been constrained due to factors such as weather related damage to the source crop as well

as decisions by land owners to produce alternative crops in lieu of those used to produce abaca fiber.

Our Advanced Airlaid Materials business unit requires access to sufficient quantities of fluff pulp, the supply of which is subject to availability of certain softwoods. Softwood availability can be limited by many factors, including weather in regions where softwoods are abundant.

The cost of many of our production materials, including petroleum based chemicals and freight charges, are influenced by the cost of oil. In addition, coal is a principal source of fuel for both the Spring Grove and Chillicothe facilities. Natural gas is used as a source of fuel at Chillicothe and our Composite Fibers and Advanced Airlaid Materials business units’ facilities.

Government rules, regulations and policies have an impact on the cost of certain energy sources, particularly for our European operations. We currently benefit from a number of government sponsored programs designed to mitigate the cost of electricity to larger industrial consumers of power related to initiatives such as green energy or renewable energy sources. As the political environment changes, any reduction in the extent of government sponsored incentives may adversely affect the cost ultimately borne by our operations.

Although we have contractual cost pass-through arrangements with certain Advanced Airlaid Materials’ customers, we may not be able to fully pass increased raw materials or energy costs on to all customers if the market will not bear the higher price or if existing agreements with our customers limit price increases. If price adjustments significantly trail increases in raw materials or energy prices, our operating results could be adversely affected.

Our industry is highly competitive and increased competition could reduce our sales and profitability.

Specialty Papers    The global markets in which we compete have been adversely affected by capacity exceeding the demand for products, increased imports from foreign competitors and by uncoated free sheet demand which has been declining by 3% to 4% per year. As a result, the industry has taken steps to reduce capacity. However, slowing demand or increased competition could force us to lower our prices or to offer additional services at a higher cost to us, which could reduce our gross margins and net income. The greater financial resources of certain of our competitors may enable them to commit larger amounts of capital in response to changing market conditions. Certain competitors may also

 

 

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have the ability to develop product or service innovations that could put us at a competitive disadvantage.

There have been periods of supply/demand imbalance in our industry which have caused pulp prices and our products’ selling prices to be volatile. The timing and magnitude of price increases or decreases in these markets have generally varied by region and by product type. A sustained period of weak demand or excess supply would likely adversely affect pulp prices and our products’ selling prices. This could have a material adverse affect on our operating and financial results.

Some of the other factors that may adversely affect our ability to compete in Specialty Papers markets in which we participate include:

 

   

the entry of new competitors into the markets we serve;

 

   

the prevelance of imported product, particularly uncoated free sheet, into the U.S.;

 

   

the willingness of commodity-based producers to enter our markets when they are unable to compete or when demand softens in their traditional markets;

 

   

the aggressiveness of our competitors’ pricing strategies, which could force us to decrease prices in order to maintain market share;

 

   

our failure to anticipate and respond to changing customer preferences;

 

   

the impact of electronic-based substitutes for certain of our products such as carbonless and forms, book publishing, and envelope papers;

 

   

the impact of replacement or disruptive technologies;

 

   

changes in end-user preferences;

 

   

our inability to develop new, improved or enhanced products;

 

   

our inability to maintain the cost efficiency of our facilities; and

 

   

the cost of regulatory environmental compliance requirements.

Composite Fibers and Advanced Airlaid Materials    The global markets in which we compete, although growing, are not as large as the markets for Specialty Papers. As a result, our ability to compete is more sensitive to and may be adversely impacted by the following:

 

   

the entry of new competitors into the markets we serve;

 

   

the aggressiveness of our competitors’ pricing strategies, which could force us to decrease prices in order to maintain market share;

 

   

our failure to anticipate and respond to changing customer preferences; and

 

   

technological advances or changes that impact production of our products.

The impact of any significant changes as noted or otherwise may result in our inability to effectively compete in the markets in which we operate, and as a result our sales and operating results would be adversely affected.

We may not be able to develop new products acceptable to our customers.

Our business strategy is market focused and includes investments in developing new products to meet the changing needs of our customers and to maintain our market share. Our success will depend, in part on our ability to develop and introduce new and enhanced products that keep pace with introductions by our competitors and changing customer preferences. If we fail to anticipate or respond adequately to these factors, we may lose opportunities for business with both current and potential customers. The success of our new product offerings will depend on several factors, including our ability to:

 

   

anticipate and properly identify our customers’ needs and industry trends;

 

   

price our products competitively;

 

   

develop and commercialize new products and applications in a timely manner;

 

   

differentiate our products from our competitors’ products; and

 

   

invest efficiently in research and development activities.

Our inability to develop new products could adversely impact our business and ultimately harm our profitability.

 

 

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We are subject to substantial costs and potential liability for environmental matters.

We are subject to various environmental laws and regulations that govern our operations, including discharges into the environment, and the handling and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes. We are also subject to laws and regulations that impose liability and clean-up responsibility for releases of hazardous substances into the environment. To comply with environmental laws and regulations, we have incurred, and will continue to incur, substantial capital and operating expenditures. The Clean Air Act, and similar regulations, will impose significant compliance costs or require significant capital expenditures. Compliance with the Clean Air Act will require process modifications and/or installation of air pollution controls on boilers at two of our facilities, as well as connecting to gas pipelines. Because of the complexities of this initiative, our inability to successfully complete all aspects of the project could adversely impact the expenditures required or our results of operations.

We anticipate that environmental regulation of our operations will continue to become more burdensome and that capital and operating expenditures necessary to comply with environmental regulations will continue, and perhaps increase, in the future. Because environmental regulations are not consistent worldwide, our ability to compete globally may be adversely affected by capital and operating expenditures required for environmental compliance. In addition, we may incur obligations to remove or mitigate any adverse effects on the environment, such as air and water quality, resulting from mills we operate or have operated. Potential obligations include compensation for the restoration of natural resources, personal injury and property damages. See Item 1 – Environmental Matters for an additional discussion of expected costs to comply with environmental regulations.

We continue to have exposure to potential liability for remediation and other costs related to the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls in the lower Fox River on which our former Neenah, Wisconsin mill was located. There can be no assurance that we will not be required to provide significant contributions to fund remediation efforts in the near term and/or ultimately pay material amounts to resolve our liability in the Fox River matter. We have financial reserves for environmental matters, including the Fox River site, but we cannot be certain that those reserves will be adequate to provide for future obligations related to these matters, that our share of costs and/or damages

for these matters will not exceed our available resources, or that such obligations will not have a long-term, material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

Our environmental issues are complex and should be reviewed in the context set forth in more detail in Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 23.

The Advanced Airlaid Materials business unit generates a substantial portion of its revenue from one customer serving the hygiene products market, the loss of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Advanced Airlaid Materials generates the majority of its net sales of hygiene products from one customer. The loss of this customer could have a material adverse effect on their operating results. In addition, sales to the feminine hygiene market accounted for 77% of Advanced Airlaid Materials’ net sales in 2014 and sales are concentrated within a small group of large customers. A decline in sales of hygiene products could have a material adverse effect on this unit’s operating results. Our ability to effectively compete could be affected by technological advances which may introduce alternative or substitute products into this market segment. Customers in the airlaid non-woven fabric material market, including the hygiene market, may also switch to less expensive products, change preferences or otherwise reduce demand for Advanced Airlaid Material’s products, thus reducing the size of the markets in which it currently sells its products. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance and business prospects.

Our operations may be impaired and we may be exposed to potential losses and liability as a result of natural disasters, acts of terrorism or sabotage or similar events.

If we have a catastrophic loss or unforeseen operational problem at any of our facilities, we could suffer significant lost production which could impair our ability to satisfy customer demands.

Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, flooding or fire, and acts of terrorism or sabotage affecting our operating activities and major facilities could materially and adversely affect our operations, operating results and financial condition.

In addition, we own and maintain three dams in York County, Pennsylvania, that were built to ensure a steady

 

 

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supply of water for the operation of our facility in Spring Grove which is a primary manufacturing location for our envelope papers and engineered products. Each of these dams is classified as “high hazard” by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania because they are located in close proximity to inhabited areas. Any sudden failure of a dam, including as a result of natural disaster or act of terrorism or sabotage, would endanger occupants and residential, commercial and industrial structures, for which we could be liable. The failure of a dam could also be extremely disruptive and result in damage to or the shutdown of our Spring Grove mill. Any losses or liabilities incurred due to the failure of one of our dams may not be fully covered by our insurance policies or may substantially exceed the limits of our policies, and could materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

In addition, many of our papermaking operations require a reliable and abundant supply of water. Such mills rely on a local water body or water source for their water needs and, therefore, are particularly impacted by drought conditions or other natural or manmade interruptions to its water supplies. At various times and for differing periods, each of our mills has had to modify operations due to water shortages, water clarity, or low flow conditions in its principal water supplies. Any interruption or curtailment of operations at any of our paper mills due to drought or low flow conditions at the principal water source or another cause could materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

Our pulp mill in Lanao del Norte on the Island of Mindanao in the Republic of the Philippines is located along the Pacific Rim, one of the world’s hazard belts. By virtue of its geographic location, this mill is subject to, among similar types of natural disasters discussed above, cyclones, typhoons, and volcanic activity. Moreover, the area of Lanao del Norte has been a target of suspected terrorist activities. The most common bomb targets in Lanao del Norte to date have been power transmission towers. Our pulp mill in Mindanao is located in a rural portion of the island and is susceptible to attacks or power interruptions. The Mindanao mill supplies the abaca pulp that is used by our Composite Fibers business unit to manufacture our paper for single serve coffee and tea products and certain technical specialties products. Any interruption, loss or extended curtailment of operations at our Mindanao mill could affect our ability to meet customer demands for our products and materially affect our operating results and financial condition.

We have operations in a potentially politically and economically unstable location.

Our pulp mill in the Philippines is located in a region that is unstable and subject to political unrest. As discussed above, our Philippine pulp mill produces abaca pulp, a significant raw material used by our Composite Fibers business unit, and is currently our main provider of abaca pulp. There are limited suitable alternative sources of readily available abaca pulp in the world. In the event of a disruption in supply from our Philippine mill, there is no guarantee that we could obtain adequate amounts of abaca pulp from alternative sources at a reasonable price or at all. As a consequence, any civil disturbance, unrest, political instability or other event that causes a disruption in supply could limit the availability of abaca pulp and would increase our cost of obtaining abaca pulp. Such occurrences could adversely impact our sales volumes, revenues and operating results.

Our international operations pose certain risks that may adversely impact sales and earnings.

We have significant operations and assets located in Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines. Our international sales and operations are subject to a number of unique risks, in addition to the risks in our domestic sales and operations, including differing protections of intellectual property, trade barriers, labor unrest, exchange controls, regional economic uncertainty, differing (and possibly more stringent) labor regulation, risk of governmental expropriation, domestic and foreign customs and tariffs, differing regulatory environments, difficulty in managing widespread operations and political instability. These factors may adversely affect our future profits. Also, in some foreign jurisdictions, we may be subject to laws limiting the right and ability of entities organized or operating therein to pay dividends or remit earnings to affiliated companies unless specified conditions are met. Any such limitations would restrict our flexibility in using funds generated in those jurisdictions.

We are subject to cyber-security risks related to unauthorized or malicious access to sensitive customer, vendor, company or employee information as well as to the technology that supports our operations and other business processes.

Our business operations rely upon secure systems for mill operations, data capture, processing, storage and

 

 

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reporting. Although we maintain appropriate data security and controls, our information technology systems, and those of our third party providers, could become subject to cyber attacks. Systems such as ours are inherently exposed to cyber-security risks and potential for attacks. The result of such attacks could result in a breach of data security and controls. Such a breach of our network, systems, applications or data could result in operational disruptions or damage or information misappropriation including, but not limited to, interruption to systems availability, denial of access to and misuse of applications required by our customers to conduct business with us, denial of access to the applications we use to plan our operations, procure materials, manufacture and ship products and account for orders, theft of intellectual knowhow and trade secrets, and inappropriate disclosure of confidential company, employee, customer or vendor information, could stem from such incidents.

Any of these operational disruptions and/or misappropriation of information could adversely affect our results of operations, create negative publicity and could have a material effect on our business.

In the event any of the above risk factors impact our business in a material way or in combination during the same period, we may be unable to generate sufficient cash flow to simultaneously fund our operations, finance capital expenditures, satisfy obligations and make dividend payments on our common stock.

In addition to debt service obligations, our business is capital intensive and requires significant expenditures to support growth strategies, research and development initiatives, environmental compliance, and for normal upgrades or replacements. We expect to meet all of our near and long-term cash needs from a combination of operating cash flow, cash and cash equivalents, our existing credit facility and other long-term debt. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from these sources, we could be unable to meet our near and long-term cash needs or make dividend payments.

 

ITEM 1B UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

ITEM 2 PROPERTIES

We own substantially all of the land and buildings comprising our manufacturing facilities located in Pennsylvania; Ohio; Canada; the United Kingdom;

Germany; France; and the Philippines; as well as substantially all of the equipment used in our manufacturing and related operations. Certain of our operations are under lease arrangements including our metallized paper production facility located in Caerphilly, Wales, office and warehouse space in Moscow, Russia, Souzou, China and our corporate offices located in York, Pennsylvania. All of our properties, other than those that are leased, are free from any material liens or encumbrances. We consider all of our buildings to be in good structural condition and well maintained and our properties to be suitable and adequate for present operations.

 

ITEM 3 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are involved in various lawsuits that we consider to be ordinary and incidental to our business. The ultimate outcome of these lawsuits cannot be predicted with certainty; however, except with respect to the Fox River matter referred to below, we do not expect such lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

We are one of several defendants in a significant environmental matter relating to contamination in the Fox River and Bay of Green Bay in Wisconsin. For a discussion this matter, see Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 23.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our executive officers and senior management as of February 27, 2015.

 

Name    Age      Office with the Company
Dante C. Parrini      50      

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

John P. Jacunski      49      

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Christopher W. Astley      42      

Senior Vice President & Business Unit President, Advanced Airlaid Materials

Brian E. Janki      42      

Senior Vice President & Business Unit President, Specialty Papers

Martin Rapp      55      

Senior Vice President & Business Unit President, Composite Fibers

William T. Yanavitch II      54      

Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration

David C. Elder      46      

Vice President, Finance

Kent K. Matsumoto      55      

Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Mark A. Sullivan      60      

Vice President, Global Supply Chain and Information Technology

 

 

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Officers are elected to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Except in the case of officers elected to fill a new position or a vacancy occurring at some other date, officers are generally elected at the organizational meeting of the Board of Directors held immediately after the annual meeting of shareholders.

Dante C. Parrini became Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2011 and Chairman of the Board in May 2011. Prior to this, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, a position he held since February 2005. Mr. Parrini joined us in 1997 and has previously served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, a position he held beginning in January 2003 and prior to that as Vice President responsible for Sales and Marketing.

John P. Jacunski was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in February 2014. He joined us in October 2003 and served as Vice President and Corporate Controller. In July 2006 he was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Jacunski was previously Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at WCI Steel, Inc. from June 1999 to October 2003. Prior to joining WCI, Mr. Jacunski was with KPMG, an international accounting and consulting firm, where he served in various capacities.

Christopher W. Astley was named Senior Vice President & Business Unit President, Advanced Airlaid Materials in January 2015. He joined us in August 2010 as Vice President, Corporate Strategy and was promoted to Senior Vice President in February 2014. Prior to joining us, he was an entrepreneur leading a privately held business from 2004 until 2010. Prior to that Mr. Astley held positions with Accenture, a global management consulting firm, and The Coca-Cola Company.

Brian E. Janki serves as Senior Vice President & Business Unit President, Specialty Papers. Prior to joining us in August 2013 Mr. Janki was employed by Greif as their Vice President & General Manager, Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services. During his twelve years with Greif, Mr. Janki held leadership positions including profit/loss responsibilities for two business units, global responsibility for supply chain and sourcing, and transformational assignments including global oversight of the implementation of the Greif Business System.

Martin Rapp serves as Senior Vice President & Business Unit President, Composite Fibers. Mr. Rapp joined us in August 2006 and has lead the Composite Fibers business unit since that time. Prior to this, he was Vice President and General Manager of Avery Dennison’s Roll Materials Business in Central and Eastern Europe since August 2002.

William T. Yanavitch II was promoted to Senior Vice President Human Resources and Administration in February 2014. Since joining us in July 2000, he has served as Vice President, Human Resources. Prior to joining us he worked for Dentsply International and Gould Pumps Inc. in various leadership capacities.

David C. Elder was promoted to Vice President, Finance in December 2011 and continues as our Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to his promotion, he was our Vice President, Corporate Controller, a position held since joining Glatfelter in January 2006. Mr. Elder was previously Corporate Controller for YORK International Corporation.

Kent K. Matsumoto was appointed Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in October 2013. Mr. Matsumoto joined us in June 2012 as Assistant General Counsel and also served as interim General Counsel from March 2013 to October 2013. From July 2008 until February 2012, he was Associate General Counsel for Wolters Kluwer.

Mark A. Sullivan has served as Vice President, Global Supply Chain and Information Technology since his promotion in November 2012. Mr. Sullivan joined us in December 2003 as Chief Procurement Officer and he was appointed Vice President, Global Supply Chain in February 2005. Prior to joining Glatfelter, his experience included a broad array of operations and supply chain management responsibilities during twenty years with the DuPont Company.

 

ITEM 4 MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable

 

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5 MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Common Stock Prices and Dividends Declared Information

The following table shows the high and low prices of our common stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GLT” and the dividend declared per share for each quarter during the past two years:

 

Quarter    High      Low      Dividend  

2014

        

Fourth

   $ 27.18       $ 21.38       $ 0.11   

Third

     27.19         21.94         0.11   

Second

     27.54         24.07         0.11   

First

     32.00         26.52         0.11   

2013

        

Fourth

   $ 29.25       $ 25.01       $ 0.10   

Third

     28.21         25.13         0.10   

Second

     26.44         21.53         0.10   

First

     23.66         17.11         0.10   

As of February 25, 2015, we had 1,115 shareholders of record.

STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following graph compares the cumulative 5-year total return of our common stock with the cumulative total returns of both a peer group and a broad market index. We compare our stock performance to the S&P Small Cap 600 Paper Products index comprised of us, Clearwater Paper Corp., Kapstone Paper & Packaging Corp., Neenah Paper Inc., Schweitzer-Mauduit International and Wausau Paper Corp. In addition, the chart includes a comparison to the Russell 2000, which we believe is an appropriate benchmark index for stocks such as ours. The following graph assumes that the value of the investment in our common stock, in each index, and in the peer group (including reinvestment of dividends) was $100 on December 31, 2009 and charts it through December 31, 2014.

 

 

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ITEM 6 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

 

 

As of or for the year ended December 31

Dollars in thousands, except per share

    2014         2013 (1)        2012        2011        2010 (4)   

Net sales

  $ 1,802,415       $ 1,722,615      $ 1,577,788      $ 1,603,154      $ 1,455,331   

Energy and related sales, net

    7,927         3,153        7,000        9,344        10,653   

Total revenue

    1,810,342         1,725,768        1,584,788        1,612,498        1,465,984   
          

Net income

  $ 69,246       $ 67,158      $ 59,379 (2)    $ 42,694 (3)    $ 54,434 (5) 
 

Earnings per share

          

Basic

  $ 1.60       $ 1.56      $ 1.39      $ 0.94      $ 1.19   

Diluted

    1.57         1.52        1.36        0.93        1.17   
 

Total assets

  $ 1,561,504       $ 1,678,410      $ 1,242,985      $ 1,136,925      $ 1,341,747   

Total debt

    404,612         442,325        250,000        227,000        333,022   

Shareholders’ equity

    649,109         684,476        539,679        490,404        552,442   
 

Cash dividends declared per common share

    0.44         0.40        0.36        0.36        0.36   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    70,555         68,196        69,500        69,313        65,839   

Capital expenditures

    66,046         103,047        58,752        64,491        36,491   
 

Shares outstanding

    43,054         43,130        42,784        42,650        45,976   

Net tons sold

    1,059,881         1,029,819        969,833        960,915        927,853   

Number of employees

    4,610         4,403        4,258        4,274        4,337   

 

(1) On April 30, 2013, we acquired Dresden Papier GmbH, the results of which are included prospectively from the acquisition date, including $101.8 million of net sales and $18.3 million of operating income.

 

(2) During 2012, we recorded after-tax charges totaling $4.8 million related to the write-off of unamortized deferred issuance costs and the early redemption premium in connection with the refinancing of $200 million of bonds. In addition, net income includes a $4.0 million benefit from the conversion of alternative fuel mixture credits for cellulosic biofuel production credits.

 

(3) During 2011, we recorded after-tax charges totaling $6.1 million related to the write-off of unamortized deferred issuance costs and original issue discount and the redemption premium in connection with the early redemption of $100 million of bonds.

 

(4) The information set forth above for 2010 includes the financial information for Concert Industries Corp. prospectively from the February 12, 2010 acquisition date.

 

(5) During 2010, net income included a $23.2 million tax benefit from cellulosic biofuel production credits.

 

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ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements    This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding industry prospects and future consolidated financial position or results of operations, made in this Report on Form 10-K are forward looking. We use words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “future”, “intends” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Our actual results may differ significantly from such expectations. The following discussion includes forward-looking statements regarding expectations of, among others, non-cash pension expense, environmental costs, capital expenditures and liquidity, all of which are inherently difficult to predict. Although we make such statements based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations. Accordingly, we identify the following important factors, among others, which could cause our results to differ from any results that might be projected, forecasted or estimated in any such forward-looking statements:

 

i. variations in demand for our products including the impact of unplanned market-related downtime, variations in product pricing, or product substitution;

 

ii. changes in the cost or availability of raw materials we use, in particular pulpwood, pulp, pulp substitutes, caustic soda, and abaca fiber;

 

iii. changes in energy-related costs and commodity raw materials with an energy component;

 

iv. our ability to develop new, high value-added products;

 

v. the impact of exposure to volatile market-based pricing for sales of excess electricity;

 

vi. the impact of competition, both domestic and international, changes in industry production capacity, including the construction of new mills or new machines, the closing of mills and incremental changes due to capital expenditures or productivity increases;
vii. the gain or loss of significant customers and/or on-going viability of such customers;

 

viii. the impact of unplanned production interruption;

 

ix. cost and other effects of environmental compliance, cleanup, damages, remediation or restoration, or personal injury or property damages related thereto, such as the costs of natural resource restoration or damages related to the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCBs”) in the lower Fox River on which our former Neenah mill was located;

 

x. adverse results in litigation in the Fox River matter;

 

xi. risks associated with our international operations, including local economic and political environments and fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

 

xii. geopolitical events, including the impact of conflicts such as Russia and Ukraine;

 

xiii. the impact of war and terrorism;

 

xiv. disruptions in production and/or increased costs due to labor disputes;

 

xv. the impact of unfavorable outcomes of audits by various state, federal or international tax authorities;

 

xvi. enactment of adverse state, federal or foreign tax or other legislation or changes in government policy or regulation; and

 

xvii. our ability to finance, consummate and integrate acquisitions;

Introduction    We manufacture a wide array of specialty papers and fiber-based engineered materials and we manage our company along three business units:

 

   

Composite Fibers with revenue from the sale of single-serve coffee and tea filtration papers, non-woven wall covering, papers for battery and capacitor applications, metallized papers, composite laminates, and other technical specialty papers;

 

   

Advanced Airlaid Materials with revenue from the sale of airlaid non-woven fabric like materials used in feminine hygiene products, adult incontinence products, cleaning pads, food pads, napkins, tablecloths, and baby wipes; and

 

   

Specialty Papers with revenue from the sale of carbonless papers, non-carbonless forms, book publishing, envelope & converting papers, and fiber-based engineered products.

 

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

2014 versus 2013

Overview    Our net income in 2014 was $69.2 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, compared with $67.2 million, or $1.52 per diluted share, in 2013. On an adjusted earnings basis, a non-GAAP measure that excludes non-core business items discussed below, earnings per diluted share increased to $1.55 compared with $1.40 in 2013. Adjusted earnings per share increased 10.7% driven by improved results from our growth businesses, as well as lower pension expense. Our results were adversely impacted by significant costs related to pulp mill performance issues in Ohio, severe weather conditions and higher costs related to annual maintenance outages. In addition, our Composite Fibers business was adversely impacted by near-term macro-level challenges, including the fluid economic and political situation in Russia and Ukraine, weak economic growth in Europe as well as increased competitive pressures and higher market related downtime.

On October 1, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Spezialpapierfabrik Oberschmitten GmbH (SPO) for $8.0 million in cash. SPO’s results are reported as part of the Composite Fibers business unit prospectively from the acquisition date. SPO’s net sales included in our results totaled $8.2 million. It primarily produces highly technical papers for use in a wide range of capacitors used in consumer and industrial products; insulation papers for cables and transformers; and materials for industrial power inverters, electromagnetic current filters and electric rail traction.

Effective April 30, 2013, we completed the acquisition of Dresden Papier GmbH (“Dresden”) for $211 million, net of cash acquired. Our reported results include Dresden for a full year of 2014 and, in 2013, only prospectively from the acquisition date.

The following table sets forth summarized results of operations:

 

    Year ended December 31  

In thousands, except per share

    2014         2013   

Net sales

  $ 1,802,415       $ 1,722,615   

Gross profit

    235,154         218,660   

Operating income

    106,780         86,519   

Net income

    69,246         67,158   

Earnings per diluted share

    1.57         1.52   

Our results reflect benefits from our two growth businesses as they delivered a combined 8% increase in net sales. Composite Fibers, driven by the previously acquired Dresden business, and Advanced Airlaid Materials

reported improved operating profit of 9% and 18%, respectively, over the prior year period.

In addition to the results reported in accordance with GAAP, we evaluate our performance using adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share. We disclose this information so that investors can evaluate our performance exclusive of certain items that impact the comparability of results from period to period as it allows them to understand underlying operating trends and cash flow generation.

Adjusted earnings per diluted share is calculated by dividing adjusted net income by diluted weighted-average shares outstanding. Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share are considered measures not calculated in accordance with GAAP, and therefore are non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may differ from other companies. The non-GAAP financial information should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following table sets for the reconciliation of net income to adjusted earnings for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

In thousands, except per share

    
 
After-tax
amounts
  
  
    Diluted EPS   

2014

    

Net income

   $ 69,246      $ 1.57   

Acquisition and integration related costs

     603        0.01   

Workforce efficiency charges

     373        0.01   

Asset impairment charge

     2,356        0.05   

Timberland sales and related costs

     (2,995     (0.07

Alternative fuel mixture/Cellulosic biofuel credits

     (1,115     (0.03

Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP)

   $ 68,468      $ 1.55   
  

 

 

 

2013

    

Net income

   $ 67,158      $ 1.52   

Acquisition and integration related costs

     6,079        0.14   

International legal entity restructuring

     630        0.01   

Timberland sales and related costs

     (1,725     (0.04

Alternative fuel mixture/Cellulosic biofuel credits

     (10,316     (0.23
  

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP)

   $ 61,826      $ 1.40   

The sum of individual per share amounts set forth above may not agree to adjusted earnings per share due to rounding.

Adjusted net income consists of net income determined in accordance with GAAP adjusted to exclude the impact of the following:

Acquisition and integration related costs. These adjustments include costs directly related to the consummation of the acquisition process and those related to integrating recently acquired businesses. These costs are

 

 

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irregular in timing and as such may not be indicative of our past and future performance.

Workforce efficiency charges. This includes costs that are directly related to actions undertaken to reduce costs and improve operating efficiencies. Such costs were specifically incurred as part of our initiative to reduce global headcount as part of a more broad based cost reduction effort initiated in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Asset impairment charge. This adjustment represents a non-cash charge required to adjust to its estimated fair value the carrying value of a trade name intangible asset. Charges of this nature are irregular in timing and as such may not be indicative of our past and future performance.

Timberland sales and related costs. These adjustments exclude gains from the sales of timberlands as these items are not considered to be part of our core business, ongoing results of operations or cash flows. These adjustments are irregular in timing and amount and may significantly impact the our operating performance. As such, these items may not be indicative of past and future performance of the Company and therefore are excluded for comparability purposes.

Alternative fuel mixture/Cellulosic biofuel credits. These adjustments primarily reflect the release of reserves for uncertain tax position due to the lapse of statutes of limitation.

International legal entity restructuring costs. These adjustments include costs that are directly related to

actions undertaken to improve the flexibility of the organizational structure to support our growth initiatives. As such, these items are considered to be unusual in nature and not indicative of our past and future and are therefore excluded for the purpose of understanding underlying operating trends.

Our growth-oriented fiber-based engineered materials businesses reported improved results with operating profit increasing $9.7 million. However, Specialty Papers operating income declined $1.1 million reflecting the impact of operational issues and higher costs of maintenance outages nearly offset by higher selling prices.

Composite Fibers’ operating income for 2014 increased to $68.3 million from $62.4 million in 2013 primarily due to the inclusion of Dresden. Excluding Dresden, shipping volumes were essentially unchanged although the mix improved. This unit’s results were adversely impacted by increased competitive pressure and softness in certain markets or regions it sells to such as Russia and Ukraine.

Advanced Airlaid Materials’ operating income increased to $25.3 million compared with $21.5 million in 2013. The improved performance was largely driven by a 3.7% increase in shipping volumes. During 2014 this business unit successfully launched a new adult incontinence product.

Specialty Papers’ operating profit for 2014 totaled $38.6 million compared with $39.7 million in 2013. Volumes shipped were essentially unchanged in the comparison, although selling prices increased.

 

 

Business Unit Performance

 

    Year ended December 31  

Dollars in millions

    Composite Fibers        
 
Advanced Airlaid
Materials
  
  
     Specialty Papers        
 
Other and
Unallocated
  
  
     Total   
    2014      2013      2014      2013      2014      2013      2014      2013      2014      2013  

Net sales

  $ 617.9       $ 566.4       $ 281.7       $ 268.4       $ 902.9       $ 887.9       $       $       $ 1,802.4       $ 1,722.6   

Energy and related sales, net

                                    7.9         3.2                         7.9         3.2   

Total revenue

    617.9         566.4         281.7         268.4         910.8         891.1                         1,810.3         1,725.8   

Cost of products sold

    498.0         456.5         247.6         238.0         821.8         799.3         7.8         13.3         1,575.2         1,507.1   

Gross profit (loss)

    119.9         109.8        
34.1
  
     30.4         89.0         91.7        
(7.8

     (13.3      235.2         218.7   

SG&A

    51.6         47.4         8.8         8.9         50.4         52.0         22.4         25.5         133.2         133.9   

Gains on dispositions of plant, equipment and timberlands, net

                                                    (4.9      (1.7      (4.9      (1.7

Total operating income (loss)

    68.3         62.4         25.3         21.5         38.6         39.7         (25.3      (37.1      106.8         86.5   

Non-operating expense

                                                    (19.4      (17.3      (19.4      (17.3

Income (loss) before income taxes

  $ 68.3       $ 62.4       $ 25.3       $ 21.5       $ 38.6       $ 39.7       $ (44.7    $ (54.4    $ 87.4       $ 69.2   

Supplementary Data

                            

Net tons sold (thousands)

    157.3         133.6         99.7         96.1         802.9         800.2                         1,059.9         1,029.8   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  $ 29.7       $ 24.8       $ 9.1       $ 8.9       $ 29.9       $ 33.2       $ 1.9       $ 1.3       $ 70.6       $ 68.2   

Capital expenditures

    23.9         56.9         7.6         6.7         32.1         33.8         2.4         5.7         66.0         103.0   

The sum of individual amounts set forth above may not agree to the consolidated financial statements included herein due to rounding.

 

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Business Units    Results of individual business units are presented based on our management accounting practices and management structure. There is no comprehensive, authoritative body of guidance for management accounting equivalent to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; therefore, the financial results of individual business units are not necessarily comparable with similar information for any other company. The management accounting process uses assumptions and allocations to measure performance of the business units. Methodologies are refined from time to time as management accounting practices are enhanced and businesses change. The costs incurred by support areas not directly aligned with the business unit are allocated primarily based on an estimated utilization of support area services or are included in “Other and Unallocated” in the Business Unit Performance table.

Management evaluates results of operations of the business units before pension expense, certain corporate level costs, and the effects of certain gains or losses not considered to be related to the core business operations. Management believes that this is a more meaningful representation of the operating performance of its core businesses, the profitability of business units and the extent of cash flow generated from these core operations. Such amounts are presented under the caption “Other and Unallocated.” This presentation is aligned with the management and operating structure of our company. It is also on this basis that the Company’s performance is evaluated internally and by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Sales and Costs of Products Sold

 

    Year ended December 31        

In thousands

    2014        2013        Change   

Net sales

  $ 1,802,415      $ 1,722,615      $ 79,800   

Energy and related sales, net

    7,927        3,153        4,774   

Total revenues

    1,810,342        1,725,768        84,574   

Costs of products sold

    1,575,188        1,507,108        68,080   

Gross profit

  $ 235,154      $ 218,660      $ 16,494   

Gross profit as a percent of Net sales

    13.0     12.7        

The following table sets forth the contribution to consolidated net sales by each business unit:

 

   

Year ended

December 31

 
Percent of Total   2014     2013  

Business Unit

     

Composite Fibers

    34.3     32.9

Advanced Airlaid Material

    15.6        15.6   

Specialty Papers

    50.1        51.5   

Total

    100.0     100.0

Net sales    for 2014 totaled $1,802.4 million, a 4.6% increase compared with 2013. Excluding the Dresden and SPO acquisitions, organic growth totaled 1.5%.

Composite Fibers’ net sales totaled $617.9 million in 2014, an increase of $51.5 million or 9% compared to 2013, primarily due to the inclusion of a full year of Dresden’s activity in 2014, compared with eight months in 2013, together with SPO’s results prospectively from the October 1, 2014 acquisition date. These factors were offset by lower selling prices and unfavorable currency translation of $11.9 million and $2.0 million, respectively. The lower selling prices primarily reflect the adverse impact of competitive pressures in certain market segments and weak economic conditions, particularly in Europe, Russia and Ukraine.

Composite Fibers’ operating income increased $5.9 million in the year over year comparison of 2014 to 2013 largely due to the inclusion of the Dresden acquisition for a full year, $5.7 million of operating and energy efficiency improvements, and $2.9 million benefit from lower raw material and energy costs, partially offset by the lower selling prices.

In Advanced Airlaid Materials, net sales totaled $281.7 million in 2014, an increase of $13.3 million or 5.0% compared to 2013, primarily due to a 3.7% increase in shipping volumes. Lower selling prices negatively affected the comparison by $1.1 million.

Advanced Airlaid Material’s operating income for 2014 increased $3.8 million, or 17.7%, compared to 2013, primarily due to higher shipping volumes and foreign currency translation.

In the Specialty Papers business unit, net sales totaled $902.9 million in 2014, an increase of $15.0 million or 1.7% compared to 2013 due to higher selling prices. Higher selling prices favorably affected the comparison by $21.7 million.

Specialty Papers’ operating income for 2014 was $1.1 million lower than 2013. The decline was primarily

 

 

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due to $22.3 million of higher costs related pulp mill performance issues, severe weather conditions, and maintenance spending. In addition, higher input costs adversely impacted the comparison by $3.3 million. These negative factors were nearly offset by higher selling prices and sales of excess power.

Energy and related sales increased $4.7 million in the year-over-year comparison as severe weather conditions early in 2014 resulted in higher selling prices for excess power.

We sell excess power generated by the Spring Grove, PA facility. The following table summarizes this activity for 2014 and 2013:

 

    Year ended December 31      

In thousands

    2014         2013         Change   

Energy sales

  $ 11,886       $ 8,189       $ 3,697   

Costs to produce

    (6,204      (6,784      580   

Net

    5,682         1,405         4,277   

Renewable energy credits

    2,245         1,748         497   

Total

  $ 7,927       $ 3,153       $ 4,774   

Renewable energy credits (“RECs”) represent sales of certified credits earned related to burning renewable sources of energy such as black liquor and wood waste. We sell RECs into an illiquid market. The extent and value of future revenues from REC sales is dependent on many factors outside of management’s control. Therefore, we may not be able to generate consistent additional sales of RECs in future periods.

Asset impairment charge    During the third quarter of 2014, we recorded a $3.3 million non-cash asset impairment charge related to a trade name intangible asset acquired in connection with the 2013 Dresden acquisition. The charge was due to a change in the trade name’s estimated fair value, primarily driven by a substantial increase in discount rates related to Dresden’s business in Russia and Ukraine and this region’s political instability. The charge is reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of income under the caption “selling, general and administrative expenses.”

Other and Unallocated    The amount of net operating expenses not allocated to a business unit and reported as “Other and Unallocated” in our table of Business Unit Performance, excluding gains from sales of plant, equipment and timberlands, totaled $30.2 million in 2014 compared with $38.8 million in 2013. The decrease was primarily due to lower pension expense, legal and professional fees, partially offset by the asset impairment charge.

Pension Expense    The following table summarizes the amounts of pension expense recognized for the periods indicated:

 

    Year ended December 31         

In thousands

    2014         2013         Change   

Recorded as:

       

Costs of products sold

  $ 6,605       $ 12,368       $ (5,763

SG&A expense

    55         1,849         (1,794

Total

  $ 6,660       $ 14,217       $ (7,557

The amount of pension expense recognized each year is dependent on various actuarial assumptions and certain other factors, including discount rates, mortality, and the fair value of our pension assets. Pension expense for the full year of 2015 is expected to be approximately $11.5 million compared with $6.7 million in 2014. The increase is primarily due to lower discount rates and the adoption of updated mortality tables.

Gain on Sales of Plant, Equipment and Timberlands, net    During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we completed the following sales of assets:

 

Dollars in thousands

     Acres        Proceeds         Gain   

2014

       

Timberlands

     2,753      $ 5,062       $ 4,855   

Other

     n/a        10         6   

Total

           $ 5,072       $ 4,861   

2013

       

Timberlands

     876      $ 1,445       $ 1,410   

Other

     n/a        502         316   

Total

           $ 1,947       $ 1,726   

Income taxes    For 2014, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $18.1 million on pretax income of $87.4 million. The comparable amounts in 2013 were income tax expense of $2.0 million on $69.2 million of pretax income. Income tax expense in 2014 benefited by $4.2 million from the reduction of deferred tax liabilities and release of valuation allowances related to the restructuring of non-U.S. legal entities. Tax expense for 2013 benefited from a greater proportion of earnings generated in lower tax foreign jurisdictions relative to the U.S. and by an aggregate of $16.3 million from cellulosic biofuel production credits, research and development credits, reduction in reserves due to lapse of statutes of limitation and changes in international statutory rates.

Foreign Currency    We own and operate facilities in Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the Philippines. The functional currency of our Canadian operations is the U.S. dollar. However, in Germany and

 

 

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France it is the Euro, in the UK, it is the British Pound Sterling, and in the Philippines the functional currency is the Peso. Our euro denominated revenue exceeds euro expenses by approximately 120 million. With respect to the British Pound Sterling, Canadian dollar, and Philippine Peso, we have greater outflows than inflows of these currencies, although to a lesser degree. As a result, particularly with respect to the euro, we are exposed to changes in currency exchange rates and such changes could be significant. The translation of the results from international operations into U.S. dollars is subject to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

The table below summarizes the translation impact on reported results that changes in currency exchange rates had on our non-U.S. based operations from the conversion of these operation’s results for 2014.

 

In thousands

   
 
Year ended
December 31, 2014
  
  
    Favorable
(unfavorable)
 

Net sales

  $ 2,298   

Costs of products sold

    (395

SG&A expenses

    (78

Income taxes and other

    307   

Net income

  $ 2,132   

The above table only presents the financial reporting impact of foreign currency translations assuming currency exchange rates in 2014 were the same as 2013. It does not present the impact of certain competitive advantages or disadvantages of operating or competing in multi-currency markets.

2013 versus 2012

Overview    The following table sets forth summarized results of operations:

 

    Year ended December 31  

In thousands, except per share

    2013        2012   

Net sales

  $ 1,722,615      $ 1,577,788   

Gross profit

    218,660        213,649   

Operating income

    86,519        101,874   

Net income

    67,158        59,379   

Earnings per diluted share

    1.52        1.36   

Net income increased 13.1% in the year over year comparison and totaled $67.2 million in 2013, or $1.52 per diluted share. In 2012 net income was $59.4 million, or $1.36 per diluted share. The year over year comparison reflects benefits from Dresden, a

significant acquisition in 2013 previously discussed, solid performance from our two growth businesses and a favorable tax rate.

Our growth-oriented fiber-based engineered materials businesses reported improved results evidenced by a $29.8 million increase in operating income. However, total operating income from all of our business units increased $2.2 million reflecting the impact of a lower contribution from Specialty Papers. Overall, total net sales increased $144.8 million, or 9.2%, and shipping volumes increased 6.2% in the year-over-year comparison.

Composite Fibers’ operating income increased to $62.4 million from $36.1 million in 2012 primarily due to the inclusion of Dresden, higher selling prices and an improved mix. Excluding Dresden, shipping volumes were essentially unchanged.

Advanced Airlaid Materials’ operating income increased to $21.5 million compared with $18.0 million in 2012 primarily due to increased shipping volumes.

Specialty Papers’ operating income declined to $39.7 million from $67.3 million in 2012. Although shipping volumes increased 1.4%, this unit’s profitability was unfavorably impacted by operational disruptions and lower selling prices.

The following table sets for the reconciliation of net income to adjusted earnings for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

In thousands, except per share

    
 
After-tax
amounts
  
  
   
 
Diluted
EPS
  
  

2013

    

Net income

   $ 67,158      $ 1.52   

Acquisition and integration related costs

     6,079        0.14   

International legal entity restructuring

     630        0.01   

Timberland sales and related costs

     (1,725     (0.04

Alternative fuel mixture/Cellulosic biofuel credits

     (10,316     (0.23
  

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP)

   $ 61,826      $ 1.40   
  

 

 

 

2012

    

Net income

   $ 59,379      $ 1.36   

Early redemption of $200 million bonds

     4,784        0.11   

Timberland sales and related costs

     (5,388     (0.12

Alternative fuel mixture/Cellulosic biofuel credits

     (4,020     (0.09
  

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP)

   $ 54,755      $ 1.25   

The sum of individual per share amounts set forth above may not agree to adjusted earnings per share due to rounding.

 

 

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Business Units    Results of individual business units are presented based on our management accounting practices and management structure. There is no comprehensive, authoritative body of guidance for management accounting equivalent to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; therefore, the financial results of individual business units are not necessarily comparable with similar information for any other company. The management accounting process uses assumptions and allocations to measure performance of the business units. Methodologies are refined from time to time as management accounting practices are enhanced and businesses change. The costs incurred by support areas not directly aligned with the business unit are allocated primarily based on an estimated utilization of support area services or are included in “Other and Unallocated” in the Business Unit Performance table.

Management evaluates results of operations of the business units before pension expense, certain corporate level costs, and the effects of certain gains or losses not considered to be related to the core business operations. Management believes that this is a more meaningful representation of the operating performance of its core businesses, the profitability of business units and the extent of cash flow generated from these core operations. Such amounts are presented under the caption “Other and Unallocated.” This presentation is aligned with the management and operating structure of our company. It is also on this basis that the Company’s performance is evaluated internally and by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

 

Business Unit Performance

 

    Year ended December 31  

In millions

    Composite Fibers        
 
Advanced Airlaid
Materials
  
  
     Specialty Papers        
 
Other and
Unallocated
  
  
     Total   
    2013      2012      2013      2012      2013      2012      2013      2012      2013      2012  

Net sales

  $ 566.4       $ 436.7       $ 268.4       $ 246.3       $ 887.9       $ 894.8       $       $       $ 1,722.6       $ 1,577.8   

Energy and related sales, net

                                    3.2         7.0                         3.2         7.0   

Total revenue

    566.4         436.7         268.4         246.3         891.0         901.8                         1,725.8         1,584.8   

Cost of products sold

    456.5         362.6         238.0         218.7         799.3         779.5         13.3         10.3         1,507.1         1,371.1   

Gross profit (loss)

    109.8         74.2         30.4         27.6         91.7         122.3         (13.3      (10.4      218.7         213.6   

SG&A

    47.4         38.1         8.9         9.6         52.0         55.0         25.5         18.9         133.9         121.6   

Gains on dispositions of plant, equipment and timberlands, net

                                                    (1.7      (9.8      (1.7      (9.8

Total operating income (loss)

    62.4         36.1         21.5         18.0         39.7         67.3         (37.1      (19.5      86.5         101.9   

Non-operating expense

                                                    (17.3      (22.9      (17.3      (22.9

Income (loss) before income taxes

  $ 62.4       $ 36.1       $ 21.5       $ 18.0       $ 39.7       $ 67.3       $ (54.4    $ (42.4    $ 69.2       $ 78.9   

Supplementary Data

                            

Net tons sold (thousands)

    133.6         90.3         96.1         90.3         800.2         789.2                         1,029.8         969.8   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  $ 24.8       $ 23.5       $ 8.9       $ 8.7       $ 33.2       $ 37.4         1.3               $ 68.2       $ 69.5   

Capital expenditures

    56.9         31.4         6.7         3.9         33.8         23.1         5.7         0.3         103.0         58.8   

The sum of individual amounts set forth above may not agree to the consolidated financial statements included herein due to rounding.

On April 30, 2013, we completed the acquisition of Dresden for $211 million. Dresden’s results are included prospectively from the acquisition date as part of the Composite Fibers business unit. For additional information related to this acquisition, refer to Note 3 – Acquisitions.

 

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Sales and Costs of Products Sold

 

    Year ended December 31        

In thousands

    2013        2012        Change   

Net sales

  $ 1,722,615      $ 1,577,788      $ 144,827   

Energy and related sales – net

    3,153        7,000        (3,847

Total revenues

    1,725,768        1,584,788        140,980   

Costs of products sold

    1,507,108        1,371,139        135,969   

Gross profit

  $ 218,660      $ 213,649      $ 5,011   

Gross profit as a percent of Net sales

    12.7     13.5        

The following table sets forth the contribution to consolidated net sales by each business unit:

 

    Year ended
December 31
 
Percent of Total   2013     2012  

Business Unit

     

Composite Fibers

    32.9     27.7

Advanced Airlaid Material

    15.6        15.6   

Specialty Papers

    51.5        56.7   

Total

    100.0     100.0

During 2013, our growth oriented businesses generated approximately 48.5%, or $834.8 million, of our consolidated net sales compared with 43.3% in 2012, reflecting strategic initiatives to invest in growth businesses. Consolidated net sales for 2013 increased $144.8 million, or 9.2%, in the comparison to 2012 and totaled $1,722.6 million. The increase was primarily due to the Dresden acquisition and $8.7 million from the favorable impact of foreign currencies. Lower selling prices, primarily in Specialty Papers, adversely affected the comparison by $9.4 million. Shipping volumes increased 6.2% in the year over year comparison, or 1.8% excluding the Dresden acquisition.

In Composite Fibers, net sales were $566.4 million, an increase of $129.7 million, or 29.7%. The Dresden acquisition accounted for $101.8 million of the increase. On an organic basis, shipping volumes were essentially unchanged with a favorable mix. Higher selling prices and the translation of foreign currencies benefited the comparison by $2.9 million and $8.7 million, respectively.

Composite Fibers’ operating income in 2013 increased $26.3 million, of which Dresden represented $18.3 million. The remaining increase was primarily due to improved mix of products and higher selling prices. Foreign currency translation favorably impacted operating income by $0.6 million compared with the prior year.

In Advanced Airlaid Materials, net sales increased $22.1 million, or 9.0%, in 2013 compared to 2012. The increase in net sales was due to a 6.4% increase in

shipping volumes, a $4.9 million benefit from favorable impact of foreign currency exchange partially offset by $2.3 million of lower selling prices.

Operating income in this business unit increased $3.5 million in 2013 compared to 2012 led by a $5.7 million benefit from the increase in shipping volumes. The translation of foreign currencies favorably impacted operating income by $2.2 million.

In the Specialty Papers business unit, net sales for 2013 decreased by $6.9 million, or 0.8%, to $887.9 million. The decrease was primarily due to $10.0 million from lower selling prices partially offset by a 1.4% increase in shipping volumes.

Specialty Papers’ operating income in 2013 of $39.7 million was $27.6 million lower than 2012 primarily due to lower selling prices, operational interruptions that adversely affected pulp mill production and $3.8 million from lower energy and related sales.

We sell excess power generated by the Spring Grove, PA facility. In addition, two of our facilities are registered generators of renewable energy credits (“RECs”). The following table summarizes this activity for 2013 and 2012:

 

    Year ended December 31      

In thousands

    2013         2012         Change   

Energy sales

  $ 8,189       $ 5,284       $ 2,905   

Costs to produce

    (6,784      (4,187      (2,597

Net

    1,405         1,097         308   

Renewable energy credits

    1,748         5,903         (4,155

Total

  $ 3,153       $ 7,000       $ (3,847

RECs represent sales of certified credits earned related to burning renewable sources of energy such as black liquor and wood waste. We sell RECs into an emerging and somewhat illiquid market. The extent and value of future revenues from REC sales is dependent on many factors outside of management’s control. Therefore, we may not be able to generate consistent amounts of sales of RECs in future periods.

Pension Expense    The following table summarizes the amounts of pension expense recognized for 2013 compared to 2012:

 

    Year ended December 31         

In thousands

    2013         2012         Change   

Recorded as:

       

Costs of products sold

  $ 12,368       $ 9,148       $ 3,220   

SG&A expense

    1,849         2,467         (618

Total

  $ 14,217       $ 11,615       $ 2,602   
 

 

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The amount of pension expense recognized each year is dependent on various actuarial assumptions and certain other factors, including discount rates and the fair value of our pension assets.

Gain on Sales of Plant, Equipment and Timberlands, net    During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we completed the following sales of assets:

 

Dollars in thousands

     Acres        Proceeds         Gain   

2013

       

Timberlands

     876      $ 1,445       $ 1,410   

Other

     n/a        502         316   

Total

           $ 1,947       $ 1,726   

2012

       

Timberlands

     4,830      $ 9,494       $ 9,203   

Other

     n/a        778         612   

Total

           $ 10,272       $ 9,815   

In connection with each of the asset sales set forth above, we received cash proceeds.

Other and Unallocated    The amount of net operating expenses not allocated to a business unit and reported as “Other and Unallocated” in our table of Business Unit Performance, excluding gains from sales of plant, equipment and timberlands, totaled $38.8 million in 2013 compared with $29.3 million in 2012. The increase is primarily due to acquisition and integration expenses, legal entity restructuring related costs and higher pension expense.

Non-operating income (expense) as presented in the Business Unit Performance table includes $18.0 million and $18.7 million of interest expense for 2013 and 2012, respectively. The amount reported for 2012 includes a $1.9 million charge related to the write-off of unamortized issuance costs in connection with the refinancing or our long-term bonds. Excluding the 2012 write-off, interest expense increased $1.2 million primarily reflecting the financing of the Dresden acquisition.

Income taxes    In 2013, income tax expense totaled $2.0 million on pre-tax income of $69.2 million.

The comparable amounts in 2012 were $19.6 million and $78.9 million, respectively. Tax expense in 2013 benefited from a greater proportion of earnings generated in lower tax foreign jurisdictions relative to the U.S. and by an aggregate of $16.3 million from cellulosic biofuel production credits, research and development credits, reduction in reserves due to the lapse of statutes of limitation and changes in international statutory rates.

Foreign Currency    We own and operate manufacturing facilities in Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the Philippines. The functional currency in Canada is the U.S. dollar, in Germany and France the Euro, in the UK it is the British Pound Sterling, and in the Philippines it is the Peso. Our euro denominated revenue exceeds euro expenses. With respect to the British Pound Sterling, Canadian dollar, and Philippine Peso, we have greater outflows than inflows of these currencies, although to a lesser degree. As a result, particularly with respect to the euro, we are exposed to changes in currency exchange rates and such changes could be significant. The translation of the results from international operations into U.S. dollars is subject to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The table below summarizes the translation impact on reported results that changes in currency exchange rates had on our non-U.S. based operations from the conversion of these operation’s results:

 

In thousands

   
 
Year ended
December 31, 2013
  
  
    Favorable
(unfavorable)
 

Net sales

  $ 13,555   

Costs of products sold

    (9,723

SG&A expenses

    (987

Income taxes and other

    (84

Net income

  $ 2,761   

The above table only presents the financial reporting impact of foreign currency translations assuming currency exchange rates in 2013 were the same as 2012. It does not present the impact of certain competitive advantages or disadvantages of operating or competing in multi-currency markets.

 

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our business is capital intensive and requires significant expenditures for new or enhanced equipment, to support our research and development efforts, for environmental compliance matters including, but not limited to, the Clean Air Act, and to support our business strategy. In addition, we have mandatory debt service requirements of both principal and interest. The following table summarizes cash flow information for each of the periods presented:

 

     Year ended December 31  
In thousands    2014      2013  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   $ 122,882       $ 97,679   

Cash provided (used) by

       

Operating activities

     99,577         173,635   

Investing activities

     (69,589      (312,436

Financing activities

     (50,881      163,175   

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (2,152      829   

Net cash (used) provided

     (23,045      25,203   

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 99,837       $ 122,882   

At December 31, 2014, we had $99.8 million in cash and cash equivalents held by both domestic and foreign subsidiaries. Although unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries are deemed to be permanently reinvested, substantially all of the cash and cash equivalents are available for use domestically. In addition to our cash and cash equivalents, $246.6 million is available under our revolving credit agreement, which matures in November 2016.

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $99.6 million in 2014 compared with $173.6 million in 2013. The decrease in operating cash flow was due to an increase in working capital usage, primarily related to an increase in inventory and reduction of accounts payable and accrued liabilities and higher tax payments.

Net cash used by investing activities declined by $242.8 million in the comparison of 2014 to 2013. Excluding $210.9 million of cash used in 2013 to acquire Dresden, cash used for investing activities declined in the comparison by $31.9 million due to lower capital expenditures. Capital expenditures totaled $66.0 million and $103.0 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. The 2013 amount included $33.6 million related to the completion of the Composite Fibers capacity expansion project. Capital expenditures in 2015 are expected to be approximately $120 million to $130 million including

approximately $40 million for Specialty Papers’ environmental compliance projects.

Net cash used by financing activities totaled $50.9 million in 2014 primarily reflecting net cash used to reduce revolving credit facility borrowings, complete common stock repurchases and pay dividends. In the same period of 2013, $163.2 million of cash was provided by financing activities primarily reflecting borrowings to fund the Dresden acquisition partially offset by dividends paid on common stock.

The following table sets forth our outstanding long-term indebtedness:

 

     December 31  
In thousands    2014      2013  

Revolving credit facility, due Nov. 2016

   $ 90,555       $ 133,540   

5.375% Notes, due Oct. 2020

     250,000         250,000   

2.40% Term Loan, due Jun. 2022

     12,155           

2.05% Term Loan, due Mar. 2023

     51,902         58,785   

Total long-term debt

     404,612         442,325   

Less current portion

     (5,734        

Long-term debt, net of current portion

   $ 398,878       $ 442,325   

Our revolving credit facility contains a number of customary compliance covenants, the most restrictive of which is a maximum leverage ratio of 3.5x. As of December 31, 2014, the leverage ratio, as calculated in accordance with the definition in our credit agreement, was 2.2x, within the limits set forth in our credit agreement. Based on our expectations of future results of operations and capital needs, we do not believe the debt covenants will impact our operations or limit our ability to undertake financings that may be necessary to meet our capital needs.

The 5.375% Notes contain cross default provisions that could result in all such notes becoming due and payable in the event of a failure to repay debt outstanding under the credit agreement at maturity, or a default under the credit agreement that accelerates the debt outstanding thereunder. As of December 31, 2014, we met all of the requirements of our debt covenants. The significant terms of the debt instruments are more fully discussed in Item 1 – Financial Statements – Note 17.

Cash used for financing activities includes cash used for common stock dividends and to repurchase stock. In 2014, our Board of Directors authorized a 10% increase in our quarterly cash dividend. During 2014, we used $18.7 million of cash for dividends on our common stock compared with $17.0 million in 2013. The Board of Directors determines what, if any, dividends will be paid to our shareholders. Dividend payment decisions are based

 

 

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upon then-existing factors and conditions and, therefore, historical trends of dividend payments are not necessarily indicative of future payments.

During 2014, we used $12.2 million to repurchase shares of our common stock. On May 1, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a $25 million increase to the share repurchase program and extended the expiration date to May 1, 2016. Under the revised program, we may repurchase up to $50 million of outstanding common stock. The following table summarizes share repurchases made under this program through December 31, 2014:

 

      shares     (thousands)  

Authorized amount

     n/a      $ 50,000   

Repurchases

     755,310        (16,627

Remaining authorization

           $ 33,373   

The total repurchases set forth above includes 464,190 shares at a cost of $12.2 million completed in 2014. No shares were repurchased in 2013.

We are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations intended to protect the environment as well as human health and safety. At various times, we have incurred significant costs to comply with these regulations and we could incur additional costs as new regulations are developed or regulatory priorities change. We will incur material capital costs to comply with new air quality regulations including the U.S. EPA Best Available Retrofit Technology rule (BART; otherwise known as the Regional Haze Rule) and the Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology rule (Boiler MACT). These rules will require process modifications and/or installation of air pollution controls on boilers at two of our facilities. We have begun

converting or replacing four coal-fired boilers to natural gas and upgrading site infrastructure to accommodate the new boilers, including connecting to gas pipelines. The total cost of these projects is estimated at $85 million to $90 million. However, the amount of capital spending ultimately incurred may differ, and the difference could be material. We expect to incur the majority of expenditures in 2015 and 2016. Enactment of new environmental laws or regulations or changes in existing laws or regulations could significantly change our estimates.

As more fully discussed in Note 23 – Commitments, Contingencies and Legal Proceedings, it is conceivable we will need to fund a portion of the on-going costs to remediate a portion of the Lower Fox River in Wisconsin (the “Fox River”), an EPA Superfund site. Although we are unable to determine with any degree of certainty the amount we may fund, such amounts could be significant. The ultimate allocation of such costs is the subject of extensive ongoing litigation amongst three potentially responsible parties. See Item 1 – Financial Statements – Note 23 for a summary of significant environmental matters.

We expect to meet all of our near- and longer-term cash needs from a combination of operating cash flow, cash and cash equivalents, our credit facility or other bank lines of credit and other long-term debt.

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements    As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had not entered into any off-balance-sheet arrangements. Financial derivative instruments, to which we are a party, and guarantees of indebtedness, which solely consist of obligations of subsidiaries, are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets included herein in Item 1 – Financial Statements.

 

 

Contractual Obligations    The following table sets forth contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014:

 

           Payments Due During the Year Ended December 31,  
In millions   Total      2015      2016 to
2017
     2018 to
2019
     2020 and
beyond
 

Long-term debt (1)

  $ 490       $ 22       $ 138       $ 44       $ 286   

Operating leases (2)

    14         6         6         2           

Purchase obligations (3)

    97         71         25         1           

Other long term obligations (4), (5)

    86         9         13         14         50   
       

Total

  $ 687       $ 108       $ 182       $ 61       $ 336   

 

(1) Represents principal and interest payments due on long-term debt, the significant terms of which are discussed in Item 8 – Financial Statements, Note 17, “Long-term Debt.” The amounts set forth above include expected interest payments of $86 million over the term of the underlying debt instruments based contractual rates or current market rates in the case of variable rate instruments. See Item 8 – Financial Statements, Note 17, “Long-Term Debt”.

 

(2) Represents rental agreements for various land, buildings, vehicles, and computer and office equipment.

 

(3) Represents open purchase order commitments and other obligations, primarily for raw material, and forward purchases with minimum annual purchase obligations. In certain situations, prices are subject to variations based on market prices. In such situations, the information above is based on prices in effect at December 31, 2014.

 

(4) Primarily represents expected benefits to be paid pursuant to retirement medical plans and nonqualified pension plans and the expected costs of asset retirement obligations.

 

(5) Since we are unable to reasonably estimate the timing of ultimate payment, the amounts set forth above do not include any payments that may be made related to uncertain tax positions, including potential interest, accounted for in accordance with ASC 740-10-20. As discussed in more detail in Item 8 – Financial Statements, Note 9, “Income Taxes”, such amounts totaled $15 million at December 31, 2014.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates    The preceding discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial position and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to inventories, long-lived assets, pension and post-employment obligations, environmental liabilities and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

We believe the following represent the most significant and subjective estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Long-lived Assets    We evaluate the recoverability of our long-lived assets, including plant, equipment, timberlands, goodwill and other intangible assets periodically or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Goodwill and non-amortizing tradename intangible assets are reviewed, on a discounted cash flow basis, during the third quarter of each year for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. Our evaluations include considerations of a variety of qualitative factors and analyses based on the cash flows generated by the underlying assets, profitability information, including estimated future operating results, trends or other determinants of fair value. If the value of an asset determined by these evaluations is less than its carrying amount, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of the asset. Future adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of the related business may indicate an inability to recover the carrying value of the assets, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future.

Pension and Other Post-Employment Obligations    Accounting for defined-benefit pension plans, and any curtailments thereof, requires various assumptions, including, but not limited to, discount rates, expected long-term rates of return on plan assets, future

compensation growth rates and mortality rates. Accounting for our retiree medical plans, and any curtailments thereof, also requires various assumptions, which include, but are not limited to, discount rates and annual rates of increase in the per capita costs of health care benefits.

The following chart summarizes the more significant assumptions used in the actuarial valuation of our defined-benefit plans for each of the past three years:

 

       2014        2013        2012   

Pension plans

      

Weighted average discount rate
for benefit expense

     5.20     4.28     5.09

for benefit obligation

     4.21        5.20        4.28   

Expected long-term rate of
on plan assets

     8.00     8.50     8.50

Rate of compensation increase

     4.00        4.00        4.00   

Other benefits

      

Weighted average discount rate
for benefit expense

     4.52     3.58     4.45

for benefit obligation

     3.89        4.52        3.58   

Health care cost trend rate
assumed for next year

     7.46     7.46     7.68

Ultimate cost trend rate

     4.50        4.50        4.50   

Year that the ultimate cost trend rate is reached

     2028        2028        2028   

We evaluate these assumptions at least once each year or as facts and circumstances dictate and we make changes as conditions warrant. Changes to these assumptions will increase or decrease our reported net periodic benefit expense, which will result in changes to the recorded benefit plan assets and liabilities.

Environmental Liabilities    We maintain accruals for losses associated with environmental obligations when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on existing legislation and remediation technologies. These accruals are adjusted periodically as assessment and remediation actions continue and/or further legal or technical information develops. Such undiscounted liabilities are exclusive of any insurance or other claims against third parties. Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties, including insurance carriers, are recorded as assets when their receipt is assured beyond a reasonable doubt.

Income Taxes    We record the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and amounts reported in our consolidated balance sheets, as well as operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. These deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates and laws

 

 

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that will be in effect when such amounts are expected to reverse or be utilized. We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability based on historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences and tax planning strategies. If we are unable to generate sufficient future taxable income, or if there is a material change in the actual effective tax rates or time period within which the underlying temporary differences become taxable or deductible, we could be required to increase the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets, which may result in a substantial increase in our effective tax rate and a material adverse impact on our reported results.

Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations

where the ultimate tax determination is less than certain. We and our subsidiaries are examined by various Federal, State and foreign tax authorities. We regularly assess the potential outcomes of these examinations and any future examinations for the current or prior years in determining the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. We continually assess the likelihood and amount of potential adjustments and adjust the income tax provision, the current liability and deferred taxes in the period in which the facts that give rise to a revision become known.

Other significant accounting policies, not involving the same level of uncertainties as those discussed above, are nevertheless important to an understanding of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Refer to Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional accounting policies.

 

 

ITEM 7A QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

     Year Ended December 31     December 31, 2014  
Dollars in thousands    2015     2016     2017     2018     2019     Carrying Value      Fair Value  

Long-term debt

               

Average principal outstanding

               

At fixed interest rates – Bond

   $ 250,000      $ 250,000      $ 250,000      $ 250,000      $ 250,000      $ 250,000       $ 255,470   

At fixed interest rates – Term Loans

     63,084        56,701        48,476        40,253        32,028        64,057         65,732   

At variable interest rates

     90,555        80,631                             90,555         90,555   
             $ 404,612       $ 411,757   

Weighted-average interest rate

               

On fixed rate debt – Bond

     5.375     5.375     5.375     5.375     5.375     

On fixed rate debt – Term Loans

     2.12     2.12     2.12     2.12     2.12     

On variable rate debt

     1.76     1.76                                      

 

The table above presents the average principal outstanding and related interest rates for the next five years for debt outstanding as of December 31, 2014. Fair values included herein have been determined based upon rates currently available to us for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

Our market risk exposure primarily results from changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2014, we had $404.6 million of long-term debt, of which 22.4% was at variable interest rates. Variable-rate debt outstanding represents borrowings under our revolving credit agreement that accrues interest based on one month LIBOR plus a margin. At December 31, 2014, the interest rate paid was approximately 1.76%. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase or decrease in the interest rate on variable rate debt would increase or decrease annual interest expense by $0.9 million.

As part of our overall risk management practices, we enter into financial derivatives primarily designed to either i) hedge foreign currency risks associated with forecasted transactions – “cash flow hedges”; or ii) mitigate the impact that changes in currency exchange rates have on intercompany financing transactions and foreign currency denominated receivables and payables – “foreign currency hedges.” For a more complete discussion of this activity, refer to Item 1 – Financial Statements – Note 20.

We are subject to certain risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates to the extent our operations are conducted in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. Our euro denominated revenue exceeds euro expenses by approximately 120 million. With respect to the British Pound Sterling, Canadian dollar, and Philippine Peso, we have greater outflows than inflows of these currencies, although to a lesser degree. As a result, particularly with respect to the euro, we are exposed to changes in currency exchange rates and such changes could be significant.

 

 

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ITEM 8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management of P. H. Glatfelter Company (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the chief executive and chief financial officers to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

As of December 31, 2014, management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, is effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management; and provide reasonable

assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports appearing herein, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014.

The Company’s management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, does not expect that our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all frauds. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based, in part, on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

 

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of P. H. Glatfelter Company

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of P. H. Glatfelter Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that

(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 of the Company and our report dated February 27, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 27, 2015

 

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of P. H. Glatfelter Company

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of P. H. Glatfelter Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of P. H. Glatfelter Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 27, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 27, 2015

 

 

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P. H. GLATFELTER COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

        Year ended December 31  

     In thousands, except per share

        2014        2013        2012   

Net sales

    $ 1,802,415      $ 1,722,615      $ 1,577,788   

Energy and related sales, net

      7,927        3,153        7,000   

Total revenues

      1,810,342        1,725,768        1,584,788   

Costs of products sold

      1,575,188        1,507,108        1,371,139   

Gross profit

      235,154        218,660        213,649   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

      133,235        133,867        121,590   

Gains on dispositions of plant, equipment and timberlands, net

      (4,861     (1,726     (9,815

Operating income

      106,780        86,519        101,874   

Non-operating income (expense)

         

Interest expense

      (18,921     (17,965     (18,694

Interest income

      159        310        460   

Other, net

      (635     337        (4,699

Total other expense

      (19,397     (17,318     (22,933

Income before income taxes

      87,383        69,201        78,941   

Income tax provision

      18,137        2,043        19,562   

Net income

    $ 69,246      $ 67,158      $ 59,379   
 

Earnings per share

         

Basic

    $ 1.60      $ 1.56      $ 1.39   

Diluted

      1.57        1.52        1.36   
 

Cash dividends declared per common share

    $ 0.44      $ 0.40      $ 0.36   
 

Weighted average shares outstanding

         

Basic

      43,201        43,158        42,851   

Diluted

      44,066        44,299        43,672   
 

 

 

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

 

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P. H. GLATFELTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

    Year ended December 31      
     In thousands   2014     2013     2012       
 

    Net income

  $ 69,246      $ 67,158      $ 59,379     
 

    Foreign currency translation adjustments

    (49,365     14,826        11,358     

    Net change in:

         

Deferred gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $(1,281), $178 and $638, respectively

    3,297        (517     (1,609  

Unrecognized retirement obligations, net of taxes of $20,730, $(45,118) and $3,914, respectively

    (33,445     74,300        (6,974    

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    (79,513     88,609        2,775       

Comprehensive (loss) income

  $ (10,267   $ 155,767      $ 62,154     
 

 

 

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

 

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P. H. GLATFELTER COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

    December 31      
     In thousands   2014     2013      
Assets        

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 99,837      $ 122,882     

Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts:
2014 – $2,703; 2013 – $2,725)

    163,760        167,830     

Inventories

    248,705        236,310     

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    62,320        59,560     

Total current assets

    574,622        586,582     
 

Plant, equipment and timberlands, net

    697,608        723,340     

Goodwill

    84,137        95,948     

Intangible assets

    77,098        96,081     

Other assets

    128,039        176,459     

Total assets

  $ 1,561,504      $ 1,678,410     
 

 

 

   
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity        

Current portion of long-term debt

  $ 5,734      $     

Accounts payable

    157,070        161,242     

Dividends payable

    4,775        4,363     

Environmental liabilities

    1,075        125     

Other current liabilities

    111,077        122,637     

Total current liabilities

    279,731        288,367     
 

Long-term debt

    398,878        442,325     

Deferred income taxes

    104,016        141,020     

Other long-term liabilities

    129,770        122,222     

Total liabilities

    912,395        993,934     

Commitments and contingencies

               
 
Shareholders’ equity        

Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized – 120,000,000; issued – 54,361,980 (including treasury shares: 2014 – 11,307,589; 2013 – 11,234,039)

    544        544     

Capital in excess of par value

    54,342        53,940     

Retained earnings

    919,468        869,329     

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (154,870     (75,357  
    819,484        848,456     

Less cost of common stock in treasury

    (170,375     (163,980  

Total shareholders’ equity

    649,109        684,476     

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $ 1,561,504      $ 1,678,410     
 

 

 

   

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

 

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P.H. GLATFELTER COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

    Year ended December 31      
      In thousands   2014     2013     2012       

Operating activities

         

Net income

  $ 69,246      $ 67,158      $ 59,379     

Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operations:

         

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    70,555        68,196        69,500     

Amortization of debt issue costs and original issue discount

    1,315        1,305        3,177     

Pension expense, net of unfunded benefits paid

    5,173        12,787        10,427     

Charge for impairment of intangible asset

    3,262                   

Deferred income tax benefit

    (9,419     (11,485     (2,209  

Gains on dispositions of plant, equipment and timberlands, net

    (4,861     (1,726     (9,815  

Share-based compensation

    7,859        7,337        6,520     

Change in operating assets and liabilities

         

Accounts receivable

    (5,404     (777     (3,379  

Inventories

    (21,456     2,704        (12,615  

Prepaid and other current assets

    (3,521     7,965        (14,952  

Accounts payable

    (4,175     24,822        6,953     

Accruals and other current liabilities

    (12,802     3,140        8,406     

Other

    3,805        (7,791     (8,546    

Net cash provided by operating activities

    99,577        173,635        112,846     

Investing activities

         

Expenditures for purchases of plant, equipment and timberlands

    (66,046     (103,047     (58,752  

Proceeds from disposals of plant, equipment and timberlands, net

    5,072        1,947        10,272     

Acquisition, net of cash acquired

    (8,015     (210,911         

Other

    (600     (425     (225    

Net cash used by investing activities

    (69,589     (312,436     (48,705  

Financing activities

         

Proceeds from note offerings

                  250,000     

Repayments of note offerings

                  (205,131  

Net borrowings under (repayments of) revolving credit facility

    (30,720     126,139        (27,000  

Payments of borrowing costs

           (419     (4,748  

Proceeds from term loans

    12,592        56,091            

Repurchases of common stock

    (12,180            (5,675  

Payments of dividends

    (18,696     (16,965     (15,608  

Payments related to share-based compensation awards and other

    (1,877     (1,671     2,673       

Net cash (used) provided by financing activities

    (50,881     163,175        (5,489  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    (2,152     829        750       

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (23,045     25,203        59,402     

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period

    122,882        97,679        38,277       

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period

  $ 99,837      $ 122,882      $ 97,679     
 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information

         

Cash paid for:

         

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

  $ 17,643      $ 17,231      $ 14,400     

Income taxes, net

    24,139        15,588        44,657       

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

 

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P. H. GLATFELTER COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

 

In thousands    Common
Stock
     Capital in
Excess of
Par Value
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
   

Treasury

Stock

    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 

Balance at January 1, 2012

   $ 544       $ 51,477      $ 775,825      $ (166,741   $ (170,701   $ 490,404   

Net income

          59,379            59,379   

Other comprehensive income

            2,775          2,775   
             

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

                62,154   

Tax effect on exercise of stock awards

        631              631   

Cash dividends declared ($0.36 per share)

          (15,611         (15,611

Share-based compensation expense

        3,970              3,970   

Repurchase of common shares

              (5,675     (5,675

Delivery of treasury shares

             

RSUs

        (1,433         1,096        (337

401 (k) plans

        234            2,212        2,446   

Employee stock options exercised – net

        (2,387         4,084        1,697   
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

     544         52,492        819,593        (163,966     (168,984     539,679   

Net income

          67,158            67,158   

Other comprehensive income

            88,609          88,609   
             

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

                155,767   

Tax effect on exercise of stock awards

        1,451              1,451   

Cash dividends declared ($0.40 per share)

          (17,422         (17,422

Share-based compensation expense

        4,473              4,473   

Delivery of treasury shares

             

RSUs

        (1,763         1,234        (529

401 (k) plans

        1,099            1,791        2,890   

Employee stock options exercised – net

        (3,812         1,979        (1,833
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

     544         53,940        869,329        (75,357     (163,980     684,476   

Net income

          69,246            69,246   

Other comprehensive loss

            (79,513       (79,513
             

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

                (10,267

Tax effect on exercise of stock awards

        (14           (14

Cash dividends declared ($0.44 per share)

          (19,107         (19,107

Share-based compensation expense

        4,738              4,738   

Repurchase of common shares

              (12,180     (12,180

Delivery of treasury shares

             

RSUs

        (4,121         2,363        (1,758

401 (k) plans

        1,318            1,775        3,093   

Employee stock options exercised – net

        (1,519         1,647        128   
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

   $ 544       $ 54,342      $ 919,468      $ (154,870   $ (170,375   $ 649,109   
  

 

 

 

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

 

 

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P. H. GLATFELTER COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. ORGANIZATION

P. H. Glatfelter Company and subsidiaries (“Glatfelter”) is a manufacturer of specialty papers and fiber-based engineered materials. Headquartered in York, PA, U.S. operations include facilities in Spring Grove, PA and Chillicothe and Fremont, OH. International operations include facilities in Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the Philippines, and sales and distribution offices in Russia and China. Our products are marketed worldwide, either through wholesale paper merchants, brokers and agents, or directly to customers.

 

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Glatfelter and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Accounting Estimates    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingencies as of the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management believes the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are reasonable, based upon currently available facts and known circumstances, but recognizes that actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents    We classify all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase as cash equivalents.

Inventories    Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Raw materials, in-process and finished inventories of our U.S. manufacturing operations are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, and the supplies inventories are valued principally using the average-cost method. Inventories at our foreign operations are valued using the average cost method.

Plant, Equipment and Timberlands    For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets.

The range of estimated service lives used to calculate financial reporting depreciation for principal items of plant and equipment are as follows:

 

Buildings

     15 – 45 Years   

Machinery and equipment

     5 – 40 Years   

Other

     3 – 25 Years   

Maintenance and Repairs    Maintenance and repairs costs are charged to income and major renewals and betterments are capitalized. At the time property is retired or sold, the net carrying value is eliminated and any resultant gain or loss is included in income.

Valuation of Long-lived Assets, Intangible Assets and Goodwill    We evaluate long-lived assets for impairment when a specific event indicates that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is assessed based on estimates of future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the sum of expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset, the asset’s fair value is estimated and an impairment loss is recognized for any deficiencies. Goodwill and non-amortizing tradename intangible assets are reviewed, on a discounted cash flow basis, during the third quarter of each year for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. Impairment losses, if any, are recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value. The carrying value of a reporting unit is defined using an enterprise premise which is generally determined by the difference between the unit’s assets and operating liabilities.

Asset Retirement Obligations    In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations, we accrue asset retirement obligations in the period in which obligations relating to future asset retirements are incurred and when a reasonable estimate of fair value can be determined. Under these standards, costs are to be accrued at estimated fair value, and a related long-lived asset is capitalized. Over time, the liability is accreted to its settlement value and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset for which the obligation exists. Upon settlement of the liability, we recognize a gain or loss for any difference between the settlement amount and the liability recorded.

 

 

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Income Taxes    Income taxes are determined using the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740 Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Under ASC 740, tax expense includes U.S. and international income taxes plus the provision for U.S. taxes on undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries not deemed to be permanently invested. Tax credits and other incentives reduce tax expense in the year the credits are claimed. Certain items of income and expense are not reported in tax returns and financial statements in the same year. The tax effect of such temporary differences is reported in deferred income taxes. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not that the assets will be realized in future years. We establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets for which realization is not more likely than not.

Income tax contingencies are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 740-10-20 Income Taxes. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is less than certain. We and our subsidiaries are examined by various Federal, State, and foreign tax authorities. We regularly assess the potential outcomes of these examinations and any future examinations for the current or prior years in determining the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. We continually assess the likelihood and amount of potential adjustments and record any necessary adjustments in the period in which the facts that give rise to a revision become known.

Treasury Stock    Common stock purchased for treasury is recorded at cost. At the date of subsequent reissue, the treasury stock account is reduced by the cost of such stock on the weighted-average cost basis.

Foreign Currency Translation    Foreign currency translation gains and losses and the effect of exchange rate changes on transactions designated as hedges of net foreign investments are included as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Transaction gains and losses are included in income in the period in which they occur.

Revenue Recognition    We recognize revenue on product sales when the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership. Estimated costs for sales incentives, discounts and sales returns and allowances are recorded as sales deductions in the period in which the related revenue is recognized.

Revenue from energy sales is recognized when electricity is delivered to the customer. Certain costs associated with the production of electricity, such as fuel, labor, depreciation and maintenance are netted against energy sales for presentation on the consolidated statements of income.

Revenue from renewable energy credits is recorded under the caption “Energy and related sales, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income and is recognized when all risks, rights and rewards to the certificate are transferred to the counterparty.

Environmental Liabilities    Accruals for losses associated with environmental obligations are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on existing legislation and remediation technologies. Costs related to environmental remediation are charged to expense. These accruals are adjusted periodically as assessment and remediation actions continue and/or further legal or technical information develops. Such undiscounted liabilities are exclusive of any insurance or other claims against third parties. Environmental costs are capitalized if the costs extend the life of the asset, increase its capacity and/or mitigate or prevent contamination from future operations. Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties, including insurance carriers, are recorded as assets when their receipt is assured beyond a reasonable doubt.

Earnings Per Share    Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the respective periods. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding during the period. The dilutive effect of common share equivalents is considered in the diluted earnings per share computation using the treasury stock method.

Financial Derivatives and Hedging Activities    We use financial derivatives to manage exposure to changes in foreign currencies. In accordance with FASB ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”), we record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether we have elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting, and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting.

 

 

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Cash Flow Hedges    The effective portion of the gain or loss on those derivative instruments designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows related to forecasted transactions is deferred and reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Deferred gains or losses are reclassified to our results of operations at the time the hedged forecasted transaction is recorded in our results of operations. The effectiveness of cash flow hedges is assessed at inception and quarterly thereafter. If the instrument becomes ineffective or it becomes probable that the originally-forecasted transaction will not occur, the related change in fair value of the derivative instrument is also reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in earnings.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments    Under the accounting for fair value measurements and disclosures, a fair value hierarchy was established that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

Level 1 – 

  Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – 

  Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates); and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3 – 

  Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers which clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and develops a common revenue standard for GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The new standard is required to be adopted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted. We are in the process of evaluating the impact this standard may have, if any, on our reported results of operations or financial position.

 

3. ACQUISITIONS

On October 1, 2014, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding equity of Spezialpapierfabrik Oberschmitten GmbH (SPO) from FINSPO Beteiligungs-GmbH for $8.0 million, in cash. SPO has annual sales of approximately $33 million. SPO, located near Frankfurt, Germany, primarily produces highly technical papers for a wide range of capacitors used in consumer and industrial products; insulation papers for cables and transformers; and materials for industrial power inverters, electromagnetic current filters and electric rail traction. SPO also produces glassine products, which are used in cosmetics packaging, food packaging, and pharmaceutical dosage bags. SPO is operated as part of the Composite Fibers business unit, and complements other technical specialties.

On April 30, 2013, we completed the acquisition of all outstanding shares of Dresden Papier GmbH (“Dresden”) from Fortress Paper Ltd. for $211 million, net of cash acquired. Dresden, based in Heidenau, Germany, is the leading global supplier of nonwoven wallpaper base materials, and is a major supplier to most of the world’s largest wallpaper manufacturers. Dresden’s revenue for the full year 2013 was $158.6 million and it employed approximately 146 people at its state-of-the-art, 72,800 short-ton-capacity manufacturing facility. We financed the acquisition through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.

 

 

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The acquisition of Dresden added another industry-leading nonwovens product line to our Composite Fibers business unit, and broadened our relationship with leading producers of consumer and industrial products. This acquisition also provides additional operational leverage and growth opportunities for Glatfelter globally, particularly in large markets such as China, and other developing markets in eastern Europe and Asia.

The allocation of the purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed was as follows:

 

    In thousands    Final Allocation  

Assets

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 12,227   

Accounts receivable

     23,870   

Inventory

     13,864   

Prepaid and other current assets

     8,060   

Plant, equipment and timberlands

     60,951   

Intangible assets

     87,596   

Goodwill

     74,870   

Total assets

     281,438   

Liabilities

  

Accounts payable

     20,253   

Deferred tax liabilities

     36,120   

Other long term liabilities

     1,927   

Total liabilities

     58,300   

Total

     223,138   

less cash acquired

     (12,227

Total purchase price

   $ 210,911   

For purposes of allocating the total purchase price, assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their estimated fair market value. The allocation set forth above is based on management’s estimate of the fair value using valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow models, appraisals and similar methodologies. The amount allocated to intangible assets represents the estimated value of customer relationships, technological know-how and trade name.

Acquired property, plant and equipment are preliminarily being depreciated on a straight-line basis with estimated remaining lives ranging from 5 years to 30 years. Intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over an average estimated remaining life of 17 years reflecting the expected future value.

In connection with the Dresden acquisition we recorded $74.9 million of goodwill and $87.6 million of intangible assets. The goodwill arising from the acquisition

largely relates to strategic benefits, product and market diversification, assembled workforce, and similar factors. For tax purposes, none of the goodwill is deductible. Intangible assets consisted of $9.8 million of non-amortizing tradename, and the remainder consists of technology and customer relationships. Refer to Note 6 – Asset Impairment Charge for additional information.

Our results of operations include the results of Dresden prospectively since the acquisition was completed on April 30, 2013. All such results reported herein are included as part of the Composite Fibers business unit. Revenue and operating income of Dresden included in our consolidated results of operations for 2013 totaled $101.8 million and $18.3 million, respectively.

The table below summarizes pro forma financial information as if the acquisition and related financing transaction occurred as of January 1, 2012:

 

     Year ended December 31  

In thousands, except per share

     2013        2012   

Pro forma

    

Net sales

   $ 1,779,434      $ 1,727,538   

Net income

     80,381        79,075   

Diluted earnings per share

     1.82        1.81   

During 2013, we incurred legal, professional and advisory costs directly related to the Dresden acquisition totaling $3.2 million. For purposes of presenting the above pro forma financial information, such costs have been eliminated. All such costs are presented under the caption “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. In addition, the pro forma financial information excludes $1.1 million of charges to costs of products sold related to the write up of inventory to fair value and $2.0 million of integration related costs. This unaudited pro forma financial information above is not necessarily indicative of what the operating results would have been had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the respective period nor is it indicative of future results.

 

4. ENERGY AND RELATED SALES, NET

We sell excess power generated by the Spring Grove, PA facility. We also sell renewable energy credits generated by the Spring Grove, PA and Chillicothe, OH facilities representing sales of certified credits earned related to burning renewable sources of energy such as black liquor and wood waste.

 

 

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The following table summarizes this activity for each of the past three years:

 

     Year ended December 31  

In thousands

     2014        2013        2012   

Energy sales

   $ 11,886      $ 8,189      $ 5,284   

Costs to produce

     (6,204     (6,784     (4,187

Net

     5,682        1,405        1,097   

Renewable energy credits

     2,245        1,748        5,903   

Total

   $ 7,927      $ 3,153      $ 7,000   

 

5. GAIN ON DISPOSITIONS OF PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND TIMBERLANDS

During 2014, 2013 and 2012, we completed the following sales of assets:

 

Dollars in thousands

     Acres        Proceeds         Gain   

2014

       

Timberlands

     2,753      $ 5,062       $ 4,855   

Other

     n/a        10         6   

Total

           $ 5,072       $ 4,861   

2013

       

Timberlands

     876      $ 1,445       $ 1,410   

Other

     n/a        502         316   

Total

           $ 1,947       $ 1,726   

2012

       

Timberlands

     4,830      $ 9,494       $ 9,203   

Other

     n/a        778         612   

Total

           $ 10,272       $ 9,815   

 

6. ASSET IMPAIRMENT CHARGE

During the third quarter of 2014, in connection with our annual test of potential impairment of indefinite lived intangible assets, we recorded a $3.3 million non-cash asset impairment charge related to a trade name intangible asset acquired in connection with the 2013 Dresden acquisition. The charge was due to a change in the estimated fair value of the trade name, primarily driven by a substantial increase in discount rates related to Dresden’s business in Russia and Ukraine and this region’s political instability. The estimated fair value, a Level 3 measurement, included the use of several key assumptions including, among others, estimated revenue and discount rates.

The charge is recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income under the caption “selling, general and administrative expenses.” For additional information on Goodwill and Intangible Assets, see Note 14.

 

7. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the details of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS):

 

    Year ended December 31  

In thousands, except per share

    2014        2013        2012   

Net income

  $ 69,246      $ 67,158      $ 59,379   

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in basic EPS

    43,201        43,158        42,851   

Common shares issuable upon exercise of dilutive stock options and PSAs / RSUs

    865        1,141        821   

Weighted average common shares outstanding and common share equivalents used in diluted EPS

    44,066        44,299        43,672   

Earnings per share

     

Basic

  $ 1.60      $ 1.56      $ 1.39   

Diluted

    1.57        1.52        1.36   

The following table sets forth the potential common shares outstanding for stock options and restricted stock units that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS for the period indicated, because their effect would be anti-dilutive:

 

    Year ended December 31  

In thousands

    2014        2013        2012   

Potential common shares

    277        7        8   
 

 

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8. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The following table sets forth details of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (losses) for the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

 

in thousands

    
 
 
Currency
translation
adjustments
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
Unrealized
gain (loss)
on cash
flow hedges
  
  
  
  
   
 
Change in
pensions
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
Change in
other
postretirement
defined
benefit plans
  
  
  
  
  
    Total   

Balance at January 1, 2014

   $ 15,141      $ (941   $ (89,547   $ (10   $ (75,357

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications (net of tax)

     (49,365     2,826        (40,266     (2,803     (89,608

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
(net of tax)

            471        9,553        71        10,095   

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

     (49,365     3,297        (30,713     (2,732     (79,513

Balance at December 31, 2014

   $ (34,224   $ 2,356      $ (120,260   $ (2,742   $ (154,870

Balance at January 1, 2013

   $ 315      $ (424   $ (159,560   $ (4,297   $ (163,966

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications (net of tax)

     14,826        (1,198     54,906        4,187        72,721   

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (net of tax)

            681        15,107        100        15,888   

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

     14,826        (517     70,013        4,287        88,609   

Balance at December 31, 2013

   $ 15,141      $ (941   $ (89,547   $ (10   $ (75,357

Balance at January 1, 2012

   $ (11,043   $ 1,185      $ (153,002   $ (3,881   $ (166,741