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Tredegar Reports First-Quarter Results

RICHMOND, Va., May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tredegar Corporation ( NYSE:TG ) reported first-quarter net income from continuing operations of $3.8 million (11 cents per share) compared to $11.1 million (28 cents per share) in the first quarter of 2007. Earnings from continuing manufacturing operations in the first quarter were $6.0 million (17 cents per share) versus $11.7 million (29 cents per share) last year. First-quarter sales from continuing operations decreased to $228.5 million from $244.9 million in 2007. On February 12, 2008, Tredegar sold its aluminum extrusions business in Canada. All historical results for this business have been reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial tables.

   A summary of results for continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 is shown below:

   (In Millions, Except Per-Share Data)                Three Months Ended
                                                            March 31
                                                     2008              2007
   Sales                                           $228.5            $244.9

   Income from continuing operations as
    reported under generally accepted
    accounting principles (GAAP)                     $3.8             $11.1
   After-tax effects of:
    Loss associated with plant shutdowns,
     asset impairments and restructurings             2.7                .5
    (Gains) losses from sale of assets
     and other items                                  (.5)                -
   Income from continuing manufacturing
    operations*                                      $6.0             $11.6


   Diluted earnings per share from
    continuing operations as reported
    under GAAP                                       $.11              $.28
   After-tax effects per diluted share
    of:
     Loss associated with plant shutdowns,
      asset impairments and
      restructurings                                  .08               .01
     (Gains) losses from sale of assets
      and other items                                (.02)                -
   Diluted earnings per share from
    continuing manufacturing
    operations*                                      $.17              $.29


  * The after-tax effects of unusual items, plant shutdowns, asset
    impairments and restructurings, and gains or losses from sale of assets
    and other items have been presented separately and removed from net
    income and earnings per share from continuing operations as reported
    under GAAP to determine Tredegar's presentation of income and earnings
    per share from continuing manufacturing operations.  Income and earnings
    per share from continuing manufacturing operations are key financial and
    analytical measures used by Tredegar to gauge the operating performance
    of its continuing manufacturing businesses.  They are not intended to
    represent the stand-alone results for Tredegar's continuing
    manufacturing businesses under GAAP and should not be considered as an
    alternative to net income or earnings per share as defined by GAAP.
    They exclude items that we believe do not relate to Tredegar's ongoing
    manufacturing operations.

   John D. Gottwald, Tredegar's president and chief executive officer, said: "Earnings from continuing manufacturing operations, which excludes restructuring charges, declined by 12 cents per share or 41% in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the first quarter of 2007 due to lower operating profits in both films and continuing operations in aluminum extrusions. Operating profits before restructuring charges in films declined by $6.0 million or 36% in the first quarter of 2008 compared with an exceptionally strong first quarter of 2007 due primarily to competitive pressures, particularly for personal care materials, packaging materials and lower value surface protection films. Future operating profit levels in films will depend on our ability to deliver product innovations and cost reductions. We believe we have good opportunities for growth, especially in higher value surface protection films and with expected new product introductions for the personal care market. We've already taken significant action on cost reductions. During the first quarter of 2008, we recognized restructuring charges of $3.7 million, including charges relating to a 6% reduction of the Film Products' workforce that is expected to save $2.6 million in the remainder of 2008 and $4.2 million on an annualized basis."

   Mr. Gottwald continued: "The aluminum extrusions industry in the U.S. continues to suffer from a cyclical downturn. Volume in our continuing operations declined by 12.5% in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the first quarter of last year, with demand down in most market segments. Operating profits declined by $3.1 million or 67%, primarily due to the decrease in volume. We're very focused on controlling our variable costs and reducing fixed costs to minimize the adverse impact of the volume drop on profits."

   Mr. Gottwald further stated: "Despite challenging business conditions, our balance sheet remains strong with net debt of $15.6 million at March 31, 2008, down from $33.8 million at December 31, 2007."

                         MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS
                              Film Products

   First-quarter net sales in Film Products were $132.3 million, down 2.8% from $136.1 million in the first quarter of 2007, while operating profit from ongoing operations decreased to $10.8 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $16.8 million in 2007. Volume was 57.9 million pounds in the first quarter of 2008 compared with 65.3 million pounds in the first quarter of 2007.

   Volume was down in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the first quarter of 2007 primarily due to a decrease in sales of lower value surface protection films, personal care materials and packaging materials. Net sales decreased due to the decline in volume, partially offset by appreciation of the U.S. dollar value of currencies for operations outside of the U.S. and higher selling prices from the pass-through of higher resin costs.

   Operating profit from ongoing operations decreased in the first quarter of 2008 compared with an exceptionally strong first quarter of 2007 due primarily to competitive pressures, particularly for personal care materials, packaging materials and lower value surface protection films. In addition, operating profit in the first quarter of 2008 benefited from appreciation of the U.S. dollar value of currencies for operations outside of the U.S. (the favorable impact from currency rate changes was approximately $1.2 million) but was offset by the lag in the pass-through of increases in resin costs. Film Products has index-based pass-through raw material cost agreements for the majority of its business. However, under certain agreements, changes in resin prices are not passed through for an average period of 90 days.

   Capital expenditures in Film Products were $3.2 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $5 million in the first quarter of last year, and are projected to be approximately $33 million in 2008. Depreciation expense was $8.8 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $8.2 million in the first quarter of last year, and is projected to be approximately $34 million in 2008.

Aluminum Extrusions

   First-quarter net sales from continuing operations in Aluminum Extrusions were $91.1 million, down 12.2% from $103.8 million in the first quarter of 2007. Operating profit from ongoing U.S. operations decreased to $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2008, down 67% from $4.6 million in the first quarter of 2007. Volume from continuing operations decreased to 37.1 million pounds in the first quarter of 2008, down 12.5% from 42.4 million pounds in the first quarter of 2007.

   The decreases in net sales and ongoing operating profit from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the first quarter of last year were mainly due to lower volume. Shipments declined in most markets.

   Capital expenditures for continuing operations in Aluminum Extrusions were $810,000 in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $1.9 million in the first quarter of last year, and are projected to be approximately $18 million in 2008. In January, Tredegar announced plans to spend approximately $24 million over the next 18 months to expand the capacity at its plant in Carthage, Tennessee. Approximately 65% of the sales of aluminum extrusions from operations in the U.S. are related to non-residential construction, and this additional capacity will increase Tredegar's capabilities in this sector. Depreciation expense was $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $2.1 million in the first quarter of last year, and is projected to be approximately $8.1 million in 2008.

   On February 12, 2008, Tredegar sold its aluminum extrusions business in Canada for a purchase price of $25.5 million to an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based upon the actual working capital of the business at the time of sale. The final purchase price is estimated at $24.7 million, with the decline from the amount estimated at February 12, 2008 due to the excess of estimated working capital over actual working capital. Tredegar expects to realize cash income tax benefits in 2008 from the sale of approximately $12 million. All historical results for this business have been reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial tables.

OTHER ITEMS

   Net pension income from continuing operations was $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2008, a favorable change of $826,000 (2 cents per share after taxes) from amounts recognized in the first quarter of 2007. Most of the favorable changes relate to a pension plan that is reflected in "Corporate expenses, net" in the operating profit by segment table. The company contributed approximately $167,000 to its pension plans for continuing operations in 2007 and expects to contribute a similar amount in 2008.

   Interest expense was $881,000 in the first quarter of 2008, a slight increase from $824,000 in the first quarter of last year due to higher average debt levels partially offset by lower average interest rates.

   The effective tax rate used to compute income taxes from continuing manufacturing operations was 38.8% in the first quarter of 2008 compared with 35.0% in the first quarter of 2007. The increase in the effective tax rate for continuing manufacturing operations for 2008 versus 2007, which had an unfavorable impact of approximately 1 cent per share, was mainly due to higher effective tax rates for operations outside of the U.S., expiration at December 31, 2007 of the research & development tax credit and lower income tax benefits expected for the Domestic Production Activities Deduction, partially offset by a lower state income tax effective rate.

   Overall results for continuing operations for the quarter include special items. After-tax charges for continuing operations for plant shutdowns, asset impairments and restructurings were 8 cents and 1 cent per share in the first quarters of 2008 and 2007, respectively. Further details regarding these items are provided in the financial tables included with this press release.

   Tredegar's investment in Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. had a reported capital account value of $24.1 million at March 31, 2008, compared with $23.0 million at December 31, 2007. This investment has a carrying value in Tredegar's balance sheet of $10 million, which represents the amount invested on April 2, 2007.

CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND ADJUSTED EBITDA

   Net debt (debt in excess of cash) was $15.6 million at March 31, 2008, compared with net debt of $33.8 million at December 31, 2007. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing manufacturing operations, a key valuation and borrowing capacity measure, was $100.3 million in the twelve months ended March 31, 2008, down from $107.9 million in 2007. See notes to financial statements and tables for reconciliations to comparable GAAP measures.

   On January 7, 2008, Tredegar announced that its board of directors approved a share repurchase program whereby management is authorized at its discretion to purchase, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, up to 5 million shares of Tredegar's outstanding common stock. This share repurchase program replaces Tredegar's previous share repurchase authorization. The authorization has no time limit. During the first quarter of 2008, Tredegar repurchased 469,300 shares for $7.3 million. As of March 31, 2008, Tredegar had approximately 34.3 million common shares outstanding.

   Based in Richmond, Va., Tredegar Corporation is a global manufacturer of plastic films and aluminum extrusions.

                             Tredegar Corporation
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                    (In Thousands, Except Per-Share Data)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                            March 31
                                                   2008              2007

  Sales                                          $228,480          $244,887
  Other income (expense), net                         557               293
                                                  229,037           245,180

  Cost of goods sold                              194,239           202,652
  Freight                                           5,101             5,055
  Selling, R&D and general expenses                18,969            18,659
  Amortization of intangibles                          32                37
  Interest expense                                    881               824
  Asset impairments and costs associated
   with exit and disposal activities (a)            3,940               733
                                                  223,162           227,960

  Income from continuing operations
   before income taxes                              5,875            17,220
  Income taxes                                      2,090             6,085
  Income from continuing operations                 3,785            11,135
  Income (loss) from discontinued
   operations (b)                                    (723)             (802)

  Net income (a) (c)                               $3,062           $10,333


  Earnings (loss) per share:
    Basic:
      Continuing operations                          $.11              $.28
      Discontinued operations                        (.02)             (.02)
      Net income                                     $.09              $.26
    Diluted:
      Continuing operations                          $.11              $.28
      Discontinued operations                        (.02)             (.02)
      Net income                                     $.09              $.26

  Shares used to compute earnings (loss)
   per share:
    Basic                                          34,467            39,272
    Diluted                                        34,682            39,487



                             Tredegar Corporation
                  Net Sales and Operating Profit by Segment
                                (In Thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                          March 31
                                                   2008              2007
  Net Sales
  Film Products                                  $132,314          $136,061
  Aluminum Extrusions                              91,065           103,771
  Total net sales                                 223,379           239,832
  Add back freight                                  5,101             5,055
  Sales as shown in the Consolidated
    Statements of Income                         $228,480          $244,887

  Operating Profit
  Film Products:
    Ongoing operations                            $10,786           $16,820
    Plant shutdowns, asset impairments
     and restructurings (a)                        (3,705)             (367)

  Aluminum Extrusions (b):
    Ongoing operations                              1,542             4,649
    Plant shutdowns, asset impairments
     and restructurings (a)                          (235)                -

  AFBS:
    Plant shutdowns, asset impairments
     and restructurings (a)                             -              (366)
  Total                                             8,388            20,736
  Interest income                                     258               388
  Interest expense                                    881               824
  Stock option-based compensation costs                60               269
  Corporate expenses, net                           1,830             2,811
  Income before income taxes                        5,875            17,220
  Income taxes                                      2,090             6,085
  Income from continuing operations                 3,785            11,135
  Income (loss) from discontinued
   operations (b)                                    (723)             (802)
  Net income (a) (c)                               $3,062           $10,333



                            Tredegar Corporation
                    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                               (In Thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                 March 31,      December 31,
                                                   2008             2007
  Assets

  Cash & cash equivalents                         $41,443          $48,217
  Accounts & notes receivable, net                116,185           97,064
  Income taxes recoverable                         14,298              323
  Inventories                                      41,652           48,666
  Deferred income taxes                             9,173            9,172
  Prepaid expenses & other                          8,361            4,077
  Current assets of discontinued
   operation (b)                                        -           37,750
  Total current assets                            231,112          245,269

  Property, plant & equipment, net                266,986          269,083
  Other assets                                    117,672          116,759
  Goodwill & other intangibles                    136,179          135,907
  Noncurrent assets of discontinued
   operation (b)                                        -           17,460
  Total assets                                   $751,949         $784,478

  Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

  Accounts payable                                $74,327          $67,161
  Accrued expenses                                 37,589           33,676
  Current portion of long-term debt                   583              540
  Current liabilities of discontinued
   operation (b)                                        -           17,152
  Total current liabilities                       112,499          118,529

  Long-term debt                                   56,450           81,516
  Deferred income taxes                            83,022           68,625
  Other noncurrent liabilities                     15,844           15,662
  Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued
   operation (b)                                        -            8,818
  Shareholders' equity                            484,134          491,328

  Total liabilities and shareholders'
   equity                                        $751,949         $784,478



                            Tredegar Corporation
               Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
                               (In Thousands)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                          March 31
                                                    2008              2007
  Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income                                    $3,062           $10,333
    Adjustments for noncash items:
      Depreciation                                11,336            11,259
      Amortization of intangibles                     32                37
      Deferred income taxes                        8,289            (1,633)
      Accrued pension income and
       postretirement benefits                    (1,413)             (439)
      Loss on asset impairments and
       divestitures                                2,327               338
    Changes in assets and liabilities,
     net of effects of acquisitions
     and divestitures:
      Accounts and notes receivables             (22,066)          (21,147)
      Inventories                                 10,013            (4,345)
      Income taxes recoverable                   (13,841)            8,125
      Prepaid expenses and other                     421             1,039
      Accounts payable and accrued
       expenses                                    5,357            15,008
    Other, net                                     2,661             1,095
      Net cash provided by operating
       activities                                  6,178            19,670
  Cash flows from investing activities:
    Capital expenditures                          (4,052)           (7,164)
    Proceeds from the sale of the
     aluminum extrusions business in
     Canada (net of cash included in
     sale and transaction costs)                  23,616                 -
    Proceeds from the sale of assets and
     property disposals & reimbursements
     from customers for purchases
     of equipment                                    248             2,762
      Net cash provided by (used in)
       investing activities                       19,812            (4,402)
  Cash flows from financing activities:
    Dividends paid                                (1,378)           (1,579)
    Debt principal payments                      (38,158)          (20,323)
    Borrowings                                    13,000                 -
    Repurchases of Tredegar common stock          (7,283)                -
    Proceeds from exercise of stock
     options                                           -             4,089
      Net cash used in financing
       activities                                (33,819)          (17,813)
  Effect of exchange rate changes on
   cash                                            1,055               127
  Decrease in cash and cash equivalents           (6,774)           (2,418)
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
   of period                                      48,217            40,898
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of
   period                                        $41,443           $38,480



                         Selected Financial Measures
                                (In Millions)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                For the Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2008

                                           Film    Aluminum
                                         Products Extrusions  Total
  Operating profit from continuing
   ongoing operations                      $53.4    $13.4     $66.8
  Allocation of corporate overhead          (7.7)    (1.9)     (9.6)
  Add back depreciation and amortization
   from continuing operations               34.7      8.4      43.1
  Adjusted EBITDA from continuing
   operations (d)                          $80.4    $19.9    $100.3

  Selected balance sheet and other data
   as of March 31, 2008:
    Net debt (e)                           $15.6
    Shares outstanding                      34.3

  Notes to the Financial Tables

  (a)  Plant shutdowns, asset impairments and restructurings in the first
       quarter of 2008 include:
        -- Pretax charges of $2.3 million for severance and other employee-
           related costs in connection with restructurings in Film Products
           ($2.1 million) and Aluminum Extrusions ($235,000); and
        -- Pretax charges of $1.6 million for asset impairments in Film
           Products.

       Plant shutdowns, asset impairments and restructurings in the first
       quarter of 2007 include:
        -- A pretax charge of $366,000 related to the estimated loss on the
           sub-lease of a portion of the AFBS (formerly Therics) facility
           in Princeton, New Jersey;
        -- Pretax charges of $338,000 for asset impairments in Film
           Products; and
        -- A pretax charge of $29,000 for costs related to the shutdown of
           the films manufacturing facility in LaGrange, Georgia.

  (b)  On February 12, 2008, Tredegar sold its aluminum extrusions business
       in Canada for a purchase price of $25.5 million to an affiliate of
       H.I.G. Capital. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based
       upon the actual working capital of the business at the time of sale.
       The final purchase price is estimated at $24.7 million, with the
       decline from the amount estimated at February 12, 2008, due to the
       excess of estimated working capital over actual working capital.
       Tredegar expects to realize cash income tax benefits in 2008 from the
       sale of approximately $12 million. All historical results for this
       business have been reflected as discontinued operations in the
       accompanying financial tables. The components of income (loss) from
       discontinued operations are presented below:


                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                              March 31
    (In thousands)                                          2008      2007

    Income (loss) from operations before
     income taxes                                          $(391)  $(1,183)
    Income tax cost (benefit) on
     operations                                              (98)     (381)
                                                            (293)     (802)
    Loss associated with asset
     impairments and disposal
     activities                                           (1,130)        -
    Income tax cost (benefit) on asset
     impairments and costs associated
     disposal activities                                    (700)        -
                                                            (430)        -
    Income (loss) from discontinued
     operations                                            $(723)    $(802)


  (c)   Comprehensive income (loss), defined as net income and other
        comprehensive income (loss), was a gain of $1.1 million for the
        first quarter of 2008 and a gain of $12.9 million for the first
        quarter of 2007. Other comprehensive income (loss) includes changes
        in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities,
        foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains and
        losses on derivative financial instruments and amortization of prior
        service cost and net gains or losses from pension and other
        postretirement benefit plans recorded net of deferred taxes directly
        in shareholders' equity.

  (d)   Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended March 31, 2008,
        represents income from continuing operations before interest, taxes,
        depreciation, amortization, unusual items and losses associated with
        plant shutdowns, asset impairments and restructurings, gains from
        the sale of assets, investment write-down, charges related to stock
        option awards accounted for under the fair value-based method and
        other items. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flow
        from operations as defined by GAAP and should not be considered as
        either an alternative to net income (as an indicator of operating
        performance) or to cash flow (as a measure of liquidity). Tredegar
        uses Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of unlevered (debt-free) operating
        cash flow. We also use it when comparing relative enterprise values
        of manufacturing companies and when measuring debt capacity. When
        comparing the valuations of a peer group of manufacturing companies,
        we express enterprise value as a multiple of Adjusted EBITDA. We
        believe Adjusted EBITDA is preferable to operating profit and other
        GAAP measures when applying a comparable multiple approach to
        enterprise valuation because it excludes the items noted above,
        measures of which may vary among peer companies.


  (e)   Net debt is calculated as follows (in millions):
          Debt                                         $57.0
          Less:  Cash and cash equivalents             (41.4)
          Net debt                                     $15.6

        Net debt is not intended to represent total debt or debt defined by
        GAAP. Net debt is utilized by management in evaluating the company's
        financial leverage and equity valuation and the company believes
        that investors also may find net debt to be helpful for the same
        purposes.

Source: Tredegar Corporation

 

 


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