KP Tissue Releases First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, May 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — KP Tissue Inc. (KPT) (TSX: KPT) reports the Q1 2024 financial and operational results of KPT and Kruger Products Inc. (Kruger Products). Kruger Products is Canada’s leading manufacturer of quality tissue products for the Consumer market (Cashmere®, Purex®, SpongeTowels®, Scotties®, White Swan® and BonterraTM) and the Away-From-Home (AFH) market and continues to grow in the U.S. Consumer tissue business with the White Cloud® brand and premium private label products. KPT currently holds a 12.8% interest in Kruger Products.

Kruger Products Q1 2024 Business and Financial Highlights

  • Revenue was $479.4 million in Q1 2024 compared to $451.0 million in Q1 2023, an increase of $28.4 million or 6.3%.
  • Adjusted EBITDA1 was $67.1 million in Q1 2024, compared to $50.0 million in Q1 2023, an increase of 34.3%.
  • Net income was $9.0 million in Q1 2024 compared to a loss of $49.3 million in Q1 2023, an improvement of $58.3 million.
  • Declared a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share to be paid on July 15, 2024.
  • Facial tissue line in the Sherbrooke Expansion Project started up successfully in February 2024.
  • Announced a 25% increase in facial production at the Gatineau plant on March 5, 2024 with a $14.5 million investment.

“We delivered strong financial results in the first quarter of 2024, highlighted by increased sales volume and Adjusted EBITDA of $67.1 million,” stated KP Tissue’s Chief Executive Officer, Dino Bianco. “In our Consumer segment, we continued to build on our leadership position in facial tissue following the grocery exit of Kleenex in Canada through incremental marketing, added manufacturing capacity and product innovation. We also invested in brand support to drive awareness and share gains in our bathroom tissue and paper towel categories. Our Away-From-Home business maintained its recovery curve in the first quarter with robust growth in profitability, both year-over-year and sequentially, combined with solid sales growth.”

“Looking ahead to the remainder of 2024, we will continue to take a multi-faceted approach to drive profitable growth. Given anticipated headwinds in commodity markets, we are preparing an action plan to mitigate escalating pulp prices,” Mr. Bianco concluded.

Outlook for Q2 2024
For the second quarter of 2024, we expect Adjusted EBITDA1 to be in the range of Q1 2024.

Kruger Products Q1 2024 Financial Results
Revenue was $479.4 million in Q1 2024 compared to $451.0 million in Q1 2023, an increase of $28.4 million or 6.3%. The increase in revenue was primarily due to higher sales volume and favourable sales mix in the Consumer segment, partially offset by lower selling prices in the Consumer segment.

Cost of sales was $394.0 million in Q1 2024 compared to $389.0 million in Q1 2023, an increase of $5.0 million or 1.3%. The increase in cost of sales was primarily due to higher sales volume and higher manufacturing overhead costs resulting primarily from start-up costs related to the Sherbrooke Expansion Project and additional spending on maintenance in the quarter, partially offset by lower pulp prices and realized benefits related to the shutdown of certain LDC assets in our Memphis operations. Freight costs were lower compared to Q1 2023 as inflation moderated throughout 2023, while warehousing costs increased as a result of handling costs related to higher sales volume and additional logistics network costs due to contract renewals. As a percentage of revenue, cost of sales was 82.2% in Q1 2024 compared to 86.3% in Q1 2023.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $44.1 million in Q1 2024 compared to $36.3 million in Q1 2023, an increase of $7.8 million or 21.7%. The increase was primarily due to additional investment in advertising and promotion, higher selling expense to support additional sales volume, higher IT spend and consulting costs to support operational initiatives and higher management fees, partially offset by lower personnel costs and foreign exchange gains in Q1 2024 compared to losses in the year ago quarter. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A expenses were 9.2% in Q1 2024 compared to 8.0% in Q1 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA1 was $67.1 million in Q1 2024 compared to $50.0 million in Q1 2023, an increase of $17.1 million or 34.3%. The significant increase was primarily due to higher sales volumes, favourable sales mix and lower pulp prices, partially offset by lower selling prices, higher manufacturing overhead spending and higher warehousing and SG&A expenses.

Net income was $9.0 million in Q1 2024 compared to a loss of $49.3 million in Q1 2023, an improvement of $58.3 million. The improvement was primarily due to lower income tax expense due to a deferred tax expense in Q1 2023 resulting from the Reorganization on January 1, 2023, higher Adjusted EBITDA1 and lower restructuring costs, partially offset by a foreign exchange loss and a loss from non-controlling interest.

Kruger Products Q1 2024 Financing Activity and Liquidity
On March 22, 2024, Kruger Products entered into the 9th Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to increase the facility from $200 million to $325 million.

Total liquidity, representing cash and availability under the revolving credit agreements, was $409.0 million as of March 31, 2024. In addition, $20.7 million of cash was held for the Sherbrooke Expansion Project.

Kruger Inc. reduced its participation in the dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) from 100% to 50% effective April 15, 2024.

KPT Q1 2024 Financial Results
KPT had net income of $1.1 million in Q1 2024. Included in net income was $1.1 million representing KPT’s share of Kruger Products’ net income, a dilution gain of $0.3 million and depreciation expense of $0.3 million related to adjustments to carrying amounts on acquisition.

Dividends on Common Shares
The Board of Directors of KPT declared a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share to be paid on July 15, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 28, 2024.

Additional Information
For additional information please refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) of KPT and Kruger Products for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or our website at www.kptissueinc.com.

First Quarter Results Conference Call Information
KPT will hold its first quarter conference call on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

Via telephone: 1-888-664-6383 or 416-764-8650

Via the internet at: www.kptissueinc.com

Presentation material referenced during the conference call will be available at www.kptissueinc.com.

A rebroadcast of the conference call will be available until midnight, May 21, 2024 by dialing 1-888-390-0541 or 416-764-8677 and entering passcode 804164.

The replay of the webcast will remain available on the website until midnight, May 21, 2024.

About KP Tissue Inc. (KPT)
KPT was created to acquire, and its business is limited to holding, a limited equity interest in Kruger Products, which is accounted for as an investment on the equity basis. KPT currently holds a 12.8% interest in Kruger Products. For more information visit www.kptissueinc.com.

About Kruger Products
Kruger Products is Canada’s leading manufacturer of quality tissue products for household, industrial and commercial use. Kruger Products serves the Canadian consumer market with such well-known brands as Cashmere®, Purex®, SpongeTowels®, Scotties®, White Swan® and BonterraTM. In the U.S., Kruger Products manufactures the White Cloud® brand, as well as many private label products. The Away-From-Home division manufactures and distributes high-quality, cost-effective product solutions to a wide range of commercial and public entities. Kruger Products has approximately 2,800 employees and operates nine FSC® COC-certified (FSC® C-104904) production facilities in North America. For more information visit www.krugerproducts.ca.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release uses certain non-GAAP financial measures which Kruger Products believes provide useful information to management of Kruger Products and the readers of the financial information in measuring the financial performance and financial condition of Kruger Products. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. An example of such a measure is Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of operating performance computed in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for operating income, net income or cash flows from operating activities computed in accordance with GAAP. “Adjusted EBITDA” is calculated by Kruger Products as net income (loss) before (i) interest expense and other finance costs, (ii) income taxes, (iii) depreciation, (iv) amortization, (v) loss on sale of non-financial assets, (vi) loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment, (vii) foreign exchange loss (gain), (viii) costs related to restructuring activities and (ix) changes in amortized cost of Partnership units liability. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the relevant reported results can be found in the Segment and Geographic Results table of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release about KPT’s and Kruger Products’ current and future plans, expectations and intentions, results, levels of activity, performance, goals or achievements or any other future events or developments constitute forward-looking statements. The words “may”, “will”, “would”, “should”, “could”, “expects”, “plans”, “intends”, “trends”, “indications”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “likely” or “potential” or the negative or other variations of these words or other comparable words or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by KPT or Kruger Products, including the moderation of inflationary pressure on input costs and continued inflationary pressure on SG&A as labour, marketing and IT costs continue to rise. Although KPT and Kruger Products believe that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements since no assurance can be given that such expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct.

The outlook provided in respect of Adjusted EBITDA1 for Q2 2024 is forward-looking information and is based on the assumptions and subject to the risk and uncertainties referred to below. The purpose of the outlook is to provide the reader with an indication of management’s expectations, at the date of this press release, regarding Kruger Products’ future financial performance. Readers are cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

Many factors could cause Kruger Products’ actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments (which could in turn affect the economic benefits derived from KPT’s economic interest in Kruger Products), to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the following factors, which are discussed in greater detail in the “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Kruger Products’ Business” section of the KPT Annual Information Form dated March 7, 2024 available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca: Kruger Inc.’s influence over Kruger Products; Kruger Products’ reliance on Kruger Inc.; consequences of an event of insolvency relating to Kruger Inc.; risks associated with the ownership of the TAD Sherbrooke Project; risks associated with the operation of the TAD Sherbrooke Project; risks associated with the Sherbrooke Expansion Project; operational risks; significant increases in input costs; reduction in supply of fibre; increased pricing pressure and intense competition; Kruger Products’ inability to innovate effectively; adverse economic conditions; dependence on key retail trade customers; damage to the reputation of Kruger Products or Kruger Products’ brands; Kruger Products’ sales being less than anticipated; Kruger Products’ failure to implement its business and operating strategies; Kruger Products’ obligation to make regular capital expenditures; Kruger Products entering into unsuccessful acquisitions; Kruger Products’ dependence on key personnel; Kruger Products’ inability to retain its existing customers or obtain new customers; Kruger Products’ loss of key suppliers; Kruger Products’ failure to adequately protect its intellectual property rights; Kruger Products’ reliance on third party intellectual property licenses; adverse litigation and other claims affecting Kruger Products; material expenditures due to comprehensive environmental regulation affecting Kruger Products’ cash flow; Kruger Products’ pension obligations are significant and can be materially higher than predicted if Kruger Products Management’s underlying assumptions are incorrect; labour disputes adversely affecting Kruger Products’ cost structure and Kruger Products’ ability to run its plants; exchange rate and U.S. competitors; Kruger Products’ inability to service all of its indebtedness; exposure to potential consumer product liability; covenant compliance; interest rate and refinancing risk; and risks relating to information technology; cyber-security; insurance; internal controls; and trade.

Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements made herein. The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of press release and KPT undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.

INFORMATION:

Francois Paroyan
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
KP Tissue Inc.
Tel.: 905.812.6936
[email protected]

INVESTORS:

Mike Baldesarra
Director of Investor Relations
KP Tissue Inc.
Tel.: 905.812.6962
[email protected]

1 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this news release for more information on these measures

 
Kruger Products Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(thousands of Canadian dollars)
         
         
    March 31, 2024     December 31, 2023  
    $     $  
Assets      
Current assets      
  Cash and cash equivalents 117,120     135,728  
  Restricted cash 13,863     12,451  
  Trade and other receivables 156,356     130,157  
  Receivables from related parties 596     842  
  Inventories 271,830     254,372  
  Income tax recoverable 4,102     4,578  
  Prepaid expenses 22,289     4,726  
    586,156     542,854  
Non-current assets      
  Property, plant and equipment 1,454,590     1,421,650  
  Right-of-use assets 98,354     84,866  
  Other long-term assets 423     3,808  
  Pensions 89,617     69,839  
  Goodwill 152,021     152,021  
  Intangible assets 25,834     26,852  
  Deferred income taxes 13,250     23,740  
Total assets 2,420,245     2,325,630  
         
Liabilities      
Current liabilities      
  Trade and other payables 367,405     400,385  
  Payables to related parties 12,142     10,973  
  Income tax payable 181      
  Dividends payable 13,914     13,675  
  Current portion of long-term debt 41,109     35,229  
  Current portion of lease liabilities 30,956     27,154  
  Current portion of long-term payable to related party 5,800     5,800  
  Current portion of provisions 3,619     3,952  
    475,126     497,168  
Non-current liabilities      
  Long-term debt 1,104,962     1,034,016  
  Long-term lease liabilities 82,498     71,865  
  Long-term payable to related party 36,151     35,580  
  Long-term provisions 6,786     5,740  
  Pensions 18,394     18,935  
  Post-retirement benefits 47,117     48,699  
Total liabilities 1,771,034     1,712,003  
         
Equity      
  Share capital 290,187     278,252  
  Contributed surplus 395,382     395,382  
  Deficit (151,748 )   (164,029 )
  Accumulated other comprehensive income 86,483     81,011  
  Equity attributable to Kruger Products 620,304     590,616  
  Non-controlling interest 28,907     23,011  
Total equity 649,211     613,627  
Total equity and liabilities 2,420,245     2,325,630  
         
Kruger Products Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
(thousands of Canadian dollars)
       
       
  3-month
period ended
March 31, 2024
  3-month
period ended
March 31, 2023
 
  $   $  
       
Revenue 479,432   450,992  
       
Expenses      
Cost of sales 394,003   389,024  
Selling, general and administrative expenses 44,142   36,264  
Restructuring costs, net 216   1,139  
       
Operating income 41,071   24,565  
Interest expense and other finance costs 16,280   16,524  
Other expense (income) 8,473   (416 )
       
Income before income taxes 16,318   8,457  
Current tax expense 769   209  
Deferred tax expense 5,471   58,364  
       
Income tax expense 6,240   58,573  
       
Net income (loss) including non-controlling interest 10,078   (50,116 )
       
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest 1,122   (855 )
       
Net income (loss) attributable to Kruger Products 8,956   (49,261 )
       
Kruger Products Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(thousands of Canadian dollars)
       
       
       
  3-month
period ended
March 31, 2024
    3-month
period ended
March 31, 2023
 
  $     $  
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities      
Net income (loss) including non-controlling interest 10,078     (50,116 )
Items not affecting cash      
Depreciation 24,451     23,189  
Amortization 1,065     1,065  
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment 271     (5 )
Loss (gain) on disposal of leased assets 632     (488 )
Foreign exchange loss (gain) 9,355     (416 )
Interest expense and other finance costs 16,280     16,524  
Pension and post-retirement benefits 2,576     1,888  
Provisions 1,073     1,431  
Income tax expense 6,240     58,573  
Loss on sale of non-financial assets 12     3  
Total items not affecting cash 61,955     101,764  
       
Net change in non-cash working capital (86,070 )   (51,449 )
Contributions to pension and post-retirement benefit plans (1,153 )   (2,518 )
Provisions paid (470 )   (689 )
Income tax payments, net (340 )   163  
Net cash used in operating activities (16,000 )   (2,845 )
       
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities      
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (4,041 )   (4,011 )
Purchases of property, plant and equipment related to the      
Sherbrooke Expansion Project (45,873 )   (31,662 )
Interest paid on credit facilities related to the Sherbrooke Expansion      
Project (116 )   (97 )
Government assistance received     1,250  
Purchases of software (47 )   (71 )
Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment (4 )   5  
Net cash used in investing activities (50,081 )   (34,586 )
       
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities      
Proceeds from long-term debt 74,864     35,501  
Repayment of long-term debt (7,147 )   (8,695 )
Payment of deferred financing fees (864 )   (246 )
Payment of lease liabilities (8,650 )   (6,750 )
Change in Restricted cash (1,412 )   (1,225 )
Interest paid on long-term debt (8,863 )   (13,719 )
Dividends paid, net (1,753 )   (1,743 )
Net cash from financing activities 46,175     3,123  
       
       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents held in foreign currency 1,298     (37 )
       
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents during the period (18,608 )   (34,345 )
       
Cash and cash equivalents – Beginning of period 135,728     71,261  
       
Cash and cash equivalents – End of period 117,120     36,916  
       
Kruger Products Inc.
Unaudited Segment and Geographic Results
(thousands of Canadian dollars)
       
       
  3-month
period ended
March 31, 2024
    3-month
period ended
March 31, 2023
 
  $     $  
       
Segment Information      
       
Segment Revenue      
Consumer 404,289     376,520  
AFH 75,143     74,472  
       
Revenue from external customers 479,432     450,992  
       
Adjusted EBITDA      
Consumer 62,662     51,334  
AFH 7,770     884  
Corporate and other costs (3,345 )   (2,262 )
       
Total Adjusted EBITDA 67,087     49,956  
       
Reconciliation to net income (loss):      
Depreciation and amortization 25,516     24,254  
Interest expense and other finance costs 16,280     16,524  
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment 271     (5 )
Loss on sale of non-financial assets 12     3  
Change in amortized cost of Partnership unit liability (881 )    
Restructuring costs, net 216     1,139  
Foreign exchange loss (gain) 9,355     (416 )
       
Income before income taxes 16,318     8,457  
       
Income tax expense 6,240     58,573  
       
Net income (loss) including non-controlling interest 10,078     (50,116 )
       
Geographic Revenue      
       
Canada 266,172     260,780  
US 213,260     190,212  
       
Total revenue 479,432     450,992  
       
KP Tissue Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Statements of Financial Position
(thousands of Canadian dollars)
       
       
  March 31, 2024     December 31, 2023  
  $     $  
Assets      
       
Current assets      
Dividends receivable 1,794     1,793  
Income taxes recoverable 567     652  
  2,361     2,445  
       
Non-current assets      
Investment in associate 70,659     68,162  
       
Total assets 73,020     70,607  
       
Liabilities      
       
Current liabilities      
Dividend payable 1,794     1,793  
Payable to investee 511     457  
       
Total liabilities 2,305     2,250  
       
Equity      
       
Common shares 22,601     22,560  
Contributed surplus 144,819     144,819  
Deficit (113,464 )   (115,027 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income 16,759     16,005  
       
Total equity 70,715     68,357  
       
Total liabilities and equity 73,020     70,607  
       
KP Tissue Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Statements of Income (Loss)
(thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)
       
  3-month
period ended
March 31, 2024
    3-month
period ended
March 31, 2023
 
  $     $  
       
    Share of income (loss) 1,155     (6,755 )
    Depreciation of fair value increments (286 )   (304 )
       
Equity income (loss) 869     (7,059 )
    Dilution gain 262     273  
       
Income (loss) before income taxes 1,131     (6,786 )
       
Deferred tax expense     3,892  
       
Net income (loss) 1,131     (10,678 )
       
       
Basic earnings (loss) per share 0.11     (1.07 )
       
Weighted average number of shares outstanding 9,967,576     9,949,878  
       
KP Tissue Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(thousands of Canadian dollars)
       
  3-month
period ended
March 31, 2024
    3-month
period ended
March 31, 2023
 
  $     $  
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities      
Net income (loss) 1,131     (10,678 )
Items not affecting cash      
Equity loss (income) (869 )   7,059  
Dilution gain (262 )   (273 )
Deferred tax expense     3,892  
Total items not affecting cash (1,131 )   10,678  
       
Decrease in payable to investee (84 )    
Tax refunds , net 84      
       
Net cash from (used in) operating activities      
       
Cash flows from investing activities      
Dividends received, net 1,752     1,742  
       
Net cash from investing activities 1,752     1,742  
       
Cash flows used in financing activities      
Dividends paid, net (1,752 )   (1,742 )
       
Net cash used in financing activities (1,752 )   (1,742 )
       
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period      
       
Cash and cash equivalents – Beginning of period      
       
Cash and cash equivalents – End of period      
 


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