MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Nov. 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — KP Tissue Inc. (KPT) (TSX: KPT) reports the Q3 2019 financial and operational results of KPT and Kruger Products L.P. (KPLP). Kruger Products is Canada’s leading manufacturer of quality tissue products for the Consumer market (Cashmere, Purex, SpongeTowels, Scotties, and White Swan) and the Away-From-Home 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 15.2% interest in KPLP.KPLP Q3 2019 Business and Financial HighlightsRevenue increased by 6.0% to $369.4 million in Q3 2019 compared to Q3 2018Adjusted EBITDA increased sequentially by 39.8% to $44.0 million from $31.5 million in Q2 2019, and increased by 35.3% from $32.5 million in Q3 2018TAD Sherbrooke facility progressing on time and on budgetAmended Senior Credit Facility to increase overall borrowing capacity by $50 millionDeclared a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share to be paid on January 15, 2020“We are very pleased by our Adjusted EBITDA of $44 million for the third quarter, representing an increase of over 35% compared to the prior year. This solid performance reflects pricing across all business segments, higher sales volumes, and the benefits from our Operational Excellence (OpEx) program, all within a more favourable cost environment,” indicated Dino Bianco, KP Tissue CEO.“As expected, the Away-From-Home (“AFH”) segment continued its trend of quarterly sequential improvements, while the Consumer segment was quite strong in both Canada and the U.S., with improved gross margins. The TAD Sherbrooke facility is on track as planned.“While we did benefit from favourable input costs in the third quarter and we anticipate a similar dynamic for the fourth quarter, the trend in input costs could reverse itself in upcoming quarters. As we complete fiscal 2019 and think about 2020, we remain focused on building our brands, executing the OpEx program and AFH turnaround and completing the TAD Sherbrooke facility,” concluded Mr. Bianco.Outlook
KPLP expects Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2019 to be in the range of Q3 2019, and significantly higher than Q4 2018.KPLP Q3 2019 Financial Results
Revenue was $369.4 million in Q3 2019 compared to $348.6 million in Q3 2018, an increase of $20.8 million or 6.0%. The increase in revenue was primarily due to the benefit of pricing across all business segments in 2019 and higher sales volumes.Cost of sales was $317.0 million in Q3 2019 compared to $311.4 million in Q3 2018, an increase of $5.6 million or 1.9%. Manufacturing costs increased primarily due to higher sales volume, the cost of outsourced manufacturing and higher maintenance spending, while lower pulp costs and the operational transformation initiatives had a favourable impact in the quarter. Freight costs decreased primarily due to lower carrier rates, particularly in the U.S. while warehousing costs increased compared to Q3 2018. As a percentage of revenue, cost of sales were 85.8% in Q3 2019 compared to 89.3% in Q3 2018. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $25.8 million in Q3 2019 compared to $20.6 million in Q3 2018, an increase of $5.2 million or 25.3%. The increase was primarily due to increased compensation related costs compared to Q3 2018, and higher advertising and promotion expenses. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A expenses were 7.0% in Q3 2019 compared to 5.9% in Q3 2018.Adjusted EBITDA was $44.0 million in Q3 2019 compared to $32.5 million in Q3 2018, an increase of $11.5 million. The higher Adjusted EBITDA resulted from the positive impact of pricing across all business segments, lower pulp costs and higher sales volumes along with the benefit from operational transformation initiatives, partially offset by unfavourable sales mix, the cost of outsourced manufacturing and maintenance costs, and higher SG&A costs.Net income was $10.5 million in Q3 2019 compared to $4.2 million in Q3 2018, an increase of $6.3 million. The increase was primarily due to higher Adjusted EBITDA of $11.5 million as discussed above and a decrease in interest expense of $2.1 million, partially offset by restructuring costs of $1.6 million, an unfavourable change in amortized cost of Partnership units liability of $1.5 million, higher income tax expense of $1.2 million, and an unfavourable foreign exchange difference of $1.0 million.KPLP Q3 2019 Financing Activity
On September 19, 2019, KPLP entered into a second supplemental credit agreement to the sixth amended and restated credit agreement related to its revolving credit facility (the Senior Credit Facility). The maturity date of the Senior Credit Facility was amended to September 19, 2023. The Senior Credit Facility was increased to $250.0 million from $200.0 million and the covenants were amended to allow more flexibility. In connection with these amendments, Kruger Inc. has agreed to increase its participation in the dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) from 75% to 100% until December 31, 2020.Total liquidity, representing cash and cash equivalents and availability under the credit line, was $186.4 million as of September 30, 2019, compared to $115.5 million as of June 30, 2019. The September 30, 2019 balance includes $32.2 million of cash and cash equivalents committed to the TAD Sherbrooke Project.KPLP has concluded a new land lease for its Gatineau tissue plant that commences in March 2028 and permits KPLP to secure the site until March 2053.KPT Q3 2019 Financial Results
KPT had a net loss of $0.4 million in Q3 2019. Included in the net loss was $1.6 million representing KPT’s share of KPLP’s net income, depreciation expense of $1.4 million related to adjustments to carrying amounts on acquisition and an income tax expense of $0.7 million.Dividends on Common Shares
The Board of Directors of KPT declared a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share to be paid on January 15, 2020 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 31, 2019.Additional Information
For additional information please refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) of KPT and KPLP for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or our website at www.kptissueinc.com.Third Quarter Results Conference Call Information
KPT will hold its third quarter conference call on Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.Via telephone: 1-877-223-4471 or 647-788-4922Via the internet at: www.kptissueinc.comPresentation material referenced during the conference call will be available at www.kptissueinc.com.A rebroadcast of the conference call will be available until midnight, November 14, 2019 by dialing 1-800-585-8367 or 416-621-4642 and entering passcode 5499897.The replay of the webcast will remain available on the website until midnight, November 14, 2019.About KP Tissue Inc. (KPT)
KPT was created to acquire, and its business is limited to holding, a limited partnership interest in KPLP, which is accounted for as an investment on the equity basis. KPT currently holds a 15.2% interest in KPLP. For more information visit www.kptissueinc.com.About Kruger Products L.P. (KPLP)
KPLP is Canada’s leading manufacturer of quality tissue products for household, industrial and commercial use. KPLP serves the Canadian consumer market with such well-known brands as Cashmere®, Purex®, SpongeTowels®, Scotties® and White Swan®. In the U.S., KPLP 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. KPLP has approximately 2,500 employees and operates eight FSC® COC-certified (FSC® C-104904) production facilities in North America. For more information visit www.krugerproducts.ca.Non-IFRS Measures
This press release uses certain non-IFRS financial measures which KPLP believes provide useful information to management of KPLP and the readers of the financial information in measuring the financial performance and financial condition of KPLP. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. An example of such a measure is Adjusted EBITDA. Beginning with Q4 2015 in accordance with Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised), we have referenced Adjusted EBITDA as a non-IFRS financial measure. This term replaces the previously referenced non-IFRS financial measure EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of operating performance computed in accordance with IFRS and should not be considered as a substitute for operating income, net income or cash flows from operating activities computed in accordance with IFRS. “Adjusted EBITDA” is calculated by KPLP as net income (loss) before (i) interest expense, (ii) income taxes, (iii) depreciation, (iv) amortization, (v) impairment (gain 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, (ix) changes in amortized cost of Partnership units liability, (x) change in fair value of derivatives, (xi) one-time consulting costs related to operational transformation initiatives, (xii) mergers and acquisitions (M&A) related costs and (xiii) loss (gain) on sale of shares. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the relevant reported results can be found in the MD&A of KPT and KPLP for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release about KPT’s and KPLP’s 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. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the projected capacity of the TAD Sherbrooke Project, the anticipated benefits of the TAD Sherbrooke Project and the expected dates for commencement of construction and production of the TAD Sherbrooke Project. 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 KPLP. Although KPT and KPLP 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 EBITDA for Q4 2019 is forward-looking information and is 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 KPLP’s future financial performance. Readers are cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Many factors could cause KPLP’s 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 KPLP), 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 KPLP’s Business” section of the KPT Annual Information Form dated March 8, 2019 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com: Kruger Inc.’s influence over KPLP; KPLP’s reliance on Kruger Inc.; consequences of an event of insolvency relating to Kruger Inc.; risks associated with the TAD Sherbrooke Project; operational risks; Gatineau Plant land lease; significant increases in input costs; reduction in supply of fibre; increased pricing pressure and intense competition; KPLP’s inability to innovate effectively; adverse economic conditions; dependence on key retail trade customers; damage to the reputation of KPLP or KPLP’s brands; KPLP’s sales being less than anticipated; KPLP’s failure to implement its business and operating strategies; KPLP’s obligation to make regular capital expenditures; KPLP’s entering into unsuccessful acquisitions; KPLP’s dependence on key personnel; KPLP’s inability to retain its existing customers or obtain new customers; KPLP’s loss of key suppliers; KPLP’s failure to adequately protect its intellectual property rights; KPLP’s reliance on third party intellectual property licenses; adverse litigation and other claims affecting KPLP; material expenditures due to comprehensive environmental regulation affecting KPLP’s cash flow; KPLP’s pension obligations are significant and can be materially higher than predicted if KPLP Management’s underlying assumptions are incorrect; labour disputes adversely affecting KPLP’s cost structure and KPLP’s ability to run its plants; exchange rate and U.S. competitors; KPLP’s 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
francois.paroyan@krugerproducts.caINVESTORS:Mike Baldesarra
Director of Investor Relations
KP Tissue Inc.
Tel.: 905.812.6962
IR@KPTissueinc.com
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