Table of Contents

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

(Mark One)

 

 

T

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011

 

OR

 

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF  1934

 

For the transition period from                         to

 

Commission file number:  1-13923

 

WAUSAU PAPER CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

WISCONSIN

 

39-0690900

(State of incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

100 Paper Place

Mosinee, Wisconsin 54455-9099

(Address of principal executive office)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  715-693-4470

 

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 report), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Date 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 o  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer x

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(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  o  No x

 

The number of common shares outstanding at April 30, 2011 was 49,176,197.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

WAUSAU PAPER CORP.

 

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

Page No.

PART I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations,
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 (unaudited)
and March 31, 2010 (unaudited)

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets,
March 31, 2011 (unaudited) and December 31, 2010
(derived from audited financial statements)

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows,
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 (unaudited)
and March 31, 2010 (unaudited)

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

4-9

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

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

10-16

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

17

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

17

 

 

 

 

PART II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

17

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

17

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.            Financial Statements

 

Wausau Paper Corp. and Subsidiaries

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(all amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

248,915

 

$

255,862

 

Cost of sales

 

227,288

 

228,878

 

Gross profit

 

21,627

 

26,984

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative

 

22,061

 

19,173

 

Operating (loss) profit

 

(434

)

7,811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(1,739

)

(1,301

)

Other income, net

 

33

 

128

 

(Loss) earnings before income taxes

 

(2,140

)

6,638

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Credit) provision for income taxes

 

(749

)

3,723

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

$

(1,391

)

$

2,915

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings per share — basic and diluted

 

$

(0.03

)

$

0.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding — basic

 

49,130

 

48,951

 

Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted

 

49,130

 

49,228

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Wausau Paper Corp. and Subsidiaries

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,186

 

$

2,003

 

Receivables, net

 

98,632

 

94,148

 

Refundable income taxes

 

6,404

 

6,720

 

Inventories

 

114,202

 

106,328

 

Spare parts

 

30,240

 

29,582

 

Other current assets

 

4,903

 

5,117

 

Total current assets

 

$

255,567

 

$

243,898

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant, and equipment — net

 

385,790

 

380,801

 

Other assets

 

51,787

 

52,910

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

693,144

 

$

677,609

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

71,830

 

$

70,289

 

Deferred income taxes

 

5,260

 

5,228

 

Accrued and other liabilities

 

48,516

 

59,242

 

Total current liabilities

 

125,606

 

134,759

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

150,564

 

127,382

 

Deferred income taxes

 

6,556

 

3,765

 

Post-retirement benefits

 

84,110

 

80,802

 

Pension

 

35,132

 

36,512

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

34,356

 

34,723

 

Total liabilities

 

436,324

 

417,943

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

256,820

 

259,666

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

693,144

 

$

677,609

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Wausau Paper Corp. and Subsidiaries

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

$

(9,011

)

$

(7,373

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(13,987

)

(6,152

)

Grants received for capital expenditures

 

400

 

 

Proceeds from property, plant, and equipment disposals

 

26

 

118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(13,561

)

(6,034

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Issuances of commercial paper, net

 

9,735

 

11,055

 

Borrowings under credit agreements, net

 

13,500

 

2,000

 

Payments under notes payable agreement

 

 

(28

)

Dividends paid

 

(1,480

)

(4

)

Proceeds from stock option exercises

 

 

186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

21,755

 

13,209

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(817

)

(198

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

2,003

 

1,297

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

1,186

 

$

1,099

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

 

Note 1.           Basis of Presentation

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the results of Wausau Paper Corp. and our consolidated subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.  The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which are normal and recurring in nature and which are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented.  Results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of future results.  In all regards, the financial statements have been presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Refer to notes to consolidated financial statements, which appear in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, for our accounting policies and other disclosures, which are pertinent to these statements.

 

Note 2.           Earnings Per Share

 

The following table reconciles basic weighted average outstanding shares to diluted weighted average outstanding shares:

 

 

 

Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

(all amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

$

(1,391

)

$

2,915

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

 

49,130

 

48,951

 

Dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation plans

 

 

277

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

 

49,130

 

49,228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings per share — basic and diluted

 

$

(0.03

)

$

0.06

 

 

Stock options for which the exercise price exceeds the average market price over the applicable period have an antidilutive effect on EPS, and accordingly, are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.  Due to the net loss in the three months ended March 31, 2011, stock based grants for 2,063,748 shares were considered to be antidilutive.  For the three months ended March 31, 2010, stock-based grants for 1,649,763 shares were excluded from the diluted EPS calculation because the shares were antidilutive.

 

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Note 3.           Receivables

 

Accounts receivable consisted of the following:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade

 

$

94,027

 

$

91,159

 

Other

 

6,412

 

4,736

 

 

 

100,439

 

95,895

 

Less: allowances for doubtful accounts

 

(1,807

)

(1,747

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

98,632

 

$

94,148

 

 

Note 4.           Inventories

 

The various components of inventories were as follows:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

$

42,158

 

$

37,982

 

Work in process and finished goods

 

124,161

 

116,456

 

Supplies

 

6,084

 

6,093

 

Inventories at cost

 

172,403

 

160,531

 

Less: LIFO reserve

 

(58,201

)

(54,203

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

114,202

 

$

106,328

 

 

Note 5.           Property, Plant, and Equipment

 

The accumulated depreciation on fixed assets was $745.7 million as of March 31, 2011, and $736.6 million as of December 31, 2010.  The provision for depreciation, amortization, and depletion was $14.1 million and $14.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, cost of sales included net losses of $0.3 million on sales of property, plant, and equipment.  Included in cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2010, were net gains of less than $0.1 million on sales of property, plant, and equipment.

 

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Note 6.           Debt

 

A summary of total debt is as follows:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unsecured private placement notes

 

$

85,000

 

$

85,000

 

Industrial development bonds

 

19,000

 

19,000

 

Revolving-credit agreement with financial institutions

 

13,500

 

 

Commercial paper placement agreement

 

32,975

 

23,240

 

Subtotal

 

150,475

 

127,240

 

Premium on unsecured private placement notes

 

89

 

142

 

Total debt

 

150,564

 

127,382

 

Less: current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

 

$

150,564

 

$

127,382

 

 

On March 31, 2010, we entered into a note purchase and private-shelf agreement.  This agreement provided for the April 9, 2010, issuance of $50 million of unsecured senior notes having an interest rate of 5.69%, and also established a three-year private shelf facility under which up to $125 million of additional promissory notes may be issued at terms agreed upon by the parties at the time of issuance.  At March 31, 2011, $50 million was outstanding under the note purchase and private-shelf agreement.  On April 4, 2011, we issued an additional aggregate principal amount of $50 million of our senior notes under the terms of our existing note purchase and private-shelf agreement.  The notes bear interest at 4.68% and mature on April 4, 2018.

 

On June 23, 2010, we entered into a $125 million revolving-credit agreement with five financial institutions that will expire on June 23, 2014.  This revolving-credit agreement retired a $165 million facility that was scheduled to expire in July 2011.  At March 31, 2011, there was $13.5 million outstanding under the revolving-credit agreement.

 

We are subject to certain financial and other covenants under the revolving-credit agreement, the note purchase and private-shelf agreement, and the $35 million unsecured private placement notes expiring in August 2011.  At March 31, 2011, we were in compliance with all required covenants and expect to remain in full compliance throughout the remainder of 2011.

 

At March 31, 2011, the amount of commercial paper outstanding and the $35 million of unsecured private placement notes maturing in August 2011 have been classified as long-term on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as we have the ability and intent to refinance the obligations under our existing credit agreements.

 

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Note 7.                                  Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans

 

The components of net periodic benefit costs recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post-retirement

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Benefits

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

753

 

$

1,389

 

$

377

 

$

366

 

Interest cost

 

3,166

 

3,061

 

1,093

 

1,207

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(3,799

)

(3,740

)

 

 

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service cost (benefit)

 

461

 

447

 

(860

)

(862

)

Actuarial loss

 

959

 

642

 

545

 

596

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

1,540

 

$

1,799

 

$

1,155

 

$

1,307

 

 

We previously disclosed in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010, that although we do not expect to have a minimum funding requirement for all of our defined benefit pension plans in 2011, we may elect to make contributions of up to $3.9 million directly to pension plans.  As of March 31, 2011, we have made payments of approximately $1.5 million to our pension plans.  In addition, as previously reported, we expect to contribute $4.5 million, net of subsidy reimbursements, directly to other post-retirement plans in 2011.  As of March 31, 2011, we have contributed approximately $0.5 million to our other post-retirement plans.

 

Note 8.                                  Share-Based Compensation

 

We account for stock-based compensation pursuant to the provisions of FASB ASC Subtopic 718-10.

 

Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, and Performance Units

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010, share-based compensation expense related to non-qualified stock option grants, restricted stock awards, and performance unit awards was approximately $1.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively.  We recognize compensation expense on grants of stock options, restricted stock, and performance unit share-based compensation awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of each award.  Forfeiture rates are estimated based upon our historical experience for each grant type.  As of March 31, 2011, total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation awards was approximately $5.2 million, net of estimated forfeitures, which we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of approximately 1.0 years.

 

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During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we granted 5,000 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $8.10.

 

During the first quarter of 2011, as part of compensation for our directors and certain employees of Wausau Paper, we granted awards of performance units.  Of the awards granted, 33,482 performance units were granted to directors.  The grants to certain employees were comprised of three types of awards.  The first type of award included 82,532 performance units with vesting based upon the completion of a requisite period of service.  The second type of award was comprised of 626,359 performance units with vesting contingent on (1) achieving certain operating profit levels and (2) completion of a service requirement.  The third type of award included 346,201 performance units with vesting of the award subject to the achievement of a targeted shareholder return on our common stock over a three-year period.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights and Dividend Equivalents

 

Share-based compensation provisions or credits related to stock appreciation rights and dividend equivalents are determined based upon a remeasurement to their fair value at each interim reporting period in accordance with the provisions of ASC Subtopic 718-10.  During the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we recognized credits of approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in share-based compensation related to stock appreciation rights and dividend equivalents.

 

Note 9.                                  Interim Segment Information

 

Factors Used to Identify Reportable Segments

 

We have evaluated our disclosures of our business segments in accordance with ASC Subtopic 280-10, and as a result we have classified our operations into two principal reportable segments:  Tissue and Paper, each providing different products.  Separate management of each segment is required because each business unit is subject to different marketing, production, and technology strategies.

 

Products from which Revenue is Derived

 

The Tissue segment produces a complete line of towel and tissue products that are marketed along with soap and dispensing systems for the “away-from-home” market.  Tissue operates a paper mill in Middletown, Ohio, and a converting facility in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.  The Paper segment produces specialty and fine printing and writing papers within four core markets — Food, Industrial & Tape, Coated & Liner, and Print & Color.  These products are produced at manufacturing facilities located in Brainerd, Minnesota, and in Rhinelander, Mosinee, and Brokaw, Wisconsin.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Reconciliations

 

The following are reconciliations to corresponding totals in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales external customers:

 

 

 

 

 

Tissue

 

$

76,891

 

$

79,867

 

Paper

 

172,024

 

175,995

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

248,915

 

$

255,862

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Tissue

 

$

6,311

 

$

11,070

 

Paper

 

(1,358

)

2,022

 

Corporate & eliminations

 

(5,387

)

(5,281

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(434

)

$

7,811

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Tissue

 

$

209,700

 

$

208,988

 

Paper

 

446,078

 

431,512

 

Corporate & Unallocated*

 

37,366

 

37,109

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

693,144

 

$

677,609

 

 


*                 Segment assets do not include intersegment accounts receivable, cash, deferred tax assets, and certain other assets, which are not identifiable with segments.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 2.            Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the periods reported.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Please refer to the notes to the financial statements, which appear in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, for our accounting policies and other disclosures which are pertinent to these statements.

 

Operations Review

 

Overview

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

$

(1,391

)

$

2,915

 

Net (loss) earnings per share — basic and diluted

 

$

(0.03

)

$

0.06

 

 

For the first quarter of 2011, we reported a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.03 per share, compared to prior year net earnings of $2.9 million, or $0.06 per share.  The net loss in the first quarter of 2011 includes after-tax capital-related expenses of $2.3 million, or $0.05 per share, due to a paper machine rebuild within our Paper segment and a planned expansion to the converting facility in our Tissue segment.  In addition, the first three months of 2011 include after-tax expenses of $0.4 million, or $0.01 per share, related to the transition to a reduced operating schedule at a paper mill in our Paper segment.  Net earnings during the first quarter of 2010 were impacted by income tax charges of $1.2 million, or $0.02 per share, related to the passage of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care” and “Health Care and Education Reconciliation” Acts of March 2010, which eliminated the income tax deduction for federal subsidies received for providing retiree prescription drug benefits.

 

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Net Sales and Gross Profit on Sales

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands, except tons sold)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

248,915

 

$

255,862

 

Tons sold

 

152,128

 

168,218

 

Gross profit on sales

 

$

21,627

 

$

26,984

 

Gross profit margin

 

9

%

11

%

 

Consolidated net sales and shipments decreased 3% and 10%, respectively, during the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the first quarter of 2010, due to particularly strong first quarter shipments in 2010, which were positively impacted by certain customer restocking activities as the economy began to recover.  In addition, our shipments in the first quarter of 2011 decreased due to our decision to reduce our activities within certain commoditized markets in order to improve our product mix.  We also anticipated volume reductions due to downtime associated with the rebuild of a paper machine at our Paper segment, and the transition to a reduced operating schedule at a paper mill in our Paper segment.  During the same comparative periods, average net selling price increased 7%, or approximately $17 million.

 

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2011, was $21.6 million compared to $27.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Gross profit in the first quarter of 2011 included capital-related charges of $3.5 million, mostly due to a paper machine rebuild within our Paper segment, and $0.6 million of costs related to the transition to a reduced operating schedule at a paper mill in our Paper segment. Gross profit was also impacted by an increase in fiber prices of approximately $6 million in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the first quarter of 2010. Energy prices remained relatively stable over the same comparative periods.

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated Order Backlogs

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Order backlogs in tons:

 

 

 

 

 

Tissue

 

2,800

 

3,700

 

Paper

 

30,200

 

47,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,000

 

50,800

 

 

Backlog tons at March 31, 2011, represent $58.6 million in sales compared to $82.2 million in sales at March 31, 2010.  The large backlog at March 31, 2010 is due to certain customer restocking activities and the beginnings of an economic recovery in the first quarter of 2010, while order backlogs at March 31, 2011 represent a more normal demand pattern.  The entire backlog at March 31, 2011, is expected to be shipped during the remainder of 2011.

 

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Tissue

 

 

 

Three Months

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands,

 

Ended March 31,

 

 except tons sold)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

76,891

 

$

79,867

 

Tons sold

 

40,244

 

41,768

 

Gross profit on sales

 

$

12,578

 

$

16,446

 

Gross profit margin

 

16

%

21

%

Operating profit

 

$

6,311

 

$

11,070

 

 

Tissue’s net sales and product shipments decreased 4% in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily a result of weather-related weakness that adversely affected volume in our larger end-use market categories early in 2011.  Average net selling price remained stable over the same comparative period.  Gross profit margin for Tissue in the first quarter of 2011 decreased 5 percentage points compared to the first quarter of 2010.  During the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010, increases in the price of wastepaper, purchased parent rolls, and energy negatively affected gross profit margin.

 

We continue to focus our efforts on our value-added and Green Seal™-certified product categories to further improve our operating margins.  In April 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors approved plans to expand the Tissue segment’s production capabilities in response to growing demand for its environmentally-friendly products.  The expansion includes a new paper machine, located at our Harrodsburg, Kentucky converting facility, which will be capable of producing premium towel and tissue products from 100 percent recycled fiber.  The new paper machine is expected to begin production in the first quarter of 2013.

 

Paper

 

 

 

Three Months

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands,

 

Ended March 31,

 

 except tons sold)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

172,024

 

$

175,995

 

Tons sold

 

111,884

 

126,450

 

Gross profit on sales

 

$

9,112

 

$

11,677

 

Gross profit margin

 

5

%

7

%

Operating (loss) profit

 

$

(1,358

)

$

2,022

 

 

Paper’s first quarter 2011 net sales decreased 2% as compared to the same period in 2010.  A decrease of 12% in product shipments was primarily due to a decision in the first quarter of 2011 to reduce our participation in more commoditized markets, downtime associated with a paper machine rebuild at our Brainerd, Minnesota paper mill, and the transition from a 7-day to a 5-day weekly operating schedule at our Brokaw, Wisconsin paper mill.  In addition, the first quarter of 2010 was positively impacted by certain customer restocking activities as the economy started to recover.  The decrease in product shipments was partially offset by an increase of approximately 10%, or $15 million, in average net selling prices in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the first quarter of 2010.

 

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Gross profit margin for the Paper segment was 5% in the first quarter of 2011 compared to 7% in the first quarter of 2010.  Gross profit in the first quarter of 2011 included expenses of $3.3 million related to the rebuild of a paper machine at our Brainerd, Minnesota paper mill, as well as charges of $0.6 million related to the transition from a 7-day to a 5-day weekly operating schedule at our Brokaw, Wisconsin paper mill.  Gross profit margins for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010, were also unfavorably impacted by an increase in fiber prices of approximately $5 million, while energy prices remained stable.

 

During the first quarter of 2010, the Board of Directors approved a $27 million capital project to rebuild a paper machine in Brainerd, Minnesota, to add tape-backing paper production capabilities.  The rebuild was completed in the first quarter of 2011, and provides capabilities to produce a wide range of unsaturated tape-backing paper while retaining the flexibility to produce premium printing and writing products.  This capital investment is expected to improve the overall cost-efficiency and manufacturing flexibility of the Paper segment’s operations.

 

Selling and Administrative Expenses

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expense

 

$

22,061

 

$

19,173

 

Percent increase

 

15

%

1

%

As a percent of net sales

 

9

%

7

%

 

Selling and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2011 were $22.1 million compared to $19.2 million in the same period of 2010.  Stock-based incentive compensation programs resulted in expense of $1.4 million during the first quarter of 2011 compared to expense of $0.2 million during the first quarter of 2010.  The majority of the remaining quarter-over-quarter increase in selling and administrative expense was primarily a result of increased compensation and legal expenses over the same comparative periods.

 

Other Income and Expense

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

$

1,739

 

$

1,301

 

Other income, net

 

33

 

128

 

 

Interest expense in the first quarter of 2011 was $1.7 million compared to interest expense of $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2010.  The increase in interest expense is due to an increase in average debt balances outstanding during the respective periods combined with a higher average interest rate on debt.  Total debt was $150.6 million and $130.9 million at March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Total debt at December 31, 2010, was $127.4 million.  Interest expense during the remainder of 2011 is expected to continue to be moderately higher than 2010 levels.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Income Taxes

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Credit) provision for income taxes

 

$

(749

)

$

3,723

 

Effective tax rate

 

35.0

%

56.1

%

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2010, we recorded an additional provision for deferred income taxes of $1.2 million related to the passage of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care” and “Health Care and Education Reconciliation” Acts of March 2010.  The passage of these Acts eliminated the income tax deduction for retiree health care costs beginning in 2013 equal to the federal subsidies received for providing retiree prescription drug benefits.  The passage of these acts increased the effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2010 by approximately 18.1%.  The effective tax rate for the remainder of 2011 is expected to continue to be 35%.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash Flows and Capital Expenditures

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

$

(9,011

)

$

(7,373

)

Capital expenditures

 

13,987

 

6,152

 

 

Comparing the first three months of 2011 with the same period in 2010, the increase in cash used in operating activities primarily reflects lower cash earnings that were partially offset by fluctuations in working capital during the comparative periods.

 

In April 2011, our Board of Directors approved a $220 million project, $207 million of which is capital-related, that will expand the Tissue segment’s production capabilities in response to growing demand for its environmentally-friendly products.  The expansion includes a new paper machine capable of producing premium towel and tissue products from 100 percent recycled fiber.  We anticipate capital spending related to this project to be approximately $61 million in 2011, $133 million in 2012, and $13 million in 2013.  We expect to fund the project primarily from future cash flow from operations and available credit from our established $300 million borrowing base.  The new paper machine will be located at our converting facility in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, with construction scheduled to begin this summer and startup expected in the first quarter of 2013.

 

Capital spending for the first three months of 2011 was $14.0 million compared to $6.2 million during the first three months of 2010.  The increase in capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010 is primarily due to the $27 million paper machine rebuild in our Paper segment that was completed during the first quarter of 2011.  Total capital spending for the full-year of 2011 is expected to be approximately $97 million, including capital spending related to the Tissue expansion project.

 

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Table of Contents

 

During the first quarter of 2011, we did not sell any timberlands, compared to sales of approximately 80 acres of timberlands, resulting in an after-tax gain of less than $0.1 million, during the same period of 2010.  A total of approximately 7,900 acres remains in the timberland sales program and we expect to sell these timberlands over the next two years.  We have not committed to implement additional timberland sales programs in the future.

 

Debt and Equity

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(all dollar amounts in thousands)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt

 

$

150,564

 

$

127,382

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

256,820

 

259,666

 

Total capitalization

 

407,384

 

387,048

 

Total debt/capitalization ratio

 

37

%

33

%

 

As of March 31, 2011, total debt increased $23.2 million from the $127.4 million borrowed at December 31, 2010.  The increase in debt in the first quarter of 2011 is due, in part, to seasonal variation in working capital levels.  Overall, we generally experience lower sales in the first quarter, in comparison to the rest of the year, primarily due to reduced business activity for many customers following the year-end holiday season.

 

On March 31, 2010, we entered into a note purchase and private-shelf agreement.  This agreement provided for the April 9, 2010, issuance of $50 million of unsecured senior notes having an interest rate of 5.69%, and also established a three-year private shelf facility under which up to $125 million of additional promissory notes may be issued at terms agreed upon by the parties at the time of issuance.  At March 31, 2011, $50 million was outstanding under the note purchase and private-shelf agreement.  On April 4, 2011, we issued an additional aggregate principal amount of $50 million of our senior notes under the terms of our existing note purchase and private-shelf agreement.  The notes bear interest at 4.68% and mature on April 4, 2018.

 

On June 23, 2010, we entered into a $125 million revolving-credit agreement with five financial institutions that will expire on June 23, 2014.  This revolving-credit agreement retired a $165 million facility that was scheduled to expire in July 2011.  At March 31, 2011, there was $13.5 million outstanding under the revolving-credit agreement.

 

We are subject to certain financial and other covenants under the revolving-credit agreement, the note purchase and private-shelf agreement, and the $35 million unsecured private placement notes expiring in August 2011.  At March 31, 2011, we were in compliance with all required covenants and expect to remain in full compliance throughout the remainder of 2011.

 

At March 31, 2011, the $33.0 million of commercial paper outstanding and the $35 million of unsecured private placement notes maturing in August 2011 have been classified as long-term on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as we have the ability and intent to refinance the obligations under our existing credit agreements.

 

At December 31, 2010, there were approximately 2.0 million shares available for repurchase through an authorization approved by our Board of Directors in 2008.  There were no repurchases during the first quarter of 2011 or 2010.  Repurchases may be made from time to

 

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Table of Contents

 

time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions.  We do not intend to repurchase shares in the near future.

 

Dividends

 

On December 17, 2010, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per common share.  The dividend was paid on February 15, 2011, to shareholders of record on February 1, 2011.  On April 21, 2011, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per common share.  The dividend is payable May 16, 2011 to shareholders of record on May 2, 2011.

 

Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

 

The foregoing discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance.  If the risks or uncertainties ever materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, the results of Wausau Paper and our consolidated subsidiaries may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements may be identified by, among other things, beliefs or expectations that certain events may occur or are anticipated and projections or statements of expectations with respect to various aspects of our business, our plans or intentions, our stock performance, the industry within which we operate, the markets in which we compete, the economy, and any other expressions of similar import or covering other matters relating to our business and operations.  Risks, uncertainties, and assumptions relating to our forward-looking statements include the level of competition for our products, downturns in our target markets, changes in the paper industry, changes in the price or availability of raw materials and energy, the failure to develop new products that meet customer needs, adverse changes in our relationships with large customers and our labor unions, costs of compliance with environmental regulations, our ability to fund our operations, unforeseen operating problems, changes in strategic plans or our ability to execute such plans, maintenance of adequate internal controls, changes in financial accounting standards, unforeseen liabilities arising from current or prospective claims, and the effect of certain organizational anti-takeover provisions.  These and other risks, uncertainties, and assumptions are described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission after the date of such annual report.  We assume no obligation, and do not intend, to update these forward-looking statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 3.            Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

There has been no material change in the information provided in response to Item 7A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

Item 4.            Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, management, under the supervision, and with the participation, of our President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e)) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15.  Based upon, and as of the date of such evaluation, the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.  There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1A.         Risk Factors

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, this report should be considered in light of the risk factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A.  Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, or future results of operations.  The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing Wausau Paper.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results.

 

Item 6.            Exhibits

 

Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K

 

31.1         Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2         Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1         Certification of CEO and CFO pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

WAUSAU PAPER CORP.

 

 

 

 

May 6, 2011

SCOTT P. DOESCHER

 

Scott P. Doescher

 

Executive Vice President-Finance,

 

Secretary and Treasurer

 

 

 

(On behalf of the Registrant and as

 

Principal Financial Officer)

 

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Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

to

FORM 10-Q

of

WAUSAU PAPER CORP.

for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011

Pursuant to Section 102(d) of Regulation S-T

(17 C.F.R. Section 232.102(d))

 

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:

 

31.1         Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2         Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1         Certification of CEO and CFO pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

19