Greif, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2010 Results

DELAWARE, Ohio, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --  

• Net sales were $921.3 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $717.6 million in the third quarter of 2009.  The 28 percent increase was due to higher sales volumes (23 percent or 10 percent excluding acquisitions) and higher selling prices (5 percent) due to the pass-through of higher input costs.

• Net income before special items, as defined below, was $78.6 million ($1.34 per diluted Class A share) in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $47.0 million ($0.80 per diluted Class A share) in the third quarter of 2009.  GAAP net income was $66.0 million ($1.12 per diluted Class A share) in the third quarter of 2010 and $37.8 million ($0.65 per diluted Class A share) in the third quarter of 2009.

Greif, Inc. (NYSE: GEF, GEF.B), a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, today announced results for its fiscal third quarter, which ended July 31, 2010.

Michael J. Gasser, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "We are pleased with our strong third quarter results, which were driven by improved sales volumes across all our businesses and geographic regions compared to the same quarter last year.  Operating profit margin increased by more than 1 percentage point due to higher sales volumes, cost controls and productivity improvements.  In addition, the quarterly results benefited from permanent cost savings that were achieved during fiscal 2009 and further savings realized this year."

Gasser continued, "During the past 12 months, we completed several acquisitions, closed a number of facilities and established a new business segment – Flexible Products & Services – as part of our growth strategy and ongoing portfolio management.  As we focus on closing the remaining targets in our pipeline, we are increasing our emphasis on implementing integration plans to achieve the desired synergies and financial results."

Special Items and GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations

Special items are as follows: (i) for the third quarter of 2010, restructuring charges of $9.8 million ($8.0 million net of tax), restructuring-related inventory charges of $0.1 million ($0.1 million net of tax) and acquisition-related costs of $5.5 million ($4.5 million net of tax); and (ii) for the third quarter of 2009, restructuring charges of $10.3 million ($8.5 million net of tax) and restructuring-related inventory charges of $0.8 million ($0.7 million net of tax). A reconciliation of the differences between all non-GAAP financial measures used in this release with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included in the financial schedules that are a part of this release.

Consolidated Results

Net sales were $921.3 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $717.6 million in the third quarter of 2009.  The 28 percent increase was due to higher sales volumes (23 percent or 10 percent excluding acquisitions) and higher selling prices (5 percent) due to the pass-through of higher input costs. The $203.7 million increase was attributable to Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services ($87.5 million increase), Paper Packaging ($57.8 million increase), Flexible Products & Services ($57.7 million increase) and Land Management ($0.7 million increase).

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased to $90.4 million in the third quarter of 2010 from $67.4 million for the same period last year.  This increase was primarily due to the inclusion of approximately $9 million of SG&A expenses from companies acquired during the preceding 12 months and $5.5 million of acquisition-related costs recognized in accordance with ASC 280, "Business Combinations."  Higher employment-related costs in 2010 as compared to 2009, when normal increases and certain benefits were curtailed, also contributed to the increase.

Operating profit before special items increased to $111.1 million for the third quarter of 2010 from $78.1 million for the third quarter of 2009.  The $33.0 million increase was due to Paper Packaging ($18.9 million increase), Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services ($11.9 million increase) and Flexible Products & Services ($4.0 million increase), partially offset by Land Management ($1.8 million decrease).  GAAP operating profit was $95.7 million and $67.0 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.  

Net income before special items increased to $78.6 million for the third quarter of 2010 from $47.0 million for the third quarter of 2009.  Diluted earnings per share before special items were $1.34 compared to $0.80 per Class A share and $2.02 compared to $1.21 per Class B share for the third quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company had GAAP net income of $66.0 million, or $1.12 per diluted Class A share and $1.70 per diluted Class B share, in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $37.8 million, or $0.65 per diluted Class A share and $0.98 per diluted Class B share, in the third quarter of 2009.  

Business Group Results

Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services net sales were $681.7 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $594.2 million in the third quarter of 2009.  The 15 percent increase in net sales was due to higher sales volumes (11 percent or 6 percent excluding acquisitions) and higher selling prices (5 percent) due to the pass-through of higher input costs, partially offset by foreign currency translation (1 percent).  Operating profit before special items increased to $79.4 million in the third quarter of 2010 from $67.5 million in the third quarter of 2009.  The $11.9 million increase was primarily due to higher sales volumes, slight margin expansion, disciplined execution of the Greif Business System and further benefits from the permanent cost savings achieved during fiscal 2009. GAAP operating profit was $71.5 million and $56.7 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Flexible Products & Services net sales were $66.9 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $9.2 million in the third quarter of 2009. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Storsack Holding GmbH and its subsidiaries (Storsack) during the second quarter of 2010. Both periods include the Company's multiwall bag operations, which were previously included in the Paper Packaging segment and reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.  Operating profit before special items increased to $5.8 million in the third quarter of 2010, primarily as a result of the Storsack acquisition, from $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2009 attributable to the multiwall bag operations. GAAP operating profit was $2.8 million and $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Paper Packaging net sales were $168.8 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $111.0 million in the third quarter of 2009.  The 52 percent increase in net sales was due to higher sales volumes (40 percent or 25 percent excluding acquisitions) and higher selling prices (12 percent).  For the third quarter of 2010, the Company benefited from the $50 per ton containerboard price increase initiated in January 2010 and an additional $60 per ton containerboard price increase initiated in April 2010. Operating profit before special items increased to $23.4 million in the third quarter of 2010 from $4.5 million in the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to higher sales volumes, improved selling prices and disciplined execution of the Greif Business System. GAAP operating profit was $18.9 million and $4.2 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Land Management net sales were $3.9 million and $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.  GAAP operating profit and operating profit before special items was $2.5 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $4.3 million in the third quarter of 2009.  Included in these amounts were profits from the sale of special use properties (surplus, higher and better use, and development properties) of $1.3 million and $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.  

Other Cash Flow Information

In the third quarter of 2010, strong operating cash flows were principally applied to cash payments related to acquisitions, capital expenditures and quarterly dividends.

Capital expenditures were $36.5 million, excluding timberland purchases of $2.9 million, for the third quarter of 2010 compared with capital expenditures of $27.9 million for the third quarter of 2009. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $130 million for fiscal 2010.

On Aug. 31, 2010, the Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.42 per share of Class A Common Stock and $0.63 per share of Class B Common Stock These dividends are payable on Oct. 1, 2010 to stockholders of record at close of business on Sept. 20, 2010.

Greif Business System (GBS) and Accelerated Initiatives

During fiscal 2009, the Company realized more than $150 million of annual cost savings from the implementation of specific plans to address the adverse impact to its businesses resulting from the sharp decline of the global economy, which began at the end of fiscal 2008.  These plans included accelerated GBS initiatives, contingency actions and active portfolio management.  The Company expects to retain in fiscal 2010 more than $120 million of cost savings from those actions.

The Company further expects to realize an additional $30 million, net, of GBS savings during fiscal 2010.

Company Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company anticipates sequential improvement in sales volumes despite some moderation in the growth trajectory, additional productivity improvements from the Greif Business System, contributions from acquisitions and full realization of the permanent cost reductions implemented in 2009.  Further, asset gains are expected to be significantly lower in the fourth quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period last year.  The Company believes that global economic uncertainties and currency fluctuations will remain challenges.    

Based on the foregoing, the Company raises its annual earnings guidance before special items to $4.15 to $4.35 per Class A share for fiscal 2010 from previous earnings guidance of $4.05 to $4.30.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the third quarter of 2010 results on Sept. 2, 2010, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). To participate, domestic callers should call 877-485-3107 and ask for the Greif conference call. The number for international callers is +1 201-689-8427.  Phone lines will open at 9:50 a.m. ET. The conference call will also be available through a live webcast, including slides, which can be accessed at www.greif.com in the Investor Center. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's website approximately one hour following the call.

About Greif

Greif is a world leader in industrial packaging products and services. The Company produces steel, plastic, fibre, flexible and corrugated containers and containerboard, and provides blending, filling and packaging services for a wide range of industries.  Greif also manages timber properties in North America.  The Company is strategically positioned in more than 50 countries to serve global as well as regional customers.  Additional information is on the Company's website at www.greif.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this news release, including without limitation, statements regarding the Company's future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs, goals and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "believe," "continue", "on track" or "target" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. All forward-looking statements made in this news release are based on information currently available to the Company's management. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements have a reasonable basis, the Company can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements. Such risks and uncertainties that might cause a difference include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) the current and future challenging global economy may adversely affect the Company's business, (ii) the Company's business has been sensitive to changes in general economic or business conditions, (iii) the Company's operations are subject to currency exchange and political risks, (iv) the Company operates in highly competitive industries, (v) the Company's business is sensitive to changes in industry demands,  (vi) the continuing consolidation of the Company's customer base may intensify pricing pressure, (vii) raw material and energy price fluctuations and shortages may adversely impact the Company's manufacturing operations and costs, (viii) tax legislation initiatives or challenges to the Company's tax positions may adversely impact the Company's financial results or condition, (ix) the Company may encounter difficulties arising from its acquisitions, (x) environmental and health and safety  matters and product liability claims may adversely impact the Company's operations or financial performance, (xi) the Company's business may be adversely impacted by work stoppages and other labor relations, (xii) the Company may be subject to losses that might not be covered in whole or in part by existing insurance reserves and insurance coverage, (xiii) the volatility in the frequency and volume of the Company's timber and timberland sales impacts the Company's financial performance , and (xiv) the Company's restructuring efforts may not realize the expected benefits. The risks described above are not all inclusive, and given these and other possible risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. For a detailed discussion of the most significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those projected, see "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended Oct. 31, 2009 and the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements made in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to such risk factors. Except to the limited extent required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Greif, Inc.