Graphic Packaging Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2007 Results

Second Quarter Highlights

Graphic Packaging Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2007 Results

MARIETTA, Ga., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Graphic Packaging Corporation (NYSE: GPK) today reported a net loss for second quarter 2007 of $21.3 million or $(0.11) per diluted share, based upon 201.8 million shares. This compares to a second quarter 2006 net loss of $22.8 million, or $(0.11) per diluted share, based upon 201.1 million shares.

"For the third consecutive quarter, income from operations exceeded the prior year quarter," said David W. Scheible, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Despite approximately $7 million of higher priced inputs, we reported an approximate $13 million improvement in operating income compared to prior year second quarter. The improvement was driven by approximately $13 million of cost reductions from our continuous improvement programs and approximately $9 million of incremental price increases."

"On July 10, 2007, we announced the signing of a definitive agreement to combine Graphic Packaging and Altivity Packaging. We continue to make progress towards that goal and are on track to complete the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2007."

Net Sales

Net sales increased 3.5% to $647.3 million during second quarter 2007, compared to second quarter 2006 net sales of $625.5 million. When comparing against the prior year quarter, net sales in the second quarter of 2007 were positively impacted by:

  -- Approximately $9 million due to favorable pricing;
  -- Approximately $9 million resulting from increased volumes and favorable
     mix; and
  -- Approximately $4 million of favorable foreign currency exchange rates
     in Europe.

Attached is supplemental data showing net sales and net tons sold for each quarter of 2007 and 2006.

Income from Operations

Income from operations for second quarter 2007 was $37.4 million, compared to second quarter 2006 income from operations of $24.7 million. When comparing to the prior year quarter, income from operations was positively impacted by:

  -- Approximately $13 million of lower operating costs as a result of
     ongoing continuous improvement programs and other cost reduction
     initiatives;
  -- Approximately $9 million due to favorable pricing; and
  -- Approximately $4 million from increased volume and improved mix.

  Income from operations was negatively impacted by:
  -- Approximately $7 million of higher input costs due to increased prices
     for fiber, partially offset by favorable energy prices;
  -- Approximately $4 million of higher manufacturing costs.  The additional
     costs were primarily the result of expenses related to the continuing
     initiative to upgrade the West Monroe, LA mill's infrastructure; and
  -- Approximately $3 million of higher expenses primarily related to
     increased depreciation and amortization expense and other general
     corporate charges.

  Other Results

Net interest expense was $43.1 million for second quarter 2007, as compared to net interest expense of $43.0 million for second quarter 2006. Higher interest rates on the unhedged portion of the Company's floating rate debt were offset primarily by lower average debt balances during the second quarter of 2007.

On May 16, 2007, the Company refinanced its $1.6 Billion Senior Secured Credit Facility in order to achieve estimated interest savings in excess of $7 million annually based on current debt levels. In connection with the refinancing of the Company's credit facility, the Company recorded a charge of $9.5 million, which represented a portion of the unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the previous credit facility. This charge is reflected as Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. In addition, in connection with the new credit facility, the Company recorded approximately $7 million of deferred financing costs in Other Assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. These costs, combined with the remainder of the deferred financing costs relating to the previous credit facility, will be amortized over the life of the new agreement. At the end of the second quarter 2007, the Company's total debt was $1,968.4 million.

The Company incurred $6.4 million of income tax expense in the second quarter, primarily related to the noncash expense of $4.9 million associated with the amortization of goodwill for tax purposes, as well as a noncash valuation allowance adjustment and income earned in foreign countries. The Company has a $1.4 billion net operating loss that is available to offset future taxable income in the United States.

Capital expenditures for second quarter 2007 were $22.8 million compared to $20.7 million in the second quarter of 2006.

EBITDA for second quarter 2007 was $87.7 million versus $73.7 million for second quarter 2006. A tabular reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDA, as well as Net Loss to Adjusted Net Loss, is attached to this release.

Earnings Call

The Company will host a conference call at 10:00 am (EDT) on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 to discuss the results of second quarter 2007. To access the conference call, listeners calling from within North America should dial 800- 392-9489 at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the conference call (Conference ID# 6056968). Listeners may also access the audio webcast at the Investor Relations section of the Graphic Packaging website: http://www.graphicpkg.com/. Replays of the call will be available for one week following the completion of the call and can be accessed by dialing 800-642-1687.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements regarding the timing of the merger transaction and interest expense savings in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's historical experience and its present expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, inflation of and volatility in raw material and energy costs, the Company's substantial amount of debt, continuing pressure for lower cost products, the Company's ability to implement its business strategies, including productivity initiatives and cost reduction plans, currency translation movements and other risks of conducting business internationally, and the impact of regulatory and litigation matters, including those that impact the Company's ability to protect and use its intellectual property. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward- looking statements, as such statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements. Additional information regarding these and other risks is contained in the Company's periodic filings with the SEC.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed combination of Graphic Packaging and Altivity Packaging, Graphic Packaging Corporation expects that a newly-formed holding company will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include a proxy statement of Graphic Packaging Corporation that also constitutes a prospectus of the newly- formed holding company. Graphic Packaging Corporation will mail the final proxy statement/prospectus to its stockholders.

BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION IF AND WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

You may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus (if and when available) and other related documents filed by Graphic Packaging Corporation and the newly formed holding company with the SEC at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov/. The proxy statement/prospectus (if and when it becomes available) and the other documents may also be obtained for free by accessing Graphic Packaging Corporation's web site at http://www.graphicpkg.com/.

Participants in the Solicitation

Graphic Packaging Corporation, its directors and executive officers, other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Graphic Packaging Corporation stockholders in respect of the proposed transaction. You can find information about Graphic Packaging Corporation's executive officers and directors in Graphic Packaging Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2007 and definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on April 18, 2007. You can obtain free copies of these documents and of the proxy statement/prospectus (when it becomes available) from Graphic Packaging Corporation by contacting its investor relations department. You may also obtain free copies of these documents by accessing Graphic Packaging Corporation's web site or the SEC's web site at the addresses previously mentioned.

About Graphic Packaging Corporation

Graphic Packaging Corporation, headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, is a leading provider of paperboard packaging solutions for a wide variety of products to food, beverage and other consumer products companies. The Company's customers include some of the most widely recognized companies in the world. Additional information about Graphic Packaging, its business and its products is available on the Company's web site at http://www.graphicpkg.com/.

                        GRAPHIC PACKAGING CORPORATION
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



  In millions, except share                      June 30,       December 31,
   and per share amounts                           2007              2006
                                                (Unaudited)
   ASSETS
  Current Assets:
   Cash and Equivalents                            $11.8              $7.3
   Receivables, Net                                261.8             230.9
   Inventories                                     297.9             301.3
   Other Current Assets                             25.1              24.8
  Total Current Assets                             596.6             564.3

  Property, Plant and Equipment, Net             1,436.7           1,488.7
  Goodwill                                         642.3             642.3
  Intangible Assets, Net                           144.2             148.5
  Deferred Tax Assets                              345.6             345.0
  Other Assets                                      38.1              44.8
  Total Assets                                  $3,203.5          $3,233.6

   LIABILITIES
  Current Liabilities:
   Short - Term Debt                               $23.7             $12.0
   Accounts Payable                                191.0             214.4
   Other Accrued Liabilities                       174.7             193.9
  Total Current Liabilities                        389.4             420.3

  Long - Term Debt                               1,944.7           1,910.7
  Deferred Tax Liabilities                         484.9             475.2
  Accrued Pension and Postretirement
   Benefits                                        207.5             206.7
  Other Noncurrent Liabilities                      42.2              39.0
  Total Liabilities                              3,068.7           3,051.9

  SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per
   share; 50,000,000 shares authorized;
   no shares issued or outstanding                    -                 -
  Common Stock, par value $.01 per
   share; 500,000,000 shares
   authorized;
   200,978,569 and 200,584,591 shares
   issued and outstanding at
   June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006
   respectively                                      2.0               2.0
  Capital in Excess of Par Value                 1,190.3           1,186.8
  Accumulated Deficit                             (961.1)           (901.1)
  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss             (96.4)           (106.0)
  Total Shareholders' Equity                       134.8             181.7
  Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
   Equity                                       $3,203.5          $3,233.6



                        GRAPHIC PACKAGING CORPORATION
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                 (Unaudited)

                                           Three Months
                                              Ended        Six Months Ended
                                             June 30,           June 30,
  In millions,except per share amounts     2007    2006      2007      2006
  Net Sales                              $647.3  $625.5  $1,256.0  $1,205.9
  Cost of Sales                           557.8   547.6   1,103.3   1,066.0
  Selling, General and Administrative      49.2    51.0      97.0     100.6
  Research, Development and Engineering     2.4     3.0       5.0       6.0
  Other Expense (Income), Net               0.5    (0.8)      1.6      (0.5)
  Income from Operations                   37.4    24.7      49.1      33.8

  Interest Income                           0.1     0.2       0.3       0.4
  Interest Expense                        (43.2)  (43.2)    (86.6)    (84.7)
  Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt     (9.5)    -        (9.5)      -
  Loss before Income Taxes and Equity in
   Net Earnings of Affiliates             (15.2)  (18.3)    (46.7)    (50.5)

  Income Tax Expense                       (6.4)   (4.9)    (13.8)     (9.5)
  Loss before Equity in Net Earnings of
   Affiliates                             (21.6)  (23.2)    (60.5)    (60.0)

  Equity in Net Earnings of Affiliates      0.3     0.4       0.5       0.5
  Net Loss                               $(21.3) $(22.8)   $(60.0)   $(59.5)

  Loss Per Share - Basic                 $(0.11) $(0.11)   $(0.30)   $(0.30)
  Loss Per Share - Diluted               $(0.11) $(0.11)   $(0.30)   $(0.30)

  Weighted Average Number of Shares
   Outstanding - Basic                    201.8   201.1     201.5     200.9
  Weighted Average Number of Shares
   Outstanding - Diluted                  201.8   201.1     201.5     200.9



                        GRAPHIC PACKAGING CORPORATION
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (Unaudited)
                                                      Six Months Ended
                                                           June 30,
  In millions                                        2007             2006
  CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net Loss                                         $(60.0)          $(59.5)
  Noncash Items Included in Net Loss:
   Depreciation and Amortization                    103.5             98.8
   Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt               9.5              -
   Deferred Income Taxes                              9.2             10.0
   Pension, Postemployment and
    Postretirement Benefits
     Expense, Net of Contributions                    6.2             11.6
   Amortization of Deferred Debt
    Issuance Costs                                    4.2              4.4
   Other, Net                                         4.2              1.7
  Changes in Operating Assets &
   Liabilities                                      (67.6)           (47.9)
  Net Cash Provided by Operating
   Activities                                         9.2             19.1

  CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Capital Spending                                  (42.6)           (43.4)
  Other, Net                                         (1.8)            (0.1)
  Net Cash Used in Investing Activities             (44.4)           (43.5)
  CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from Issuance of Debt                  1,135.0              -
  Payment on Debt                                (1,135.0)             -
  Borrowing under Revolving Credit
   Facilities                                       466.9            371.1
  Payments on Revolving Credit
   Facilities                                      (421.0)          (351.3)
  Increase in Debt Issuance Costs                    (7.0)             -
  Other, Net                                          0.5             (0.8)
  Net Cash Provided by Financing
   Activities                                        39.4             19.0
  EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON
   CASH                                               0.3              -
  Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and
   Equivalents                                        4.5             (5.4)
  Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of
   Period                                             7.3             12.7
  CASH AND EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD             $11.8             $7.3


                       GRAPHIC PACKAGING CORPORATION
              Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The table below sets forth the Company's Adjusted Net Loss and earnings before interest expense, loss on early extinguishment of debt, income tax expense, equity in the net earnings of the Company's affiliates, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"). The Company believes Adjusted Net Loss and EBITDA are also important measures of its performance. Adjusted Net Loss and EBITDA are not defined terms under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and should not be considered as alternatives to income from operations or net income as a measure of operating results or cash flows as a measure of liquidity.

                                                        Loss Per Share
                                                      Basic and Diluted
                           Three Months Ended        Three Months Ended
                                June 30,                   June 30,
  In Millions               2007         2006         2007         2006
  Net Loss                $(21.3)      $(22.8)      $(0.11)      $(0.11)
  Add:
    Loss on Early
     Extinguishment
     of Debt                 9.5            -         0.05            -
  Adjusted Net Loss       $(11.8)      $(22.8)      $(0.06)      $(0.11)


                          Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
                                June 30,                 June 30,
  In Millions               2007         2006         2007         2006
  Net Loss                $(21.3)      $(22.8)      $(60.0)      $(59.5)
  Add (Subtract):
   Income Tax Expense        6.4          4.9         13.8          9.5
   Equity in Net Earnings
    of Affiliates           (0.3)        (0.4)        (0.5)        (0.5)
   Interest Expense, Net    43.1         43.0         86.3         84.3
   Loss on Early
    Extinguishment of Debt   9.5            -          9.5            -
   Depreciation and
    Amortization            50.3         49.0        103.5         98.8
 EBITDA                    $87.7        $73.7       $152.6       $132.6



                      GRAPHIC PACKAGING CORPORATION
                       Unaudited Supplemental Data

                                        Three Months Ended
                          March 31,    June 30,    Sept. 30,    Dec. 31,
           2006
  Net Tons Sold (000's):
  Paperboard Packaging     453.9        477.4        470.4        446.4
  Containerboard/Other      47.6         52.6         55.5         52.8
  Total                    501.5        530.0        525.9        499.2

  Net Sales ($ Millions):
  Paperboard Packaging    $560.3       $601.5       $591.6       $565.0
  Containerboard/Other      20.1         24.0         26.1         24.4
  Total                   $580.4       $625.5       $617.7       $589.4


           2007
  Net Tons Sold (000's):
  Paperboard Packaging     465.7        484.8
  Containerboard/Other      48.7         50.3
  Total                    514.4        535.1            -            -


  Net Sales ($ Millions):
  Paperboard Packaging    $586.4       $623.3
  Containerboard/Other      22.3         24.0
  Total                   $608.7       $647.3           $-           $-

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/747676.html

Website: http://www.graphicpkg.com/




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