Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended August 26, 2010

or

 

¨ 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 001-34606

 

 

Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   06-1346495
(State of incorporation)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

1855 Lockeway Drive, Suite 501, Alpharetta,

Georgia

  30004
(Address of principal executive offices)   (zip code)

(678) 393-2651

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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

 

Large accelerated filer     ¨   Accelerated filer     ¨  

Non-accelerated filer     x

(Do not check if a smaller

reporting company)

  Smaller reporting company     ¨

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   ¨     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x

The number of shares of issuer’s Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding on September 16, 2010 was 20,186,892 shares.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

CELLU TISSUE HOLDINGS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTER ENDED AUGUST 26, 2010

INDEX

 

        Page
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION   3
Item 1.   Consolidated Financial Statements   3
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   16
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   23
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures   23
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION   24
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings   24
Item 1A.   Risk Factors   24
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   27
Item 6.   Exhibits   27
SIGNATURES   28

 

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Table of Contents

PART I

 

ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

 

     August 26,
2010
        February 28,
2010

Assets

        

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $    2,229,594        $    3,299,033 

Receivables, net

   55,508,902        49,659,464 

Inventories

   55,881,584        56,586,982 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   3,033,423        3,810,934 

Income tax receivable

   3,162,572        2,788,118 

Deferred income taxes

   1,368,255        1,180,866 
            

Total current assets

   121,184,330        117,325,397 

Property, plant and equipment, net

   314,433,569        307,635,021 

Goodwill

   41,020,138        41,020,138 

Other intangibles, net

   25,215,236        27,339,953 

Other assets

   8,622,698        9,385,877 
            

Total assets

    $510,475,971         $502,706,386 
            

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

        

Current liabilities:

        

Revolving line of credit

   $   23,000,000        $   1,000,750 

Accounts payable

   27,143,324        34,275,598 

Accrued expenses

   27,630,519        27,820,255 

Accrued interest

   6,502,332        6,721,143 

Other current liabilities

   1,514,095        623,653 

Current portion of long-term debt

   760,000        760,000 
            

Total current liabilities

   86,550,270        71,201,399 

Long-term debt, less current portion

   242,854,431        242,538,125 

Deferred income taxes

   75,210,816        77,178,393 

Other liabilities

   821,809        956,444 

Stockholders’ equity:

        

Common stock, $.01 par value, 23,715,470 shares authorized, 20,186,892 and 20,145,176 shares issued, respectively

   201,869        201,452 

Capital in excess of par value

   103,643,310        103,076,890 

Accumulated earnings

   2,283,664        7,460,692 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   (1,090,198)       92,991 
            

Total stockholders’ equity

   105,038,645        110,832,025 
            

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $510,475,971        $502,706,386 
            

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended
         August 26,
2010
      August 27,
2009
   

Net sales

         $  136,632,083       $137,796,650   

Cost of goods sold

     127,802,664      115,154,471   
              

Gross profit

     8,829,419      22,642,179   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     5,594,748      5,355,748   

Amortization expense

     1,080,163      1,079,268   
              

Income from operations

     2,154,508      16,207,163   

Interest expense, net

     7,838,455      12,331,443   

Foreign currency (gain) loss

     (142,308)     356,287   

Other expense (income)

     92,075      (355,871)   
              

Income (loss) before income tax benefit

     (5,633,714)      3,875,304   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (1,804,045)      1,157,830   
              

Net (loss) income

     $   (3,829,669)       $    2,717,474   
              

Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share

     $            (0.19)       $             0.16   
              

Basic shares outstanding

     20,184,054      17,447,971   
              

Diluted shares outstanding

     20,184,054      17,447,971   
              
    Six Months Ended
         August 26,
2010
      August 27,
2009
   

Net sales

         $  268,736,228       $256,724,872   

Cost of goods sold

     247,755,896      214,269,375   
              

Gross profit

     20,980,332      42,455,497   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     10,987,101      10,856,909   

Amortization expense

     2,124,717      2,135,692   
              

Income from operations

     7,868,514      29,462,896   

Interest expense, net

     15,319,149      18,837,994   

Foreign currency loss

     73,189      713,226   

Other expense (income)

     89,056      (372,445)   
              

Income (loss) before income tax benefit

     (7,612,880)      10,284,121   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (2,435,852)      5,255,782   
              

Net (loss) income

     $   (5,177,028)      $   5,028,339   
              

Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share

     $(0.26)      $0.29   
              

Basic shares outstanding

     20,176,732      17,447,971   
              

Diluted shares outstanding

     20,176,732      17,447,971   
              

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity And Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended August 26, 2010

 

     Shares
Outstanding
        Par Value
Common
Stock
        Capital in Excess
of Par Value
        Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)
        Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
        Total
Stockholders’
Equity

Balance, February 28, 2010

     20,145,176        $201,452         $103,076,890         $  7,460,692          $ 92,991         $110,832,025   

Stock issued upon exercise of stock options

   41,716       417        224,462                    224,879 

Initial public offering costs

               (171,042)                    (171,042) 

Stock-based compensation

               513,000                    513,000 

Net loss

                     (5,177,028)              (5,177,028) 

Foreign currency translation

                             (292,747)        (292,747) 

Derivative-unrealized loss

                             (890,442)        (890,442) 
                                  

Comprehensive loss

                                 (6,360,217) 
                                              

Balance, August 26, 2010

   20,186,892       $201,869        $103,643,310        $2,283,664           $(1,090,198)        $105,038,645 
                                              

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

    Six Months Ended
    August 26,
2010
       August 27,
2009

Cash flows from operating activities

      

Net (loss) income

      ($5,177,028)      $5,028,339  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

      

Depreciation

  12,940,999      12,050,067

Amortization of intangibles

  2,124,717      2,135,692

Amortization and write-off of debt issuance costs

  769,290      779,510

Accretion and write-off of debt discount

  696,306      2,887,919

Stock-based compensation

  513,000      422,480

Deferred income taxes

  (2,154,966)      2,393,930

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

  220,601      147,241

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Receivables

  (5,874,026)      4,287,654

Inventories

  623,423      8,699,026

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  263,424      (757,153)

Other assets

  17,703      368,092

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, accrued interest and other liabilities

  (7,670,619)      2,429,452
          

Total adjustments

  2,469,852      35,843,910
          

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

  (2,707,176)      40,872,249

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Capital expenditures

  (20,031,606)      (11,162,014)
          

Net cash used in investing activities

  (20,031,606)      (11,162,014)

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Bank overdrafts

  -      (3,285,420)

Expenses from initial public offering

  (171,042)      -

Proceeds from stock options exercised

  224,880      -

Payments of long-term debt

  (380,000)      (380,000)

Borrowings on revolving credit facility

  36,245,609      22,350,147

Repayments on revolving credit facility

  (14,246,359)      (40,880,971)

Retirement of long-term debt

  -      (222,255,572)

Payment of deferred financing fees

  -      (9,346,462)

Net proceeds from bond offering

  -      245,738,400
          

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  21,673,088      (8,059,878)

Effect of foreign currency

  (3,745)      15,194
          

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

  (1,069,439)      21,665,551

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  3,299,033      361,035
          

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

    $    2,229,594       $  22,026,586 
          

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

August 26, 2010

Note 1. Basis of Presentation

Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc., (the “Company” or “Cellu Tissue”), a Delaware corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, primarily produces converted tissue products, tissue hard rolls and machine-glazed tissue that are sold to leading consumer retailers and away-from-home distributors of tissue products, vertically integrated manufacturers and third-party converters serving the tissue and machine-glazed tissue segments.

On June 12, 2006, Weston Presidio V, L.P. (“Weston Presidio”) acquired the Company through a series of acquisitions and mergers. The Company accounted for this as a purchase, which resulted in a new valuation for the assets and liabilities of the Company based upon fair values as of the date of the acquisition.

In connection with the Company’s initial public offering of equity securities, which closed on January 27, 2010 (“IPO”), Cellu Paper Holdings, Inc., the Company’s direct parent, which had no operating activities, merged with and into Cellu Tissue, with Cellu Tissue surviving the merger. Immediately following this merger, Cellu Parent Corporation, which then became our direct parent, merged with and into Cellu Tissue, with Cellu Tissue surviving this second merger. In connection with these reorganization transactions, the holders of Cellu Parent Corporation’s outstanding Series A preferred stock ultimately received an aggregate of 13,528,287 shares of our common stock, the holders of Cellu Parent Corporation’s outstanding Series B preferred stock ultimately received an aggregate of 2,836,771 shares of our common stock, and the holders of Cellu Parent Corporation’s common stock received an aggregate of 1,082,913 shares of our common stock.

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

These statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented have been included. Operating results for the three and six months ended August 26, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2011. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP for audited financial statements.

 

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Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—(Continued)

August 26, 2010

 

Note 2. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock based compensation using the fair value-based method and the recording of such expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company provides stock-based compensation under the 2006 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2006 Plan”) and the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2010 Plan”). Under each plan, the administrator of the plan (the “Plan Administrator”) may make awards of options to purchase shares of common stock of the Company and/or awards of shares of common stock of the Company and, under the 2010 Plan, stock appreciation rights with respect to common stock of the Company. No additional awards will be made under the 2006 Plan. A maximum of 2,795,000 shares of common stock of the Company may be delivered in satisfaction of awards under the 2010 Plan and a maximum of 797,499 shares of common stock of the Company may be delivered in satisfaction of awards under the 2006 Plan. Key employees and directors of the Company or its affiliates are eligible to participate in the plans. Stock options and stock appreciation rights are granted at a strike price at least equal to the fair value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant.

In conjunction with the Company’s initial public offering, the Company modified all equity awards outstanding at January 22, 2010. This modification was structured to maintain the intrinsic value for each employee, such that the intrinsic value after the initial public offering was identical to the intrinsic value immediately prior to the initial public offering. These modifications did not yield any incremental compensation cost.

Stock options granted prior to the Company’s initial public offering were granted with a strike price at the estimated fair value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. Stock options subsequent to the initial public offering were granted with a strike price equal to the closing price on the grant date. The Company uses a risk-free interest rate based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant with a term equal to the expected life. The Company does not pay a dividend, so accordingly, the dividend yield is zero. The expected term of the options represents the period of time the options are expected to be outstanding. Prior to the initial public offering, expected volatility was based on the historical market value of the Company’s stock. For grants subsequent to January 22, 2010, volatility was determined using volatility of comparable companies.

Upon exercise of stock options, the Company issues new shares to fulfill its obligation to the option holder.

First Quarter Fiscal 2011 Stock Option Awards

Several awards were made to certain non-executive employees during the first quarter of fiscal 2011 totaling 23,990 options that vest ratably over 4 years.

The Company used a Black-Scholes option pricing model to fair value these option awards. The assumptions used to value the first quarter fiscal 2011 equity awards were: no dividend yield; 60% volatility; 3.0% risk free interest rate; and 6-year expected life. The fair value of the option awards ranged from $6.06 to $6.08 per share.

Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended August 26, 2010 and August 27, 2009, was $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and for the six months ended August 26, 2010 and August 27, 2009 was $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense.

Note 3. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

     August 26,
2010
       February 28,
2010

2014 Notes

   $227,639,431       $226,943,125 

CityForest Industrial Bonds

   15,975,000       16,355,000 
           
   243,614,431       243,298,125 

Less current portion of debt

   760,000        760,000 
           
   $242,854,431        $242,538,125 
           

 

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Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—(Continued)

August 26, 2010

 

2014 Notes: In June 2009, the Company completed a private placement of $255 million principal face amount of 11   1 / 2 % Senior Secured Notes due 2014 (the “2014 Notes”), which have an effective interest rate of 12.48%. The 2014 Notes pay interest in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The 2014 Notes are secured by liens on substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Indenture in connection with the 2014 Notes contains customary covenants and events of default, including limitations on certain restricted payments, the incurrence of additional indebtedness and the sale of certain assets. The Company is compliant with these covenants as of August 26, 2010. All of the Company’s subsidiaries guarantee the 2014 Notes. During the third quarter of the prior fiscal year, the Company exchanged all of the original 2014 Notes for new 2014 Notes substantially identical to the old notes, except that the new 2014 Notes are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cellu Tissue has no independent assets or operations and the 2014 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed jointly and severally by all of the Company’s subsidiaries. In connection with this refinancing, the Company recorded a loss of $2,211,273 for the early extinguishment of debt. In February 2010, the Company used $22.9 million of IPO net proceeds and cash on-hand to retire a portion of the 2014 Notes comprising of $20,516,000 of principle amounts outstanding and $2,337,608 in premiums. In connection with the partial repurchase of the 2014 Notes, the Company recorded a loss of $1,375,450 on the early extinguishment of debt. Both the premium and loss were recorded as a component of interest expense. As of August 26, 2010 and February 28, 2010, $227.6 million and $226.9 million, respectively, of the 2014 Notes were outstanding.

2006 Credit Agreement: In June 2006, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) that currently provides for a $60.0 million working capital facility, including a letter of credit sub-facility and swing-line loan sub-facility. The Credit Agreement provides that amounts under the facility may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed, subject to a borrowing base test, until the maturity date, which is June 12, 2011. Of the $60.0 million of total borrowings available, an amount up to $55.0 million is available, in U.S. dollars, to Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc. under the facility and an amount up to $5.0 million is available, in U.S. or Canadian dollars, to our subsidiary Interlake Acquisition Corp. Limited under the facility. Borrowings under the working capital facility are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets and guaranteed by the Company’s subsidiaries. As of August 26, 2010 and February 28, 2010, $23.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of borrowings were outstanding under this working capital facility. The Company has the option of using an interest rate that is either Prime or LIBOR, plus an incremental rate determined by the borrowing agreement. At August 26, 2010, the Company’s interest rate was prime plus an incremental rate of 0.25%, totaling 3.5%.

Effective upon closing of the January 2010 initial public offering, the Company obtained an amendment to the Credit Agreement to:

 

   

remove Cellu Paper Holdings, Inc. from relevant provisions of the Credit Agreement;

 

   

revise the definition of the term “change in control” to include, among other items, any person becoming the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the total voting power of Cellu Tissue (other than Weston Presidio V, L.P. and its co-investors) or a change in the majority of our board of directors;

 

   

revise the definition of the term “prepayment event” to exclude from this definition the issuance of common stock in the offering;

 

   

revise the definition of the term “swap agreement” to include energy hedging contracts, which we may enter into from time to time to hedge or mitigate risks to which we have actual exposure;

 

   

permit the reorganization transactions and the IPO under the Credit Agreement’s covenants prohibiting certain structural changes and changes to our organizational documents; and

 

   

permit the application of the proceeds from the IPO to repay, redeem or repurchase of any portion of our 2014 Notes, our indebtedness related to our CityForest industrial revenue bonds and our $6.3 million promissory note issued in connection with our acquisition of our Long Island, New York and Thomaston, Georgia facilities.

CityForest Industrial Bonds: Cellu Tissue CityForest LLC (“CityForest”) is party to a loan agreement, dated March 1, 1998, with the City of Ladysmith, Wisconsin, pursuant to which the City of Ladysmith loaned the proceeds of its Variable Rate Demand Solid Waste Disposal Facility Revenue Bonds, Series 1998, to CityForest to finance the construction by CityForest of a solid waste disposal facility. Approximately $18.4 million in aggregate principal face amount was outstanding as of the date of the Company’s acquisition of CityForest. The municipal bonds have scheduled semi-annual payments of principal equal to approximately 2.00% of the principal amount outstanding as of the date of the acquisition of CityForest (“CityForest Acquisition”). The balance is payable at maturity of the municipal bonds on March 1, 2028. The bonds are guaranteed by the Company and contain various customary covenants and events of default.

 

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Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—(Continued)

August 26, 2010

 

In connection with this borrowing, CityForest entered into an Amended and Restated Reimbursement Agreement (the “Reimbursement Agreement”) pursuant to which Associated Bank has provided a letter of credit and a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $3.5 million. The letter of credit and revolving credit facility can be used by the bond trustee to pay principal and interest due on the Bonds, and to provide liquidity to purchase bonds put to CityForest by bondholders and not remarketed; and CityForest is obligated to repay any such draws. CityForest is also obligated to pay a fee in respect of the aggregate amount available to be drawn at a rate per annum initially equal to 1.25%, subject to adjustment on a quarterly basis based on CityForest’s leverage. The expiration date of the letter of credit is February 15, 2011.

The Company obtained an amendment to the Reimbursement Agreement, effective upon closing of the initial public offering on January 27, 2010, which:

 

   

increased the annual letter of credit fee to 2.5%;

 

   

revised the definition of the term “change of control” to include, among other items, any person becoming the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the total voting power of Cellu Tissue (other than Weston Presidio V, L.P. and its co-investors) or a change in the majority of our board of directors;

 

   

decreased the maximum leverage ratio for CityForest from a ratio of 3.5 to 1.0 to a ratio of 2.5 to 1.0; and

 

   

increased the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio for CityForest from a ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 to a ratio of 1.2 to 1.0.

The Company is in compliance with these covenants as of August 26, 2010.

Amounts borrowed by CityForest under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Reimbursement Agreement), plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin percentage initially is 1.75%, subject to adjustment on a quarterly basis based upon CityForest’s leverage. The interest rate was 2.01% and 1.98% at August 26, 2010 and February 28, 2010, respectively. CityForest is also obligated to pay a commitment fee with respect to any unused commitment under the revolving credit facility in an amount equal to 0.50% per annum. The maturity date of the revolving credit facility is February 15, 2011. The revolving credit facility is secured by the assets of CityForest.

In connection with these CityForest credit facilities, the Company had $1.2 million of restricted cash as of August 26, 2010 and February 28, 2010, which is included in other assets on the balance sheet. In addition, the Reimbursement Agreement provides that in certain circumstances where the Company incurs indebtedness, as defined in the Reimbursement Agreement, in excess of amounts currently permitted under the indenture governing the municipal bonds or refinances the indebtedness issued under the indenture governing the municipal bonds, CityForest may be required to repay all of its obligations under the revolving line of credit and either cause the bonds to be redeemed or to replace the revolving credit facility and provide a new letter of credit from another lender.

Note 4. Deferred Financing Fees

The deferred financing fees and related accumulated amortization balances are as follows:

 

     August 26,
2010
       February 28,
2010

2014 Notes

   $8,955,677       $8,955,677 

Credit agreement

   231,651       231,651 
           
   9,187,328       9,187,328 

Accumulated amortization

   (1,926,133)      (1,156,843)
           
       $7,261,195        $8,030,485 
           

These fees, net of accumulated amortization, are included in other assets on the balance sheet as of August 26, 2010 and February 28, 2010.

 

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Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—(Continued)

August 26, 2010

 

Note 5. Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate for the six months ended August 26, 2010 is 32.0% compared to 51.1% for the six months ended August 27, 2009. The effective income tax rate for the six months ended August 26, 2010 includes the beneficial impacts of reductions in applicable foreign tax rates as well as the full phase in of the tax benefits from the domestic production activities deduction. Included in income tax expense for the six months ended August 27, 2009 is discrete tax expense of $1.8 million associated with a change in the Company’s effective federal tax rate from 34% to 35%.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. The fiscal tax years 2006 through 2010 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. As of August 26, 2010, the Company does not expect any material changes to unrecognized tax positions within the next twelve months.

Note 6. Commitments and Contingencies

Investment in Converting Capacity

To satisfy increased customer demand for converted tissue products and to further expand our geographic reach, the Company accelerated its growth strategy in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 and committed to a program to invest approximately $30 million to increase our retail converting capacity by 50,000 tons. As of August 26, 2010, $19.7 million had been spent, and this program is expected to be substantially complete by May 2011. A portion of this investment has been used to add converting capacity to a new 323,000 square foot facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which began producing converted tissue products in June 2010 and is expected to become fully operational during the third quarter of fiscal 2011. The balance of this investment is expected to be used to add converting capacity to our established facilities in Neenah, Wisconsin and Thomaston, Georgia.

Note 7. Business Segments

The Company operates in three business segments: tissue, machine-glazed tissue and foam. The Company assesses the performance of its business segments using income from operations. Income from operations excludes interest income, interest expense, other income (expense), income tax expense (benefit) and the impact of foreign currency gains and losses. Corporate and shared expenses are allocated to each segment.

 

     Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
     August 26,
2010
   August 27,
2009
        August 26,
2010
   August 27,
2009

Net Sales

              

Tissue

     $  105,931,753       $  107,781,026          $  208,907,911       $  201,248,387 

Machine-glazed tissue

   29,462,776     27,925,877        56,795,589     51,519,942 

Foam

   1,237,554     2,089,747        3,032,728     3,956,543 
                      

Consolidated

     $  136,632,083       $  137,796,650          $  268,736,228       $  256,724,872 
                      

Segment Income (Loss) From Operations

              

Tissue

     $      4,373,041       $    15,356,475          $    10,828,681       $    27,711,329 

Machine-glazed tissue

   (1,398,169)     1,326,574        (1,058,812)     2,666,960 

Foam

   259,799     603,382        223,362     1,220,299 
                      

Total segment income from operations

   3,234,671     17,286,431        9,993,231     31,598,588 

Amortization expense

   (1,080,163)     (1,079,268)        (2,124,717)     (2,135,692) 
                      

Consolidated income from operations

   2,154,508     16,207,163        7,868,514     29,462,896 

Interest expense, net

   7,838,455     12,331,443        15,319,149     18,837,994 

Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss

   (142,308)    356,287        73,189     713,226 

Other (income) expense

   92,075     (355,871)        89,056     (372,445) 
                      

Pretax (loss) income

     $    (5,633,714)       $    3,875,304          $    (7,612,880)       $    10,284,121 
                      

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—(Continued)

August 26, 2010

 

     Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
     August 26,
2010
   August 27,
2009
        August 26,
2010
   August 27,
2009

Capital Expenditures

              

Tissue

     $  9,044,371       $  4,363,750          $  18,426,301       $  9,952,766 

Machine-glazed tissue

   860,558     458,490        1,396,634     761,291 

Foam

              

Corporate

   82,525     65,547        208,671     447,957 
                      

Consolidated

     $  9,987,455       $  4,887,787          $  20,031,606       $  11,162,014 
                      

Depreciation

              

Tissue

     $  4,801,479       $  4,416,123          $    9,461,454       $    8,674,181 

Machine-glazed tissue

   1,486,369     1,431,802        2,952,539     2,836,162 

Foam

   26,589     21,346        52,112     42,224 

Corporate

   237,494     252,791        474,894     497,500 
                      

Consolidated

     $  6,551,931       $  6,122,062          $  12,940,999       $  12,050,067 
                      

Note 8. Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net

Goodwill, trademarks and other intangibles and related accumulated amortization are as follows:

 

     August 26,
2010
   February 28,
2010

Goodwill

     $  41,020,138       $  41,020,138 
         

Trademarks

     $    9,456,000       $    9,456,000 

Noncompete agreements

   12,770,000     12,770,000 

Customer lists

   12,319,000     12,319,000 
         
   34,545,000     34,545,000 

Accumulated amortization

   (9,329,764)     (7,205,047) 
         

Other Intangibles, Net

     $  25,215,236       $  27,339,953 
         

Intangible assets, except for certain trademarks which have an indefinite life, are being amortized on a straight-line basis, assuming no significant residual value, over the following lives: non-compete agreements-5 years, customer lists-7 years and trademarks with a definite life-3 years. No goodwill impairment has been recorded during fiscal years 2010 or 2009.

Note 9. Derivatives and Hedging

The Company uses derivative financial instruments to offset a portion of its exposure to market risk arising from changes in the price of natural gas. Hedging of this risk is accomplished by entering into forward swap contracts, which are designated as hedges of specific quantities of natural gas expected to be purchased in future months. These contracts are held for purposes other than trading and are designated as cash flow hedges. The Company measures fair value of its derivative financial instruments using fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The Company uses a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows: level 1—inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access; level 2—inputs utilize data points that are observable such as quoted prices, interest rate and yield curves; level 3—inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

The Company’s natural gas forward contracts are valued using industry-standard models that use observable market inputs (forward market prices for natural gas) as their basis. The Company classifies these instruments within level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. For level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, where appropriate, valuations are adjusted for various factors such as liquidity, bid/offer spreads and credit considerations (non performance risk). As of August 26, 2010, the fair value of these cash flow hedging instruments was $1.5 million and is included in other current liabilities. The fair value of cash flow hedges at February 28, 2010 was a liability of $0.6 million, which is included in other current liabilities. The notional value of the natural gas forward contracts outstanding was $7.1 million as of August 26, 2010. As outstanding gas forward contracts are settled, gains or losses are charged to cost of goods sold.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—(Continued)

August 26, 2010

 

The effects of the Company’s natural gas swap contracts on the consolidated statements of operations are presented below.

 

     Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
     August 26,
2010
   August 27,
2009
        August 26,
2010
   August 27,
2009

Gain (loss) recognized in comprehensive income/loss

     $  (535,407)       $  504,480          $  (890,442)       $    987,408 

Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income

     $  (352,516)       $(1,468,480)         $  (765,024)       $(3,090,744)

Note 10. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions, including those discussed in Note 9, were used to estimate fair value for purposes of disclosure:

The Company’s 2014 Notes are treated as a level 1 instrument and are recorded at cost which was $227.6 million at August 26, 2010. The estimated fair value of these notes was $254.4 million at August 26, 2010 based on the quoted market price of this debt.

The Company’s City Forest Industrial Revenue Bonds in the amount of $16.0 million at August 26, 2010 and $16.4 million at February 28, 2010 are carried at cost. These bonds are determined to be a level 1 instrument. These bonds always trade at par value, with adjustments to the variable interest rate by our independent third party market maker. The estimated fair value of these bonds was $16.0 million at August 26, 2010 and $16.4 million at February 28, 2010.

Note 11. Supplemental Balance Sheet Information

Selected supplemental balance sheet information is presented below.

 

     August 26,
2010
        February 28,
2010

Inventories:

        

Finished goods

   $  42,674,557        $  46,169,180 

Raw materials

   5,772,605        3,608,559 

Packaging materials and supplies

   9,438,919        9,317,494 

Inventory reserves

   (2,004,497)       (2,508,251)
            
         $  55,881,584         $  56,586,982 
            

Property, plant and equipment, net:

        

Land

   $    4,626,957        $    4,565,674 

Buildings

   40,989,816        39,509,533 

Machinery and equipment

   353,846,974        336,966,732 

Other

   6,857,455        6,871,243 

Construction in progress

   10,518,307        9,429,569 
            
   416,839,509        397,342,751 

Accumulated depreciation

   (102,405,940)       (89,707,730)
            
   $314,433,569        $307,635,021 
            

Note 12. Income Per Share

Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted-average effect of all common shares issued and outstanding and is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common share used in the basic earnings

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—(Continued)

August 26, 2010

 

per share calculation plus the number of common shares that would be issued assuming exercise or conversion of all potentially dilutive shares outstanding. The following presents basic net income per share and diluted net income per share:

 

     Three Months Ended
August 26, 2010
        Three Months Ended
August 27, 2009
     Basic         Diluted         Basic         Diluted

Numerator:

                    

Net (loss) income

    $(3,829,669)         $(3,829,669)         $  2,717,474         $  2,717,474 
                            

Denominator:

                    

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

   20,184,054        20,184,054        17,447,971        17,447,971 

Effect of dilutive securities Stock Awards (a)

                    
                            
   20,184,054        20,184,054        17,447,971        17,447,971 

Net (loss) income per share

    $         (0.19)         $         (0.19)         $         0.16         $         0.16 
                            
     Six Months Ended
August 26, 2010
        Six Months Ended
August 27, 2009
     Basic         Diluted         Basic         Diluted

Numerator:

                    

Net (loss) income

    $(5,177,028)         $(5,177,028)         $  5,028,339         $  5,028,339 
                            

Denominator:

                    

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

   20,176,732        20,176,732        17,447,971        17,447,971 

Effect of dilutive securities Stock Awards (a)

                    
                            
   20,176,732        20,176,732        17,447,971        17,447,971 

Net (loss) income per share

    $         (0.26)         $         (0.26)         $         0.29         $         0.29 
                            

 

 (a) Represents the weighted average number of shares of common stock issuable on the exercise of diluted employee stock option awards and restricted stock less the number of shares of common stock which could have been purchased with the proceeds from the exercise of such awards. These purchases were assumed to have been made at the average market price of the common stock for the period.

Note 13. Legal Proceedings

On or about September 20, 2010, Edward Glembockie, on behalf of himself and the public shareholders of the Company, filed a putative class action complaint in the Superior Court of Fulton County, State of Georgia, captioned Edward Glembockie v. Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc., et al. The lawsuit names as defendants the Company, Clearwater, and each member of the Company’s Board of Directors. The lawsuit alleges that the Company’s directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with Clearwater’s planned acquisition of the Company, as publicly disclosed on September 16, 2010. In addition, the lawsuit alleges that the Company and Clearwater aided and abetted those alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. Based on these allegations, the lawsuit seeks to enjoin the acquisition and to obtain other related equitable relief. It also seeks recovery of the costs of the action, including reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees. It is possible that additional lawsuits seeking similar relief may be filed. The defendants have not yet responded to the complaint. Based on the facts known to date, the defendants believe that the claims asserted against them in this lawsuit are without merit, and the defendants intend to defend themselves vigorously.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—(Continued)

August 26, 2010

 

Note 14. Subsequent Event

On September 16, 2010, the Company announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Clearwater Paper Corporation (“Clearwater”) pursuant to which Clearwater would acquire all of the outstanding common stock of the Company in an all-cash transaction which values the Company at approximately $502 million, including approximately $255 million of debt. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company’s stockholders will receive $12.00 per share in cash for each share of common stock they own, representing a premium, based on the closing price on September 15, 2010, of approximately 52.6% over the 30 day average closing trading price and 48.2% over the 90 day average closing trading price.

The agreement has been unanimously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The transaction was recommended to the Company’s Board of Directors by a Transaction Committee, comprised of independent members of the Company’s Board of Directors, established to evaluate the transaction. The closing of the merger is not conditioned on Clearwater obtaining financing. The merger is subject to certain customary conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and our stockholders approval, and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of calendar 2010. Weston Presidio V, L.P., which acquired the Company in 2006, is the Company’s largest shareholder and is also represented on the Company’s Board of Directors. It and the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, have agreed to vote shares owned by them representing, in the aggregate, approximately 56% of the Company’s outstanding shares, in favor of the transaction.

In connection with the transaction, the Company or Clearwater intends to tender for or defease the Company’s 2014 Notes.

 

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain 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 (the “Exchange Act”), and, as such, may involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” or comparable terminology. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to, those set forth in Item 1. Business-Forward-Looking Statements and Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended February 28, 2010 and in Part II Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating any forward-looking statements contained herein.

We produce converted tissue products, tissue hard rolls and machine-glazed tissue, and we believe we are one of the leaders in the value retail converted tissue market. Our customers include leading consumer retailers and away-from-home distributors of tissue products, vertically integrated manufacturers and third-party converters serving the tissue and machine-glazed tissue segments. Most of the tissue products we convert are internally sourced from the tissue hard rolls that we manufacture to the specifications requested by our customers. The tissue hard rolls that we manufacture, but do not convert, are marketed to customers for use in various end products, including diapers, bath and facial tissue, assorted paper towels and napkins. In addition to converted tissue products and tissue hard rolls, we also manufacture machine-glazed tissue and polystyrene foam used in various end products, including food wraps and foam plates. However, foam products are not a significant portion of our business.

We operate in three business segments: tissue, machine-glazed tissue and foam, although we generally operate our business as an integrated tissue paper company. In our tissue segment, we derive our revenues from the sale of:

 

   

converted tissue products, including a variety of private label consumer and away-from-home bath and facial tissue, napkins and folded and rolled towels; and

 

   

tissue hard rolls sold as facial and bath tissue, special medical tissue, industrial wipers, napkin and paper towel stock and absorbent cover stock.

We derive our revenues in our machine-glazed tissue segment from the sale of:

 

   

machine-glazed tissue paper hard rolls to third-party converters that manufacture fast food and commercial food wrap, as well as niche market products such as gum wrappers, coffee filters, paper used to line packs of cigarettes, wax paper and butter wraps; and

 

   

converted wax products, including wet and dry wax paper, sandwich bags and wax paper.

We derive our revenues in our foam segment primarily from the sale of foam plates as a private branded product to a single customer.

Business Developments and Trends

Merger

On September 15, 2010 the Company announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Clearwater Paper Corporation (“Clearwater”) pursuant to which Clearwater would acquire all of the outstanding common stock of the Company in an all-cash transaction which values the Company at approximately $502 million, including approximately $255 million of debt. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company’s stockholders will receive $12.00 per share in cash for each share of common stock they own, representing a premium, based on the closing price on September 15, 2010, of approximately 52.6% over the 30 day average closing trading price and 48.2% over the 90 day average closing trading price.

 

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The agreement has been unanimously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The transaction was recommended to the Company’s Board of Directors by a Transaction Committee established to evaluate the transaction. The closing of the merger is not conditioned on Clearwater obtaining financing. The merger is subject to certain customary conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of calendar 2010. Weston Presidio V, L.P., which acquired the Company in 2006, is the Company’s largest shareholder and is also represented on the Company’s Board of Directors. It and Russell C. Taylor, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, have agreed to vote shares owned by them representing, in the aggregate, approximately 56% of the Company’s outstanding shares, in favor of the transaction.

In connection with the transaction, the Company or Clearwater intends to tender for or defease the Company’s outstanding 2014 Notes.

Pulp Prices

The pulp market is volatile in terms of both supply and pricing. Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft, the grade of pulp that is widely used as the benchmark in our industry, has increased from $635 per metric ton in April 2009 to the recently announced October price of $970 per metric ton, which is lower than the previous peak of $1,020 in June 2010. This price increase has been driven by several factors, including pulp market capacity reductions, offshore pulp consumption primarily in China, and world economic conditions. As a market leader in tissue hardroll and machine-glazed, we typically implement price increases as pulp prices rise. Our contracts and the practical execution of market price announcements dictate that machine-glazed and hardroll pricing generally lag market pulp price increases by approximately 90 days. In the converted retail market, we are a fast follower of price increases implemented by the large national branded companies. As of August 26, 2010 we have not been able to implement price increases for our converted retail products to offset the historically high pulp prices we have experienced in the second half of fiscal 2010 and the first six months of fiscal 2011. If pulp prices continue to rise or remain elevated and we are unable to increase the prices of our converted tissue products, our gross margins and gross profit will continue to be materially adversely affected.

Converting Capacity

During the second quarter of fiscal 2010, we filled our converting capacity for a number of converted tissue product grades, as strong customer demand reduced inventory below targeted levels. Therefore, to maintain effective customer service levels, improve product mix and support the growth of converted tissue products, we completed the installation of a new tissue converting line that became fully operational during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

Additionally, to satisfy increased customer demand for converted tissue products and to further expand our geographic reach, we accelerated our growth strategy in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 and committed to a program to invest approximately $30 million to increase retail converting capacity by 50,000 tons. As of August 26, 2010, approximately $19.7 million had been spent, and this program is expected to be substantially complete by May 2011. A portion of this investment has been used to add converting capacity to our new 323,000 square foot facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which began producing converted tissue products in June 2010 and is expected to become fully operational during the third quarter of fiscal 2011. We expect that the balance of this investment will be used to add converting capacity to two of our established converting facilities in Neenah, Wisconsin and Thomaston, Georgia.

Several of our competitors, including Clearwater, recently announced plans to build tissue manufacturing and converting facilities in the Southeast United States, one of the key geographic regions we currently serve. For example, Clearwater recently announced that it intends to build a through-air-dried (TAD) paper machine and seven converting lines capable of producing 70,000 tons of bathroom tissue and household towels annually in North Carolina and believes production at the new facility will begin in the second half of 2011. Another competitor has announced that it intends to build two new TAD machines in South Carolina with a combined capacity of approximately 150,000 tons of converted tissue per year. This competitor expects the first TAD machine to begin producing converted tissue in the second half of 2011 and the second TAD machine to begin producing converted tissue in the second half of 2012. If these competitors, or any of our other competitors, establish significant new converting capabilities in the key geographic areas we serve, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended August 26, 2010 (the Fiscal 2011 Three-Month Period)

compared to the Three Months Ended August 27, 2009 (the Fiscal 2010 Three-Month Period)

Consolidated net sales for the fiscal 2011 three-month period decreased $1.2 million, or 0.8%, to $136.6 million from $137.8 million for the comparable prior year period. On an overall basis, lower volume contributed $11.4 million to the decrease, partially offset by higher pricing of $10.2 million. During the fiscal 2011 three-month period, we sold 82,204 tons of tissue hardrolls, machine-glazed tissue hardrolls and converted tissue products, a decrease of 7,124 tons, or a decrease of 8.0% over the comparable prior year period. During the fiscal 2011 three-month period, we in-sourced an

 

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additional 1,781 tons of hardrolls for our converting operations that were previously purchased on the hardroll market in the prior year period. This served to reduce external hardroll shipments by a similar amount and improved our overall sales mix due to higher selling prices for converted tissue products. This is consistent with our strategy to increase the vertical integration of our acquired operations, supporting improved quality control and profitability. During the fiscal 2010 three-month period, we shipped 3,009 tons of converted tissue shipments to support two new substantial product launches. Net selling price per ton increased to $1,647 during the current period from $1,519 during the comparable prior year period. This increase in price primarily reflects increases in hardroll selling prices.

Net sales for our tissue segment were $105.9 million during the fiscal 2011 three-month period, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 1.7% from $107.8 million in the comparable prior year period. The decrease was due to lower volume, partially offset by higher selling prices. During the fiscal 2010 three-month period, we shipped 3,009 tons of converted tissue shipments to support two new substantial product launches. The decrease was also due to in-sourcing an additional 1,781 tons of hardrolls for our converting operations that were previously purchased on the hardroll market in the fiscal 2010 three-month period. Net selling price per ton increased to $1,717 for the fiscal 2011 three-month period from $1,625 for the fiscal 2010 three-month period. This increase in net selling price per ton was primarily the result of an increase in hardroll selling prices. For the fiscal 2011 three-month period, we sold 61,712 tons of tissue, of which 34,939 tons were sold as hardrolls and 26,773 tons were sold as converted tissue products, compared to the fiscal 2010 three-month period when we sold 66,311 tons of tissue, of which 36,795 tons were sold as hardrolls and 29,516 tons were sold as converted tissue products.

Net sales for our machine-glazed tissue segment for the fiscal 2011 three-month period were $29.5 million, an increase of $1.5 million or 5.5%, compared to $27.9 million in the comparable prior year period. Tons sold during the fiscal 2011 period decreased 11.0%. Net selling price per ton was $1,438 for the fiscal 2011 three-month period compared to $1,213 per ton for the fiscal 2010 three-month period. For the fiscal 2011 three-month period, we sold 20,492 tons of machine-glazed tissue, of which 17,782 tons were sold as hardrolls and 2,710 tons were sold as converted machine-glazed tissue products, compared to the fiscal 2010 three-month period when we sold 23,017 tons of machine-glazed tissue, of which 19,893 tons were sold as hardrolls and 3,124 tons were sold as converted machine-glazed tissue products. Tons sold decreased in the fiscal 2011 three-month period as a result of short-term declines in production volumes.

Net sales for our foam segment for the fiscal 2011 three-month period were $1.2 million compared to $2.1 million in the comparable prior year period, as a result of lower sales volume.

Consolidated gross profit was $8.8 million for the fiscal 2011 three-month period or a decrease of $13.8 million from $22.6 million in the comparable prior year period. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit decreased to 6.5% in the fiscal 2011 three-month period from 16.4% in the fiscal 2010 three-month period. The decline in gross profit is primarily due to higher overall pulp costs, which are 31% higher in the fiscal 2011 three-month period versus the comparable prior year period, partially offset by higher tissue hardroll and machine-glazed tissue selling prices. Tissue hardroll and machine-glazed tissue selling price increases are lagging recent increases in pulp prices. Additionally, there have been no retail market price increases for tissue converting products.

Gross profit (loss) by segment is as follows (in thousands):

 

     For the three months
ended
         
     August 26,
2010
        August 27,
2009
        Increase
(Decrease)

Tissue

     $    8,698        $    19,474            $(10,776) 

Machine-glazed tissue

   (138)        2,554        (2,692) 

Foam

   269        614        (345) 
                    

Total

     $    8,829        $    22,642            $(13,813) 
                    

Tissue gross margins decreased to 8.2% for the three months ended August 26, 2010 compared to 18.1% in the comparable prior year period. In addition to the factors noted above for net sales, these results were also due to higher fiber costs, which were partially offset by higher hardroll selling prices. The fiscal 2011 three-month period also includes approximately $0.6 million of start-up related costs for our Oklahoma City, Oklahoma mill.

 

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Machine-glazed tissue gross margins decreased to a negative 0.4% for the three months ended August 26, 2010 compared to a positive 9.1% in the comparable prior year period. The decrease in gross margin was primarily attributable to higher fiber costs and temporarily lower production volumes, partially offset by higher selling prices.

Foam gross margins were 21.7% for the three months ended August 26, 2010 compared to 29.4% in the comparable prior year period primarily as a result of reduced sales volume.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $5.6 million for the three months ended August 26, 2010 compared to $5.4 million for the comparable three-month period in fiscal 2010. As a percentage of net sales, expenses were 4.1% for the 2011 three-month period, compared to 3.9% for the comparable prior year period. The 2011 three-month period includes $1.0 million of professional fees related to the announced acquisition of the Company by Clearwater. Corporate performance-based compensation expense was $0 and $0.7 million in the 2011 and 2010 three-month periods, respectively. Stock-based compensation was $0.2 million in both the 2011 and 2010 three-month periods.

Amortization expense in the both of the fiscal 2011 and 2010 three-month periods of $1.1 million, relates to the amortization of the intangible assets recorded in connection with the APF Acquisition.

Interest expense, net in the fiscal 2011 three-month period was $7.8 million compared to $12.3 million in the fiscal 2010 three-month period. The fiscal 2010 three-month period includes the effect of extinguishing our 2010 Notes and the issuance of our 2014 Notes. Non-recurring costs of extinguishing our 2010 Notes includes both the write-off of deferred financing fees of $2.2 million and incremental interest expense of $1.7 million due to the period of time that elapsed between the issuance of the 2014 Notes and the extinguishment of the 2010 Notes.

Foreign currency gain in the fiscal 2011 three-month period was $0.1 million compared to foreign currency loss of $0.4 million in the fiscal 2010 three-month period. The fluctuation relates to the change in the Canadian currency exchange rate period over period.

Income tax benefit for the fiscal 2011 second quarter was $1.8 million compared to income tax expense of $1.2 million for the fiscal 2010 second quarter. The effective income tax rate for the fiscal 2011 first quarter was 32.0% compared to 30.0% in the fiscal 2010 three-month period.

Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended August 26, 2010 (the Fiscal 2011 Six-Month Period)

compared to the Six Months Ended August 27, 2009 (the Fiscal 2010 Six-Month Period)

Consolidated net sales for the fiscal 2011 six-month period increased $12.0 million, or 4.7%, to $268.7 million from $256.7 million for the comparable prior year period. On an overall basis, price contributed $16.7 million to the increase, partially offset by lower volume of $4.7 million. During the fiscal 2011 six-month period, we sold 164,698 tons of tissue hardrolls, machine-glazed tissue hardrolls and converted tissue products, a decrease of 2,639 tons, or a decrease of 1.6% over the comparable prior year period. During the fiscal 2011 six-month period, we in-sourced an additional 5,180 tons of hardrolls for our converting operations that were previously purchased on the hardroll market in the comparable prior year period. This served to reduce external hardroll shipments by a similar amount and improved our overall sales mix due to higher selling prices for converted tissue products. This is consistent with our strategy to increase the vertical integration of our acquired operations, supporting improved quality control and profitability. During the fiscal 2010 six-month period, we shipped 3,009 tons of converted tissue shipments to support two new substantial product launches. Net selling price per ton increased to $1,613 during the fiscal 2011 six-month period from $1,511 during the comparable prior year period. This increase in price primarily reflects the impact of increases in hardroll selling prices.

Net sales for our tissue segment were $208.9 million during the fiscal 2011 six-month period, an increase of $7.7 million, or 3.8% from $201.2 million in the comparable prior year period. The increase was due primarily to a higher hardroll selling prices. During the fiscal 2010 six-month period, we shipped 3,009 tons of converted tissue shipments to support two new substantial product launches. Net selling price per ton increased to $1,692 for the fiscal 2011 six-month period from $1,610 for the fiscal 2010 six-month period. This increase in net selling price per ton was primarily the result of an increase in hardroll selling prices. For the fiscal 2011 six-month period, we sold 123,434 tons of tissue, of which 68,588 tons were sold as hardrolls and 54,847 tons were sold as converted tissue products, compared to the fiscal 2010 six-month period when we sold 124,968 tons of tissue, of which 71,092 tons were sold as hardrolls and 53,876 tons were sold as converted tissue products.

Net sales for our machine-glazed tissue segment for the fiscal 2011 six-month period were $56.8 million, an increase of $5.3 million or 10.2%, compared to $51.5 million in the comparable prior year period. Tons sold during the fiscal 2011 six-month period decreased 2.6%. Net selling price per ton was $1,376 for the fiscal 2011 six-month period compared to $1,216 per ton for the fiscal 2010 six-month period. For the fiscal 2011 six-month period, we sold 41,264 tons

 

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of machine-glazed tissue, of which 36,084 tons were sold as hardrolls and 5,180 tons were sold as converted machine-glazed tissue products, compared to the fiscal 2010 six-month period when we sold 42,369 tons of machine-glazed tissue, of which 37,224 tons were sold as hardrolls and 5,145 tons were sold as converted machine-glazed tissue products.

Net sales for our foam segment for the fiscal 2011 six-month period were $3.0 million compared to $4.0 million in the comparable prior year period.

Consolidated gross profit was $21.0 million for the fiscal 2011 six-month period or a decrease of $21.5 million from $42.5 million in the comparable prior year period. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit decreased to 7.8% in the fiscal 2011 six-month period from 16.5% in the fiscal 2010 six-month period. The decline in gross profit is primarily due to higher overall pulp costs, which are 33% higher in the fiscal 2011 six-month period versus the comparable prior year period, and tissue hardroll and machine-glazed tissue selling price increases are lagging recent increases in pulp prices. Additionally, there have been no retail market price increases for tissue converting products.

Gross profit (loss) by segment is as follows (in thousands):

 

     For the six months
ended
      
     August 26,
2010
   August 27,
2009
   Increase
(Decrease)
 

Tissue

     $ 19,326       $ 36,055       $ (16,729

Machine-glazed tissue

     1,409       5,161       (3,752

Foam

     245       1,239       (994
                      

Total

     $ 20,980       $ 42,455       $ (21,475
                      

Tissue gross margins decreased to 9.3% for the six months ended August 26, 2010 compared to 17.9% in the comparable prior year period. In addition to the factors noted above for net sales, these results were also due to higher fiber costs, which were partially offset by higher hardroll selling prices.

Machine-glazed tissue gross margins decreased to 2.5% for the six months ended August 26, 2010 compared to 10.0% in the comparable prior year period. The decrease in gross margin was primarily attributable to higher fiber costs, partially offset by higher selling prices.

Foam gross margins were 8.1% for the six months ended August 26, 2010 compared to 31.3% in the comparable prior year period primarily as a result of reduced sales volume.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $11.0 million for the six months ended August 26, 2010 compared to $10.9 million for the comparable six-month period in fiscal 2010. As a percentage of net sales, expenses were 4.1% for the fiscal 2011 six-month period, compared to 4.2% for the comparable prior year period. The 2011 six-month period includes $1.0 million of professional fees related to the announced acquisition of the Company by Clearwater. Corporate performance-based compensation expense was $0 and $1.4 million in the fiscal 2011 and 2010 six-month periods, respectively. Stock-based compensation was $0.5 million in the 2011 six-month period and $0.4 million in the 2010 six-month period.

Amortization expense in both of the fiscal 2011 and 2010 six-month periods of $2.1 million, relates to the amortization of the intangible assets recorded in connection with the APF Acquisition.

Interest expense, net in the fiscal 2011 six-month period was $15.3 million compared to $18.8 million in the fiscal 2010 six-month period. The fiscal 2010 six-month period includes the effect of extinguishing our 2010 Notes and the issuance of our 2014 Notes. Non-recurring costs of extinguishing our 2010 Notes includes both the write-off of deferred financing fees of $2.2 million and incremental interest expense of $1.7 million due to the period of time that elapsed between the issuance of the 2014 Notes and the extinguishment of the 2010 Notes.

Foreign currency loss in the fiscal 2011 six-month period was $0.1 million compared to $0.7 million in the fiscal 2010 six-month period. The fluctuation relates to the change in the Canadian currency exchange rate period over period.

Income tax benefit for the fiscal 2011 six-month period was $2.4 million compared to income tax expense of $5.3 million for the fiscal 2010 six-month period. The effective income tax rate for the fiscal 2011 six-month period was 32.0% compared to 51.1% in the fiscal 2010 six-month period. The fiscal 2011 six-month period includes the beneficial

 

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impacts of reductions in applicable foreign tax rates, as well as the full phase-in of the tax benefits from the domestic production activities deduction. Included in income tax expense for the fiscal 2010 six-month period is discrete tax expense of $1.8 million associated with a change in our effective federal rate from 34% to 35% based on projected taxable income.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal liquidity requirements are to service debt and meet working capital, tax and capital expenditure needs. Our total debt, excluding the outstanding borrowings under our working capital facility of $23.0 million, at August 26, 2010 was $242.9 million. We fund our working capital requirements, capital expenditure needs and tax liabilities from net cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our working capital facility. Additionally, in the past, we have issued debt securities to fund acquisitions.

Based on current forecasts and anticipated market conditions, we believe that funding generated from operating cash flows and available sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet all of our operating needs, to make planned capital expenditures and to make all required interest and principal payments on indebtedness for the next twelve to eighteen months. However, our operating cash flows and liquidity are significantly influenced by numerous factors, including prices of pulp fiber, prices for our products, interest rates and the general economy. We are in compliance with our debt covenants as of August 26, 2010.

As a result of the debt financing completed during June 2009, our principal debt payments are expected to be $0.8 million in fiscal 2011, $0.8 million in fiscal 2012, $0.8 million in fiscal 2013, $0.8 million in fiscal 2014 and $247.8 million in fiscal 2015 and thereafter. Additionally, cash interest payments are expected to be $27.8 million in fiscal 2011, $27.6 million in fiscal 2012, $27.4 million in fiscal 2013, $27.4 million in fiscal 2014 and $16.9 million in fiscal 2015 and thereafter.

The following is a summary of our indebtedness. For additional information regarding our indebtedness, see the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Working capital facility

We have a $60.0 million working capital facility that matures on June 12, 2011. Borrowings under the working capital facility are secured by liens on substantially all of our assets and guaranteed by our subsidiaries. As of August 26, 2010, there were $23.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the working capital facility and excess availability, less letters of credit in the aggregate principal amount of $5.0 million, was $32.0 million.

2014 Notes

In June 2009, we issued $255 million principal face amount of 11   1 /2% senior secured notes maturing on June 1, 2014 (the “2014 Notes”), with an effective interest rate of 12.48%. The 2014 Notes pay interest in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on December 1, 2009. The 2014 Notes are secured by liens on substantially all of our assets and guaranteed by our subsidiaries. The net proceeds of $245.7 million from the issuance of the 2014 Notes were primarily used to redeem the our 9  3 /4% Senior Secured Notes due 2010 and fund the contingent earnout payment made on August 28, 2009 in conjunction with the 2006 acquisition of Cellu Paper Holdings, Inc. by Weston Presidio V, L.P. During fiscal 2010, using the proceeds from the January 2010 initial public offering, the Company repurchased $20.5 million of notional 2014 Notes outstanding.

CityForest Industrial Revenue Bonds

Our subsidiary, CityForest, had approximately $16.0 million in aggregate principal amount of industrial revenue bonds outstanding as of August 26, 2010. We have guaranteed all of the obligations of CityForest. We are required to annually pay $760,000 of principal of the bonds in two semi-annual payments of $380,000. The balance is payable at maturity on March 1, 2028.

Contingent Payment

In connection with our acquisition by Weston Presidio, our principal shareholder, we were required to pay up to $35.0 million of contingent consideration in cash and equity to our former owners and advisors in the event certain financial targets were met. All financial targets were met and the following payments each consisted of cash and equity:

$15.0 million was paid in fiscal 2009; $15.0 million was paid on August 28, 2009; and the final payment of $5.0 million was paid on November 24, 2009.

 

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Cash Flows

Net cash used in operations was $2.7 million for the fiscal 2011 six-month period compared to net cash provided by operations of $40.9 million for the fiscal 2010 six-month period. Net loss for the fiscal 2011 six-month period was $5.2 million, a decrease of $10.2 million over the fiscal 2010 six-month period. Net cash flow used by working capital was $12.6 million for the fiscal 2011 six-month period compared to net cash provided by working capital of $15.0 million in the fiscal 2010 six-month period. This decrease is primarily due to higher raw material costs in the fiscal 2011 six-month period, increased accounts receivable balances caused by increased sales during the fiscal 2011 six-month period and reductions in accounts payable as a result of cash payments made during the fiscal 2011 six-month period related to fixed assets, pulp purchases and utilities. Additionally, in the fiscal 2010 six-month period, net deferred income tax liabilities increased $2.4 million, primarily as a result of an increase in our federal tax rate.

Net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal 2011 six-month period was $20.0 million compared to $11.2 million in the fiscal 2010 six-month period. The increased level of spending is primarily due to the fiscal 2011 expansion of our converting capacity. Prior year spending included the completion of our East Hartford, Connecticut energy cogeneration facility.

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities for the fiscal 2011 six-month period was $21.7 million compared to cash used in financing activities of $8.1 million in the fiscal 2010 six-month period. The activity in the fiscal 2011 six-month period was driven by $22.0 million of net borrowings from the revolving credit facility to support increases in working capital, capital spending and reductions in operating income. Cash used in financing activities in the comparable prior year period was a result of refinancing debt.

Balance Sheet

Receivables, net as of August 26, 2010 increased to $55.5 million from $49.7 million as of the end of fiscal year 2010. Receivables increased as a result of increased net sales in the fiscal 2011 six-month period compared to the three months ended February 28, 2010.

Property, plant and equipment, net as of August 26, 2010 increased $6.8 million to $314.4 million from $307.6 million as of the end of fiscal year 2010. Capital expenditures to support our converting capacity expansion, including deposits made in conjunction with those efforts, were partially offset by depreciation expense.

Other intangibles, net as of August 26, 2010 decreased to $25.2 million from $27.3 million as of the end of fiscal year 2010 as a result of amortization expense during the current period.

Revolving line of credit was $23.0 million as of August 26, 2010 compared to a balance of $1.0 million at the end of fiscal year 2010 as a result of net borrowings during fiscal 2011.

Accounts payable as of August 26, 2010 decreased to $27.1 million from $34.3 million as of the end of fiscal year 2010. Accounts payable at the end of the fiscal year 2010 were higher as a result of the timing of various payments, including those related to capital projects.

Other current liabilities as of August 26, 2010 increased to $1.5 million from $0.6 million at the end of fiscal year 2010 primarily as a result of accrued professional fees related to the recently announced acquisition of the Company by Clearwater.

Commitments

To satisfy increased customer demand for converted tissue products and to further expand our geographic reach, we accelerated our growth strategy in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 and committed to a program to invest approximately $30.0 million to increase retail converting capacity by 50,000 tons. As of August 26, 2010, approximately $19.7 million had been spent, and this program is expected to be substantially complete by May 2011. A portion of this investment has been used to add converting capacity to our new 323,000 square foot facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which began producing converted tissue products in June 2010 and is expected to become fully operational during the third quarter of fiscal 2011. We expect that the balance of this investment will be used to add converting capacity to two of our established converting facilities in Neenah, Wisconsin and Thomaston, Georgia.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

Our critical accounting policies are discussed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2010. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our accounting estimates on historical experience and other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. However, actual results may vary from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We use natural gas swap contracts with a cumulative total notional amount of approximately $7.1 million for 1,338,638 MMbtu at August 26, 2010 to hedge against cash flow variability arising from changes in natural gas prices in conjunction with our anticipated purchases of natural gas through May 2011. These swap contracts fix the rates on portions of our natural gas purchases to rates ranging from $6.11 per MMbtu to $3.94 per MMbtu for various periods through May 2011. These swap contracts were accounted for as effective hedges. These natural gas swap contracts had a liability fair value of $1.5 million at August 26, 2010, which was included in other current liabilities. For every one dollar natural gas MMbtu prices increase or decrease, the value of our natural gas swap contracts outstanding as August 26, 2010 will increase or decrease correspondingly by $1.3 million. Approximately 68% of our natural gas requirements are hedged through May 2011.

We have minimal foreign currency translation risk. All international sales, other than sales originating from our Canadian subsidiary, are denominated in U.S. dollars. Due to our Canadian operations, however, we could be adversely affected by unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

As of August 26, 2010 we had outstanding borrowings of $23.0 million under our working capital facility. To the extent that we continue to borrow under the working capital facility in the future, our interest expense for such borrowings would be affected by changes in interest rates. In addition, amounts borrowed by CityForest under the CityForest revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Reimbursement Agreement), plus an applicable margin. Accordingly, the interest expense for borrowings under the CityForest revolving credit facility would also be affected by changes in interest rates.

We are also subject to commodity price risk associated with pulp costs and take advantage of spot prices on pulps to reduce market risk arising from changes in pulp costs. We have agreements with various pulp vendors to purchase various amounts of pulp over the next two years. These commitments require purchases of pulp up to approximately 178,000 metric tons per year at pulp prices below published list prices and allow us to shift a portion of our pulp purchases to the spot market to take advantage of spot market prices when such prices fall. We believe that our current commitment under these arrangements or their equivalent approximates 50% to 65% of our current budgeted pulp needs through fiscal year 2012. A hypothetical 10% increase in pulp prices, would have increased our costs by $16.9 million and $20.9 million in fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively. Historically, the Company has been able to pass along some or all of higher pulp pricing to our customers in the form of higher finished product pricing. However, there can be no assurance that we will continue to be able to do so.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met.

 

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As required by SEC rules, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based on this evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of August 26, 2010.

(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended August 26, 2010 to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On or about September 20, 2010, Edward Glembockie, on behalf of himself and the public shareholders of the Company, filed a putative class action complaint in the Superior Court of Fulton County, State of Georgia, captioned Edward Glembockie v. Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc., et al. The lawsuit names as defendants the Company, Clearwater, and each member of the Company’s Board of Directors. The lawsuit alleges that the Company’s directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with Clearwater’s planned acquisition of the Company, as publicly disclosed on September 16, 2010. In addition, the lawsuit alleges that the Company and Clearwater aided and abetted those alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. Based on these allegations, the lawsuit seeks to enjoin the acquisition and to obtain other related equitable relief. It also seeks recovery of the costs of the action, including reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees. It is possible that additional lawsuits seeking similar relief may be filed. The defendants have not yet responded to the complaint. Based on the facts known to date, the defendants believe that the claims asserted against them in this lawsuit are without merit, and the defendants intend to defend themselves vigorously.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Except as set forth below, the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010 have not materially changed.

Our operating results depend upon our wood pulp costs. If wood pulp costs continue to increase or do not decrease, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Pulp is the principal raw material used in the manufacture of our specialty paper and tissue products. It is purchased in highly competitive, price sensitive markets. We buy a significant amount of pulp and other raw materials either through supply agreements or on the spot market. For fiscal year 2010, we purchased approximately 322,000 metric tons of pulp and recycled fiber at a cost of $145 million, compared to 331,000 metric tons of pulp and recycled fiber in fiscal year 2009 at a cost of $185.7 million. Pulp prices for northern bleached softwood kraft continued to increase in fiscal 2010 from their low point in April 2009 ($635 per metric ton). As of October 2010, this price had risen to approximately $970 per metric ton, which is lower than the previous peak of $1,020 in June 2010. When pulp prices increase, we may not be able to implement commensurate price increases in our products for three months or more after such increases in pulp prices occur. In some cases, the lag may be longer or we may not be able to pass through such cost increases at all. As of August 26, 2010 we have not been able to implement price increases for our converted retail products to offset the historically high pulp prices we have experienced in the second half of fiscal 2010 and the first six months of fiscal 2011. If pulp prices continue to rise or remain elevated and we are unable to increase the prices of our converted tissue products, our gross margins and gross profit will continue to be materially adversely affected.

When pulp prices decline, we generally pass most decreases in the cost of pulp through to our tissue and machine-glazed tissue hardroll customers. For example, net sales in our machine-glazed tissue segment decreased 8.0% in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009 in part because of a decrease in net selling price per ton following a decrease in pulp prices. In addition, many of our arrangements with away-from-home hardroll customers do not have price escalators relating to wood pulp prices, and consequently, in some instances, we are unable to pass along an increase in pulp costs to these customers.

We have agreements with various pulp vendors to purchase various amounts of pulp over the next two years. These commitments require purchases of pulp up to approximately 178,000 metric tons per year at pulp prices below published list prices and allow us to shift a portion of our pulp purchases to the spot market to take advantage of spot market prices

 

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when such prices fall. We believe that our current commitment under these arrangements or their equivalent approximates 50% to 65% of our current budgeted pulp needs through fiscal year 2012. If upon expiration of these agreements, or upon failure of our suppliers to fulfill their obligations under these agreements, we are unable to obtain wood pulp on terms as favorable as those contained therein, our cost of goods sold may increase and our results of operations will be impaired. As a result, our ability to satisfy customer demands and to manufacture products in a cost-effective manner may be materially adversely affected.

In addition, the costs and availability of wood pulp have at times fluctuated greatly because of weather, economic global buying behaviors or general industry conditions. From time to time, timber harvesting may be limited by natural events, such as fire, insect infestation, disease, ice storms, excessive rainfall and wind storms or by harvesting restrictions. Production levels within the forest products industry are also affected by such factors as currency fluctuations, duties and finished lumber prices. These factors may increase the price we have to pay to our existing or any new suppliers. In the presence of oversupply in the markets we serve, selling prices of our finished products may not increase in response to raw material price increases. If we are unable to pass any raw material price increases through to our customers, our business financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected.

We face many competitors, several of which have greater financial and other resources, and our customers may choose their products instead of ours.

We face competition in each of our markets from companies that produce the same type of products that we produce or that produce alternative products that customers may use instead of our products. We currently compete in the tissue, converted paper and specialty paper markets. Some of our competitors may be able to produce certain of our products at lower cost than us. Additionally, several of our competitors are large, vertically integrated companies that are more strongly capitalized than us or have more financial resources than us. Any of the foregoing factors may enable our competitors to better withstand periods of declining demand and adverse operating conditions. In addition, changes within the paper industry, including the consolidation of our competitors and consolidation of companies in the distribution channels for our products, have occurred and may continue to occur. Several of our competitors recently announced plans to build tissue manufacturing and converting facilities in the Southeast United States, one of the key geographic regions we currently serve. For example, one competitor recently announced that it intends to build a through-air-dried (TAD) paper machine and seven converting lines capable of producing 70,000 tons of bathroom tissue and household towels annually in North Carolina and believes production at the new facility will begin in the second half of 2011. Another competitor has announced that it intends to build two new TAD machines in South Carolina with a combined capacity of approximately 150,000 tons of converted tissue per year. This competitor expects the first TAD machine to begin producing converted tissue in the second half of 2011 and the second TAD machine to begin producing converted tissue in the second half of 2012. If these competitors, or any of our other competitors, establishes significant new converting capabilities in the key geographic areas we serve, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected.

We compete on the basis of product quality and performance, price, service, sales and distribution. Competing in our markets involves the following key risks:

 

   

our failure to anticipate and respond to changing customer preferences and demographics;

 

   

our failure to develop new and improved products;

 

   

aggressive pricing by competitors, which may force us to decrease prices in an attempt to maintain market share;

 

   

consolidation of our customer base that diminishes our negotiating leverage;

 

   

the decision by our large customers to discontinue outsourcing the production of their products to us and to produce their products themselves;

 

   

acquisition of a customer by one of our competitors, who thereafter replaces us as a supplier for that customer; and

 

   

our failure to control costs.

These competitive factors could cause our customers to shift to other products or attempt to produce products themselves. Additional competition could result in lost market share or reduced prices for our products.

 

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Risks Related to the Planned Merger

The closing of the merger with Clearwater is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of certain regulatory approvals.

The closing of the merger with Clearwater is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of certain regulatory approvals. The timing of such approval and the closing of the merger are subject to factors beyond our control. While we expect to complete the merger in the fourth quarter of calendar 2010, the closing of the merger may not be completed by such time or at all. The merger will not close if regulatory approval is not received.

Failure to complete the merger with Clearwater in a timely manner, or at all, could negatively impact the market price of our common stock and our future financial results and liquidity.

Failure to complete the merger with Clearwater in a timely manner, or at all, could negatively impact the market price of our common stock to the extent that the current market price reflects an assumption that the merger will be completed. In addition, such failure could negatively impact our future business and financial results because of, among other things, the disruption that could occur as a result of uncertainties relating to a failure to complete the merger and the potential inability to recover certain transaction costs related to the merger, including a $9.48 million termination fee that could be payable to Clearwater under certain conditions. In addition, the attention of our management will have been diverted to the merger instead of our operations and pursuit of other opportunities that could have been beneficial to us, and customer perception may be negatively impacted, which could affect our ability to compete for, or to win, new and renewal business in the marketplace.

The merger with Clearwater could negatively impact our current and future business and financial results.

The merger agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the Company, Clearwater and the merger subsidiary of Clearwater. The merger agreement also contains customary covenants and agreements, including covenants relating to (a) the conduct of the Company’s business between the date of the signing of the merger agreement and the closing of the merger, (b) non-solicitation of competing acquisition proposals and (c) the efforts of the parties to cause the merger to be completed.

Compliance with the covenants outlined in the merger agreement could restrict our ability to operate the business or result in our failure to pursue other opportunities which could be beneficial to our business in the future, should the merger not be completed. Furthermore, management’s efforts may be focused on completing the merger and diverted from the operation of the business.

The announcement of the merger with Clearwater could have a negative impact on our ability to retain and, if necessary, attract key employees, which could in turn have an unfavorable impact on our financial results.

Our success depends significantly on the continued contributions of key employees. The loss of a key employee or the inability to attract and retain experienced employees could harm our operating results. Employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with the combined company until or after strategies for the combined company are announced or executed. These circumstances may adversely affect our ability to retain key personnel. We have implemented retention arrangements to retain and motivate certain executives and other employees, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in retaining such employees.

Litigation has commenced against us in connection with the planned merger with Clearwater.

On or about September 20, 2010, Edward Glembockie, on behalf of himself and the public shareholders of the Company, filed a putative class action complaint in the Superior Court of Fulton County, State of Georgia, captioned Edward Glembockie v. Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc., et al. The lawsuit names as defendants the Company, Clearwater, and each member of the Company’s Board of Directors. The lawsuit alleges that the Company’s directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with Clearwater’s planned acquisition of the Company, as publicly disclosed on September 16, 2010. In addition, the lawsuit alleges that the Company and Clearwater aided and abetted those alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. Based on these allegations, the lawsuit seeks to enjoin the acquisition and to obtain other related equitable relief. It also seeks recovery of the costs of the action, including reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees. It is possible that additional lawsuits seeking similar relief may be filed. The defendants have not yet responded to the complaint. Based on the facts known to date, we believe the claims to be without merit and intend to defend them vigorously, including opposing any efforts to enjoin the proposed transaction. The cost of defending such lawsuit could have an adverse impact on our financial results.

 

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Table of Contents

Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a) Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

None.

(b) Initial Public Offering and Use of Proceeds from the Sale of Registered Securities

None.

(c) Repurchases of Equity Securities

We do not have any programs to repurchase shares of our common stock and no such repurchases were made during the six months ended August 26, 2010.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

(a) Exhibits

 

  2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 15, 2010, by and among the Company, Clearwater and merger sub (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Cellu Tissue’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 16, 2010)
10.1    Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated September 15, 2010, between Russell C. Taylor and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Cellu Tissue’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 16, 2010)
10.2    Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated September 15, 2010, between Steven D. Ziessler and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Cellu Tissue’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 16, 2010)
10.3    Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated September 15, 2010, between David J. Morris and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Cellu Tissue’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 16, 2010)
10.4    Retention Bonus Letter, dated September 15, 2010, between W. Edwin Litton and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Cellu Tissue’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 16, 2010)
31.1    Certification by President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
31.2    Certification by Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
32.1    Certification by President and Chief Executive Officer furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification by Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

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

 

    Cellu Tissue Holdings, Inc.
Date: October 8, 2010    

/ S /    R USSELL C. T AYLOR        

    Mr. Russell C. Taylor
    President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: October 8, 2010    

/ S /    D AVID J. M ORRIS        

    Mr. David J. Morris
    Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

 

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