Tredegar Reports Fourth-Quarter Results

Tredegar Reports Fourth-Quarter Results

• Film Products' operating profit of $20.0 million increased $4.3 million from the fourth quarter of 2011 largely driven by additional profits from the fourth quarter 2011 acquisition of Terphane Holdings LLC ("Terphane") and higher volume in surface protection films.

• Bonnell Aluminum's operating profit of $1.7 million increased $0.8 million from the fourth quarter of 2011 due to the fourth quarter 2012 acquisition of AACOA, Inc. ("AACOA").

• Tredegar sold its mitigation banking business, Falling Springs, LLC ("Falling Springs"), on November 20, 2012.

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Tredegar Corporation (NYS: TG) reported fourth-quarter net income from continuing operations of $13.9 million (43 cents per share) compared to $3.5 million (11 cents per share) in the fourth quarter of 2011. Results from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2012 include a net after-tax gain of $4.2 million (13 cents per share) for special items primarily related to an unrealized gain for an investment accounted for under the fair value method. Income from ongoing operations in the fourth quarter, which excludes special items, was $9.7 million (30 cents per share) versus $6.5 million (20 cents per share) in the fourth quarter of last year.

Net income from continuing operations for 2012 was $43.2 million ($1.34 per share) compared to $28.5 million (89 cents per share) in 2011. Results from continuing operations in 2012 include a net after-tax gain of $4.7 million (14 cents per share) for special items primarily related to an unrealized gain for an investment accounted for under the fair value method, partially offset by charges associated with the shutdown of our Kentland, Indiana aluminum extrusions manufacturing facility. Income from ongoing operations in 2012 was $38.5 million ($1.20 per share) versus $27.9 million (87 cents per share) in 2011. Further details regarding the special items that reconcile income from ongoing operations to net income from continuing operations are provided in the financial tables to this press release.

A summary of results for ongoing operations for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 is shown below:

* Ongoing operations include operating profit (loss) of Film Products, Aluminum Extrusions and the Other segment as well as Corporate Expenses, Interest and Taxes. See Notes to the Financial Tables included with this press release for further detail regarding the items included in the reconciliation of income from ongoing operations and diluted earnings per share from ongoing operations, each being a non-GAAP financial measure, to net income and diluted earnings per share as reported under GAAP. In addition, Note (h) within the Notes to the Financial Tables provides the definition of income from ongoing operations and the reasons why the measure is presented.

Nancy M. Taylor, Tredegar's president and chief executive officer, said: "Film Products' performance for the quarter showed improvement versus the fourth quarter of last year, due to stronger results from Terphane and higher volumes in surface protection films. Overall, 2012 proved to be a challenging year for our Films business, with softness in demand and pricing pressures in several of our markets. Film Products ended the year on a positive note but we remain cautious due to the competitive dynamics in our core markets."

Ms. Taylor continued, "We are pleased with a strong year of performance for Bonnell Aluminum. Relative to the fourth quarter, Bonnell benefitted from the addition of AACOA. We're excited about the future opportunities that this acquisition provides, allowing us to broaden our capabilities and more actively participate in markets outside of building and construction."

Ms. Taylor added, "We also divested our mitigation banking business, Falling Springs, in the fourth quarter. The sale of Fallings Springs is consistent with our strategic intent to focus our efforts on manufacturing."

OPERATIONS REVIEW

Film Products

A summary of fourth quarter and full year operating results for Film Products is provided below:

The improvement in operating results for Film Products in 2012 was primarily driven by the addition of flexible packaging films with the acquisition of Terphane on October 24, 2011. Net sales (sales less freight) for Terphane were $36.4 million and $138.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 and full year 2012, respectively, compared to $28.3 million in 2011. Operating profit from ongoing operations for Terphane was $6.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, which includes amortization expense of $1.3 million, and $19.1 million for the full year 2012, which includes amortization expense of $5.1 million. In 2011, Terphane had operating profit of $3.0 million, which included $0.9 million in one-time reimbursements for custom duties and $0.9 million of amortization expense. The operating results for Terphane reflect continued progress on addressing production efficiency issues associated with the upgrade of an existing production line highlighted in previous quarters.

For the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, Film Products' net sales increased primarily due to the acquisition of Terphane and higher sales volumes for the other product lines of approximately $8.4 million, partially offset by a decrease in average selling prices of approximately $4.5 million. Higher net sales volumes are primarily related to improved performance in surface protection materials and personal care films, partially offset by lower volumes in polyethylene overwrap films. Average selling prices decreased primarily from the pass-through of lower resin prices to customers and pricing pressures. The change in the U.S. dollar value of currencies for operations outside the U.S. had an unfavorable impact on net sales of approximately $0.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.

Film Products' fourth-quarter operating profit from ongoing operations was also favorably impacted by the full quarter results from the Terphane acquisition and improved volume and product mix, partially offset by the estimated unfavorable impact of the projected quarterly lag in the pass-through of average resin costs and lower margins for personal care materials. Excluding the impact of the Terphane acquisition, higher sales volumes and improved product mix in Film Products had a favorable impact of approximately $4.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, primarily as a result of higher surface protection volumes. As previously noted in the prior quarter, higher volumes for surface protection products may indicate improving conditions in the display market, although operating results are expected to fluctuate from quarter-to-quarter. We continue to experience margin compression in our premium personal care materials, which adversely impacted operating profit. The estimated impact on operating profit from ongoing operations of the quarterly lag in the pass-through of average resin costs was approximately a negative $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to a positive $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.

As noted above, net sales for 2012 increased in comparison to 2011 primarily due to the acquisition of Terphane. Higher net sales from the acquisition of Terphane were primarily offset by lower volumes in the other product lines of approximately $18.7 million, the unfavorable change in the U.S. dollar value of currencies for operations outside the U.S. of approximately $10.1 million and a decrease in average selling prices of approximately $4.6 million. Lower net sales volumes are primarily related to lower volumes for personal care and polyethylene overwrap films, partially offset by improved performance in surface protection materials in the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease in the average selling prices in 2012 compared to 2011 can be primarily attributed to pricing pressures.

The increase in operating profit from ongoing operations in 2012 compared to 2011 is primarily due to the acquisition of Terphane, partially offset by lower volumes and compressed margins for personal care materials and the unfavorable impact of the change in the U.S. dollar value of currencies outside the U.S. Excluding the impact of the acquisition of Terphane, lower volumes in Film Products had an unfavorable impact of approximately $4.8 million in 2012 compared to 2011. Lower volumes in personal care films were partially mitigated by higher sales volumes for surface protection materials. The change in the U.S. dollar value of currencies for operations outside the U.S. had an unfavorable impact of approximately $1.4 million in 2012 compared to 2011. The estimated impact on operating profit from ongoing operations of the quarterly lag in the pass-through of average resin costs was approximately a negative $0.5 million in 2012 compared to a negative $0.8 million in 2011.

Effective January 1, 2012, the operations of Bright View Technologies Corporation ("Bright View") were incorporated into Film Products to leverage research and development efforts and accelerate new product development. Prior year balances for Bright View have been reclassified to Film Products to conform with the current year presentation. Operating losses for Bright View in 2012 were $3.8 million, which were consistent with 2011.

Capital expenditures in Film Products were $30.5 million in 2012 compared to $12.9 million in 2011, which included approximately $19.6 million in capital expenditures for a project that will expand our capacity at the manufacturing facility in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Brazil. Film Products currently estimates that capital expenditures will be approximately $80 million in 2013, which includes approximately $49 million for the capacity expansion project in Brazil. This multi-year project will significantly increase capacity in Brazil and primarily serve flexible packaging films customers in Latin America. Depreciation expense was $33.9 million in 2012 and $34.6 million in 2011, and is projected to be approximately $32 million in 2013.

Aluminum Extrusions

A summary of fourth quarter and full year operating results for Aluminum Extrusions, which is also referred to as Bonnell Aluminum, is provided below:

Net sales in the fourth quarter of 2012 increased in comparison to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the addition of AACOA, partially offset by a decrease in average selling prices driven by lower aluminum prices. AACOA, which was acquired on October 1, 2012, had net sales of $19.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Excluding the addition of AACOA, sales volumes in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 were relatively flat despite the closing of the Kentland, Indiana manufacturing facility in the third quarter of 2012. As previously reported, approximately half of the Kentland volume was transferred to our other facilities. Net sales in 2012 increased versus 2011 primarily due to the addition of AACOA, partially offset by a decrease in average selling prices driven by lower aluminum prices and lower volumes resulting from the shutdown of the Kentland facility. Excluding the addition of AACOA and the impact of the Kentland plant shutdown, sales volume in 2012 increased 0.6% in comparison to 2011.

Operating profit from ongoing operations increased in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 primarily as a result of the addition of AACOA. AACOA had operating profit of $0.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, which included amortization expense of $0.5 million. Operating profit from ongoing operations increased in 2012 versus 2011 due to improved profitability from the shutdown of our Kentland manufacturing facility, better pricing, lower energy costs and the addition of AACOA. The net impact from the shutdown of our Kentland manufacturing facility had a favorable impact of approximately $2.5 million in 2012.

Capital expenditures for Bonnell Aluminum were $2.3 million in 2012 compared with $2.7 million in 2011. Capital expenditures are projected to be approximately $19 million in 2013, which includes approximately $15 million for an 18-month project that will expand our capacity at the manufacturing facility in Newnan, Georgia. This additional capacity will primarily serve the automotive industry. Depreciation expense was $9.5 million in 2012 compared with $8.3 million in 2011, and is projected to be approximately $7 million in 2013. Higher depreciation expense in 2012 is primarily related to approximately $2.4 million in accelerated depreciation on property, plant and equipment at the Kentland manufacturing facility.

Other

The Other segment previously included the mitigation banking business, which is also referred to as Falling Springs. On November 20, 2012, we sold our membership interests in Falling Springs to Arc Ventures, LC, a Virginia limited liability company affiliated with John D. Gottwald, a member of Tredegar's Board of Directors, for cash and stock proceeds of $16.6 million. The corresponding loss on sale of $3.1 million, which included transaction-related expenses of $0.5 million, and the results of operations related to Falling Springs have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

Corporate Expenses, Interest and Taxes

Pension expense was $8.1 million in 2012, an unfavorable change of $5.8 million from 2011. Most of the pension impact on earnings is reflected in "Corporate expenses, net" in the net sales and operating profit by segment table. Corporate expenses, net increased in 2012 versus 2011 primarily due to the higher pension expenses noted above, an unrealized loss on our investment in the Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. (see Note (f) within the Notes to the Financial Tables for additional detail), certain acquisition-related expenses and higher performance-based incentives.

Interest expense, which includes the amortization of debt issue costs, was $3.6 million in 2012 in comparison to $1.9 million in 2011 as a result of an increase in the average borrowings under our revolving credit facility, which were used to finance a portion of the purchase price for the acquisitions of Terphane in the fourth quarter of 2011 and AACOA in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The effective tax rate used to compute income taxes from continuing operations was 29.8% in 2012 compared with 26.4% in 2011. Income taxes from continuing operations in 2012 primarily reflect the benefit of current year foreign tax incentives. Income taxes for continuing operations in 2011 reflect the recognition of estimated tax benefits from the divestiture of the film products business in Italy, partially offset by the nondeductible acquisition-related expenses associated with the acquisition of Terphane by Film Products. Significant differences between the effective tax rate for continuing operations and the U.S. federal statutory rate for 2012 and 2011 will be provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The change in the effective tax rate for the fourth quarter primarily reflects the impact to income taxes during the fourth quarter to adjust the effective tax rate to the calculated effective tax rate for the full year.

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Net debt (debt in excess of cash and cash equivalents) was $79.2 million at December 31, 2012, compared with $56.1 million at December 31, 2011. In October 2012, we borrowed an additional $51 million under our revolving credit agreement to fund the acquisition of AACOA. Net debt is a financial measure that is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP. See the Notes to the Financial Tables for reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

FORWARD-LOOKING AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

Some of the information contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When we use the words "believe," "estimate," "anticipate," "expect," "project," "likely," "may" and similar expressions, we do so to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on our then current expectations and are subjectto a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements. It is possible that our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, without limitation: acquired businesses, including Terphane and AACOA, may not achieve the levels of revenue, profit, productivity, or otherwise perform as we expect; acquisitions, including our acquisition of Terphane and AACOA, involve special risks, including without limitation, diversion of management's time and attention from our existing businesses, the potential assumption of unanticipated liabilities and contingencies and potential difficulties in integrating acquired businesses and achieving anticipated operational improvements; Film Products is highly dependent on sales to one customer — The Procter & Gamble Company; growth of Film Products depends on its ability to develop and deliver new products at competitive prices; sales volume and profitability of Aluminum Extrusions are cyclical and highly dependent on economic conditions of end-use markets in the U.S., particularly in the construction sector, and are also subject to seasonal slowdowns; our substantial international operations subject us to risks of doing business in foreign countries, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations; our future performance is influenced by costs incurred by our operating companies, including, for example, the cost of energy and raw materials; and the other factors discussed in the reports Tredegar files with or furnishes to the SEC from time-to-time, including the risks and important factors set forth in additional detail in "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of Tredegar's 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "2011 Form 10-K") filed with the SEC. Readers are urged to review and consider carefully the disclosures Tredegar makes in its filings with the SEC, which include the 2011 Form 10-K.

Tredegar does not undertake, and expressly disclaims any duty, to update any forward-looking statement made in this press release to reflect any change in management's expectations or any change in conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which such statements are based.

To the extent that the financial information portion of this release contains non-GAAP financial measures, it also presents both the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP and a quantitative reconciliation of the difference between any such non-GAAP measures and such comparable GAAP financial measures. Accompanying the reconciliation is management's statement concerning the reasons why management believes that presentation of non-GAAP measures provides useful information to investors concerning Tredegar's financial condition and results of operations. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures are provided in the Notes to the Financial Tables included with this press release and can also be found within Presentations in the Investor Relations section of our website, www.tredegar.com. Tredegar uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial information and other material information regarding Tredegar is posted on and assembled in the Investor Relations section of our website.

Tredegar Corporation is primarily a manufacturer of plastic films and aluminum extrusions. A global company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Tredegar had 2012 sales of $882 million. With approximately 2,700 employees, the company operates manufacturing facilities in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.