Graphic Packaging Announces Acquisition of Artistic Carton Company

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (the “Company”), a leading provider of packaging solutions to food, beverage, foodservice, and other consumer products companies, today reported Net Income for second quarter 2019 of $63.8 million, or $0.22 per share, based upon 295.7 million weighted average diluted shares.  This compares to second quarter 2018 Net Income of $49.4 million, or $0.16 per share, based on 311.3 million weighted average diluted shares.

Second quarter 2019 Net Income was impacted by a net $5.8 million of special charges that are detailed in the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures table attached.  When adjusting for these charges, Adjusted Net Income for the second quarter of 2019 was $69.6 million, or $0.24 per diluted share. This compares to second quarter 2018 Adjusted Net Income of $54.5 million or $0.18 per diluted share.

“We reported strong results in the second quarter as our Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 160 basis points year-over-year to 17.2%. Second quarter Adjusted EBITDA of $267 million was ahead of our expectations driven by strong execution on pricing, performance, growth initiatives, and synergies” said President and CEO Michael Doss. “Pricing improved by $40 million during the quarter reflecting the benefits of our pricing initiatives. Importantly, our pricing to commodity input cost relationship was a positive $26 million in the quarter and $41 million in the first half of 2019. We are pleased to be increasing our 2019 Adjusted EBITDA guidance to reflect continued strong execution and a more favorable pricing to commodity input cost relationship. In addition, our commercial teams have been successful in customer negotiations to reduce our pricing lags to 6-months compared to 8-months previously. This reduction is an important milestone as it provides the opportunity to adjust pricing two times per year, on average, to better reflect market conditions. Overall, we operated well in the quarter generating $22 million in performance improvements driven by a continued emphasis on cost efficiencies, benefits from capital projects, and realization of synergies.”