Tredegar Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results

Tredegar Corporation reported second quarter financial results for the period ended June 30, 2020.

Second quarter 2020 net income was $11.2 million ($0.33 per share) compared with net income of $14.5 million ($0.44 per share) in the second quarter of 2019. Net income from ongoing operations, which excludes special items, was $14.1 million ($0.42 per share) in the second quarter of 2020 and $11.7 million ($0.35 per share) in the second quarter of 2019. A reconciliation of net income (loss), a financial measure calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), to net income from ongoing operations, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, is provided in Note (a) of the Notes to the Financial Tables in this press release.

Second Quarter Financial Results Highlights

• Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) from ongoing operations for Aluminum Extrusions of $13.3 million was $5.3 million lower than the second quarter of 2019
• EBITDA from ongoing operations for PE Films of $15.3 million was $4.2 million higher than the second quarter of 2019
• EBITDA from ongoing operations for Flexible Packaging Films of $6.5 million was $3.6 million higher than the second quarter of 2019

John Steitz, Tredegar’s president and chief executive officer said, “Overall financial results for the second quarter of 2020 were favorable despite COVID-19, which mainly had an adverse impact on our aluminum extrusions business. While our surface protection, flexible packaging and personal care businesses have performed well under COVID-19 to date, its future impact is uncertain.”

Mr. Steitz continued, “Our top priority continues to be the safety of our employees. Our balance sheet remains strong, with cash exceeding debt at the end of the second quarter by $5.9 million for the first time since the acquisition of Terphane in October of 2011.”

On a final note, Mr. Steitz commented, “I’d like to thank all of our employees for their hard work and dedication during these unprecedented times.”

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19

Essential Business and Employee Considerations

The Company’s priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be to protect the health and safety of employees while keeping its manufacturing sites open due to the essential nature of many of its products. The Company’s businesses have been deemed “essential services,” “critical manufacturers,” and “life sustaining industries” under applicable state or national stay-at-home orders and, therefore, remain operational as of the date of this communication. Within the limitations imposed by the health and safety procedures described below, the Company has continued to manufacture the full range of products at its facilities, including certain products that are components for end-uses that are essential, critical or life sustaining such as: (i) polyester-based materials for flexible food packaging, (ii) polyethylene-based film and laminate materials for personal hygiene and packaging products, (iii) aluminum extrusion parts for hospital beds, FEMA tents, temporary hospital structures and medical equipment, (iv) materials for face masks and face shields, and (v) polyethylene-based films used to protect components of flat panel displays during manufacturing and transportation processes, which are instrumental to allowing employees to work from home.

The Company’s efforts to protect the health and well-being of its employees from COVID-19 began at the Company’s Guangzhou, China facility. Protocols developed at Guangzhou guided the Company’s COVID-19 related efforts at other facilities as the outbreak spread beyond China. Those efforts continue to improve as COVID-19 informed work practices evolve and the Company responds to recommended and mandated actions of government and health authorities.

The Company has educated employees about COVID-19 symptoms and hygiene best practices. It has adopted COVID-19 related pay and sick leave policies that incentivize employees to stay home if they feel ill or have been exposed to others with the illness. The Company’s policies include taking an employee’s temperature before entering production facilities; mandating handwashing; requiring social distancing and, where social distancing is difficult, requiring face coverings; streamlining onsite personnel to only those required for production and distribution; strongly encouraging and, where mandated, requiring remote work for all those who can work from home; and disinfecting facilities. In the U.S., the Company has educated employees on COVID-19-related government benefits.

On April 1, 2020, the Company began providing a weekly dashboard to its Board of Directors (the “Board”) highlighting the impacts of COVID-19 on its employees, businesses and financial condition.

As of August 5, the Company was aware that 102 of its employees have had confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the outbreak began, with no fatalities and 81 of those employees having returned to work. Additional employees have been absent or self-quarantined due to COVID-19. Bonnell Aluminum is experiencing higher than normal absenteeism which it attributes to COVID-19-related factors. Since the last update provided in the Company’s first-quarter earnings release as of May 6, 2020, no facilities have been fully shut down and measures to disinfect facilities have not had a significant impact on production.

Bonnell Aluminum continuously attempts to match its direct labor with demand, including declining demand associated with the pandemic. Since the last update provided in the Company’s first-quarter earnings release as of May 6, 2020, Bonnell Aluminum has recalled some of the 240 workers who were subject to layoffs earlier in the year, as customers in the specialty and automotive markets began to re-open.

Financial Considerations

The 2020 annual plan for Bonnell Aluminum (pre-COVID-19) included sales volume of 201 million pounds and EBITDA from ongoing operations of $65 million, versus 2019 sales volume of 208 million pounds and EBITDA from ongoing operations of $65.7 million. Bonnell Aluminum’s current projection for 2020, which accounts for the pandemic that is highly uncertain, includes sales volume of 170 million pounds and EBITDA from ongoing operations of $42 million. The latest projections assume no further downtime at Bonnell Aluminum facilities and the collection of approximately 97% of gross accounts receivable, which totaled approximately $57 million at the end of the second quarter of 2020.

Approximately 58% of Bonnell Aluminum’s net sales in 2019 were related to building and construction (“B&C”) markets (non-residential B&C of 51% and residential B&C of 8%). Much of the current sales volume associated with the B&C market is related to contracts that existed at the start of COVID-19. Once completed, the level of new contracts is highly uncertain. During the economic downturn from 2007 to 2009 (also known as “The Great Recession”), the Company estimates that the aluminum extrusion industry demand peak-to-trough fell approximately 40% from 2006 to 2009, with sequential annual declines during this period of approximately 13%, 13% and 20%, respectively.

Demand has remained strong under COVID-19 conditions for the Company’s flexible food packaging films produced by Terphane and the hygiene materials and medical apertured films produced by the Personal Care component of PE Films. The Surface Protection component of PE Films had record performance for EBITDA from ongoing operations in the second quarter and first half of 2020, but is expecting a slowdown for the second half of the year, based on industry projections for products using flat panel displays and anticipated customer inventory corrections. No significant issues have arisen to-date on the collection of accounts receivable at Terphane, Personal Care or Surface Protection.

Tredegar’s defined benefit pension plan, which was frozen at the end of 2007, was underfunded on a GAAP basis by $100 million at December 31, 2019, comprised of investments at fair value of $218 million and a projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) of $318 million. GAAP accounting requires adjustment for changes in values of assets and the PBO only at the end of each year, even though the value of these amounts changes daily. The Company estimates COVID-19-related changes to the values of pension plan assets and liabilities resulted in an increase in the underfunding from $100 million to $130 million at June 30, 2020.

Tredegar owns approximately 18% of kaléo, Inc. (“kaléo”), which makes and sells an epinephrine delivery device under the name AUVI-Q^®. The Company accounts for its investment in kaléo on a fair value basis. The Company’s estimate of the fair value of its interest in kaléo at June 30, 2020 was $70.7 million ($58.4 million after deferred income taxes), which represents an increase of $1.3 million ($0.9 million after deferred income taxes) and a decrease of $24.8 million ($19.5 million after deferred income taxes) since March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The decline in estimated fair value during the first six months of 2020 was primarily due to: (i) lower expectations for 2020 EBITDA and net cash flow associated with lower market demand for epinephrine delivery devices resulting from COVID-19-related social distancing guidelines, especially if such guidelines or restrictions impact the peak back-to-school season, and (ii) a higher private company liquidity discount. kaléo’s stock is not publicly traded. The ultimate value of Tredegar’s ownership interest in kaléo could be materially different from the $70.7 million estimated fair value reflected in the Company’s financial statements at June 30, 2020.

Tredegar had debt (all under its revolving credit agreement) of $34.0 million and cash of $39.9 million at June 30, 2020. The revolving credit agreement allows borrowings of up to $500 million and matures in June 2024. The Company believes that its most restrictive covenant (computed quarterly) is the leverage ratio, which permits maximum borrowings of up to 4x EBITDA, as defined under the revolving credit agreement for the trailing four quarters (“Credit EBITDA”). The Company had Credit EBITDA and a leverage ratio (calculated in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of the Company’s Quarterly Report on the period ended June 30, 2020 (“Form 10-Q”)) of $97.1 million and 0.35x, respectively, at June 30, 2020. The Company’s current stress testing under a COVID-19-driven recession indicates a low probability that a future leverage ratio will exceed 4.0x, given the low leverage ratio that exists today. The Company is focused on conserving cash and borrowing capacity, has reduced its capital expenditures budget for 2020 from $47 million to $31 million and continues to optimize working capital. The Company’s current quarterly dividend at 12 cents per share aggregates to quarterly dividend payments of approximately $4 million. All decisions with respect to the declaration and payment of dividends will be made by the Board based upon earnings, financial condition, anticipated cash needs, restrictions under the revolving credit agreement and other relevant considerations.

OPERATIONS REVIEW

Aluminum Extrusions

Aluminum Extrusions, which is also referred to as Bonnell Aluminum, produces high-quality, soft-alloy and medium-strength aluminum extrusions primarily for the following markets: building and construction, automotive, and specialty (which consists of consumer durables, machinery and equipment, electrical and distribution end-use products.).

A summary of second quarter operating results for Aluminum Extrusions is provided below:

		Three Months Ended		Favorable/ (Unfavorable) % Change		Six Months Ended		Favorable/ (Unfavorable) % Change
(In thousands, except percentages)		June 30,		June 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Sales volume (lbs)		43,807			53,127			(17.5)	%		91,124			106,839			(14.7)	%
Net sales		$	106,058			$	136,757			(22.4)	%		$	223,945			$	275,804			(18.8)	%
Ongoing operations:
EBITDA		$	13,279			$	18,600			(28.6)	%		$	24,956			$	34,767			(28.2)	%
Depreciation & amortization		$	(4,267)			$	(4,082)			(4.5)	%		$	(8,380)			$	(8,164)			2.6	%
EBIT*		$	9,012			$	14,518			(37.9)	%		$	16,576			$	26,603			(37.7)	%
Capital expenditures		$	1,355			$	4,420					$	2,929			$	8,787
* See the net sales and EBITDA from ongoing operations by segment statements for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to GAAP.

Second Quarter 2020 Results vs. Second Quarter 2019 Results

Net sales (sales less freight) in the second quarter of 2020 decreased versus 2019 primarily due to lower sales volume and the pass-through of lower metal costs, partially offset by an increase in average selling prices to cover higher operating costs. Sales volume in the second quarter of 2020 decreased by 17.5% versus 2019. Sales volume in the specialty and automotive markets, which represented approximately 32% and 9% of 2019 sales, respectively, experienced double-digit declines for the period. Non-residential building and construction shipments were relatively flat, but the Company expects a decline in its shipments for this end market, potentially beginning later this year as a result of COVID-19-related reduced demand. See the “The Impact of COVID-19” section for more information on business conditions and projections.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the second quarter of 2020 decreased by $5.3 million in comparison to the second quarter of 2019 due to lower volumes ($6.0 million) and higher labor and employee-related costs ($1.0 million), partially offset by higher pricing ($3.1 million). In addition, the timing of the flow through under the first-in first-out (“FIFO”) method of aluminum raw material costs previously acquired at higher prices in a quickly dropping commodity pricing environment resulted in a charge of $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2020 versus a charge of $0.4 in the second quarter of 2019.

First Six Months 2020 Results vs. First Six Months 2019 Results

Net sales in the first six months of 2020 decreased versus 2019 primarily due to lower sales volume and the pass-through of lower metal costs, partially offset by an increase in average selling prices to cover higher operating costs. Sales volume in the first six months of 2020 decreased by 14.7% versus 2019.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the first six months of 2020 decreased by $9.8 million in comparison to the first six months of 2019 due to lower volumes ($10.8 million) and higher labor and employee-related costs ($1.6 million), partially offset by higher pricing ($4.7 million). In addition, and consistent with second quarter results, inventories accounted for under the FIFO method resulted in a charge of $3.5 million in the first six months of 2020 versus a charge of $0.7 in the first six months of 2019.

Projected Capital Expenditures and Depreciation & Amortization

Capital expenditures for Bonnell Aluminum are projected to be $12 million in 2020, including the expected initial investment for a multi-year project to migrate to a new division-wide enterprise resource planning and manufacturing excellence system ($2 million, which reflects a delay in activity as a result of COVID-19), infrastructure upgrades at the Carthage, Tennessee and Newnan, Georgia facilities ($2 million), and approximately $9 million required to support continuity of current operations. Depreciation expense is projected to be $14 million in 2020. Amortization expense is projected to be $3 million in 2020.

PE Films

PE Films is composed of surface protection films, personal care materials, polyethylene overwrap films and films for other markets. A summary of second quarter operating results for PE Films is provided below:

		Three Months Ended		Favorable/ (Unfavorable) % Change		Six Months Ended		Favorable/ (Unfavorable) % Change
(In thousands, except percentages)		June 30,		June 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Sales volume (lbs)		25,818			25,476			1.3	%		53,346			51,322			3.9	%
Net sales		$	71,012			$	69,161			2.7	%		$	142,273			$	135,941			4.7	%
Ongoing operations:
EBITDA		$	15,319			$	11,160			37.3	%		$	29,507			$	17,703			66.7	%
Depreciation & amortization		$	(3,753)			$	(3,394)			10.6	%		$	(7,477)			$	(6,986)			7.0	%
EBIT*		$	11,566			$	7,766			48.9	%		$	22,030			$	10,717			105.6	%
Capital expenditures		$	2,110			$	5,654					$	4,525			$	12,358
* See the net sales and EBITDA from ongoing operations by segment statements for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to GAAP.

Second Quarter 2020 Results vs. Second Quarter 2019 Results

Net sales in the second quarter of 2020 increased versus 2019 due to higher sales in Surface Protection. Surface Protection sales increased by $2.4 million while Personal Care sales decreased by $1.7 million.

Net sales in Surface Protection increased due to higher volume. As discussed further below, a possible customer product transition in Surface Protection continues to be delayed. Net sales in Personal Care decreased primarily due to unfavorable pricing. In addition, net sales in Personal Care were adversely impacted by the decline in the value of currencies for operations outside of the U.S. relative to the U.S. Dollar.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the second quarter of 2020 increased by $4.2 million versus the second quarter of 2019 primarily due to:

• A $0.7 million increase from Surface Protection, with the second quarters of 2020 and 2019 being the two highest quarters on record, primarily due to higher volume and product mix ($1.6 million), partially offset by lower productivity ($0.5 million) and higher research and development (“R&D”) and other expenses ($0.3 million); and
• A $2.5 million increase from Personal Care, primarily due to favorable product mix ($1.2 million), lower freight costs ($0.7 million) and a benefit from the timing of resin cost pass-throughs ($1.3 million), partially offset by unfavorable net foreign exchange impact ($0.5 million).

See the “The Impact of COVID-19” section for more information.

Customer Product Transitions in Personal Care and Surface Protection

The Company previously disclosed a significant customer product transition for the Personal Care component of PE Films. Annual sales for this product declined from approximately $70 million in 2018 to $30 million in 2019. The Company extended an arrangement with this customer that is expected to generate sales of this product at approximately 2019 levels through at least 2022.

Personal Care had approximately break-even EBITDA from ongoing operations in 2019 as competitive pressures resulted in missed sales and margin goals. Personal Care continues to focus on new business development and cost reduction initiatives in an effort to improve profitability.

The Surface Protection component of PE Films supports manufacturers of optical and other specialty substrates used in flat panel display products. These films are primarily used by customers to protect components of displays in the manufacturing and transportation processes and then discarded.

The Company previously reported the risk that a portion of its film products used in surface protection applications will be made obsolete by possible future customer product transitions to less costly alternative processes or materials. These transitions principally relate to one customer. The full transition continues to encounter delays, resulting in higher than expected sales to this customer in the last four quarters. The Company estimates that during the next four quarters the adverse impact on EBITDA from ongoing operations from this customer shift versus the last four quarters ended June 30, 2020 could possibly be $14 million. To offset the potential adverse impact, the Company is aggressively pursuing and making progress generating sales from new surface protection products, applications and customers.

First Six Months 2020 Results vs. First Six Months 2019 Results

Net sales in the first six months of 2020 increased versus 2019 due to higher sales in Surface Protection. Surface Protection sales increased by $10.9 million while Personal Care sales decreased by $5.3 million.

Net sales in Surface Protection increased due to higher volume and favorable mix. Net sales in Personal Care decreased as a result of lower volume and unfavorable pricing. In addition, net sales in Personal Care were adversely impacted by the decline in the value of currencies for operations outside of the U.S. relative to the U.S. Dollar.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the first six months of 2020 increased by $11.8 million versus the first six months of 2019 primarily due to:

• A $6.1 million increase from Surface Protection, including record performance for the first half of 2020, primarily due to higher volume and mix (net favorable impact of $7.4 million), partially offset by lower productivity ($1.0 million) and higher R&D expense ($0.3 million); and
• A $5.1 million increase from Personal Care, primarily due to favorable product mix ($1.3 million), the benefit of the timing of resin cost pass-throughs ($2.3 million), production efficiencies ($0.7 million), and lower freight costs ($0.8 million), partially offset by unfavorable pricing ($0.5 million).

Projected Capital Expenditures and Depreciation & Amortization

Capital expenditures for PE Films are projected to be $13 million in 2020 including: $2 million to complete a scale-up line in Surface Protection to improve development and speed to market for new products; $2 million for other development projects; and $9 million for capital expenditures required to support continuity of current operations. Depreciation expense is projected to be $15 million in 2020. There is no amortization expense for PE Films.

Flexible Packaging Films

Flexible Packaging Films, which is also referred to as Terphane, produces polyester-based films for use in packaging applications that have specialized properties, such as heat resistance, strength, barrier protection and the ability to accept high-quality print graphics. A summary of second quarter operating results for Flexible Packaging Films is provided below:

		Three Months Ended		Favorable/ (Unfavorable) % Change		Six Months Ended		Favorable/ (Unfavorable) % Change
(In thousands, except percentages)		June 30,		June 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Sales volume (lbs)		29,195			26,460			10.3	%		54,974			51,921			5.9	%
Net sales		$	34,104			$	33,443			2.0	%		$	64,678			$	67,062			(3.6)	%
Ongoing operations:
EBITDA		$	6,495			$	2,880			125.5	%		$	13,048			$	6,084			114.5	%
Depreciation & amortization		$	(436)			$	(363)			20.1	%		$	(864)			$	(707)			22.2	%
EBIT*		$	6,059			$	2,517			140.7	%		$	12,184			$	5,377			126.6	%
Capital expenditures		$	417			$	1,260					$	1,265			$	2,994
* See the net sales and EBITDA from ongoing operations by segment statements for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to GAAP.

Second Quarter 2020 Results vs. Second Quarter 2019 Results

Net sales in the second quarter of 2020 increased 2.0% compared to the second quarter of 2019 primarily due to higher sales volume, partially offset by lower selling prices from the pass-through of lower resin costs.

Terphane’s EBITDA from ongoing operations in the second quarter of 2020 increased by $3.6 million versus the second quarter of 2019 primarily due to:

• Lower raw material costs ($4.0 million), higher sales volume ($1.1 million) and the benefit from production efficiencies resulting in lower variable costs ($0.7 million), partially offset by lower selling prices ($2.6 million);
• Net favorable foreign currency translation of Real-denominated operating costs ($0.6 million); and
• Foreign currency transaction losses of $0.3 million in 2020 versus losses of $0.1 million in 2019.

Terphane has experienced strong demand for food packaging materials during the COVID-19 environment, with high demand in the United States and Europe for value-added products. See the “The Impact of COVID-19” section for more information.