UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

Commission File Number 1-5277

BEMIS COMPANY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Missouri

 

43-0178130

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

One Neenah Center

 

 

4th Floor, P.O. Box 669

 

 

Neenah, Wisconsin

 

54956-0669

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (920) 727-4100

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant 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 and has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.                    YES   x   NO   o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.

Large Accelerated Filer  x

Accelerated Filer  o

Non-Accelerated Filer  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company.                    YES   o   NO   x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. As of May 9, 2007, the Registrant had 104,594,560 shares of Common Stock, $.10 par value, issued and outstanding.

 




PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The unaudited financial statements, enclosed as Exhibit 19 to this Form 10-Q, are incorporated by reference into this Item 1. In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

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

Overview

Bemis Company, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of flexible packaging and pressure sensitive materials supplying a variety of markets. Generally about 60 percent of our total company net sales are to customers in the food industry.

Net sales for the first quarter ended March 31, 2007, were $909.1 million compared to $901.6 million in the first quarter of 2006, a 0.8 percent increase. Net income totaled $48.3 million for the first quarter of 2007, compared to $37.8 million for the same period of 2006. Net income included the impact of a pre-tax restructuring net gain of $0.5 million for the first quarter of 2007, and a charge of $11.3 million for the first quarter of 2006. First quarter 2007 diluted earnings per share were $0.45, an increase of 28.0 percent compared to $0.35 per share in the same period of 2006.

Market Conditions

The markets into which our products are sold are highly competitive. Our leading flexible packaging market positions in North and South America reflect our focus on expanding value-added, proprietary products many of which are not available from our competitors. The primary raw materials for our business segments are polymer resins, films and adhesives, the cost of which has been impacted in recent years by higher energy prices.

Results of Operations — First Quarter 2007

Consolidated Overview

Net sales for the first quarter ended March 31, 2007, were $909.1 million compared to $901.6 million in the first quarter of 2006, an increase of 0.8 percent. Currency effects increased net sales by 2.3 percent compared to the same quarter of 2006.

Net income totaled $48.3 million for the first quarter of 2007, compared to $37.8 million for the same period of 2006. Net income included the impact of a pre-tax restructuring net gain of $0.5 million for the first quarter of 2007, and a charge of $11.3 million for the first quarter of 2006. Diluted earnings per share were $0.45 for the first quarter compared to $0.35 in the first quarter of 2006.

Flexible Packaging Business Segment

Net sales for the flexible packaging business segment increased to $743.2 million this quarter compared to $740.2 million in the first quarter of 2006, a 0.4 percent increase. Currency effects accounted for 1.9 percent net sales growth during the current quarter, reflecting the impact of the strengthened European and Brazilian currencies. Net sales increased in meat and cheese, dairy and liquids, pet food, medical and multipack market categories, representing about 50 percent of flexible packaging sales. Net sales decreased in dry foods, confectionery and snack, bakery, and industrial market categories, representing about 25 percent of flexible packaging net sales.

Operating profit from the flexible packaging business segment was $88.2 million during the first quarter of 2007 compared to $70.9 million during the first quarter of 2006 (see accompanying notes to the financial statements, Note 9, “Segments of Business,” for a reconciliation of operating profit to income before income taxes). Operating profit as a percentage of net sales for the first quarter of 2007 was 11.9 percent compared to 9.6 percent for the first quarter of 2006. The first quarter of 2007 included a net gain of $0.5 million on the sales of facilities that were closed during the 2006 restructuring effort. Restructuring and related charges totaling $11.0 million reduced operating profit during the first quarter of 2006. Successful cost management in addition to improved sales mix in 2007 contributed to increased levels of operating profit.

Pressure Sensitive Materials Business Segment

First quarter net sales for the pressure sensitive materials business segment increased 2.8 percent to $165.9 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared to $161.4 million in the same quarter of 2006. Currency effects accounted for 4.3 percent net sales growth.         Net sales decreased in label products, partially offset by sales growth in graphic products.

Operating profit from the pressure sensitive materials business in the first quarter of 2007 was $14.3 million, or 8.6 percent of net sales, compared to $14.7 million, or 9.1 percent of net sales, in the first quarter of 2006 (see accompanying notes to the financial statements, Note 9, “Segments of Business,” for a reconciliation of operating profit to income before income taxes). Higher operating profit in the first quarter of 2006 reflects a more favorable mix of technical product sales. Operating profit for the first quarter of 2006 included net restructuring and related charges of $0.3 million related to the closure of one plant.

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Consolidated Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $85.5 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared to $83.7 million for the first quarter of 2006. As a percentage of sales, this category of expenses was 9.4 percent in the first quarter of 2007 compared to 9.3 percent for the same period of 2006.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $12.5 million for the first quarter of 2007, a decrease of $0.3 million from the first quarter of 2006, reflecting lower debt levels in 2007 partially offset by an increase in interest rates.

Other Costs (Income), Net

In the first quarter of 2007, other costs and income included $5.1 million of financial income compared to $3.0 million financial income for the first quarter of 2006. The 2006 period included $4.5 million restructuring charge for employee-related costs partially offset by financial income.

Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate was 37.8 percent in the first quarter of 2007, a decrease from our rate for the same period of 2006 of 39.0 percent. This lower tax rate reflects the increasing impact of U.S. tax incentives for manufacturing companies. The difference between our overall tax rate and the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35 percent in each period principally relates to state and local income taxes net of federal income tax benefits.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Debt to Total Capitalization

Debt to total capitalization (which includes total debt, long-term deferred tax liabilities and equity) was 34.6 percent at March 31, 2007, compared to 33.0 percent at December 31, 2006. Total debt as of March 31, 2007, was $854.4 million, an increase of $64.6 million from the balance of $789.8 at December 31, 2006.

Sources of Liquidity

Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $73.1 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared to $49.0 million in the same period of 2006. Higher levels of net income contributed to the improved cash flow for the period ended March 31, 2007.

Under the terms of a revolving credit agreement, we have the capacity to borrow up to $500 million through September 2, 2009, including a $100 million multicurrency limit to support the financing needs of our international subsidiaries. This facility is primarily used to support our issuance of commercial paper. On March 31, 2007, total commercial paper outstanding was $135.3 million, and multicurrency loans outstanding totaled $57.3 million. We had the capacity to borrow an additional $299.4 million under the credit facility as of March 31, 2007. In addition to the funds available under this credit facility, we also have the capability of issuing up to $100 million of Extendable Commercial Notes (ECNs), which are short-term instruments whose maturity can be extended to 390 days from the date of issuance. Management expects cash flow from operations and available liquidity described above to be sufficient to support operations.

Uses of Liquidity

Capital expenditures were $47.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared to $36.8 million for the same period of 2006. The first quarter of 2007 included about $20 million of spending which had been originally planned for the fourth quarter of 2006. Capital expenditures for 2007 are expected to be in the range of $175 to $185 million.

In the first three months ended March 31, 2007, we repurchased 1,000,000 shares of common stock in the open market for $34.2 million. The purchases were made during the first quarter under a plan established under Rule 10b5-1 to offset the dilutive impact of stock awards on an annual basis. As of March 31, 2007, the remaining balance of Board authorization for common stock repurchases was 4.2 million shares.

Interest Rate Swaps

The fair value of interest rate swap agreements recorded on the balance sheet increased from $2.5 million at December 31, 2006, to $2.7 million at March 31, 2007. The impact of this change was a $0.2 million increase in the recorded value of long-term debt with a corresponding increase in other assets.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain estimates, predictions, and other “forward-looking statements” (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and 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). Forward-looking statements are generally identified with the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “will,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “continue,” or the negative thereof or other similar expressions, or discussion of future goals or aspirations, which are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and which do not relate to historical matters. Such statements are based on information available to management as of the time of such statements and relate to, among other things, expectations of the business environment in which we operate, projections of future performance (financial and otherwise), including those of acquired companies, perceived opportunities in the market and statements regarding our mission and vision. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking

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statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expected include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions caused by inflation, interest rates, consumer confidence, rates of unemployment and foreign currency exchange rates; investment performance of assets in our pension plans; competitive conditions within our markets, including the acceptance of our new and existing products; customer contract bidding activity; threats or challenges to our patented or proprietary technologies; raw material costs, availability, and terms, particularly for polymer resins and adhesives; price changes for raw materials and our ability to pass these price changes on to our customers or otherwise manage commodity price fluctuation risks; unexpected energy surcharges; broad changes in customer order patterns; our ability to achieve expected cost savings associated with cost management initiatives; the presence of adequate cash available for investment in our business in order to maintain desired debt levels; a failure in our information technology infrastructure or applications; changes in governmental regulation, especially in the areas of environmental, health and safety matters, and foreign investment; unexpected outcomes in our current and future litigation proceedings, including the civil lawsuits related to competitive practices in the labelstock industry; unexpected outcomes in our current and future tax proceedings; changes in our labor relations; and the impact of changes in the world political environment including threatened or actual armed conflict. These and other risks, uncertainties, and assumptions identified from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, could cause actual future results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. In addition, actual future results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statement as a result of changes in the assumptions used in making such forward-looking statement.

Explanation of Terms Describing the Company’s Products

Barrier laminate — A multilayer plastic film made by laminating two or more films together with the use of glue or a molten plastic to achieve a barrier for the planned package contents.

Barrier products — Products that provide protection and extend the shelf life of the contents of the package. These products provide this protection by combining different types of plastics and chemicals into a multilayered plastic package. These products protect the contents from such things as moisture, sunlight, odor, or other elements.

Blown film — A plastic film that is extruded through a round die in the form of a tube and then expanded by a column of air in the manufacturing process.

Cast film — A plastic film that is extruded through a straight slot die as a flat sheet during its manufacturing process.

Coextruded film — A multiple layer extruded plastic film.

Controlled atmosphere packaging — A package which limits the flow of elements, such as oxygen or moisture, into or out of the package.

Graphic products — Pressure sensitive materials used for decorative signage, promotional items, displays, advertisements and visual communication applications.

Flexible polymer film — A non-rigid plastic film.

Flexographic printing — The most common flexible packaging printing process in North America using a raised rubber or alternative material image mounted on a printing cylinder.

In-line overlaminating capability — The ability to add a protective coating to a printed material during the printing process.

Labelstock — Base material for pressure sensitive labels.

Modified atmosphere packaging — A package in which the atmosphere inside the package has been modified by a gas such as nitrogen.

Monolayer film — A single layer extruded plastic film.

Multiwall paper bag — A package made from two or more layers of paper.

Polyolefin shrink film — A packaging film consisting of polyethylene and/or polypropylene resins extruded via the blown process. The film can be irradiated in a second process to cross-link the molecules for added strength, durability, and toughness. The product is characterized by thin gauge, high gloss, sparkle, transparency, and good sealing properties.

Pressure sensitive material — A material with adhesive such that upon contact with another material it will stick.

Label products — Pressure sensitive materials sold in roll and/or sheet form and used by label converters for product labeling and promotional applications.

Rotogravure printing — A high quality, long run printing process utilizing a metal cylinder.

Stretch film — A plastic film used to wrap pallets in the shipping process, which has significant ability to stretch.

Technical products — Technically engineered pressure sensitive materials used primarily for fastening and mounting functions.

Thermoformed plastic packaging — A package formed by applying heat to a film to shape it into a tray or cavity and then placing a flat film on top of the package after it has been filled.

UV inhibitors — Chemicals which protect against ultraviolet rays.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in the Company’s market risk during the three-month period ended March 31, 2007. For additional information, refer to Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company’s management, under the direction, supervision, and involvement of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has carried out an evaluation, as of the end of the period covered by this report, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange

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Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) of the Company. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that disclosure controls and procedures in place at the Company are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and 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. There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The material set forth in Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Exhibit 19 to this Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

 

 

Total Number

 

Average

 

Total Number of Shares Purchased

 

Maximum Number of Shares

 

 

 

of Shares

 

Price Paid

 

as Part of Publicly Announced

 

That May Yet Be Purchased

 

Period

 

Purchased

 

per Share

 

Plans or Programs

 

Under the Plans or Programs

 

February 1-28, 2007

 

997,200

 

$

34.15

 

997,200

 

 

 

March 1-31, 2007

 

2,800

 

$

34.63

 

2,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$

34.15

 

1,000,000

 

4,224,886

 

 

On January 29, 2007, the Company adopted a plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to facilitate the repurchase, during the first quarter of 2007, of up to 1,000,000 shares of its common stock in order to offset the dilutive effect of the Company’s stock used in annual incentive plans. This plan was completed with the repurchase of 1,000,000 shares of common stock during the first quarter of 2007. Also during the first quarter of 2007 the Board of Directors increased the authority to repurchase the Company’s common stock by 3,000,000 shares. As of March 31, 2007, under authority granted by the Board of Directors in 2000 and 2007, the Company may repurchase an additional 4,224,886 shares of its common stock.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

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SIGNATURES

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

BEMIS COMPANY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

May 9, 2007

 

/s/ Gene C. Wulf

 

 

Gene C. Wulf, Senior Vice President and

 

  Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Date

May 9, 2007

 

/s/ Stanley A. Jaffy

 

 

Stanley A. Jaffy, Vice President

 

 

  and Controller

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit

 

Description

 

Form of Filing

 

 

 

 

 

 

3(a)

 

 

Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended. (1)

 

Incorporated by Reference

3(b)

 

 

By-Laws of the Registrant, as amended through May 6, 2004. (1)

 

Incorporated by Reference

4(a)

 

 

Form of Indenture dated as of June 15, 1995, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank Trust

 

 

 

 

 

National Association (formerly known as First Trust National Association), as Trustee. (2)

 

Incorporated by Reference

4(b)

 

 

Certificate of Bemis Company, Inc. regarding Rights Agreement. (3)

 

Incorporated by Reference

4(c)

 

 

Rights Agreement, dated as of July 29, 1999, between the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (formerly known as Norwest Bank  Minnesota, National Association). (4)

 

Incorporated by Reference

19

 

 

Reports Furnished to Security Holders.

 

Filed Electronically

31.1

 

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of CEO.

 

Filed Electronically

31.2

 

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of CFO.

 

Filed Electronically

32

 

 

Section 1350 Certification of CEO and CFO.

 

Filed Electronically

 


(1)                                  Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 (File No. 1-5277).

(2)                                  Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 1995 (File No. 1-5277).

(3)                                  Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 1-5277).

(4)                                  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on August 4, 1999 (File No. 1-5277).

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