Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 27, 2005

 

    CONTACT:    Ronald J. Domanico
         Senior Vice President and
         Chief Financial Officer
         (770) 948-3101

 

CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC. REPORTS

SECOND QUARTER 2005 RESULTS

 

ATLANTA, Georgia - Caraustar Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ-NMS Symbol: CSAR) today announced that sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 2005 were $269.3 million compared to sales of $268.5 million for the same quarter in 2004. Net income for the second quarter of 2005 was $0.1 million, or $0.00 per share, compared to the second quarter 2004 net income of $1.7 million, or $0.06 per share. The second quarter 2005 and 2004 results included restructuring and impairment costs of approximately $0.3 million and $2.4 million pre-tax, or $0.01 and $0.05 per share, respectively, related to various closures. Negatively impacting second quarter 2005 results were a $1.9 million ($0.07 per share) noncash tax charge to reduce deferred tax assets resulting from a change in Ohio tax law and $760 thousand ($0.02 per share) in accelerated depreciation and employee costs associated with the previously announced closing of the Palmer Carton Plant in Thorndike, Massachusetts.

 

Volume in the quarter was up 1,600 tons, or 0.5 percent, versus the second quarter 2004 as gains in gypsum facing paper sold by the company’s 50-percent owned unconsolidated Premier Boxboard Limited LLC (PBL) joint venture more than offset reductions at the 100-percent owned Sweetwater Paperboard mill resulting from downtime and inefficiencies associated with an equipment upgrade. Income from operations before restructuring and impairment costs in the second quarter 2005 versus the second quarter 2004 was favorably impacted by $3.9 million from higher pricing and $1.0 million in lower fiber costs. This was more than offset by the $2.5 million impact from the decline in consolidated mill volume (primarily Sweetwater), $1.5 million in increased freight, $2.5 million in higher fuel and energy costs, $1.6 million of increased selling, general and administrative costs and $1.3 million in higher pension and other employee costs. Continued strong performances by our two joint ventures, PBL and Standard Gypsum, enabled the company to report a pretax increase in income of approximately $700 thousand.

 

- more -

 

Ÿ    P. O. BOX 115    Ÿ    AUSTELL, GA 30168-0115

AUSTELL THREADMILL COMPLEX    Ÿ    5000 AUSTELL-POWDER SPRINGS ROAD    Ÿ    SUITE 300

AUSTELL, GA 30106-3227    Ÿ    PHONE 770 . 948 . 3101

www.caraustar.com


Caraustar Industries, Inc.

July 27, 2005

Page 2

 

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2005

 

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2005, sales were $538.8 million, an increase of 2.5 percent from sales of $525.6 million in 2004. Net income per share was $0.02 for the first half of 2005, including $0.02 in restructuring and impairment costs. Net loss for the first half of 2004 was $0.18 per share, including $0.12 in restructuring and impairment costs. An $8.9 million increase in equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates, combined with lower restructuring charges for the first half of 2005, drove the $11.6 million improvement in income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest over the first half of 2004. Strong pricing and volume growth in the two joint ventures more than offset volume declines in the company’s mill system and increased freight, energy and selling, general and administrative costs in the first half of 2005.

 

Michael J. Keough, president and chief executive officer of Caraustar, commented, “Our quarterly performance was solid in spite of increased freight and energy costs. Industry volume was down approximately 1 percent compared to the second quarter of 2004 as the general economy and the paper/paperboard sector remained sluggish. Year to date, Caraustar volume is up 3.1 percent in 2005 through June and the industry was down 1.3 percent. Caraustar mill operating rates were 93 percent in the second quarter 2005 versus 96 percent for the same period last year.

 

“Pricing improved in the second quarter 2005 versus the same period last year, although it was business-specific with varying degrees of realization. We announced a paperboard price increase on April 26, 2005 and a price increase for converted tube and core products was announced on June 10, 2005. Results from the paperboard price increase are mixed, with greater success in URB (uncoated recycled boxboard) than CRB (coated recycled boxboard). It is too early to gauge the impact of the converted tube and core products price increase.

 

“Selling, general and administrative costs in the second quarter 2005 were lower by $1.0 million from first quarter 2005, but up $1.6 million versus the same period last year. Included in the second quarter 2005 was a $1.0 million reserve related to a recall by our specialty packaging division. We expect continued decreases in selling, general and administrative costs through aggressive cost management, which will be offset to some extent by our investment in new information technology systems and other infrastructure costs.”

 

Joint Ventures

 

Caraustar’s 50-percent interest in the PBL mill and the two Standard Gypsum wallboard manufacturing facilities contributed $17.9 million of equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates for the six-month period ended June 30, 2005, almost double the prior-year amount. Cash distributions were $16.5 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2005 versus $5.0 million for the same period in 2004. Both joint ventures benefited significantly from a strong housing and construction market. PBL mill volume was up over 10 percent, with 65 percent of its product mix in gypsum facing paper.

 

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Caraustar Industries, Inc.

July 27, 2005

Page 3

 

Liquidity

 

The company ended the second quarter of 2005 with a cash balance of $86.7 million. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2005, Caraustar generated $9.1 million of cash from operating activities, compared to a use of $1.0 million the previous year. Capital expenditures increased year-over-year from $8.9 million to $11.6 million in 2005. The company repurchased $2.5 million of its 9.875 percent Senior Subordinated Notes during the second quarter of 2005. As of June 30, 2005 the company had no borrowings outstanding under its $75.0 million revolving credit facility but does have $37.9 million of letters of credit outstanding that reduce availability.

 

Caraustar, a recycled packaging company, is one of the world’s largest integrated manufacturers of converted recycled paperboard. Caraustar has developed its leadership position in the industry through diversification and integration from raw materials to finished products. Caraustar serves the four principal recycled boxboard product end-use markets: tubes, cores and composite cans; folding cartons; gypsum facing paper and specialty paperboard products. For additional information on Caraustar, please visit the company’s website at www.caraustar.com.

 

Caraustar will be hosting a webcast of its second quarter 2005 financial results beginning at 12:00 p.m. (EDT) on July 27, 2005. In order to listen to the webcast of its conference call, participants can log on to the Caraustar website at www.caraustar.com and look for the webcast button/icon on the “Investor Relations” page.

 

This press release may contain certain “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that represent the company’s expectations, anticipations or beliefs about future events, operating results, financial condition, business opportunities or cost reduction initiatives. For this purpose, any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially depending on a variety of important factors, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in raw material prices and energy costs, increases in pension and insurance costs, downturns in industrial production, housing and construction and the consumption of durable and nondurable goods, the degree and nature of competition, demand for the company’s products, the degree of success achieved by the company’s new product initiatives, changes in government regulations, the company’s ability to complete acquisitions and successfully integrate the operations of acquired businesses, the company’s ability to service its substantial indebtedness and unforeseen difficulties with the consolidation, integration or relocation of the company’s accounting and control operations, IT systems or legal function. Additional relevant risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed in the company’s registration statements and its most recent reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, as amended, filed with or furnished to, the Securities Commission or, to the extent filed via EDGAR, accessed through the web site of the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov). The company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements and is not responsible for any changes made to this press release by wire or Internet services.

 

###


Caraustar Industries, Inc.

Unaudited Supplemental Data

For the Eight Quarters Ending June 30, 2005

 

Volume Sold (tons 000’s):

 

   Q2 2005

   Q1 2005

   Q4 2004

   Q3 2004

   Q2 2004

   Q1 2004

   Q4 2003

   Q3 2003

CSAR Mill Tons Sold (Market) *

     184.6      185.0      176.2      183.2      177.0      169.3      152.4      162.3

CSAR Mill Tons Converted

     106.5      108.2      100.9      110.5      107.9      104.9      95.8      103.6
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Total CSAR Mill Tons *

     291.1      293.2      277.1      293.7      284.9      274.2      248.2      265.9

Outside Paperboard Purchased

     30.3      31.5      33.0      33.9      34.9      32.4      29.7      32.1
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Total Paperboard Controlled *

     321.4      324.7      310.1      327.6      319.8      306.6      277.9      298.0
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Tube & Core Tons

     83.7      83.7      81.7      86.9      85.8      84.5      80.7      82.1

Folding Carton Tons

     99.1      105.4      97.2      103.1      100.3      105.7      91.1      106.5

Gypsum Paper Tons *

     65.1      65.4      66.2      65.7      60.9      52.2      49.0      50.3

Other Specialty Tons *

     73.5      70.2      65.0      71.9      72.8      64.2      57.1      59.1
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Total Paperboard Controlled *

     321.4      324.7      310.1      327.6      319.8      306.6      277.9      298.0
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

PBL gypsum facing and other specialty paper sold *

     51.1      49.1      44.4      42.6      36.6      28.3      24.5      22.4

EBITDA ($ in millions)

   $ 24.7    $ 14.3    $ 20.3    $ 17.8    $ 17.4    $ 9.0    $ 10.5    $ 17.1

 

Changes in Selling Price and Costs ($/ton):

 

     Q2 2005 vs. Q2 2004

    Q2 2005 vs. Q1 2005

 

Mill Average Net Selling Price

   $ 16.4     $ (8.8 )

Mill Average Fiber Cost

     (4.1 )     (4.1 )

Mill Average Fuel & Energy Cost

     10.5       (1.5 )
    


 


Net Increase (Decrease)

   $ 10.0     $ (3.2 )
    


 


Tubes and Cores Average Net Selling Price

   $ 45.5     $ 4.0  

Tubes & Cores Average Paperboard Cost

     22.6       (24.0 )
    


 


Net Increase (Decrease)

   $ 22.9     $ 28.0  
    


 



* Includes gypsum facing and other specialty paper sold by Caraustar’s 50% owned unconsolidated Premier Boxboard (“PBL”) joint venture.


CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

     For The Three Months
Ended June 30,


    For The Six Months
Ended June 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 

SALES

   $ 269,312     $ 268,471     $ 538,836     $ 525,566  

COST OF SALES

     229,784       225,012       459,681       445,581  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

     39,528       43,459       79,155       79,985  

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

     35,453       33,818       71,864       69,267  
    


 


 


 


Income from operations before restructuring and impairment costs

     4,075       9,641       7,291       10,718  

RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT COSTS

     (305 )     (2,361 )     (908 )     (5,533 )
    


 


 


 


Income from operations

     3,770       7,280       6,383       5,185  

OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME:

                                

Interest expense

     (10,425 )     (10,557 )     (21,102 )     (21,261 )

Interest income

     554       160       1,063       347  

Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates

     9,560       6,382       17,916       9,064  

Other, net

     255       (288 )     346       (319 )
    


 


 


 


       (56 )     (4,303 )     (1,777 )     (12,169 )
    


 


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND MINORITY INTEREST

     3,714       2,977       4,606       (6,984 )

(PROVISION) BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAXES

     (3,519 )     (1,285 )     (3,932 )     2,067  

MINORITY INTEREST IN (INCOME) LOSS

     (81 )     51       (106 )     (113 )
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 114     $ 1,743     $ 568     $ (5,030 )
    


 


 


 


BASIC

                                

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

   $ 0.00     $ 0.06     $ 0.02     $ (0.18 )
    


 


 


 


Weighted average number of shares outstanding

     28,765       28,450       28,763       28,421  
    


 


 


 


DILUTED

                                

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

   $ 0.00     $ 0.06     $ 0.02     $ (0.18 )
    


 


 


 


Weighted average number of shares outstanding

     28,857       28,492       28,892       28,421  
    


 


 


 



CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands)

 

     June 30,
2005


    December 31,
2004


 
ASSETS                 

CURRENT ASSETS:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 86,738     $ 89,756  

Receivables, net of allowances

     113,939       102,644  

Inventories

     89,636       89,044  

Refundable income taxes

     331       409  

Current deferred tax asset

     9,762       11,035  

Other current assets

     13,797       11,059  
    


 


Total current assets

     314,203       303,947  
    


 


PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

                

Land

     11,818       11,856  

Buildings and improvements

     139,435       138,872  

Machinery and equipment

     627,948       616,791  

Furniture and fixtures

     16,552       15,725  
    


 


       795,753       783,244  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (409,093 )     (395,110 )
    


 


Property, plant and equipment, net

     386,660       388,134  
    


 


GOODWILL

     183,130       183,130  
    


 


INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

     61,131       59,676  
    


 


OTHER ASSETS

     23,564       24,818  
    


 


     $ 968,688     $ 959,705  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                

Current maturities of debt

   $ 80     $ 80  

Accounts payable

     87,624       84,890  

Accrued interest

     8,767       8,810  

Accrued compensation

     10,775       11,742  

Capital lease obligations

     522       79  

Pension liability

     13,392       0  

Other accrued liabilities

     35,544       34,880  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     156,704       140,481  
    


 


SENIOR CREDIT FACILITY

     0       0  
    


 


OTHER LONG-TERM DEBT, less current maturities

     503,362       506,141  
    


 


LONG-TERM CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS

     855       0  
    


 


DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     59,944       57,320  
    


 


PENSION LIABILITY

     24,444       32,897  
    


 


OTHER LIABILITIES

     5,296       5,614  
    


 


SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                

Common stock

     2,877       2,875  

Additional paid in capital

     191,915       191,903  

Unearned compensation

     (3,872 )     (4,334 )

Retained earnings

     49,120       48,552  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (21,957 )     (21,744 )
    


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     218,083       217,252  
    


 


     $ 968,688     $ 959,705  
    


 



CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

 

     For the Six Months Ended
June 30,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Cash (used in) provided by

                

Operating activities:

                

Net income (loss)

   $ 568     $ (5,030 )

Depreciation and amortization

     14,127       14,265  

Stock-based compensation expense

     458       0  

Gain on repurchase of debt

     (121 )     0  

Restructuring and impairment costs

     249       2,013  

Deferred income taxes

     3,765       (3,266 )

Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions

     (1,416 )     (4,064 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

     (8,539 )     (4,869 )
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     9,091       (951 )
    


 


Investing activities:

                

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (11,551 )     (8,892 )

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

     1,105       2,011  

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

     (40 )     (150 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (10,486 )     (7,031 )
    


 


Financing activities:

                

Repayments of long-term debt

     (2,413 )     (3,517 )

Payments for capital leases

     (234 )     (65 )

Proceeds from swap agreement unwinds

     826       380  

Issuances of stock, net of forfeitures

     198       1,886  
    


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     (1,623 )     (1,316 )
    


 


Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (3,018 )     (9,298 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     89,756       85,551  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 86,738     $ 76,253  
    


 


Supplemental Disclosures:

                

Cash payments for interest

   $ 23,075     $ 22,154  
    


 


Income tax payments

   $ 274     $ 1,136  
    


 


Capital lease obligations incurred

   $ 1,532     $ 0