Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 4, 2007

 

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

CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC. REPORTS

FIRST QUARTER 2007 RESULTS

ATLANTA, Georgia - Caraustar Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSAR) today announced that sales for the first quarter ended March 31, 2007 were $232.7 million, a decrease of 11.8 percent compared to sales of $263.9 million for the same quarter in 2006. Included in the first quarter 2006 sales was $22.9 million related to the company’s Rittman, OH and Sprague, CT coated recycled paperboard operations, both of which were exited in 2006. Loss from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2007 was $8.9 million, or $0.31 per share, compared to income from continuing operations of $81.6 million, or $2.82 per share for the same quarter last year. The first quarter 2007 and 2006 results included pretax restructuring and impairment costs of approximately $5.8 million and $4.8 million, or $0.13 and $0.11 per share, respectively. The first quarter 2006 also included a gain of approximately $135.2 million pretax, or $3.03 per share, related to the sale of the company’s 50-percent ownership interest in its Standard Gypsum, L.P. joint venture.

The first quarter 2007 loss from continuing operations was negatively impacted by accelerated depreciation of $1.2 million ($0.03 per share) related to the closure of the company’s York, PA folding carton plant and its Leyland, England tube and core facility. Also negatively impacting first quarter 2007 results was $0.8 million ($0.02 per share) of consulting and other costs associated with the “go live” of the Finance and Human Resource modules of the company’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

Paperboard mill volume for the first quarter of 2007 decreased approximately 92.0 thousand tons, or 27.8 percent, compared to the same quarter last year. Excluding the Rittman and Sprague coated recycled paperboard tons from first quarter 2006, paperboard mill volume decreased 26.4 thousand tons, or 10.0 percent versus an industry decline of 7.6 percent. Folding carton volume, excluding Rittman and Sprague, increased 24.9 percent, whereas tube, core and composite can volume decreased 9.9 percent. Gypsum facing paper volume, including volume at the company’s 50-percent owned unconsolidated Premier Boxboard Limited, LLC (PBL) joint venture, declined 29.4 percent compared to the same quarter last year as the demand for wallboard was impacted by the downturn in the housing market. Quarter-over-quarter, mill margins decreased $11 per ton as the fiber increase

 

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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.

May 4, 2007

Page 2

 

of $41 per ton more than offset benefits from higher selling prices and lower fuel and energy costs. Tube and core margins increased primarily due to a $64 per ton increase in pricing, partially offset by a $29 per ton increase in the cost of paperboard.

Michael J. Keough, president and chief executive officer of Caraustar, commented, “Caraustar’s operating results for the first quarter were significantly impacted by system-wide and industry volume shortfalls and a considerable increase in recovered fiber prices that took OCC (old corrugated containers) costs to a five-year peak. We announced two $50 per ton uncoated recycled boxboard price increases in March in order to recover our increased fiber costs, but there was minimal realization of these increases in the first quarter of 2007. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, fiber costs began to recede, which could jeopardize further realization of those price increases. Overall, volumes have improved since March 31, but demand continues to lag in the gypsum facing business. We have bolstered our PBL facility by selling out the mill in the month of March with both medium and liner grades, and we expect the mill to run full for the foreseeable future. Our mill system operated at 93.1 percent of capacity versus 96.9 percent for the same period a year ago. Energy costs offered some relief with per ton costs lower for the quarter by approximately $16 versus last year.

“We continue to consolidate business into fewer, more efficient facilities as we did this quarter with the closing of the Lafayette, IN paperboard mill, the York, PA folding carton plant and the Leyland, England tube and core plant. We incurred significant short-term restructuring and other costs to obtain future benefits. Our comprehensive initiative to reduce SG&A led to a $6.1 million reduction in costs versus the first quarter last year, and the percent of SG&A to sales declined from 13.5 percent to 12.6 percent despite the intentional contraction of the scale of the company. We also went live in January with the first modules of our ERP system, which will help us run our operations more efficiently.”

Liquidity

The company ended the quarter with a cash balance of $1.2 million compared to $1.0 million at December 31, 2006. For the quarters ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the company used $7.8 million and $5.3 million of cash in operating activities. The decline in cash used from operations in 2006 was primarily due to lower operating results. Capital expenditures increased year-over-year from $7.8 million to $8.1 million in 2007.

As of March 31, 2007, the company had $51.7 million in borrowings outstanding under its $135.0 million senior secured credit facility and had $16.6 million in letters of credit outstanding. As of March 31, 2007, the company had availability under the revolver portion of the Senior Credit Facility of $26.2 million.

Cash restructuring costs related to the closure of facilities were $4.9 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared to $0 in the same period last year.

Caraustar, a recycled paperboard and 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.

 

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Caraustar Industries, Inc.

May 4, 2007

Page 3

 

Caraustar Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSAR) will host a conference call to review first quarter results on Friday, May 4, 2007 beginning at 9:00 a.m. (ET) that will be webcast live. 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 contains 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 plans and industry trends and their potential impact on the company’s business and financial results. Statements that are not statements of historical fact, as well as statements including words such as “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from results expressed or implied by such statements. Such risk factors include, among others: 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, the degree of market receptiveness to price increases and energy surcharges, changes in demand for the company’s products, the degree of success achieved by the company’s new product initiatives, uncertainties related to the company’s ability to successfully complete its announced strategic transformation plan, future financing plans and needs, the impact on the company of its results of operation in recent years and the sufficiency of its financial resources to absorb the impact, changes in government regulations, the company’s ability to service its substantial indebtedness, and unforeseen difficulties with the consolidation, integration of the company’s accounting and control operations and IT systems. 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. These documents may be 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.

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Caraustar Industries, Inc.

Unaudited Supplemental Data

Volume Sold (tons):

 

      In thousands
     Q1 2007    Q4 2006    Q3 2006    Q2 2006    Q1 2006

CSAR Mill Tons Sold (Market) *

   117.6    119.7    145.2    189.2    193.9

CSAR Mill Tons Converted

   79.7    77.0    90.9    110.4    108.2
                        

Total CSAR Mill Tons *

   197.3    196.7    236.1    299.6    302.1

Outside Paperboard Purchased

   41.5    41.3    45.2    26.6    28.7
                        

Total Paperboard Controlled *

   238.8    238.0    281.3    326.2    330.8
                        

Tube & Core Tons

   75.6    76.2    81.0    83.3    84.3

Folding Carton Tons

   57.7    56.5    78.5    104.3    107.3

Gypsum Paper Tons *

   50.5    51.3    59.6    72.1    71.4

Other Specialty Tons *

   55.0    54.0    62.2    66.5    67.8
                        

Total Paperboard Controlled *

   238.8    238.0    281.3    326.2    330.8
                        

PBL gypsum facing and other specialty paper sold *

   35.8    35.1    42.0    49.1    49.0

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

 

     Q1 2007 vs. Q1 2006     Q1 2007 vs. Q4 2006  

Mill Average Selling Price

   $ 12.9     $ 0.1  

Mill Average Fiber Cost

     40.6       24.2  

Mill Average Fuel & Energy Cost

     (16.4 )     (1.7 )
                

Net Increase (Decrease)

   $ (11.3 )   $ (22.4 )
                

Tubes and Cores Average Selling Price

   $ 63.8     $ 26.0  

Tubes & Cores Average Paperboard Cost

     28.4       (3.3 )
                

Net Increase (Decrease)

   $ 35.4     $ 29.3  
                

Reconciliation of Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operations to Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (as defined by our Senior Credit Facility Agreement):

 

     In thousands  
     Q1 2007     Q4 2006     Q3 2006     Q2 2006     Q1 2006  

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

   $ (7,847 )   $ (6,963 )   $ 7,399     $ 1,717     $ (5,267 )

Changes in working capital items and other

     2,400       6,914       (3,575 )     13,686       (9,175 )

Write off of deferred debt costs

     —         —         —         —         (155 )

(Benefit) Provision for income taxes

     (3,290 )     (8,069 )     (1,609 )     (8,521 )     43,886  

Change in deferred taxes

     3,414       6,009       (1,134 )     678       (28,804 )

Interest expense

     4,650       4,391       4,397       6,962       10,163  

Return of investment in unconsolidated affiliates

     —         —         1,536       1,384       —    
                                        

EBITDA **

   $ (673 )   $ 2,282     $ 7,014     $ 15,906     $ 10,648  
                                        

 

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

 

** This item is not a financial measure under generally accepted accounting principals (GAAP) in the United States. Because this item is not a GAAP financial measure, other companies may present similarly titled items determined with differing adjustments. Accordingly, this measure as presented should not be used to evaluate the Company’s performance by comparison to any similarly titled measures presented by other companies. The Company has included this non-GAAP financial measure because it uses this measure, and believes this measure is useful in evaluating the Company’s ongoing comparable operating results, cash position and its ability to generate cash. The tables above include a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure with the most comparable GAAP measurement. Investors are strongly urged to review these reconciliations. In addition, the exclusion of certain adjustment items in the calculation of these non-GAAP measures does not imply that such items are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual. The Company has experienced such items in prior periods, and may experience similar items in future periods.


CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

     For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2007     2006  

Sales

   $ 232,745     $ 263,881  

Cost of goods sold

     205,337       226,551  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     29,433       35,507  
                

(Loss) income from operations before restructuring and impairment costs

     (2,025 )     1,823  

Restructuring and impairment costs

     5,788       4,810  
                

Loss from operations

     (7,813 )     (2,987 )

Other (expense) income:

    

Interest expense

     (4,650 )     (10,163 )

Interest income

     54       2,180  

Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates

     159       1,591  

Gain on sale of interest in Standard Gypsum, L.P.

     —         135,247  

Other, net

     16       95  
                
     (4,421 )     128,950  
                

(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

     (12,234 )     125,963  

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     3,290       (44,378 )

Minority interest in income

     —         (14 )
                

(Loss) income from continuing operations

     (8,944 )     81,571  
                

Discontinued operations:

    

Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes

     —         (1,411 )

Benefit for income taxes of discontinued operations

     —         492  
                

Loss from discontinued operations

     —         (919 )
                

Net (loss) income

   $ (8,944 )   $ 80,652  
                
Basic (loss) income per common share     

Continuing operations

   $ (0.31 )   $ 2.82  
                

Discontinued operations

   $ —       $ (0.03 )
                

Net (loss) income

   $ (0.31 )   $ 2.79  
                

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

     28,605       28,874  
                
Diluted (loss) income per common share     

Continuing operations

   $ (0.31 )   $ 2.82  
                

Discontinued operations

   $ —       $ (0.03 )
                

Net (loss) income

   $ (0.31 )   $ 2.79  
                

Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding

     28,605       28,937  
                


CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands)

 

     March 31,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,162     $ 1,022  

Receivables, net of allowances

     102,348       85,577  

Inventories

     74,694       75,041  

Refundable income taxes

     1,563       172  

Current deferred tax assets

     7,381       9,272  

Other current assets

     9,451       8,354  
                

Total current assets

     196,599       179,438  

Property, plant and equipment:

    

Land

     10,032       10,316  

Buildings and improvements

     90,262       93,275  

Machinery and equipment

     441,019       436,705  

Furniture and fixtures

     31,194       29,975  
                
     572,507       570,271  
                

Less accumulated depreciation

     (308,748 )     (306,666 )
                

Property, plant and equipment, net

     263,759       263,605  
                

Goodwill

     127,574       127,574  
                

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

     41,733       41,574  
                

Other assets

     12,021       12,084  
                
   $ 641,686     $ 624,275  
                
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Current maturities of debt

   $ 5,830     $ 5,830  

Accounts payable

     77,137       65,033  

Accrued interest

     6,020       1,482  

Accrued compensation

     7,841       10,127  

Capital lease obligations

     463       544  

Other accrued liabilities

     24,223       27,458  
                

Total current liabilities

     121,514       110,474  
                

Long-term debt, less current maturities

     275,362       260,092  
                

Long-term capital lease obligations

     33       91  
                

Deferred income taxes

     29,288       43,315  
                

Pension liability

     40,277       38,854  
                

Other liabilities

     25,161       9,863  
                

Shareholders’ equity

    

Common stock

     2,909       2,909  

Additional paid-in capital

     191,873       191,411  

Retained deficit

     (19,555 )     (7,502 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (25,176 )     (25,232 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     150,051       161,586  
                
   $ 641,686     $ 624,275  
                


CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

 

     For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2007     2006  

Operating activities:

    

Net (loss) income

   $ (8,944 )   $ 80,652  

Depreciation and amortization

     5,753       5,820  

Write-off of deferred debt costs

     —         155  

Equity-based compensation expense

     380       225  

Restructuring and impairment costs

     937       4,860  

Deferred income taxes

     (3,414 )     28,804  

Gain on sale of interest in Standard Gypsum, L.P.

     —         (135,247 )

Loss on sale of assets held for sale

     —         1,880  

Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates

     (159 )     (1,591 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions

     (2,400 )     9,175  
                

Net cash used in operating activities

     (7,847 )     (5,267 )
                

Investing activities:

    

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (8,144 )     (7,795 )

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

     684       224  

Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale

     —         6,026  

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

     —         (11,059 )

Changes in restricted cash

     (36 )     10,818  

Net proceeds from sale of interest in Standard Gypsum, L.P.

     —         148,460  
                

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (7,496 )     146,674  
                

Financing activities:

    

Proceeds from senior credit facility - revolver

     43,108       30,000  

Repayments of senior credit facility - revolver

     (26,048 )     —    

Proceeds from senior credit facility - term loan

     —         35,000  

Repayments of short and long-term debt

     (1,458 )     —    

Deferred debt costs

     —         (1,135 )

Payments for capital lease obligations

     (139 )     (122 )

Issuances of stock, net of forfeitures

     20       74  
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     15,483       63,817  
                

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     140       205,224  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     1,022       95,152  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 1,162     $ 300,376  
                

Supplemental Disclosures:

    

Cash payments for interest

   $ 874     $ 147  
                

Income tax payments, net of refunds

   $ 324     $ 348  
                

Property acquired under capital leases

   $ —       $ 36