Tredegar Reports First Quarter 2021 Results

Tredegar Corporation (NYSE:TG, also the “Company” or “Tredegar”) today reported first quarter financial results for the period ended March 31, 2021.

First quarter 2021 net income from continuing operations was $9.6 million ($0.29 per diluted share) compared to net loss from continuing operations of $20.7 million ($0.62 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2020. Net income from ongoing operations, which excludes special items and discontinued operations, was $10.1 million ($0.30 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2021 compared with $11.8 million ($0.36 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2020. A reconciliation of net income (loss) from continuing operations, 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 months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, is provided in Note (a) of the Notes to the Financial Tables in this press release.

First Quarter Financial Results Highlights

• Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") from ongoing operations for Aluminum Extrusions of $13.3 million was $1.6 million higher than the first quarter of 2020
• EBITDA from ongoing operations for PE Films of $7.2 million was $5.2 million lower than the first quarter of 2020
• EBITDA from ongoing operations for Flexible Packaging Films of $9.6 million was $3.1 million higher than the first quarter of 2020

John Steitz, Tredegar’s president and chief executive officer said, “Bonnell’s current bookings and backlog are at record high levels. Our main challenge is overcoming a shortage in manufacturing personnel to meet production needs and customer demand. Our PE Films segment, which is mainly comprised of our Surface Protection business, performed as expected with its decline in financial performance due to a previously disclosed customer product transition. Terphane continues to deliver exceptional performance.”

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 AND RELATED FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Essential Business and Employee Considerations

The Company’s priorities during the coronavirus ("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 has continued to manufacture the full range of products at its facilities.

The Company’s protocols to protect the health and well-being of its employees from COVID-19 continue to develop as COVID-19 informed work practices evolve and the Company responds to recommended and mandated actions of government and health authorities. In addition, to facilitate a return to fully functional operations, the Company has undertaken an education campaign to provide employees with the most accurate and up-to-date information available, particularly from the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”), the Office of the Surgeon General and state and local health departments. The Company believes that these efforts are encouraging employees to receive a vaccine when they are eligible.

Bonnell Aluminum is experiencing higher than normal absenteeism and hiring difficulties, which it attributes to COVID-19-related factors. Bonnell Aluminum attempts to match its direct labor with demand and is facing difficulty maintaining sufficient labor to meet desired shipment levels.

All three business units are successfully managing through supply chain disruptions, including raw material shortages in aluminum and plastic resin and transportation delays.

Financial Considerations

Approximately 62% of Bonnell Aluminum’s sales volume in 2020 was related to building and construction (“B&C”) markets (non-residential B&C of 55% and residential B&C of 7%). Bonnell Aluminum continued to experience weakness in non-residential B&C during the first quarter of 2021 with related volume declining 15.1% versus the first quarter of last year. The decline in non-residential B&C volume started in the fourth quarter of 2020 after the fulfillment of contracts that existed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, a portion of the non-residential B&C volume decline was due to pandemic-related production inefficiencies, labor constraints and severe weather in the Southeastern United States. However, Bonnell Aluminum's performance to date during the COVID-19 environment has exceeded the Company's expectations, with current bookings and backlog at record high levels.

Demand has also remained strong during the COVID-19 pandemic for the Company’s flexible food packaging films produced by Terphane. The Surface Protection component of PE Films had record EBITDA from ongoing operations in 2020 but is now experiencing a decline in volume related to a previously disclosed customer product transition and the timing of customer orders. See the PE Films section below for further discussion.

OPERATIONS REVIEW

Aluminum Extrusions

Aluminum Extrusions, which is also referred to as Bonnell Aluminum, produces high-quality, soft-alloy and medium-strength custom fabricated and finished aluminum extrusions primarily for the following markets: B&C, automotive, and specialty (which consists of consumer durables, machinery and equipment, electrical and renewable energy, and distribution end-use products). A summary of results for Aluminum Extrusions is provided below:

First Quarter 2021 Results vs. First Quarter 2020 Results

Net sales (sales less freight) in the first quarter of 2021 were relatively flat versus the first quarter of 2020 despite lower volume, primarily due to the pass-through of higher metal costs and an increase in average selling prices to cover higher operating costs. Sales volume in the first quarter of 2021 decreased by 6.2% versus the first quarter of 2020. Sales volume associated with non-residential B&C markets, which represented 55% of volume in 2020, declined 15.1% in the first quarter of 2021 versus the first quarter of 2020. Sales volume associated with specialty markets, which represented 31% of total volume in 2020, decreased 2.3% in the first quarter of 2021, and sales volume associated with the automotive market, which represented 9% of total volume in 2020, increased 8.0%. See “The Impact of COVID-19 and Related Financial Considerations” section for more information on business conditions.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the first quarter of 2021 increased by $1.6 million in comparison to the first quarter of 2020, including a $2.3 million favorable variance from the timing of the flow through of aluminum raw materials costs under the first-in first-out (“FIFO”) inventory method. This favorable FIFO variance was due to aluminum raw materials previously acquired at lower prices in a quickly rising pricing environment driving a benefit of $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2021 versus a charge of $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2020. In addition, higher pricing ($0.8 million) and lower general, sales and administrative expenses ($0.8 million) were more than offset by lower volume ($1.4 million) and higher labor and other operating costs ($1.0 million).

Projected Capital Expenditures and Depreciation & Amortization

Capital expenditures for Bonnell Aluminum are projected to be $21 million in 2021, including $3 million for infrastructure upgrades at the Carthage, Tennessee and Newnan, Georgia facilities, $3 million for a roof replacement at the Elkhart, Indiana site and $4 million for strategic projects. In addition, approximately $11 million will be required to support continuity of current operations. Depreciation expense is projected to be $15 million in 2021. Amortization expense is projected to be $2 million in 2021.

PE Films

PE Films is composed of surface protection films, polyethylene overwrap and packaging films and polypropylene films for other markets. All historical results for the Personal Care component, which was sold in the fourth quarter of 2020, have been presented as discontinued operations. The Surface Protection component of the PE Films segment now includes the packaging lines and operations located at the Pottsville, Pennsylvania manufacturing site, which was previously reported within the Personal Care component of PE Films. A summary of results for PE Films is provided below:

First Quarter 2021 Results vs. First Quarter 2020 Results

Net sales declined by $8.8 million in the first quarter of 2021 versus the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to lower volume and unfavorable mix associated with the previously disclosed customer product transitions in Surface Protection.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the first quarter of 2021 decreased by $5.2 million versus the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to lower sales associated with the customer product transitions in Surface Protection ($5.8 million) and higher other operating costs ($0.3 million), partially offset by higher sales of products unrelated to the customer product transitions ($0.9 million).

Customer Product Transitions in Surface Protection

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 Company believes that previously reported delays in this customer's transitions were recently resolved by the customer and much of the remaining transitions are expected to occur by the end of 2021. Under this scenario, the Company estimates that the contribution to EBITDA from ongoing operations for PE Films could decline due to the remaining customer product transitions by $18 million in 2021 versus 2020 (of which approximately $5.8 million occurred during the first quarter of 2021) and $4 million in 2022 versus 2021. To offset the expected adverse impact, the Company is aggressively pursuing and making progress in generating contribution from sales from new surface protection products, applications and customers and implementing cost savings measures. Annual contribution to EBITDA from ongoing operations for PE Films on surface protection products unrelated to the customer product transitions increased by approximately $12 million during the past two years.

Projected Capital Expenditures and Depreciation & Amortization

Capital expenditures for PE Films are projected to be $4 million in 2021, including $2 million for productivity projects and $2 million for capital expenditures required to support continuity of current operations. Depreciation expense is projected to be $6 million in 2021. 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 results for Flexible Packaging Films is provided below:

First Quarter 2021 Results vs. First Quarter 2020 Results

Net sales in the first quarter of 2021 increased 6.4% compared to the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to higher sales volume and favorable product mix, partially offset by lower selling prices from the pass-through of lower resin costs.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the first quarter of 2021 increased by $3.1 million versus the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to:

• Lower raw material costs, net of lower selling prices ($0.9 million), higher sales volume ($0.8 million), and favorable product mix ($1.1 million), partially offset by unfavorable absorption of fixed costs ($1.1 million);
• Net favorable foreign currency translation of Real-denominated operating costs ($1.0 million); and
• Foreign currency transaction gains of $0.4 million in 2021 versus gains of $0.1 million in 2020.

Projected Capital Expenditures and Depreciation & Amortization

Capital expenditures for Flexible Packaging Films are projected to be $9 million in 2021, including $5 million for new capacity for value-added products and productivity projects, and $4 million for capital expenditures required to support continuity of current operations. Depreciation expense is projected to be $2 million in 2021. Amortization expense is projected to be $0.4 million in 2021.

Corporate Expenses, Interest, Taxes & Other

Corporate expenses, net, increased in the first three months of 2021 versus the first three months of 2020 primarily due to higher employee-related compensation ($0.9 million) and higher stock compensation expense ($1.1 million), partially offset by lower professional fees ($1.0 million) related to remediation activities of previously disclosed material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and business development activities.

Interest expense was $0.8 million in the first three months of 2021 in comparison to $0.6 million in the first three months of 2020, primarily due to higher average debt levels.

The effective tax rate used to compute income tax expense (benefit) for continuing operations in the first three months of 2021 was 24.4%, compared to 23.2% in the first three months of 2020. The effective tax rate from ongoing operations comparable to the earnings reconciliation table provided in Note (a) of the Notes to Financial Tables in this press release was 24.4% for the first three months of 2021 versus 24.2% for the first three months of 2020 (see also Note (f) of the Notes to Financial Tables). An explanation of differences between the effective tax rate for income (loss) from continuing operations and the U.S. federal statutory rate for 2021 and 2020 will be provided in the Form 10-Q.

Pension expense was $3.5 million in both the first three months of 2021 and the first three months of 2020. The impact on earnings from pension expense is reflected in “Corporate expenses, net” in the net sales and EBITDA from ongoing operations by segment table. Pension expense is projected to be $14 million in 2021, which is determined at the beginning of the year based on the funded status of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan and actuarial assumptions at that time. Tredegar’s frozen defined benefit pension plan was underfunded on a GAAP basis by $103 million at December 31, 2020, comprised of investments at fair value of $233 million and a projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) of $336 million. GAAP accounting requires adjustment for changes in values of assets and the PBO only at the end of each year, even though these values change daily. The Company estimates that changes to the values of pension plan assets and liabilities resulted in a decrease in the underfunding from $103 million at December 31, 2020 to approximately $70 million at March 31, 2021.

Tredegar owns approximately 19% of kaleo, 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 method. The Company’s estimate of the fair value of its interest in kaléo at March 31, 2021 was $35.0 million ($30.0 million after taxes), essentially unchanged from the balance at December 31, 2020 of $34.6 million ($29.7 million after taxes). kaléo’s stock is not publicly traded. The ultimate value of the Company’s ownership interest in kaléo could be materially different from the estimated fair value and will ultimately be determined and realized only if and when a liquidity event occurs.

Total debt was $143 million at March 31, 2021 compared to total debt of $134 million at December 31, 2020. Net debt (debt in excess of cash and cash equivalents), a non-GAAP financial measure, was $121.1 million at March 31, 2021 compared to $122.2 million at December 31, 2020. The Company's revolving credit agreement allows borrowings of up to $375 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 Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021) of $93.1 million and 1.54x, respectively, at March 31, 2021. See the Notes to the Financial Tables for a reconciliation of net debt to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

FORWARD-LOOKING AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

Some of the information contained in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When the Company uses the words “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “appear to,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “likely,” “may” and similar expressions, it does so to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the Company's then current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements. It is possible that the Company's actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in or implied by these forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company's current projections for its businesses could be materially affected by the highly uncertain impact of COVID-19. As a consequence, the Company's results could differ significantly from its projections, depending on, among other things, the duration of "shelter in place" orders and the ultimate impact of the pandemic on employees, supply chains, customers and the U.S. and world economies. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, without limitation, the following:

• loss or gain of sales to significant customers on which the Company's business is highly dependent;
• inability to achieve sales to new customers to replace lost business;
• inability to develop, efficiently manufacture and deliver new products at competitive prices;
• failure of the Company's customers to achieve success or maintain market share;
• failure to protect our intellectual property rights;
• risks of doing business in countries outside the U.S. that affect our international operations;
• political, economic, and regulatory factors concerning the Company's products;
• uncertain economic conditions in countries in which the Company does business;
• competition from other manufacturers, including manufacturers in lower-cost countries and manufacturers benefiting from government subsidies;
• impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates;
• a change in the amount of the Company's underfunded defined benefit pension plan liability;
• an increase in the operating costs incurred by the Company's business units, including, for example, the cost of raw materials and energy;
• inability to successfully identify, complete or integrate strategic acquisitions; failure to realize the expected benefits of such acquisitions and assumption of unanticipated risks in such acquisitions;
• disruption to the Company's manufacturing facilities;
• the impact of public health epidemics on employees, production and the global economy, such as the COVID-19 pandemic;
• an information technology system failure or breach;
• volatility and uncertainty of the valuation of the Company's investment in kaléo;
• the impact of the imposition of tariffs and sanctions on imported aluminum ingot used by Bonnell Aluminum;
• the impact of new tariffs, duties or other trade restrictions imposed as a result of rising trade tensions between the U.S. and other countries;
• the termination of anti-dumping duties on products imported to Brazil that compete with products produced by Flexible Packaging;
• failure to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting;

and the other factors discussed in the reports Tredegar files with or furnishes to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including the risks and important factors set forth in additional detail in “Risk Factors” Part I, Item 1A of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Readers are urged to review and consider carefully the disclosures Tredegar makes in its filings with the SEC.

Tredegar does not undertake, and expressly disclaims any duty, to update any forward-looking statement made in this press release to reflect any change in management’s expectations or any change in conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which such statements are based, except as required by applicable law.

To the extent that the financial information portion of this press release contains non-GAAP financial measures, it also presents both the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP and a quantitative reconciliation of the difference between any such non-GAAP measures and such comparable GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures are provided in the Notes to the Financial Tables included with this press release and can also be found within “Presentations” in the “Investors” section of our website, www.tredegar.com.

Tredegar uses its website as a channel of distribution of material Company information. Financial information and other material information regarding Tredegar is posted on and assembled in the “Investors” section of its website.

Tredegar Corporation is an industrial manufacturer with three primary businesses: custom aluminum extrusions for the North American building & construction, automotive and specialty end-use markets; surface protection films for high-technology applications in the global electronics industry; and specialized polyester films primarily for the Latin American flexible packaging market. Tredegar had 2020 sales from continuing operations of $755 million. With approximately 2,400 employees, the Company operates manufacturing facilities in North America, South America, and Asia.

Notes to the Financial Tables

(Unaudited)

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