Tredegar Reports Second Quarter 2022 Results

RICHMOND, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Tredegar Corporation (NYSE:TG, also the «Company» or «Tredegar») today reported second quarter financial results for the period ended June 30, 2022.

Second quarter 2022 net income (loss) from continuing operations was $14.8 million (0.44 per diluted share) compared to net income (loss) from continuing operations of $20.7 million ($0.61 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2021. Net income (loss) from ongoing operations, which excludes special items, was $17.1 million ($0.51 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2022 compared with $16.1 million ($0.48 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2021. 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 and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, is provided in Note (a) 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 $21.9 million was $2.2 million higher than the second quarter of 2021
• EBITDA from ongoing operations for PE Films of $7.1 million was $1.9 million lower than the second quarter of 2021
• EBITDA from ongoing operations for Flexible Packaging Films of $7.6 million was $0.6 million lower than the second quarter of 2021

John Steitz, Tredegar’s president and chief executive officer, said, “Bonnell had another exceptional quarter. Backlog, which is still very high by historical standards, peaked in March and has been dropping since then, with a combination of higher productivity from an improved labor situation and lower bookings. Our strong backlog should help drive solid performance for the balance of 2022. While lower bookings are a sign of a possible downturn, it could be the result of orders being placed by customers earlier than normal due to the industry’s extended lead times. In addition, a leading indicator of nonresidential construction activity for June which was reported in mid-July still shows growth.”

Mr. Steitz continued, “PE Films performed as expected for the quarter with a continued focus on generating growth from new products and markets while working through the final stages of a profit decline from previously disclosed customer product transitions. Recent market indicators imply a possible slowdown resulting from customer inventory corrections in the second half of 2022. Terphane continues to deliver results as planned.”

Mr. Steitz further stated, “We had strong cash generation during the second quarter with debt net of cash declining by $32 million.”

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: building and construction (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:

Second Quarter 2022 Results vs. Second Quarter 2021 Results

Net sales (sales less freight) in the second quarter of 2022 increased by 36.6% versus 2021 primarily due to an increase in average selling prices to cover significantly higher aluminum raw material costs and higher operating costs. Sales volume in the second quarter of 2022 was flat versus 2021. Sales volume in the specialty market, which represented 34% of total volume in 2021, decreased 8.8% in the second quarter of 2022 versus 2021. Sales volume in the automotive market, which represented 8% of total volume in 2021, declined 6.6% versus the second quarter of 2021. Nonresidential B&C sales volume, which represented 51% of 2021 volume, increased 5.6% in the second quarter of 2022 versus 2021. The Company believes that actual sales volume during the first six months of 2022 was lower than demand due to pandemic-related labor shortages and resulting production inefficiencies. While the average number of direct labor employees at Bonnell Aluminum facilities increased approximately 9% in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021, the estimated average labor shortage levels were 101, 171 and 203 workers in the second and first quarters of 2022 and second quarter of 2021, respectively. Moreover, onboarding new employees has resulted in higher hiring and training costs in 2022 versus last year. Although bookings have slowed in the second quarter of 2022 versus the first quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of 2021, backlog remains at historically high levels.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the second quarter of 2022 increased by $2.2 million in comparison to the second quarter of 2021 primarily due to:

• Higher pricing ($20.1 million, net of the pass-through of aluminum raw material costs), partially offset by: higher labor and employee-related costs ($2.6 million) and lower labor productivity ($2.2 million); higher supply expense, including significant price increases in paint, chemicals, packaging and other supplies ($2.5 million); higher utility costs ($1.7 million); higher freight rates ($2.9 million); and increased selling, general and administrative («SG&A») expenses ($1.2 million); and
• The timing of the flow through under the first-in first-out method of aluminum raw material costs passed through to customers, previously acquired at higher prices in a quickly changing commodity pricing environment, resulted in a charge of $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2022 versus a benefit of $3.1 million in the second quarter of 2021. The charge in the second quarter of 2022 was net of a favorable impact from the lag in pricing ($0.3 million), in which products committed to customers at a specified price were shipped in a later period.

First Six Months of 2022 Results vs. First Six Months of 2021 Results

Net sales in the first six months of 2022 increased by 35.4% versus 2021 primarily due to an increase in average selling prices to cover significantly higher aluminum raw material costs and higher operating costs, partially offset by lower sales volume. Sales volume in the first six months of 2022 decreased by 1.5% versus 2021.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the first six months of 2022 increased by $12.8 million in comparison to the first six months of 2021 primarily due to:

• Higher pricing ($34.8 million, net of the pass-through of aluminum raw material costs), partially offset by: lower volume ($0.7 million); higher labor and employee-related costs ($3.9 million) and lower labor productivity ($3.3 million); higher maintenance costs ($1.4 million); higher supply expense, including significant price increases in paint, chemicals, packaging and other supplies ($5.9 million); higher utilities ($1.7 million); higher freight rates ($4.1 million); and increased SG&A expenses ($2.4 million); and
• The timing of the flow through under the first-in first-out method of aluminum raw material costs passed through to customers, previously acquired at lower prices in a quickly changing commodity pricing environment, resulted in a benefit of $5.5 million in the first six months of 2022 versus a benefit of $4.2 million in the first six months of 2021. The benefit in the first six months of 2022 was net of an adverse impact from the lag in pricing ($1.5 million), in which products committed to customers at a specified price were shipped in a later period.

Aluminum Extrusions believes that it has adequate supply agreements for aluminum raw materials in 2022 and is in the process of securing supply sources to meet expected needs in 2023. Refer to Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2022 («Second Quarter Form 10-Q») for additional information on aluminum price trends.

Projected Capital Expenditures and Depreciation & Amortization

Capital expenditures for Bonnell Aluminum are projected to be $31 million in 2022, including $15 million for new enterprise resource planning and manufacturing execution systems («ERP/MES»), $6 million for infrastructure upgrades at the facilities located in Niles, Michigan, Carthage, Tennessee and Newnan, Georgia and $3 million for other strategic projects. The ERP/MES project is expected to cost $28 million over a two-year time span. In addition to strategic projects, approximately $7 million will be required to support continuity of current operations. Depreciation expense is projected to be $15 million in 2022. Amortization expense is projected to be $2 million in 2022.

PE Films

PE Films produces surface protection films, polyethylene overwrap and polypropylene films for other markets. A summary of results for PE Films is provided below:

Second Quarter 2022 Results vs. Second Quarter 2021 Results

Net sales were flat in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021; sales volume decreased in both Surface Protection and overwrap films versus the second quarter of 2021.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the second quarter of 2022 decreased by $1.9 million versus the second quarter of 2021, primarily due to:

• A $1.6 million decrease from Surface Protection associated with lower contribution margin related to previously disclosed customer product transitions ($2.2 million) and competitive pricing pressures for products unrelated to the customer product transitions ($1.9 million), partially offset by higher sales related to non-transitioning products ($1.8 million) and a foreign currency transaction gain of $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2022 versus a charge of $0.1 million in the second quarter of 2021; and
• A $0.3 million decrease from overwrap films primarily due to lower sales volume ($0.3 million) and higher SG&A expenses ($0.4 million), partially offset by a benefit from the pass-through lag associated with resin costs (charge of $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2022 versus a charge of $0.6 million in the second quarter of 2021).

First Six Months of 2022 Results vs. First Six Months of 2021 Results

Net sales increased by $3.2 million in the first six months of 2022 versus the first six months of 2021 primarily due to an increase in average selling prices associated with the pass-through of higher market-driven raw material costs. Sales volume declined in overwrap films and revenue and volume in Surface Protection were flat versus the first six months of 2021.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the first six months of 2022 decreased by $2.1 million versus the first six months of 2021, primarily due to:

• A $2.5 million decrease from Surface Protection associated with lower contribution margin related to previously disclosed customer product transitions ($3.7 million) and competitive pricing pressures for products unrelated to the customer product transitions ($3.3 million), partially offset by higher contribution margin for non-transitioning products ($2.5 million), lower SG&A expenses ($0.3 million), foreign currency transaction gain ($0.5 million) in the first six months of 2022 versus a charge ($0.1 million) in the first six months of 2021, and the pass-through lag associated with resin costs (benefit of $0.3 million in the first six months of 2022 versus a charge of $0.7 million in the first six months of 2021); and
• A $0.4 million increase from overwrap films primarily related to a benefit from the pass-through lag associated with resin costs (benefit of $0.2 million in the first six months of 2022 versus a charge of $0.9 million in the first six months of 2021), partially offset by lower sales volume ($0.3 million) and higher freight and other operating expenses ($0.3 million).

Refer to Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in the Second Quarter Form 10-Q for additional information on resin price trends.

Customer Product Transitions and Other Factors 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 would be made obsolete by customer product transitions to less costly alternative processes or materials. The Company estimates that these transitions, which principally relate to one customer, adversely impacted pre-tax income from continuing operations as reported under GAAP and EBITDA from ongoing operations for PE Films by $14.8 million during 2021 versus 2020. A total decline of $7 million in pre-tax income from continuing operations as reported under GAAP and EBITDA from ongoing operations due to the transitions is expected in 2022 versus 2021, at which time the transitions are expected to be complete.

The Surface Protection business is continuing to experience competitive pricing pressures, unrelated to the customer product transitions, that are expected to adversely impact pre-tax income from continuing operations as reported under GAAP and EBITDA from ongoing operations by approximately $6 million for full year 2022 versus 2021. To offset the expected adverse impact of the customer transitions and pricing pressures, the Company is aggressively pursuing and making progress in generating contribution from sales of new surface protection products, applications and customers and driving production efficiencies and cost savings.

Projected Capital Expenditures and Depreciation & Amortization

Capital expenditures for PE Films are projected to be $4 million in 2022, 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 2022. 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:

Second Quarter 2022 Results vs. Second Quarter 2021 Results

Net sales in the second quarter of 2022 increased 24.6% compared to the second quarter of 2021, primarily due to higher sales volume and higher selling prices from the pass-through of higher resin costs.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the second quarter of 2022 decreased by $0.6 million versus the second quarter of 2021 primarily due to:

• Higher raw material costs ($5.4 million), higher SG&A expenses ($0.7 million), and higher fixed ($0.6 million) and variable costs ($0.3 million), partially offset by higher selling prices ($4.2 million) from the pass-through of higher resin costs, higher sales volume ($1.7 million), and favorable product mix ($0.5 million);
• Net unfavorable foreign currency translation of Real-denominated operating costs ($1.2 million); and
• Foreign currency transaction gains ($0.6 million) in the second quarter of 2022 compared to foreign currency transaction losses ($0.5 million) in the second quarter of 2021.

First Six Months of 2022 Results vs. First Six Months of 2021 Results

Net sales in the first six months of 2022 increased 22.7% compared to the first six months of 2021, primarily due to higher selling prices from the pass-through of higher resin costs, favorable product mix and higher sales volume.

EBITDA from ongoing operations in the first six months of 2022 decreased by $5.2 million versus the first six months of 2021 primarily due to:

• Higher raw material costs ($10.8 million), higher fixed ($0.3 million) and variable costs ($1.5 million), and higher SG&A expenses ($0.7 million), partially offset by higher selling prices ($8.0 million) from the pass-through of higher resin costs, higher sales volume ($0.9 million) and favorable product mix ($0.8 million);
• Net unfavorable foreign currency translation of Real-denominated operating costs ($1.5 million); and
• Foreign currency transaction losses ($0.3 million) in the first six months of 2022 compared to foreign currency transaction losses ($0.1 million) in the first six months of 2021.

Refer to Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in the Second Quarter Form 10-Q for additional information on polyester fiber and component price trends.

Projected Capital Expenditures and Depreciation & Amortization

Capital expenditures for Flexible Packaging Films are projected to be $8 million in 2022, including $4 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 2022. Amortization expense is projected to be $0.4 million in 2022.

Corporate Expenses, Interest, Taxes & Other

Corporate expenses, net in the first six months of 2022 decreased $1.4 million compared to first six months of 2021 primarily due to lower stock-based compensation ($1.0 million) and lower professional fees associated with remediation activities related to the Company’s previously disclosed material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting ($0.5 million).

Interest expense of $2.0 million in the first six months of 2022 increased $0.3 million compared to the first six months of 2021 due to higher average interest rates during the second quarter of 2022, partially offset by lower average debt levels.

The effective tax rate used to compute income tax expense (benefit) for continuing operations in the first six months of 2022 was 16.9%, compared to 22.5% in the first six months of 2021. The decrease in the effective tax rate for continuing operations is primarily due to a discrete benefit recorded in the first quarter of 2022 resulting from the implementation of new U.S. tax regulations associated with foreign tax credits published by the U.S. Treasury and Internal Revenue Service on January 4, 2022. These regulations overhaul various components of the foreign tax credit regime including the determination of creditable foreign taxes and limit the amount of foreign taxes that are creditable against U.S. income taxes. This one-time discrete benefit is expected to reduce the effective tax rate for the remainder of 2022, which will be offset by an expected increase to the effective tax rate as the result of Brazilian income tax no longer being creditable in the U.S. for the foreseeable future. The effective tax rate from ongoing operations comparable to the earnings reconciliation table provided in Note (a) to the Financial Tables in this press release was 26.2% for the first six months of 2022 versus 22.3% for the first six months of 2021 (see also Note (e) to the Financial Tables). Refer to Note 9 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in the Second Quarter Form 10-Q for an explanation of differences between the effective tax rate for income (loss) from continuing operations and the U.S. federal statutory rate for 2022 and 2021.

Pension expense under GAAP of $6.9 million in the first six months of 2022 remained consistent with the first six months of 2021. On February 10, 2022, Tredegar announced the initiation of a process to terminate and settle its frozen defined benefit pension plan, which could take up to 24 months to complete. In connection therewith, the Company borrowed funds under its revolving credit agreement and made a $50 million contribution to the pension plan (the “Special Contribution”) to reduce its underfunding and as part of a program within the pension plan to hedge or fix the expected future contributions that will be needed by the Company through the settlement process. The Company expects to realize income tax cash benefits on the Special Contribution of approximately $11 million in 2022. Administrative costs for the pension plan through the settlement process are estimated at $4 to $5 million.

Tredegar’s frozen defined benefit pension plan was underfunded on a GAAP basis by $69 million at December 31, 2021, comprised of investments at fair value of $245 million and a projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) of $314 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 the Special Contribution and changes to the values of pension plan assets and liabilities resulted in a decrease in the underfunding on a GAAP basis from $69 million at December 31, 2021 to approximately $12 million at June 30, 2022.

Contacts

Tredegar Corporation

Neill Bellamy, 804-330-1211

neill.bellamy@tredegar.com

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