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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 quarterly period ended June 29, 2003

 

OR

    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
        EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from _________ to _________.

 

Commission file number: 1-3203

 

 

             CHESAPEAKE CORPORATION             

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 
   

                                       Virginia                                           

                     54-0166880                   

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

   

1021 East Cary Street

 

                Richmond, Virginia                

    23219   

(Address of principal executive offices)

Zip Code

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 804-697-1000

 

                                                       Not Applicable                                                       

(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) 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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes √  No    

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes √  No    

 
Number of shares of $1.00 par value common stock outstanding as of July 18, 2003:
15,360,343 shares.

 

 

 

CHESAPEAKE CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 29, 2003

INDEX

   


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAGE
NUMBER

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 


 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings - Quarters and Six Months ended June 29,
2003, and June 30, 2002
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3


 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 29, 2003, and December 29, 2002 . . . . . . . . . . .

4


 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six Months ended June 29, 2003,
and June 30, 2002
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

         6

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7


Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and

 
   

   Results of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 19

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24


Item 4.

Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

25

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

25

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

25

Signature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

26

Certifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27

   

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1: Financial Statements

CHESAPEAKE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(in millions, except per share data; unaudited)

       
 

        Quarters Ended         

 

      Six Months Ended      

 

Jun. 29,            2003

 

Jun. 30,            2002

 

Jun. 29,             2003

 

Jun. 30,            2002

Net sales

$

212.7

 

$

189.0

 

$

430.2

 

$

371.1

 
                         

Costs and expenses:

                       

Cost of products sold

 

171.7

   

153.3

   

346.9

   

303.5

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

29.0

23.4

58.8

45.4

Restructuring charges

 

-

   

2.6

   

-

   

2.6

 

Gain on sale of business

 

11.2

   

-

   

11.2

   

-

 

Other income, net

 

0.8

   

1.5

   

3.6

   

3.1

 

                     

                    

                     

                    

Earnings before interest and taxes

 

24.0

   

11.2

   

39.3

   

22.7

 

Interest expense, net

 

10.6

   

11.0

   

22.4

   

22.9

 
 

                      

                      

                     

                    

Income (loss) before taxes

13.4


0.2


16.9

(0.2

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

4.0

   

(0.1

)

 

4.8

   

(0.2

)

                      

                      

                     

                    

Net income

$

9.4

 

$

0.3

 

$

12.1

 

$

-

 

                      

                      

                      

                      

                         

Earnings per share:

                       

Basic

$

0.62

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.80

 

$

-

 
 

                      

                      

                      

                      

Diluted

$

0.62

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.80

 

$

-

 
 

                      

                      

                      

                      

                         

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

                       

Basic

 

15.1

   

15.1

   

15.1

   

15.1

 
 

                      

                      

                      

                      

Diluted

 

15.2

   

15.3

   

15.1

   

15.3

 
 

                      

                      

                      

                      

                         

Cash dividends declared per share of common stock

$

0.22

 

$

0.22

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.44

 

                      

                      

                      

                      

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHESAPEAKE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except shares and per share amounts; unaudited)

 
 

Jun. 29,
                2003

 

  Dec. 29,
                2002

ASSETS

         
           

Current assets:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

$

14.3

 

$

15.7

Accounts receivable (less allowance of $5.3 and $4.5)

 

142.8

   

144.1

           

Inventories:

         

Finished goods

 

70.0

   

58.1

Work-in-process

 

19.7

   

18.9

Materials and supplies

 

28.2

   

25.4

                        

                        

Total inventories

 

117.9

   

102.4

           

Prepaid expenses

 

13.5

   

15.9

Income tax receivable

 

5.3

   

9.6

Deferred income taxes, net

 

3.8

   

-

 

                        

 

                        

Total current assets

 

297.6

   

287.7

 

                        

 

                        

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

 

581.0

   

518.3

Less accumulated depreciation

 

188.9

   

141.9

 

                        

 

                        

   

392.1

   

376.4

       

Goodwill

 

600.1

   

583.8

Other assets

 

104.4

   

105.0

 

                        

 

                        

Total assets

$

1,394.2

 

$

1,352.9

 

                        

 

                        

       

 

 

    

CHESAPEAKE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, continued

(in millions, except shares and per share amounts; unaudited)

           
           
 

    Jun. 29,
                2003

 

  Dec. 29,
                2002

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

         
             

Current liabilities:

           

Accounts payable

$

109.0

 

$

103.7

 

Accrued expenses

 

82.3

   

81.6

 

Income taxes payable

 

9.5

   

10.3

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

4.5

   

5.4

 

Dividends payable

 

3.4

   

3.3

 

Deferred income taxes

 

-

   

0.4

 
 

                            

                           

Total current liabilities

 

208.7

   

204.7

 
 

                            

                           

Long-term debt

 

508.9

   

486.0

 

Environmental liabilities

 

51.9

   

73.8

 

Pensions and postretirement benefits

 

69.5

   

76.6

 

Deferred income taxes

 

36.6

   

25.9

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

8.0

   

9.3

 
 

                            

                           

Total liabilities

 

883.6

   

876.3

 
 

                            

                           

Stockholders' equity:

           

Preferred stock, $100 par value, issuable in series; authorized,
   500,000 shares; issued, none

 


- -

   


- -

 

Common stock, $1 par value; authorized, 60,000,000 shares;
   outstanding 15,311,514 shares in 2003 and 15,155,402
   shares in 2002, respectively

 



15.3

   



15.2

 

Additional paid-in-capital

 

4.1

   

0.3

 

Unearned compensation

 

(2.8

)

 

-

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(28.5

)

 

(56.0

)

Retained earnings

 

522.5

   

517.1

 
 

                            

                           

Total stockholders' equity

 

510.6

   

476.6

 
 

                            

                           

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

1,394.2

 

$

1,352.9

 
 

                            

                           

             

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

 

CHESAPEAKE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions; unaudited)

 
             
 

Six Months Ended

 

Jun. 29, 2003

Jun. 30, 2002

             

Operating activities:

           

Net income

$

12.1

 

$

-

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
   operating activities:

           

      Depreciation

 

25.9

   

23.2

 

      Deferred income taxes

 

5.6

   

(1.3

)

      Gain on sale of business

 

(11.2

)

 

-

 

      Gain on sales of property, plant and equipment

 

(1.3

)

 

(1.0

)

      Undistributed earnings of affiliates

 

(0.2

)

 

-

 

      Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

           

            Accounts receivable, net

 

10.2

   

0.6

 

            Inventories

 

(10.1

)

 

3.6

 

            Other assets

 

2.8

   

0.8

 

            Accounts payable

 

(0.3

)

 

5.2

 

            Accrued expenses

 

(9.6

)

 

(19.5

)

            Income taxes payable

 

3.4

   

(2.2

)

            Other

 

(5.4

)

 

0.6

 

                  

                   

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

21.9

   

10.0

 

                  

                   

             

Investing activities:

           

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(29.7

)

 

(19.8

)

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

 

2.8

   

8.4

 

Proceeds from notes receivable

 

-

   

18.9

 
 

                  

                   

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(26.9

)

 

7.5

 
 

                  

                   

             

Financing activities:

           

Net borrowings on lines of credit

 

59.3

   

4.7

 

Payments on long-term debt

 

(49.1

)

 

(10.5

)

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

0.2

   

0.4

 

Debt issue costs

 

-

   

(0.6

)

Dividends paid

 

(6.7

)

 

(6.7

)

Other

 

(0.1

)

 

0.5

 
 

                  

                   

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

3.6

   

(12.2

)

 

                  

                   

             

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(1.4

)

 

5.3

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

15.7

   

20.1

 
 

                  

                   

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

14.3

 

$

25.4

 
 

                  

                   

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the financial statements.

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies


Basis of Presentation

The consolidated interim financial statements of Chesapeake Corporation and subsidiaries included herein are unaudited, except for the December 29, 2002, consolidated balance sheet, which was derived from audited financial statements. These statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and, in accordance with those rules and regulations, we have condensed or omitted certain information and footnotes normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"). We believe that the disclosures made are adequate for a fair presentation of results of our operations and financial position. In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, all of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented herein . All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make extensive use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Our 52-53 week fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest to December 31. Fiscal years 2003 and 2002 both contain 52 weeks.

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K; additional details on our significant accounting policies are provided therein. The results of operations for the 2003 interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. Certain prior-year data have been reclassified to conform to the 2003 presentation.

In this report, unless the context requires otherwise, references to "we," "us," "our," "Chesapeake" or the "Company" are intended to mean Chesapeake Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Stock Options

In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148 ("SFAS 148"), Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure. SFAS 148 amends the transition and disclosure requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 ("SFAS 123"), Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. Our stock-based compensation plans include stock options and equity-based compensation. We use the intrinsic-value-based method of accounting for our stock option plans in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for our stock options, since all options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant. The following table represents the compensation expense, and related effect on earnings, for our stoc k option plans if the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 had been applied, rather than the intrinsic value method.

(in millions, except per share data)

 

   Quarters Ended   

Six Months Ended

   

Jun. 29,       2003

 

Jun. 30,       2002

 

Jun. 29,       2003

 

Jun. 30,       2002

 

Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax, included
   in net income as reported

 


$


0.5

 


$


0.1

 


$


0.6

 


$


0.1

 

                

                

                

                

Net income as reported

 

$

9.4

 

$

0.3

 

$

12.1

 

$

-

 

Additional stock-based compensation expense, net of tax

   

0.4

   

0.4

   

0.7

   

0.8

 
   

                

 

                

 

                

 

                

 

Pro forma net income (loss)

 

$

9.0

 

$

(0.1

)

$

11.4

 

$

(0.8

)

   

                

 

                

 

                

 

                

 

Earnings (loss) per share

                         

As reported:

                         

   Basic

 

$

0.62

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.80

 

$

-

 

   Diluted

   

0.62

   

0.02

   

0.80

   

-

 

Pro forma:

                         

   Basic

 

$

0.60

 

$

(0.01

)

$

0.75

 

$

(0.05

)

   Diluted

   

0.60

   

(0.01

)

 

0.75

   

(0.05

)

                           

Pro forma disclosures for stock option accounting may not be representative of the effects on reported net income in future years.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2001, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143 ("SFAS 143"), Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. SFAS 143 addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and related asset retirement costs. We adopted SFAS 143 as of the beginning of fiscal year 2003, and it did not have a material impact on our financial statements.


In April 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 145 ("SFAS 145"), Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections. Statement 4 required all gains and losses from extinguishment of debt to be aggregated and, if material, be classified as an extraordinary item, net of related income tax effect. Under SFAS 145, the criteria in APB Opinion 30 will now be used to classify those gains and losses. We adopted SFAS 145 as of the beginning of fiscal year 2003, and it did not have a material impact on our financial statements.


In June 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146 ("SFAS 146"), Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities. SFAS 146 addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue No. 94-3, Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring). Under EITF Issue 94-3, a liability for an exit activity was recognized at the date of an entity's commitment to an exit plan. SFAS 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred. We adopted SFAS 146 as of the beginning of fiscal year 2003, and it did not have a material impact on our financial statements.


In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 ("FIN 46"), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. FIN 46 addresses when a company should include in its financial statements the assets, liabilities and activities of a variable interest entity. It defines variable interest entities as those entities with a business purpose that either do not have any equity investors with voting rights, or have equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. FIN 46 also requires disclosures about variable interest entities that a company is not required to consolidate, but in which it has a significant variable interest. FIN 46 consolidation requirements are effective for all variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003, and to pre-existing entities in the first fiscal year or interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. Certain disclosure requirements are effective for financial statements issued after January 3 1, 2003. We adopted FIN 46 as of the end of the first quarter of 2003, and it did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In April 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 149 ("SFAS 149"), Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 ("SFAS 133"), Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS 149 also amends certain other existing pronouncements. SFAS 149 requires that contracts with comparable characteristics be accounted for similarly. In particular, SFAS 149 (1) clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristic of a derivative discussed in SFAS 133, (2) clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component, and (3) amends the definition of an "underlying" to conform it to language used in FASB Interpretat ion No. 45. SFAS 149 is generally effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. We do not expect SFAS 149 to have a material impact on our financial statements.

Note 2. Earnings Per Share ("EPS")

Basic EPS is calculated using the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares during each period. Diluted EPS is calculated using the weighted-average number of diluted outstanding common shares during each period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if holders of options or other contracts to issue common stock exercised or converted their holdings into common stock that would then share in earnings. Outstanding stock options and equity-based compensation represent the only potentially dilutive effects on our weighted-average shares computation.

For purposes of calculating diluted EPS, there were no adjustments to net income as of June 29, 2003, and June 30, 2002, and there were approximately 0.0 million and 0.2 million dilutive common shares as of June 29, 2003, and June 30, 2002, respectively. As of June 29, 2003, and June 30, 2002, 1.7 million and 1.1 million, respectively, potentially dilutive common shares were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their exercise or conversion prices were greater than the average market price of the common stock during the period and, therefore, their effect is antidilutive.

 

Note 3. Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is as follows:

(in millions)

        Quarters Ended

       Six Months Ended

 

Jun. 29,
     2003 

Jun. 30,
     2002 

Jun. 29,
     2003 

Jun. 30,
     2002 

                         

Net income

$

9.4

 

$

0.3

 

$

12.1

 

$

-

 

Foreign currency translation

 

33.7

   

50.1

   

28.4

   

40.0

 

Change in fair market value of derivatives, net of tax

 

(0.4

)

 

0.4

   

0.4

   

0.5

 

Minimum pension liability, net of tax

 

(2.1

)

 

(0.6

)

 

(1.3

)

 

(0.5

)

 

                 

                 

                 

                 

Comprehensive income

$

40.6

 

$

50.2

 

$

39.6

 

$

40.0

 
 

                 

                 

                 

                 

During the first quarter of 2002, a 33 million pound sterling notional amount interest rate swap was terminated and approximately $0.8 million was reclassified from comprehensive income to interest expense.

Note 4. Acquisitions and Dispositions

During the second quarter of 2003, we settled substantially all of our indemnification obligations to St. Laurent Paperboard (U.S.) Inc. related to the 1997 sale of our former kraft products mill in West Point, Virginia. As a result of the settlement, we reduced our accrual for estimated environmental liabilities by $22.2 million in the second quarter of 2003, which resulted in a gain on sale of business of approximately $11.2 million. See Note 7 for additional information on the previous indemnification obligation and the settlement.

As part of our sale of discontinued operations, on July 30, 2001, we completed the sale of substantially all of the U.S. Display assets of Chesapeake Display and Packaging Company to CorrFlex Graphics, LLC ("CorrFlex"). Under the terms of the sale, we received approximately $3.5 million in cash and $33 million in promissory notes of CorrFlex, consisting of an $18 million term note and a $15 million performance note collateralized by subordinated liens on substantially all of the assets of CorrFlex. During the first quarter of 2002, we received cash payments of $18.9 million for prepayment on the term note, and the $15 million performance note was exchanged for a $6 million term note. In the third quarter of 2002, we received a final cash payment of $6 million for prepayment on the term note.

Note 5. Restructuring Charges

In 2001, the Paperboard Packaging segment recorded a charge of approximately $2.8 million of severance costs for approximately 100 employees, primarily as a result of the integration of its recent acquisitions. As of June 29, 2003, severance benefits have been paid to all affected employees and the reserve has been substantially utilized.

The Paperboard Packaging segment recorded a charge of approximately $2.6 million in the second quarter of 2002 for severance costs for approximately 120 employees related to the closure of a facility in England and the consolidation of two facilities in Scotland. As of June 29, 2003, severance benefits have been paid to all affected employees and the reserve has been substantially utilized.

 

An analysis of the restructuring reserve as of June 29, 2003, is as follows:


(in millions)

         
     Total

Balance, December 29, 2002

$

0.9

 

Cash payments 2003

 

(0.5

)

Foreign currency translation/other

 

(0.4

)

 

                 

Balance, June 29, 2003

$

-

 

                 

Note 6. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the first half of 2003 was approximately 28 percent compared to an effective tax rate of approximately 25 percent for the first half of 2002, excluding restructuring charges. The effective tax rate for the first half of 2003 would have been approximately 22 percent, excluding the gain on the settlement of environmental indemnification obligations. The full year effective tax rate for 2002 was approximately 22 percent.

Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies

Environmental Matters

The costs of compliance with existing environmental regulations are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.


The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA") and similar state "Superfund" laws impose liability, without regard to fault or to the legality of the original action, on certain classes of persons (referred to as potentially responsible parties or "PRPs") associated with a release or threat of a release of hazardous substances into the environment. Financial responsibility for the remediation and restoration of contaminated property and for natural resource damages can extend to previously owned or used properties, waterways and properties owned by third parties, as well as to properties currently owned and used by a company even if contamination is attributable entirely to prior owners. As discussed below, the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") has given notice of its intent to list the lower Fox River in Wisconsin on the National Priorities List under CERCLA and identified our subsidiary, Wisconsin Tissue Mills Inc., now WTM I Company ("WT"), as a PRP .


Except for the Fox River matter, we have not been identified as a PRP at any other CERCLA-related sites. However, there can be no assurance that we will not be named as a PRP at any other sites in the future, or that the costs associated with additional sites would not be material to our financial position or results of operations.


In June 1994, the United States Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service ("FWS"), a federal natural resources trustee, notified WT that it had identified WT as a PRP for natural resources damage liability under CERCLA arising from alleged releases of polychlorinatedbiphenyls ("PCBs") in the Fox River and Green Bay System in Wisconsin from WT's former recycled tissue mill in Menasha, Wisconsin. In addition to WT, six other companies (Appleton Papers, Inc., Fort Howard Corporation, P.H. Glatfelter Company, NCR Corporation, Riverside Paper Corporation and U.S. Paper Mills Corporation) have been identified as PRPs for the Fox River site. The FWS and other governmental and tribal entities, including the State of Wisconsin, allege that natural resources, including endangered species, fish, birds, tribal lands or lands held by the United States in trust for various Indian tribes, have been exposed to PCBs that were released from facilities located along the lower Fox River. On January 31, 1997, the FW S notified WT of its intent to file suit, subject to final approval by the United States Department of Justice ("DOJ"), against WT to recover alleged natural resource damages, but the FWS has not yet instituted such litigation. On June 18, 1997, the EPA announced that it was initiating the process of listing the lower Fox River on the CERCLA National Priorities List of hazardous waste sites.


In October 2001, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ("DNR") and EPA released for public comment a draft remedial investigation/feasibility study ("RI/FS") and proposed remedial action plan ("PRAP") for the Fox River site. The PRAP proposed remediation of the site based on a combination of (a) large-scale dredging and disposal of contaminated sediment and (b) natural attenuation. The dredging portion of the proposed remediation applies an action level of 1 part per million of PCB contamination as the standard for sediment removal. WT and the other PRPs commented on the RI/FS and PRAP during the public comment period. The cost estimated by EPA and DNR in the PRAP for implementing the remedy proposed in the PRAP for the site was approximately $308 million, of which approximately $57.6 million related to that segment of the Fox River site designated as Operable Unit 1 ("OU1") and approximately $9.9 million related to that segment of the Fox River site designated as Operable Unit 2 ("OU2"). A prel iminary study by consultants for the PRPs estimates that the cost of the remediation and restoration proposed in the PRAP may be understated and could range from $743 million to $1.59 billion. The principal differences between the cost estimated by EPA and DNR in the PRAP and the cost estimated by the PRPs' consultants are assumptions of the volume of sediment to be dredged and disposed of in order to meet the clean-up standards proposed in the PRAP and the unit cost of removal and disposal.


In January 2003, DNR and EPA released a Record of Decision (the "ROD") for OU1 and OU2 of the Fox River site. A second record of decision addressing the remainder of the river and Green Bay (Operable Units 3, 4 and 5) is to be issued in the future. OU1 is the reach of the river that is the farthest upstream and is immediately adjacent to the former WT mill. The ROD selects a remedy, consisting primarily of dredging, to remove substantially all sediment in OU1 with concentrations of PCBs of more than 1 part per million in order to achieve a surface weighted-average PCB concentration level ("SWAC") of not more than 0.25 parts per million. The ROD estimates the present-worth cost of the proposed remedy for OU1 is $66.2 million. Present-worth cost as stated in the ROD means capital costs in undiscounted 2001 dollars and long-term operation, maintenance and monitoring costs discounted at 6 percent. This estimate is an engineering cost estimate and the ROD states that the actual project cost is expected to be with in +50 percent to -30 percent of the estimate. The ROD estimates that the proposed dredging remedy will be accomplished over a six year period after commencement of dredging. For OU2, the reach of the river covering approximately 20 miles downstream from OU1, the ROD proposes a remedy of monitored natural recovery over a 40 year period. The ROD states that the present-worth cost of the proposed remedy is an engineering cost estimate of $9.9 million, based on estimated costs discounted at 6 percent. On July 1, 2003, DNR and EPA announced that they had signed an agreement with WT under which WT will complete the design work for the sediment clean-up in OU1. The design work to be done by WT is estimated to cost approximately $2 million. The estimated cost of the design work for WT was included in our previous estimates of WT's liability for OU1.

Based on information available to us at this time, we believe that the range of reasonable estimates of the total cost of remediation and restoration for the Fox River site is $256 million to $1.59 billion. The low end of this range assumes costs estimated in the PRAP and the ROD and takes into account the -30 percent engineering estimating factor. The upper end of the range assumes costs estimated in a preliminary analysis of the PRAP costs by the PRPs' consultant, which includes the +50 percent engineering estimating factor. We believe that the upper limit of the reasonably likely total cost of remediation and restoration for the Fox River site is $1.59 billion. The PRAP and the ROD indicate that most of the active remediation and restoration at the site is expected to take place in the next 10 years.


Based on current information and advice from our environmental consultants, we believe that the 1 part per million remedial action level, and the resulting aggressive effort to remove substantial amounts of PCB-contaminated sediments (most of which are buried under cleaner material or are otherwise unlikely to move) and dispose of the sediment off-site, as contemplated by the ROD for OU1 and the PRAP (for portions of the remainder of the river not in OU1 or OU2) are excessive and would be environmentally detrimental and therefore inappropriate. The ROD for OU1 includes provisions that a contingent remedy consisting of a combination of dredging and capping may be implemented if such remedy would provide the same level of protection to human health and the environment as the selected remedy. We believe that alternative remedies that are less intrusive than those proposed in the ROD for OU1 and the PRAP are more environmentally appropriate, cost effective and responsible methods of managing the risks attri butable to the sediment contamination. Any enforcement of a definitive remedial action plan may be subject to judicial review.


On October 25, 2000, the federal and tribal natural resources trustees released a Restoration and Compensation Determination Plan ("RCDP") presenting the federal and tribal trustees' planned approach for restoring injured federal and tribal natural resources and compensating the public for losses caused by the release of PCBs at the Fox River site. The RCDP states that the final natural resource damage claim (which is separate from, and in addition to, the remediation and restoration costs that will be associated with remedial action plans) will depend on the extent of PCB clean-up undertaken by EPA and DNR, but estimates past interim damages to be $65 million, and, for illustrative purposes only, estimates additional costs of restoration to address present and future PCB damages in a range of $111 million to $268 million. To date, the State of Wisconsin has not issued any estimate of natural resource damages. We believe, based on the information currently available to us, that the estimate of natural resour ce damages in the RCDP represents the reasonably likely upper limit of the total natural resource damages. We believe that the alleged damages to natural resources are overstated in the RCDP and joined in the PRP group comments on the RCDP to that effect. No final assessment of natural resource damages has been issued.


Under CERCLA, each PRP generally will be jointly and severally liable for the full amount of the remediation and restoration costs and natural resource damages, subject to a right of contribution from other PRPs. In practice, PRPs generally negotiate among themselves to determine their respective contributions to any multi-party activities based upon factors including their respective contributions to the alleged contamination, equitable considerations and their ability to pay. In draft analyses by DNR and federal government consultants, the volume of WT's PCB discharges into the Fox River has been estimated to range from 2.72 percent to 10 percent of the total discharges of PCBs. This range may not be indicative of the share of the cost of the remediation and restoration and natural resource damages that ultimately will be allocated to WT because of: inaccuracies or incompleteness of information about mill operations and discharges; inadequate consideration of the nature and location of various discharges o f PCBs to the river, including discharges by persons other than the named PRPs and the relationship of those discharges to identified contamination; uncertainty of the geographic location of the remediation and restoration eventually performed; uncertainty about the ability of other PRPs to participate in paying the costs and damages; and, in certain cases, uncertainty about the extent of responsibility of the manufacturers of the carbonless paper recycled by WT which contained the PCBs. We have evaluated the ability of other PRPs to participate in paying the remediation and restoration costs and natural resource damages based on our estimate of their reasonably possible shares of the liability and on public financial information indicating their ability to pay such shares. While we are unable to determine at this time what shares of the liability for the Fox River costs will be paid by the other identified PRPs (or other entities who are subsequently determined to have liability), based on information curre ntly available to us and the analysis described above, we believe that most of the other PRPs have the ability to pay their reasonably possible share of the liability.


The ultimate cost to WT of remediation and restoration costs and natural resource damages related to the Fox River site and the time periods over which the costs and damages may be incurred cannot be predicted with certainty at this time, due to uncertainties with respect to: what remediation and restoration will be implemented; the actual cost of that remediation and restoration; WT's share of any multi-party remediation and restoration costs and natural resource damages; the outcome of the federal and state natural resource damage assessments; the timing of any remediation and restoration; the evolving nature of remediation and restoration technologies and governmental regulations; controlling legal precedent; the extent to which contributions will be available from other parties; and the scope of potential recoveries from insurance carriers and prior owners of WT. While such costs and damages cannot be predicted with certainty at this time, we believe that WT's reasonably likely share of the ultimate reme diation and restoration costs and natural resource damages associated with the Fox River site may fall within the range of $32 million to $140 million, payable over a period of up to 40 years. In our estimate of the lower end of the range, we have assumed remediation and restoration costs as estimated in the ROD for OU1 and OU2 and in the PRAP for the remainder of the site, and the low end of the governments' estimates of natural resource damages and WT's share of the aggregate liability. In our estimate of the upper end of the range, we have assumed large-scale dredging at a higher cost than estimated in the ROD and the PRAP, and that our share of the ultimate aggregate liability for all PRPs will be higher than we believe it will ultimately be determined to be. We have accrued an amount for the Fox River liability based on our estimate of the reasonably probable costs within the range as described above.

We believe that, pursuant to the terms of a stock purchase agreement between Chesapeake and Philip Morris Incorporated (now known as Philip Morris USA Inc., or "PM USA," a wholly owned subsidiary of Altria Group, Inc.), a former owner of WT, we are entitled to substantial indemnification from PM USA with respect to the liabilities related to this matter. Based on the terms of that indemnity, we believe that the costs and damages within our estimated range of liability should be indemnified by PM USA. We understand, however, that PM USA is subject to certain risks (including litigation risk in cases relating to health concerns regarding the use of tobacco products, and bonding requirements associated with PM USA's appeal of adverse court rulings). Accordingly, there can be no assurance that PM USA will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations in the future. However, PM USA is currently meeting its indemnification obligations under the stock purchase agreement and, based on our rev iew of currently available financial information, we believe that PM USA has the financial ability to continue to meet its indemnification obligations.


Pursuant to the Joint Venture Agreement with Georgia-Pacific Corporation for Georgia-Pacific Tissue, LLC, WT has retained liability for, and the third party indemnity rights associated with, the discharge of PCBs and other hazardous materials in the Fox River and Green Bay System. Based on currently available information, we believe that if remediation and restoration are done in an environmentally appropriate, cost effective and responsible manner, and if natural resource damages are determined in a reasonable manner, the matter is unlikely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. However, because of the uncertainties described above, there can be no assurance that the ultimate liability with respect to the lower Fox River site will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.


On April 19, 1999, the EPA and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality ("DEQ") each issued Notices of Violation ("NOVs") under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 ("CAA") against St. Laurent Paper Products Corp. ("St. Laurent") (and, in the case of EPA's NOV, Chesapeake) relating to St. Laurent's kraft products mill located in West Point, Virginia (the "West Point Mill") formerly owned and operated by Chesapeake Paper Products, L.L.C. Chesapeake Paper Products, L.L.C. was sold by Chesapeake to St. Laurent Paperboard (U.S.) Inc. ("St. Laurent (U.S.)") in May 1997, pursuant to a Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 30, 1997, by and among Chesapeake Corporation, St. Laurent Paperboard Inc. and St. Laurent (U.S.) (the "Purchase Agreement"). In general, the NOVs allege that from 1984 through the date of the NOVs, the West Point Mill installed certain equipment and modified certain production processes without obtaining required permits. Under applicable law, the EPA and DEQ may commence a court action with respect to the matters alleged in the NOVs seeking injunctive relief to compel compliance with the CAA, and a court may impose civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day of violation ($27,500 per day for violations after January 30, 1997) for violations of the CAA (provided that a court, in determining the amount of any penalty to be assessed, shall take into consideration, among other things, the size of the business, the economic impact of the penalty on the business, the business' compliance history and good faith efforts to comply, the economic benefit to the business of noncompliance and the seriousness of the violation). The Purchase Agreement provided that we may have been required to indemnify St. Laurent against certain violations of applicable environmental laws (including the CAA) that were identified as of the May 1997 closing date (and other such violations that existed prior to such date as to which we had "knowledge," as defined in the Purchase Agreement). Our indemnification obligation to St. Laurent with respect to such matters was subject to certain limitations, including a cap of $50 million and, in certain circumstances, a $2 million deductible. Under the terms of an agreement effective as of June 6, 2003, St. Laurent and its parent corporation, Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation ("Smurfit-Stone") agreed to release substantially all indemnification claims against Chesapeake related to the sale of the West Point Mill, including all claims related to the NOVs, in exchange for cash payments by Chesapeake totaling $11.0 million to be made during 2003. St. Laurent and Smurfit-Stone also agreed to indemnify Chesapeake as to all environmental liabilities related to the West Point Mill. By entering into this settlement agreement and release, Chesapeake did not admit to any breach of the Purchase Agreement or any violation of any environmental laws.


It is our policy to accrue estimated future expenditures for environmental obligations when it is probable such costs will be incurred and when a range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Future expenditures for environmental obligations are not discounted unless the aggregate amount of the obligations, and the amount and timing of the cash payments, are fixed and readily determinable. Our accrued environmental liabilities totaled approximately $51.9 million as of June 29, 2003. We periodically review the status of all significant existing or potential environmental issues and adjust our accrual as necessary. The accrual does not reflect any possible future insurance or indemnification recoveries.

 

Litigation

We are a party to various other legal actions, which are ordinary and incidental to our business. While the outcome of legal actions cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the outcome of any of these proceedings, or all of them combined, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Guarantees and Indemnifications


We have entered into agreements for the sale of assets or businesses that contain provisions in which we agree to indemnify the buyers or third parties involved in the sale for certain liabilities or risks related to the sale. In these sale agreements, we typically agree to indemnify the buyers or other involved third parties against a broadly-defined range of potential "losses" (typically including, but not limited to, claims, costs, damages, judgments, liabilities, fines or penalties, and attorneys' fees) arising from: (i) a breach of our representations or warranties in the sale agreement or ancillary documents; (ii) our failure to perform any of the covenants or obligations of the sale agreement or ancillary documents; and (iii) other liabilities expressly retained or assumed by us related to the sale. Most of our indemnity obligations under these sale agreements are: (i) limited to a maximum dollar value significantly less than the final purchase price, (ii) limited by time within which indemnification claims must be asserted (often between one and three years), and (iii) subject to a deductible or "basket." Many of the potential indemnification liabilities under these sale agreements are unknown, remote or highly contingent, and most are unlikely to ever require an indemnity payment. Furthermore, even in the event that an indemnification claim is asserted, liability for indemnification is subject to determination under the terms of the applicable sale agreement, and any payments may be limited or barred by a monetary cap, a time limitation, or a deductible or "basket." For these reasons, we are unable to estimate the maximum amount of the potential future liability under the indemnity provisions of the sale agreements. However, we accrue for any potentially indemnifiable liability or risk under these sale agreements for which we believe a future payment is probable and a range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Other than the Fox River matter discussed in Environmental Matters above, as of June 29, 2003 , our liability under such indemnification obligations was believed to be immaterial.


In the ordinary course of our business, we may enter into agreements for the supply of goods or services to customers that provide warranties to the customers on one or more of the following: (i) the quality of the goods and services supplied by us; (ii) the performance of the goods supplied by us; and (iii) our compliance with certain specifications and applicable laws and regulations in supplying the goods and services. Liability under such warranties often is limited to a maximum amount, by the extent of the liability, or by the time period within which a claim must be asserted. As of June 29, 2003, our warranty obligations under such supply agreements were believed to be immaterial.


In the ordinary course of our business, we may enter into service agreements with service providers in which we agree to indemnify the service provider against certain losses and liabilities arising from the service provider's performance of the agreement. Generally, such indemnification obligations do not apply in situations in which the service provider is grossly negligent, engages in willful misconduct or acts in bad faith. As of June 29, 2003, our liability under such service agreements was believed to be immaterial.

 

Note 8. Segment Disclosure

We currently conduct our business in three segments: the Paperboard Packaging segment, the Plastic Packaging segment and the Land Development segment. Our Paperboard Packaging segment designs and manufactures folding cartons, leaflets, labels and other value-added paperboard packaging products. Its primary end-use markets are pharmaceuticals and healthcare; international and branded products (such as fine spirits, confectioneries, tobacco products and luxury goods, such as cosmetics and fragrances); and food and household. The Plastic Packaging segment designs and manufactures plastic containers, bottles, preforms and closures. Its primary end-use markets are agrochemicals and other specialty chemicals; beverages; and pharmaceuticals and healthcare. The Land Development segment holds approximately 3,000 acres of real estate in Virginia. We retained this acreage when we sold the timberland associated with our former pulp and paper operations because we believe this land is more val uable when sold for development or other uses. The Land Development segment markets this land to third parties for residential and commercial development, real estate investment and land conservation. General corporate expenses are shown as Corporate. The following tables summarize the net sales, earnings before interest and taxes, depreciation and identifiable assets for each of our segments:

(in millions)

        Second Quarter       

          Year to Date          

   

2003

   

2002

   

2003

   

2002

 

Net sales:

                       

Paperboard Packaging

$

178.5

 

$

160.5

 

$

361.0

 

$

315.5

 

Plastic Packaging

 

32.8

   

26.0

   

63.5

   

51.2

 

Land Development

 

1.4

   

2.5

   

5.7

   

4.4

 
 

                    

                    

                    

                    

 

$

212.7

 

$

189.0

 

$

430.2

 

$

371.1

 

                    

                    

                    

                    

Earnings before interest and taxes:

                       

Paperboard Packaging

$

13.4

 

$

12.4

 

$

25.8

 

$

23.9

 

Plastic Packaging

 

2.8

   

2.5

   

5.8

   

4.8

 

Land Development

 

1.0

   

1.8

   

4.6

   

2.9

 

Corporate

 

(4.4

)

 

(2.9

)

 

(8.1

)

 

(6.3

)

Gain on Sale of Business

 

11.2

   

-

   

11.2

   

-

 

Restructuring Charges

 

-

   

(2.6

)

 

-

   

(2.6

)

 

                    

                    

                    

                    

 

$

24.0

 

$

11.2

 

$

39.3

 

$

22.7

 
 

                    

                    

                    

                    

Depreciation:

       

Paperboard Packaging

$

10.3

 

$

9.5

 

$

20.6

 

$

18.8

 

Plastic Packaging

 

2.5

   

2.1

   

5.0

   

4.0

 

Corporate

 

0.2

   

0.2

   

0.3

   

0.4

 
 

                    

                    

                    

                    

 

$

13.0

 

$

11.8

 

$

25.9

 

$

23.2

 
 

                    

                    

                    

                    

 

 

(in millions)

Jun. 29,
        2003

 

Dec. 29,
        2002

 

Identifiable assets:

           

Paperboard Packaging

$

1,109.7

 

$

1,068.3

 

Plastic Packaging

 

158.9

   

151.7

 

Land Development

 

23.2

   

29.6

 

Corporate

 

102.4

   

103.3

 
 

                    

                    

 

$

1,394.2

 

$

1,352.9

 
 

                    

                    

Item 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Earnings before interest and taxes is abbreviated hereafter as EBIT. Consistent with our segment reporting in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, EBIT by segment excludes any restructuring charges and gains on sales of businesses. Excluding these amounts from our calculation of segment EBIT is consistent with how our management reviews segment performance and, we believe, affords the reader consistent measures of our operating performance. It is not, however, intended as an alternative measure of operating results as determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Our definition of segment EBIT is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures for other companies. Throughout the following discussion, the term "constant currency basis" reflects the 2003 results using the 2002 foreign currency translation rates for the periods presented.

The following table sets forth second quarter and year-to-date net sales and EBIT by business segment and on a consolidated basis:

Net Sales and EBIT by Segment and Consolidated

(in millions)

Quarter Ended
       Jun. 29, 2003     

Quarter Ended
       Jun. 30, 2002     

Six Months Ended
         Jun. 29, 2003       

Six Months Ended
         Jun. 30, 2002       

 

 Net Sales

   EBIT 

 Net Sales

   EBIT 

 Net Sales

   EBIT 

 Net Sales

   EBIT 

Paperboard Packaging

$

178.5

 

$

13.4

 

$

160.5

 

$

12.4

 

$

361.0

 

$

25.8

 

$

315.5

 

$

23.9

 

Plastic Packaging

 

32.8

   

2.8

   

26.0

   

2.5

   

63.5

   

5.8

   

51.2

   

4.8

 

Land Development

 

1.4

   

1.0

   

2.5

   

1.8

   

5.7

   

4.6

   

4.4

   

2.9

 

Corporate

 

-

   

(4.4

)

 

-

   

(2.9

)

 

-

   

(8.1

)

 

-

   

(6.3

)

Gain on Sale of Business

 

-

   

11.2

   

-

   

-

   

-

   

11.2

   

-

   

-

 

Restructuring Charges

 

-

   

-

   

-

   

(2.6

)

 

-

   

-

   

-

   

(2.6

)

 

                    

                

                    

                

                    

                

                    

                

Total

$

212.7

 

$

24.0

 

$

189.0

 

$

11.2

 

$

430.2

 

$

39.3

 

$

371.1

 

$

22.7

 
 

                    

                

                    

                

                    

                

                    

                

Both second quarter and year-to-date net sales for 2003 benefited from favorable foreign currency exchange rates. Without the benefit of the changes in foreign currency exchange rates, 2003 second quarter net sales decreased approximately 3 percent and 2003 year-to-date net sales were approximately even with the comparable prior year periods. The decrease in net sales for the second quarter, on a constant currency basis, was primarily due to decreased volume of alcoholic drink cartons in the international and branded sector and decreased land sales. With the exception of the international and branded sector, net sales for the second quarter across the other paperboard sectors have remained relatively consistent compared with net sales for the comparable period in 2002 on a constant currency basis. Plastic Packaging second quarter net sales, on a constant currency basis, increased 4 percent over the comparable year period, due to increased sales in the food and beverage and specialty chemicals sectors, partially offset by decreased sales in the Asia-Pacific region.

Gross margin, which is defined as net sales less cost of products sold, for the second quarter and first half of 2003 was $41.0 million and $83.3 million, respectively, compared to $35.7 million and $67.6 million for the same periods in 2002. Gross margin as a percentage of net sales was approximately 19 percent in both the second quarter and first half of 2003, which was relatively consistent compared with the results for 2002.

 

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses as a percentage of net sales for the second quarter and first half of 2003 increased to 14 percent from 12 percent during the same periods in 2002, primarily as a result of increased insurance and pension costs of approximately $3.3 million across all segments, and increased long-term incentive program costs of approximately $0.7 million.

During the second quarter of 2003, we settled substantially all of our indemnification obligations to St. Laurent Paperboard (U.S.) Inc. related to the 1997 sale of our former kraft products mill in West Point, Virginia. As a result of the settlement, we reduced our accrual for estimated environmental liabilities by $22.2 million in the second quarter of 2003, which resulted in a gain of approximately $11.2 million ($7.7 million, net of income taxes). See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the previous indemnification obligation and the settlement.

The results for the second quarter of 2002 included a restructuring charge of $2.6 million ($1.8 million, net of income taxes) for severance costs related to the closure of a facility in Congleton, England, which produced packaging for the food and household markets, and the consolidation of two facilities in Scotland serving the international and branded packaging market.

Other income, net, decreased $0.7 million for the second quarter of 2003 and increased $0.5 million for the first half of 2003, compared to the same periods in 2002. The first half of 2003 included a gain of approximately $0.6 million on the sale of the Congleton, England plant site that was closed in 2002.

EBIT for the second quarter of 2003 was $24.0 million compared to EBIT of $11.2 million for the second quarter of 2002. EBIT for the first half of 2003 was $39.3 million compared to EBIT of $22.7 million for the first half of 2002. In addition to the items noted above, approximately $2.0 million of the increase in EBIT for the second quarter of 2003 and approximately $4.1 million of the increase in EBIT for the first half of 2003 were due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. See Segment Information below for further details on EBIT.

Net interest expense for the second quarter and first half of 2003 was $10.6 million and $22.4 million, respectively, down slightly from $11.0 million and $22.9 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2002. We have local currency denominated debt on our balance sheet which serves as a partial natural hedge against currency fluctuations. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates increased net interest expense for the first half of 2003 by $1.6 million. This increase was offset by savings due to lower interest rates, part of which was due to the refinancing of approximately $32 million of 9.9 percent senior notes with borrowings under our senior credit facility that has a LIBOR-based interest rate that equaled 2.9 percent at June 29, 2003. Additionally, $0.8 million of interest expense was incurred in 2002 due to the termination of an interest rate swap.

The effective tax rate for the first half of 2003 was approximately 28 percent compared to an effective tax rate of approximately 25 percent for the first half of 2002, excluding restructuring charges. The effective tax rate for the first half of 2003 would have been approximately 22 percent, excluding the impact of the settlement of indemnification obligations. The full year effective tax rate for 2002 was approximately 22 percent. The full year effective tax rate for 2003 is estimated to be approximately 25 percent; it would have been approximately 22 percent, excluding the impact of the settlement of indemnification obligations.

Net income for the second quarter of 2003 was $9.4 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, compared to net income of $0.3 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2002. Net income for the first half of 2003 was $12.1 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, while net income for the same period in 2002 was breakeven.

 

Segment Information

Paperboard Packaging

(in millions)

     

    Increase    

 

   2003   

   2002   

 

    $    

 

    %    

 

Six Months:

                         

Net sales

$361.0

 

$315.5

   

45.5

 

14.4

         

EBIT

25.8

 

23.9

   

1.9

 

7.9

         

Operating margin

7.1

%

7.6

%

                 
                           

Second Quarter:

                         

Net sales

$178.5

 

$160.5

   

18.0

 

11.2

         

EBIT

13.4

 

12.4

   

1.0

 

8.1

         

Operating margin

7.5

%

7.7

%

                 


Net sales of $178.5 million for the second quarter of 2003 were 11 percent higher than net sales of $160.5 million for the second quarter of 2002. Net sales of $361.0 million for the first half of 2003 were 14 percent higher than net sales of $315.5 million for the first half of 2002. On a constant currency basis, net sales for the second quarter and first half of 2003 were down 4 percent and 1 percent, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2002. The decrease in constant currency sales for both the second quarter and first half of 2003 was primarily due to decreased volume of alcoholic drink cartons in the international and branded sector.

EBIT increased 8 percent for both the second quarter and the first six months of 2003 compared to the same periods in 2002. However, eliminating the effects of changes in foreign currency translation rates, EBIT for 2003 decreased approximately 3 percent for the second quarter and 4 percent year to date when compared to the prior year periods. The decrease in constant currency results was primarily due to increased pension and insurance costs, offset in part by cost saving initiatives in the international and branded sector, strong results in the tobacco sector and improved results related to increased customer promotional launch activity in the luxury packaging sector.

Plastic Packaging

(in millions)

         

    Increase    

 

    2003      

    2002       

 

    $    

 

    %  

 

Six Months:

                 

Net sales

$63.5

 

$51.2

   

12.3

 

24.0

 

EBIT

5.8

 

4.8

   

1.0

 

20.8

 

Operating margin

9.1

%

9.4

%

         
                   

Second Quarter:

                 

Net sales

$32.8

 

$26.0

   

6.8

 

26.2

 

EBIT

2.8

 

2.5

   

0.3

 

12.0

 

Operating margin

8.5

%

9.6

%

         

Net sales of $32.8 million for the second quarter of 2003 were up 26 percent compared to net sales of $26.0 million for the second quarter of 2002. Net sales of $63.5 million for the first half of 2003 were 24 percent higher than net sales for the first half of 2002. On a constant currency basis, net sales were up 4 percent for the second quarter of 2003 compared to the same period in 2002, and up 2 percent for the first half of 2003 compared to the same period in 2002, due to increased sales in the food and beverage and specialty chemicals sectors, partially offset by decreased sales in the Asia-Pacific region.

EBIT for the second quarter of 2003 was $2.8 million, compared to $2.5 million for the second quarter of 2002, and EBIT for the first half of 2003 was $5.8 million, compared to $4.8 million for the first half of 2003. On a constant currency basis, EBIT was down 10 percent for the second quarter of 2003 and down 5 percent for the first half of 2003 compared to the same periods in 2002. The decrease in EBIT on a constant currency basis for both the quarter and year to date was primarily a result of decreased sales volumes in the Asia-Pacific region, which was negatively impacted by the SARS epidemic. EBIT for the food and beverage and specialty chemical sectors was relatively consistent compared to the prior quarter and year to date on a constant currency basis.

Land Development

(in millions)

         

Increase/(Decrease)

 

    2003      

    2002       

 

    $    

 

    %  

 

Six Months:

                 

Net sales

$5.7

 

$4.4

   

1.3

 

29.5

 

EBIT

4.6

 

2.9

   

1.7

 

58.6

 

Operating margin

80.7

%

65.9

%

         
                   

Second Quarter:

                 

Net sales

$1.4

 

$2.5

   

(1.1

)

(44.0

)

EBIT

1.0

 

1.8

   

(0.8

)

(44.4

)

Operating margin

71.4

%

72.0

%

         

 

EBIT for the Land Development segment of $1.0 million for the second quarter of 2003 decreased from $1.8 million for the second quarter of 2002. EBIT of $4.6 million for the first half of 2003 increased from $2.9 million for the same period in 2002. The differences in EBIT are due to the timing of land sales. We expect the liquidation of our remaining land holdings to be substantially complete in the next 6 to 12 months.


Liquidity and Financial Position

Net cash provided by operating activities in the first half of 2003 of $21.9 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $10.0 million in the first half of 2002. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities reflects higher profits in 2003.


Net cash used in investing activities in the first half of 2003 of $26.9 million compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $7.5 million in the first half of 2002. Capital spending was $29.7 million for the first half of 2003, of which approximately $12.7 million related to the construction of two new plants in Germany. During 2002, we received cash payments of approximately $18.9 million on the notes received from CorrFlex in connection with the 2001 sale of substantially all of the U.S. display assets of Chesapeake Display and Packaging Company.


Net cash provided by financing activities in the first half of 2003 was $3.6 million, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $12.2 million in the first half of 2002. Cash used in financing activities in the first half of 2002 consisted primarily of payments on our long-term debt and credit facilities using the proceeds received from CorrFlex, while the cash provided by financing activities in the first half of 2003 reflected net borrowings against our credit facilities for seasonal working capital needs and capital spending. We paid cash dividends of $0.22 per share in both the first and second quarters of both 2002 and 2003. Dividends paid in the first half of both 2002 and 2003 totaled approximately $6.7 million.

Our debt, net of cash, at June 29, 2003, was $499.1 million, up $23.4 million compared to December 29, 2002. Approximately $10.1 million of the increase was attributable to changes in foreign currency translation rates. Our net debt-to-capital ratio was 47.7 percent as of June 29, 2003, compared to the net debt-to-capital ratio of 48.6 percent at December 29, 2002. (Capital consists of total debt, net of cash, plus long-term deferred tax liabilities and stockholders' equity.)

Our anticipated cash requirements during 2003 are primarily to fund capital expenditures, pay dividends and reduce long-term debt. We expect to fully fund our cash requirements in 2003 with cash generated from operations, utilizing the borrowing capacity available under our senior credit facility to fund any short-term seasonal cash flow fluctuations. Our senior credit facility matures in 2005; we anticipate replacing this facility prior to its maturity.

We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of the end of the second quarter of 2003. We believe we will have adequate financial resources to support anticipated short-term and long-term capital needs and commitments.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. We believe that the estimates, assumptions and judgments described in the section "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies" of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K have the greatest potential impact on our financial statements, so we consider these to be our critical accounting policies. These policies include our accounting for (a) goodwill and other long-lived asset valuations; (b) environmental and other contingencies; (c) pension and other postretirement employee benefits; and (d) deferred tax assets. Because of the uncertainty inherent in these matters, reported results could have been materially different using a different set of assumptions and estimates for these critical accounting policies. We believe that the consistent application of these policies enables us to provide readers of our financial statements with useful and reliable information about our operating results and financial condition. There has been no significant change in these policies, or the estimates used in the application of the policies, since our 2002 fiscal year end.

Environmental

We have a strong commitment to protecting the environment. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on environmental matters.

New Accounting Pronouncements


See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Seasonality

We compete in several end-use markets, such as fine spirits, premium confectioneries, cosmetics and fragrances, that are seasonal in nature. As a result, our earnings stream is seasonal, with peak operational activity expected during the third and fourth quarters of the year.

Forward-Looking Statements


Forward-looking statements in the foregoing Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations include statements that are identified by the use of words or phrases including, but not limited to, the following: "will likely result," "expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimated," "project," "believe," "expect," and words or phrases of similar import. Changes in the following important factors, among others, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements: competitive products and pricing; production costs, particularly for raw materials such as folding carton and plastics materials; fluctuations in demand; possible recessionary trends in United States and global economies; governmental policies and regulations; interest rates; fluctuations in currency translation rates; our ability to remain in compliance with our debt covenants; and other risks that are detailed from time to time in rep orts we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

There are no material changes to the disclosure on this matter made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2002.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Within the 90 days prior to the filing of this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 29, 2003. There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these internal controls subsequent to the date of our evaluation.

Part II - Other Information

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

On March 26, 2001, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") issued a formal order that a private investigation be conducted concerning matters related to our financial reporting. The investigation is based on SEC inquiries arising out of our restatements and revision of earnings in 2000 related to our U.S. Display business. We are cooperating with the SEC in the investigation and the outcome of the investigation cannot yet be determined.


In addition, reference is made to Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on April 23, 2003, the following business was transacted:

(1) Election of Directors -

      All the nominees for election to the Board of Directors were elected:

 

Number of
Shares For 

Number of Shares
Authority Withheld

Rafaël C. Decaluwé

12,955,030

275,609

James E. Rogers

12,937,313

293,326

Joseph P. Viviano

12,976,644

252,995

Harry H. Warner

12,949,923

280,716

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)

Exhibits:

 

10.1

Third Amendment to Employment and Severance Benefits Agreement with Thomas H. Johnson, dated as of April 22, 2003, filed herewith

 

10.2

Second Amendment to Employment and Severance Benefits Agreement with Keith Gilchrist, dated as of April 22, 2003, filed herewith

 

10.3

Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement with Andrew J. Kohut, dated as of April 22, 2003, filed herewith

 

10.4

Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement with J.P. Causey Jr., dated as of April 22, 2003, filed herewith

 

99.1

Certifications of CEO and CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(b)

Reports on Form 8-K:

 

(i)

Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 22, 2003, reporting under Item 9 ("Regulation F-D Disclosure") the announcement of first quarter 2003 results, and filing the manuscript of a conference call with investors discussing the first quarter 2003 earnings
 

(ii)

Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 23, 2003, reporting under Item 9 ("Regulation F-D Disclosure") information provided by Chesapeake as presented at its annual meeting of shareholders, a press release issued on the annual meeting and a press release announcing a quarterly dividend

 

(iii)

Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 6, 2003, reporting under Item 5 ("Other Events and Regulation F-D Disclosure") a press release announcing revisions to the company's guidance on its 2003 financial performance as a result of a settlement of indemnification obligations to St. Laurent Paperboard (U.S.) Inc.

SIGNATURE

 

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.

 

 

   

CHESAPEAKE CORPORATION

   

(Registrant)

     

Date:  July 25, 2003

BY:

/s/ Christine R. Vlahcevic                

   

Christine R. Vlahcevic

   

Controller

   

(Principal Accounting Officer)

     
     
     
     
     
     

 

 

 

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Thomas H. Johnson, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Chesapeake Corporation;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

   

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

   

b)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

   

c)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

   

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

   

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting.

       

Date:

July 25, 2003

       

/s/ Thomas H. Johnson                                       

       

Thomas H. Johnson

       

Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer

       

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

I, Andrew J. Kohut, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Chesapeake Corporation;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

   

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

   

b)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

   

c)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

   

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

   

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting.

       

Date:

July 25, 2003

       

/s/ Andrew J. Kohut                                                  

       

Andrew J. Kohut

       

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

       

(Principal Financial Officer)