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Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For Quarter Ended March 31, 2003

 

Commission file number 1-5313

 


 

POTLATCH CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

A Delaware Corporation

 

82-0156045

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

601 West Riverside Ave., Suite 1100
Spokane, Washington

 

99201

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (509) 835-1500

 


 

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  x  No  ¨

 

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

 

The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2003:   28,640,098 shares of Common Stock, par value $1 per share.

 



Table of Contents

POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

Index to Form 10-Q

 

    

Page Number


PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

Item 1.    Financial Statements

    

Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

  

2

Condensed Balance Sheets at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

  

3

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

  

4

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

  

5-14

Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  

15-24

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

  

25

Item 4.    Disclosure Controls and Procedures

  

25

PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

    

Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

  

26

SIGNATURES

  

27

OFFICER CERTIFICATIONS

  

28-29

EXHIBIT INDEX

  

30

 

1


Table of Contents

 

PART I

 

Item 1.    Financial Statements

 

POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands—except per-share amounts)

 

    

Three Months Ended
March 31


 
    

2003


    

2002


 

Net sales

  

$

333,628

 

  

$

318,189

 

    


  


Costs and expenses:

                 

Depreciation, amortization and cost of fee timber harvested

  

 

26,859

 

  

 

30,484

 

Materials, labor and other operating expenses

  

 

290,504

 

  

 

272,065

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  

 

17,918

 

  

 

21,992

 

Restructuring charge

  

 

227

 

  

 

—  

 

    


  


    

 

335,508

 

  

 

324,541

 

    


  


Loss from operations

  

 

(1,880

)

  

 

(6,352

)

Interest expense

  

 

(12,762

)

  

 

(18,626

)

Interest income

  

 

67

 

  

 

490

 

    


  


Loss before taxes on income

  

 

(14,575

)

  

 

(24,488

)

Provision (benefit) for taxes on income (Note 3)

  

 

(5,684

)

  

 

(9,550

)

    


  


Loss from continuing operations

  

 

(8,891

)

  

 

(14,938

)

Discontinued operations (Note 4):

                 

Loss from discontinued operations (including loss on disposal of $45 and $245,573)

  

 

(1,106

)

  

 

(249,908

)

Income tax benefit

  

 

(432

)

  

 

(97,465

)

    


  


Net loss

  

$

(9,565

)

  

$

(167,381

)

    


  


Net loss per common share from continuing operations (Note 5):

                 

Basic

  

$

(.31

)

  

$

(.53

)

Diluted

  

 

(.31

)

  

 

(.53

)

Net loss per common share:

                 

Basic

  

 

(.33

)

  

 

(5.90

)

Diluted

  

 

(.33

)

  

 

(5.90

)

Dividends per common share (annual rate)

  

 

.60

 

  

 

.60

 

Average shares outstanding (in thousands):

                 

Basic

  

 

28,617

 

  

 

28,353

 

Diluted

  

 

28,617

 

  

 

28,353

 


Certain 2002 amounts have been conformed to the 2003 presentation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

2


Table of Contents

 

POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

2003 amounts unaudited (Dollars in thousands—except per-share amounts)

 

    

March 31, 2003


  

December 31, 2002


Assets

             

Current assets:

             

Cash

  

$

12,165

  

$

8,973

Restricted cash (Note 7)

  

 

15,114

  

 

15,069

Short-term investments

  

 

1,600

  

 

2,000

Receivables, net (Note 8)

  

 

126,396

  

 

117,919

Inventories (Note 9)

  

 

163,086

  

 

159,798

Prepaid expenses

  

 

37,984

  

 

39,005

Assets held for sale (Note 4)

  

 

—  

  

 

5,000

    

  

Total current assets

  

 

356,345

  

 

347,764

Land, other than timberlands

  

 

8,911

  

 

8,750

Plant and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation

  

 

748,149

  

 

758,168

Timber, timberlands and related logging facilities

  

 

396,438

  

 

396,426

Other assets

  

 

108,895

  

 

105,218

    

  

    

$

1,618,738

  

$

1,616,326

    

  

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

             

Current liabilities:

             

Notes payable

  

$

60,000

  

$

40,000

Current installments on long-term debt

  

 

15,507

  

 

15,607

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  

 

192,581

  

 

189,452

Liabilities related to assets held for sale (Note 4)

  

 

—  

  

 

12

    

  

Total current liabilities

  

 

268,088

  

 

245,071

Long-term debt

  

 

621,855

  

 

622,645

Other long-term obligations

  

 

259,882

  

 

261,165

Deferred taxes

  

 

50,538

  

 

56,654

Stockholders’ equity

  

 

418,375

  

 

430,791

    

  

    

$

1,618,738

  

$

1,616,326

    

  

Stockholders’ equity per common share

  

$

14.61

  

$

15.07

Working capital

  

$

88,257

  

$

102,693

Current ratio

  

 

1.3:1

  

 

1.4:1

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

3


Table of Contents

 

POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)

 

    

Three Months Ended
March 31


 
    

2003


    

2002


 

Cash Flows From Continuing Operations

                 

Net loss

  

$

(9,565

)

  

$

(167,381

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net operating cash flows:

                 

Loss from discontinued operations

  

 

647

 

  

 

2,644

 

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations

  

 

60

 

  

 

216,573

 

Depreciation, amortization and cost of fee timber harvested

  

 

26,859

 

  

 

30,484

 

Deferred taxes

  

 

(6,116

)

  

 

(91,162

)

Working capital changes

  

 

(11,059

)

  

 

(4,313

)

    


  


Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities of continuing operations

  

 

826

 

  

 

(13,155

)

    


  


Cash Flows From Investing

                 

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash

  

 

(45

)

  

 

98,200

 

Decrease in short-term investments

  

 

400

 

  

 

30,500

 

Additions to plant and properties

  

 

(13,531

)

  

 

(4,985

)

Other, net

  

 

(3,356

)

  

 

(8,029

)

    


  


Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities of continuing operations

  

 

(16,532

)

  

 

115,686

 

    


  


Cash Flows From Financing

                 

Change in book overdrafts

  

 

3,944

 

  

 

(5,836

)

Increase in notes payable

  

 

20,000

 

  

 

15,000

 

Retirement of long-term debt

  

 

(890

)

  

 

(100,483

)

Issuance of treasury stock

  

 

1,440

 

  

 

2,139

 

Dividends

  

 

(4,291

)

  

 

(4,252

)

Other, net

  

 

(5,086

)

  

 

(3,907

)

    


  


Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities of continuing operations

  

 

15,117

 

  

 

(97,339

)

    


  


Cash from continuing operations

  

 

(589

)

  

 

5,192

 

Cash from discontinued operations

  

 

3,781

 

  

 

(3,463

)

    


  


Increase in cash

  

 

3,192

 

  

 

1,729

 

Balance at beginning of period

  

 

8,973

 

  

 

7,475

 

    


  


Balance at end of period

  

$

12,165

 

  

$

9,204

 

    


  



Net interest payments (net of amounts capitalized) for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 were $10.9 million and $19.5 million, respectively. Net income tax payments for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 were $.1 million and $.2 million, respectively.

 

Certain 2002 amounts have been conformed to the 2003 presentation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

 

POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)

 

NOTE 1.    GENERAL – The accompanying condensed balance sheets at March 31, 2003, and December 31, 2002, the statements of operations and the condensed statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. We believe that all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results of such interim periods have been included. On March 18, 2002, we announced that we had signed a definitive agreement to sell a majority of the assets of our Printing Papers segment to a domestic subsidiary of Sappi Limited, and upon completion of the sale in May 2002, we exited the printing papers business. On June 3, 2002, we announced our intention to close our hardwood lumber mill in Warren, Arkansas, and exit the hardwood lumber business. We sold the facility in August 2002. As a result, the Printing Papers segment and the hardwood lumber mill operations have been classified as “discontinued operations” and “assets held for sale” in the financial statements presented herein. Except for adjustments to the carrying value of the Printing Papers segment and hardwood lumber mill assets, made in conjunction with the announcements and pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” all adjustments were of a normal recurring nature; there were no other material nonrecurring adjustments.

 

NOTE 2.    ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS – We adopted SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” effective January 1, 2003. The Statement requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred, with the associated asset retirement costs capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. Adoption of this Statement did not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

NOTE 3.    INCOME TAXES – The income tax benefits presented in the statements of operations have been computed by applying an estimated annual effective tax rate. This rate was 39 percent for the quarters ended March 31, 2003 and 2002.

 

NOTE 4.    DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS – On March 18, 2002, we announced that we had signed a definitive agreement with a domestic subsidiary of Sappi Limited for the sale of our Cloquet, Minnesota, pulp and printing papers facilities and certain associated assets for $485.5 million in cash, after closing adjustments. The sale was completed in May 2002. As a result of the transaction, we recorded an after-tax charge of $149.8 million in the first quarter of 2002. The charge represented estimated costs associated with the write-down of the carrying value of the assets involved in the sale, the closure of the Brainerd facility and other costs associated with exiting the coated paper business. The Brainerd facility was sold on February 28, 2003, for $4.44 million in cash and an additional loss on disposal of less than $.1 million was recorded at that time.

 

On June 3, 2002, we announced that we would close our Bradley hardwood mill in Warren, Arkansas, and exit the hardwood lumber business. We sold the facility in August 2002.

 

5


Table of Contents

POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)

 

 

For the first quarter of 2002, the after-tax charge of $149.8 million and operating losses of $2.6 million for the printing papers segment and the hardwood mill are classified as discontinued operations in the Statements of Operations, as required by SFAS No. 144. For the first quarter of 2003, operating losses at the Brainerd facility, as well as the minor additional loss on disposal of the facility, totaling $.7 million after-tax are classified as discontinued operations.

 

At December 31, 2002, the assets and liabilities of the Brainerd facility were presented in the Balance Sheets under the captions “Assets held for sale” and “Liabilities related to assets held for sale.” The carrying amounts of the major classes of these assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

    

March 31,
2003


  

December 31,
2002


    

(Dollars in thousands)

Assets

             

Land, other than timberlands

  

$

—  

  

$

108

Plant and equipment, net

  

 

—  

  

 

4,892

    

  

Total assets held for sale

  

$

—  

  

$

5,000

    

  

Liabilities

             

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  

$

—  

  

$

12

    

  

 

NOTE 5.    LOSS PER COMMON SHARE – Loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss and loss from continuing operations by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share.”

 

The following table reconciles the number of common shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations:

 

    

Three Months Ended
March 31


    

2003


  

2002


Basic average common shares outstanding

  

28,617,257

  

28,353,007

Incremental shares due to common stock options

  

—  

  

—  

    
  

Diluted average common shares outstanding

  

28,617,257

  

28,353,007

    
  

 

Incremental shares due to common stock options were not included in the diluted average common shares outstanding totals due to their antidilutive effect as a result of our net losses for the periods presented. The amounts not included for stock options totaled 0 for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 14,803 for the three months ended March 31, 2002. Stock options to purchase 2,715,962 and 2,342,125 shares of common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices of the stock options were greater than the average market price of the common shares.

 

6


Table of Contents

POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)

 

 

NOTE 6.    STOCK BASED COMPENSATION – We apply Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and related Interpretations in accounting for our stock based compensation. No compensation cost has been recognized when options are granted under the plans, as all stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to market value at the grant date. Had compensation costs for the plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for option awards under those plans as prescribed by SFAS No. 123, our net loss and loss per share would have been increased to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

    

Three Months Ended
March 31


 
    

2003


    

2002


 
    

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Net loss, as reported

  

$

(9,565

)

  

$

(167,381

)

Stock based employee compensation determined under SFAS No. 123, net of tax

  

 

(502

)

  

 

(552

)

    


  


Pro forma net loss

  

$

(10,067

)

  

$

(167,933

)

    


  


Basic and diluted loss per share, as reported

  

$

(.33

)

  

$

(5.90

)

Pro forma basic and diluted loss per share

  

 

(.35

)

  

 

(5.92

)

 

NOTE 7.    RESTRICTED CASH – In September 2002, we placed $15.0 million into an interest-bearing escrow account under the terms of an amendment to our credit agreement. The escrow account’s use was restricted to the repayment of $15 million of our medium-term notes, bearing an interest rate of 9.42%, which matured on April 4, 2003.

 

NOTE 8.    RECEIVABLES, NET – Included in the “Receivables, net” balance at March 31, 2003, and December 31, 2002, is approximately $22.3 million due to settlements reached with the Internal Revenue Service for the years 1989 through 1994. The settlements exceed the threshold amount that requires review by the congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. The review is currently in process.

 

NOTE 9.    INVENTORIES – Inventories related to continuing operations at the balance sheet dates consist of:

 

    

March 31,
2003


  

December 31,
2002


Raw materials

  

$

65,730

  

$

75,000

Work in process

  

 

650

  

 

432

Finished goods

  

 

96,706

  

 

84,366

    

  

    

$

163,086

  

$

159,798

    

  

 

7


Table of Contents

POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)

 

 

NOTE 10.    SEGMENT INFORMATION –

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31


 
    

2003


    

2002


 
    

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Segment Sales

                 

Resource

  

$

43,797

 

  

$

119,623

 

    


  


Wood products

                 

Oriented strand board

  

 

52,233

 

  

 

46,665

 

Lumber

  

 

63,651

 

  

 

67,433

 

Plywood

  

 

9,309

 

  

 

9,314

 

Particleboard

  

 

3,295

 

  

 

3,176

 

Other

  

 

8,587

 

  

 

5,986

 

    


  


    

 

137,075

 

  

 

132,574

 

    


  


Pulp and paperboard

                 

Paperboard

  

 

104,921

 

  

 

93,917

 

Pulp

  

 

13,140

 

  

 

10,762

 

    


  


    

 

118,061

 

  

 

104,679

 

    


  


Consumer products

  

 

78,064

 

  

 

81,034

 

    


  


    

 

376,997

 

  

 

437,910

 

Elimination of intersegment sales

  

 

(43,369

)

  

 

(119,721

)

    


  


Total consolidated net sales

  

$

333,628

 

  

$

318,189

 

    


  


Intersegment sales or transfers

                 

Resource

  

$

31,847

 

  

$

108,282

 

Wood products

  

 

3,009

 

  

 

3,838

 

Pulp and paperboard

  

 

8,492

 

  

 

7,577

 

Consumer products

  

 

21

 

  

 

24

 

    


  


Total

  

$

43,369

 

  

$

119,721

 

    


  


Operating Income (Loss)

                 

Resource

  

$

11,121

 

  

$

10,025

 

Wood products

  

 

(3,611

)

  

 

(1,116

)

Pulp and paperboard

  

 

(9,333

)

  

 

(19,048

)

Consumer products

  

 

6,802

 

  

 

13,308

 

Eliminations and adjustments

  

 

70

 

  

 

338

 

    


  


    

 

5,049

 

  

 

3,507

 

Corporate

  

 

(19,624

)

  

 

(27,995

)

    


  


Consolidated loss from continuing operations before taxes on income

  

$

(14,575

)

  

$

(24,488

)

    


  



In the second half of 2002, our Wood Products and Pulp and Paperboard operating segments transitioned to a fiber procurement system whereby a portion of third party fiber purchases are made directly by each segment. This change has significantly decreased intersegment sales for the Resource segment.

 

Certain 2002 amounts have been conformed to the 2003 presentation.

 

8


Table of Contents

POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)

 

 

NOTE 11.    SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS – A portion of our outstanding debt is unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by four of our subsidiaries, which are also guarantors, on an unconditional, joint and several basis, of any obligations under our current bank credit facilities.

 

Consolidating statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 are as follows (unaudited):

 

    

For the three months ended March 31, 2003


 
    

Parent Company


    

Subsidiary Guarantors


      

Eliminations


    

Consolidated


 
    

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Net sales

  

$

333,628

 

  

$

212

 

    

$

(212

)

  

$

333,628

 

    


  


    


  


Costs and expenses:

                                     

Depreciation, amortization and cost of fee timber harvested

  

 

26,830

 

  

 

29

 

    

 

—  

 

  

 

26,859

 

Materials, labor and other operating expenses

  

 

290,602

 

  

 

114

 

    

 

(212

)

  

 

290,504

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  

 

17,806

 

  

 

112

 

    

 

—  

 

  

 

17,918

 

Restructuring charge

  

 

227

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

  

 

227

 

    


  


    


  


    

 

335,465

 

  

 

255

 

    

 

(212

)

  

 

335,508

 

    


  


    


  


Loss from operations

  

 

(1,837

)

  

 

(43

)

    

 

—  

 

  

 

(1,880

)

Interest expense

  

 

(12,762

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

  

 

(12,762

)

Interest income

  

 

67

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

  

 

67

 

    


  


    


  


Loss before taxes on income and equity in net income of consolidated subsidiaries

  

 

(14,532

)

  

 

(43

)

    

 

—  

 

  

 

(14,575

)

Equity in net income of consolidated subsidiaries

  

 

(26

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

26

 

  

 

—  

 

Provision (benefit) for taxes on income

  

 

(5,667

)

  

 

(17

)

    

 

—  

 

  

 

(5,684

)

    


  


    


  


Loss from continuing operations

  

 

(8,891

)

  

 

(26

)

    

 

26

 

  

 

(8,891

)

Discontinued operations:

                                     

Loss from discontinued operations

  

 

(1,106

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

  

 

(1,106

)

Income tax benefit

  

 

(432

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

  

 

(432

)

    


  


    


  


Net loss

  

$

(9,565

)

  

$

(26

)

    

$

26

 

  

$

(9,565

)

    


  


    


  


 

9


Table of Contents

POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)

 

 

    

For the three months ended March 31, 2002


 
    

Parent Company


    

Subsidiary Guarantors


      

Eliminations


    

Consolidated


 
    

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Net sales

  

$

318,189

 

  

$

287

 

    

$

(287

)

  

$

318,189

 

    


  


    


  


Costs and expenses:

                                     

Depreciation, amortization and cost of fee timber harvested

  

 

30,464

 

  

 

20

 

    

 

—  

 

  

 

30,484

 

Materials, labor and other operating expenses

  

 

272,253

 

  

 

99

 

    

 

(287

)

  

 

272,065

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  

 

21,892

 

  

 

100

 

    

 

—  

 

  

 

21,992

 

    


  


    


  


    

 

324,609

 

  

 

219

 

    

 

(287

)

  

 

324,541

 

    


  


    


  


Earnings (loss) from operations

  

 

(6,420

)

  

 

68

 

    

 

—  

 

  

 

(6,352

)

Interest expense

  

 

(18,626

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

  

 

(18,626

)

Interest income

  

 

490

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

 

  

 

490

 

    


  


    


  


Earnings (loss) before taxes on income and equity in net income of consolidated subsidiaries

  

 

(24,556

)

  

 

68

 

    

 

—  

 

  

 

(24,488

)

Equity in net income of consolidated subsidiaries

  

 

42

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

(42

)

  

 

—  

 

Provision (benefit) for taxes on income

  

 

(9,576

)

  

 

26

 

    

 

—  

 

  

 

(9,550

)

    


  


    


  


Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

  

 

(14,938

)

  

 

42

 

    

 

(42

)

  

 

(14,938

)

Discontinued operations:

                                     

Loss from discontinued operations

  

 

(249,908

)

  

 

(78

)

    

 

78

 

  

 

(249,908

)

Income tax benefit

  

 

(97,465

)

  

 

(30

)

    

 

30

 

  

 

(97,465

)

    


  


    


  


Net loss

  

$

(167,381

)

  

$

(6

)

    

$

6

 

  

$

(167,381

)

    


  


    


  


 

10


Table of Contents

POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)

 

 

Condensed consolidating balance sheets as of March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 are as follows (2003 amounts unaudited):

 

    

March 31, 2003


    

Parent Company


  

Subsidiary Guarantors


    

Eliminations


    

Consolidated


    

(Dollars in thousands)

Assets

                               

Current assets:

                               

Cash

  

$

12,168

  

$

(3

)

  

$

—  

 

  

$

12,165

Restricted cash

  

 

15,114

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

15,114

Short-term investments

  

 

1,600

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

1,600

Receivables, net

  

 

126,112

  

 

284

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

126,396

Inventories

  

 

162,934

  

 

152

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

163,086

Prepaid expenses

  

 

37,985

  

 

(1

)

  

 

—  

 

  

 

37,984

    

  


  


  

Total current assets

  

 

355,913

  

 

432

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

356,345

Land, other than timberlands

  

 

8,418

  

 

493

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

8,911

Plant and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation

  

 

747,480

  

 

669

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

748,149

Timber, timberlands and related logging facilities

  

 

396,438

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

396,438

Other assets

  

 

110,141

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(1,246

)

  

 

108,895

    

  


  


  

    

$

1,618,390

  

$

1,594

 

  

$

(1,246

)

  

$

1,618,738

    

  


  


  

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

                               

Current liabilities:

                               

Notes payable

  

$

60,000

  

$

—  

 

  

$

—  

 

  

$

60,000

Current installments on long-term debt

  

 

15,507

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

15,507

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  

 

192,452

  

 

129

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

192,581

    

  


  


  

Total current liabilities

  

 

267,959

  

 

129

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

268,088

Intercompany transfers

  

 

30,655

  

 

(30,655

)

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

Long-term debt

  

 

621,855

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

621,855

Other long-term obligations

  

 

259,882

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

259,882

Deferred taxes

  

 

50,538

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

50,538

Stockholders’ equity

  

 

387,501

  

 

32,120

 

  

 

(1,246

)

  

 

418,375

    

  


  


  

    

$

1,618,390

  

$

1,594

 

  

$

(1,246

)

  

$

1,618,738

    

  


  


  

 

11


Table of Contents

POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)

 

 

    

December 31, 2002


    

Parent Company


  

Subsidiary Guarantors


    

Eliminations


    

Consolidated


    

(Dollars in thousands)

Assets

                               

Current assets:

                               

Cash

  

$

8,811

  

$

162

 

  

$

—  

 

  

$

8,973

Restricted cash

  

 

15,069

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

15,069

Short-term investments

  

 

2,000

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

2,000

Receivables, net

  

 

117,758

  

 

161

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

117,919

Inventories

  

 

159,637

  

 

161

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

159,798

Prepaid expenses

  

 

39,006

  

 

(1

)

  

 

—  

 

  

 

39,005

Assets held for sale

  

 

5,000

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

5,000

    

  


  


  

Total current assets

  

 

347,281

  

 

483

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

347,764

Land, other than timberlands

  

 

8,354

  

 

396

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

8,750

Plant and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation

  

 

757,372

  

 

796

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

758,168

Timber, timberlands and related logging facilities

  

 

396,426

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

396,426

Other assets

  

 

106,464

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(1,246

)

  

 

105,218

    

  


  


  

    

$

1,615,897

  

$

1,675

 

  

$

(1,246

)

  

$

1,616,326

    

  


  


  

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

                               

Current liabilities:

                               

Notes payable

  

$

40,000

  

$

—  

 

  

$

—  

 

  

$

40,000

Current installments on long-term debt

  

 

15,607

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

15,607

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  

 

189,323

  

 

129

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

189,452

Liabilities related to assets held for sale

  

 

12

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

12

    

  


  


  

Total current liabilities

  

 

244,942

  

 

129

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

245,071

Intercompany transfers

  

 

30,779

  

 

(30,779

)

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

Long-term debt

  

 

622,645

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

622,645

Other long-term obligations

  

 

261,165

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

261,165

Deferred taxes

  

 

56,654

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

56,654

Stockholders’ equity

  

 

399,712

  

 

32,325

 

  

 

(1,246

)

  

 

430,791

    

  


  


  

    

$

1,615,897

  

$

1,675

 

  

$

(1,246

)

  

$

1,616,326

    

  


  


  

 

12


Table of Contents

POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)

 

 

Condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 are as follows (unaudited):

 

    

For the three months ended March 31, 2003


 
    

Parent Company


    

Subsidiary Guarantors


      

Eliminations


  

Consolidated


 
    

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Cash Flows From Continuing Operations

                                   

Net loss

  

$

(9,539

)

  

$

(26

)

    

$

—  

  

$

(9,565

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net operating cash flows:

                                   

Loss from discontinued operations

  

 

647

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

647

 

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations

  

 

60

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

60

 

Depreciation, amortization and cost of fee timber harvested

  

 

26,830

 

  

 

29

 

    

 

—  

  

 

26,859

 

Deferred taxes

  

 

(6,116

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(6,116

)

Working capital changes

  

 

(10,945

)

  

 

(114

)

    

 

—  

  

 

(11,059

)

    


  


    

  


Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities of continuing operations

  

 

937

 

  

 

(111

)

    

 

—  

  

 

826

 

    


  


    

  


Cash Flows From Investing

                                   

Increase in restricted cash

  

 

(45

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(45

)

Decrease in short-term investments

  

 

400

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

400

 

Investments and advances from subsidiaries

  

 

54

 

  

 

(54

)

    

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

Additions to plant and properties

  

 

(13,531

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(13,531

)

Other, net

  

 

(3,356

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(3,356

)

    


  


    

  


Net cash used for investing activities of continuing operations

  

 

(16,478

)

  

 

(54

)

    

 

—  

  

 

(16,532

)

    


  


    

  


Cash Flows From Financing

                                   

Change in book overdrafts

  

 

3,944

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

3,944

 

Increase in notes payable

  

 

20,000

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

20,000

 

Retirement of long-term debt

  

 

(890

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(890

)

Issuance of treasury stock

  

 

1,440

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

1,440

 

Dividends

  

 

(4,291

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(4,291

)

Other, net

  

 

(5,086

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(5,086

)

    


  


    

  


Net cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations

  

 

15,117

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

15,117

 

    


  


    

  


Cash from continuing operations

  

 

(424

)

  

 

(165

)

    

 

—  

  

 

(589

)

Cash from discontinued operations

  

 

3,781

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

3,781

 

    


  


    

  


Increase (decrease) in cash

  

 

3,357

 

  

 

(165

)

    

 

—  

  

 

3,192

 

Balance at beginning of period

  

 

8,811

 

  

 

162

 

    

 

—  

  

 

8,973

 

    


  


    

  


Balance at end of period

  

$

12,168

 

  

$

(3

)

    

$

—  

  

$

12,165

 

    


  


    

  


 

13


Table of Contents

POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)

 

 

    

For the three months ended March 31, 2002


 
    

Parent Company


    

Subsidiary Guarantors


      

Eliminations


  

Consolidated


 
    

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Cash Flows From Continuing Operations

                                   

Net loss

  

$

(167,375

)

  

$

(6

)

    

$

—  

  

$

(167,381

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net operating cash flows:

                                   

Loss from discontinued operations

  

 

2,596

 

  

 

48

 

    

 

—  

  

 

2,644

 

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations

  

 

216,573

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

216,573

 

Depreciation, amortization and cost of fee timber harvested

  

 

30,464

 

  

 

20

 

    

 

—  

  

 

30,484

 

Deferred taxes

  

 

(91,162

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(91,162

)

Working capital changes

  

 

(4,275

)

  

 

(38

)

    

 

—  

  

 

(4,313

)

    


  


    

  


Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities of continuing operations

  

 

(13,179

)

  

 

24

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(13,155

)

    


  


    

  


Cash Flows From Investing

                                   

Decrease in restricted cash

  

 

98,200

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

98,200

 

Decrease in short-term investments

  

 

30,500

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

30,500

 

Investments and advances from subsidiaries

  

 

(198

)

  

 

198

 

    

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

Additions to plant and properties

  

 

(4,985

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(4,985

)

Other, net

  

 

(8,029

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(8,029

)

    


  


    

  


Net cash provided by investing activities of continuing operations

  

 

115,488

 

  

 

198

 

    

 

—  

  

 

115,686

 

    


  


    

  


Cash Flows From Financing

                                   

Change in book overdrafts

  

 

(5,836

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(5,836

)

Increase in notes payable

  

 

15,000

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

15,000

 

Retirement of long-term debt

  

 

(100,483

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(100,483

)

Issuance of treasury stock

  

 

2,139

 

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

2,139

 

Dividends

  

 

(4,252

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(4,252

)

Other, net

  

 

(3,907

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(3,907

)

    


  


    

  


Net cash used for financing activities of continuing operations

  

 

(97,339

)

  

 

—  

 

    

 

—  

  

 

(97,339

)

    


  


    

  


Cash from continuing operations

  

 

4,970

 

  

 

222

 

    

 

—  

  

 

5,192

 

Cash from discontinued operations

  

 

(3,260

)

  

 

(203

)

    

 

—  

  

 

(3,463

)

    


  


    

  


Increase in cash

  

 

1,710

 

  

 

19

 

    

 

—  

  

 

1,729

 

Balance at beginning of period

  

 

7,391

 

  

 

84

 

    

 

—  

  

 

7,475

 

    


  


    

  


Balance at end of period

  

$

9,101

 

  

$

103

 

    

$

—  

  

$

9,204

 

    


  


    

  


 

14


Table of Contents

 

ITEM   2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

We are a vertically integrated and diversified forest products company. We own approximately 1.5 million acres of timberland and operate 15 manufacturing facilities, located primarily in Arkansas, Idaho, Minnesota and Nevada. Our business is organized into four segments: (i) Resource, which manages our timberlands and supplies wood fiber to our manufacturing segments and third parties; (ii) Wood Products, which manufactures oriented strand board (OSB), plywood, lumber and particleboard; (iii) Pulp and Paperboard, which manufactures bleached paperboard and bleached softwood market pulp; and (iv) Consumer Products, which manufactures consumer tissue products. As a result of management changes effective in January 2003, the Pulp and Paper segment was split into two separate business segments, the Consumer Products segment and the Pulp and Paperboard segment. Segment data for 2002 related to the two segments has been reclassified to be comparative with 2003 data.

 

In May 2002, we exited our Printing Papers segment, which produced primarily high grade coated printing papers and bleached hardwood market pulp. We sold our Cloquet, Minnesota, pulp and printing papers facilities and certain associated assets to a domestic subsidiary of Sappi Limited for $485.5 million in cash, after closing adjustments. We closed our Brainerd, Minnesota, printing papers mill at the same time. That facility was sold on February 28, 2003, for $4.44 million in cash. The sale of the printing papers business reflects a strategic realignment to focus on our natural resources, wood products and consumer tissue businesses, which we believe have the greatest potential for growth.

 

In June 2002, we announced that we would close our Bradley hardwood mill in Warren, Arkansas, and exit the hardwood lumber business. We sold the facility in August 2002.

 

The Printing Papers segment and the Bradley hardwood mill have been accounted for and reported as discontinued operations. Our consolidated financial statements and this discussion reflect the reclassification of these operations as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

 

This report contains, in addition to historical information, certain forward-looking statements, including without limitation, statements regarding future revenues, costs, manufacturing output, capital expenditures and timber supply issues. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views regarding future events based on estimates and assumptions, and are therefore subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Our actual results of operations could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained in this report. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, changes in the United States and international economies; changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies; changes in the level of construction activity; changes in worldwide demand for our products; changes in worldwide production and production capacity in the forest products industry; competitive pricing pressures for our products; unanticipated manufacturing disruptions; changes in general and industry-specific environmental laws and regulations; unforeseen environmental liabilities or expenditures; weather conditions; and changes in raw material, energy, and other costs. Forward-looking statements contained in this report present management’s views only as of the date of this report. Except as required under applicable law, we do not intend to issue updates concerning any future revisions of management’s views to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report.

 

15


Table of Contents

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our principal accounting policies are discussed on pages 35-38 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported financial position and operating results of the company. Management believes the accounting policies discussed below represent the most complex, difficult and subjective judgments it makes in this regard.

 

Long-lived assets.    We account for long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS No. 144. The Statement requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The test for impairment requires management to estimate future cash flows, which can differ materially from actual future results based upon many factors, including but not limited to changes in economic conditions, environmental requirements, and capital spending.

 

Restructuring and other charges.    Over the past several years, we have recorded charges for the restructuring of our salaried workforce, the closure of a plywood manufacturing plant and the reduction of the hourly workforce at another site. In May 2002, we completed the sale of a majority of the assets of our Printing Papers segment and closed a printing papers facility in Brainerd, Minnesota, which was sold in February 2003. In July 2002, we closed a hardwood lumber mill in Warren, Arkansas. The mill was sold in August 2002. These events require us to record estimates of liabilities for employee benefits, environmental clean-up and other costs at the time of the event, and these estimated liabilities could differ materially from actual costs incurred.

 

Environmental liabilities.    We record accruals for estimated environmental liabilities in accordance with SFAS No. 5, and where appropriate, SFAS No. 143. These estimates reflect assumptions and judgments as to the probable nature, magnitude and timing of required investigation, remediation and monitoring activities. Due to the numerous uncertainties and variables associated with these assumptions and judgments, and changes in governmental regulations and environmental technologies, our accruals are subject to substantial uncertainties and our actual costs could be materially more or less than the estimated amounts.

 

Pension and postretirement benefits.    Substantially all of our employees are covered by noncontributory defined benefit pension plans, and certain salaried and hourly employees are covered by company-sponsored defined benefit retiree health care and life insurance plans. The cost of these plans is accounted for in accordance with SFAS Numbers 87, 106 and 132. These Statements require assumptions regarding discount rates and asset returns and, with respect to the postretirement benefits plans, assumptions regarding medical cost trends. Actual asset returns and medical costs which are more favorable than our assumptions can have the effect of lowering our expense and cash contributions, and conversely, actual results which are less favorable than our assumptions could increase our expense and cash contributions.

 

16


Table of Contents

 

Factors Influencing Our Results of Operations

 

Our operating results have been and will continue to be influenced by a variety of factors, including the cyclical nature of the forest products industry, competition, the efficiency and level of capacity utilization of our manufacturing operations, changes in our principal expenses such as wood fiber and energy costs, changes in the production capacity of our manufacturing operations as a result of major capital spending projects, asset dispositions or acquisitions and other factors.

 

Our operating results reflect the cyclical pattern of the forest products industry. Historical prices for our products have been volatile, and we, like other manufacturers in the forest products industry, have limited direct influence over the timing and extent of price changes for our products. Product pricing is significantly affected by the relationship between supply and demand in the forest products industry. Product supply is influenced primarily by fluctuations in available manufacturing capacity. Demand is affected by the state of the economy in general and a variety of other factors. The demand for our timber resources and wood products is affected by the level of new residential construction activity and, to a lesser extent, home repair and remodeling activity, which are subject to fluctuations due to changes in economic conditions, interest rates, population growth, weather conditions and other factors. The demand for most of our pulp and paper products is primarily affected by the general state of the global economy, and the economies in North America and east Asia in particular.

 

The markets for our products are highly competitive and companies that have substantially greater financial resources than we do compete with us in each of our markets. Our wood products are subject to competition from manufacturers in North and South America. In addition, our pulp-based products, other than tissue products, are globally-traded commodity products. Because our competitors are located throughout the world, variations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies significantly affect our competitive position compared to our international competitors. In addition, our industry is capital intensive, which leads to high fixed costs and generally results in continued production as long as prices are sufficient to cover variable costs. These conditions have contributed to substantial price competition, particularly during periods of reduced demand. Some of our competitors are currently lower-cost producers in some of the businesses in which we operate, and accordingly these competitors may be less adversely affected than we are by price decreases.

 

Energy has become one of our most volatile operating expenses over the past several years. Substantial price increases commenced in late 2000 and continued in the first half of 2001, before moderating in the second half of 2001. Energy prices returned to more normal historical levels in 2002, but have shown regional fluctuations during the first three months of 2003. In periods of high energy prices, market conditions may prevent us from passing higher energy costs on to our customers through price increases and therefore could adversely affect our operating results. We have taken steps through conservation and electrical production to reduce our exposure to the volatile spot market for electricity. Our energy costs in future periods will depend principally on our ability to continue to produce internally a substantial portion of our electricity needs and on changes in market prices for natural gas.

 

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Another significant expense is the cost of wood fiber needed to supply our manufacturing facilities. Our timberlands provided approximately 52% of the log requirements for our sawmill and plywood manufacturing facilities in 2002 and an average of approximately 63% over the past five calendar years, after adjustment for our exit from the hardwood lumber business. Including logs used for pulp and OSB, the percentages of our fiber requirements supplied by our timberlands were approximately 30% in 2002 and an average of approximately 38% over the past five calendar years, adjusted for our exit from the printing papers and hardwood lumber businesses. The percentage of our wood fiber requirements supplied by our timberlands will fluctuate based on a variety of factors, including changes in our timber harvest levels, changes in our manufacturing capacity and changes in the amount of timber sales to third parties. The cost of various types of wood fiber that we purchase in the market has at times fluctuated greatly because of economic or industry conditions. Selling prices of our products have not always increased in response to wood fiber price increases nor have wood fiber prices always decreased in conjunction with declining product prices. On occasion, our results of operations have been and may in the future be adversely affected if we are unable to pass cost increases through to our customers.

 

Finally, changes in our manufacturing capacity, primarily as a result of capital spending programs or asset dispositions, have significantly affected our results of operations in recent periods. In May 2002, we sold a majority of our Printing Papers segment assets to a domestic subsidiary of Sappi Limited, closed our Brainerd printing papers facility, and exited the printing papers business. In August 2002, we sold a hardwood sawmill in Arkansas and exited the hardwood lumber business. We are currently in the process of constructing a tissue machine in Las Vegas, Nevada, which we anticipate will increase our tissue-making capacity by 30,000 tons a year when completed in early 2004. Each of these changes has affected or will affect our levels of net sales and expenses, as well as the comparability of our operating results from period to period. Additionally, the profitability of our manufacturing segments depends largely on our ability to operate our manufacturing facilities efficiently and at or near full capacity. Our operating results would be adversely affected if market demand does not justify operating at these levels or if our operations are inefficient or suffer significant interruption for any reason.

 

Results of Operations

 

As noted above, our business is organized into four reporting segments: Resource; Wood Products; Pulp and Paperboard; and Consumer Products. Sales or transfers between the segments are recorded as intersegment sales based on prevailing market prices. Because of the role of the Resource segment in supplying our manufacturing segments with wood fiber from both our own timberlands and from outside third parties, intersegment sales represent a significant portion of the Resource segment’s total net sales. Beginning in the second half of 2002, our other operating segments transitioned to a fiber procurement system where a portion of third party fiber purchases are made directly by each segment. The change in the fiber procurement system has significantly decreased intersegment sales for the Resource segment, as well as decreased fiber purchases by the Resource segment from third parties. Intersegment sales represent a substantially smaller percentage of net sales for our other segments.

 

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A summary of period-to-period changes in items included in the statements of operations is presented on page 24 of this Form 10-Q. In the period-to-period discussion of our results of operations below, when we discuss our consolidated net sales, contributions by each of the segments to our net sales are reported after elimination of intersegment sales. In the “Discussion of Business Segments” sections below, each segment’s net sales are set forth before elimination of intersegment sales.

 

As a result of the sale of our Printing Papers segment assets and the sale of the Bradley hardwood sawmill, those operations have been classified as “discontinued operations” and “assets held for sale” in the financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002. The discussion below addresses our continuing businesses.

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2003, Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2002

 

Net Sales – Net sales increased 5%, or $15.4 million, from $318.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2002, to $333.6 million for the same period in 2003. Increases in Pulp and Paperboard and Wood Products segment net sales of $12.5 million and $5.3 million, respectively, more than offset a decline in Consumer Products segment net sales of $3.0 million. Higher shipments for both paperboard and pulp, as well as higher sales prices for pulp, positively affected net sales for the Pulp and Paperboard segment. Wood Products segment net sales were largely influenced by improved shipments and sales prices for oriented strand board. Although product shipments for the Consumer Products segment were above last year’s levels, lower net sales prices more than offset the benefits of higher shipments.

 

Depreciation, amortization and cost of fee timber harvested – For the three months ended March 31, 2003, depreciation, amortization and cost of fee timber harvested totaled $26.9 million, a decrease of $3.6 million from the prior year amount of $30.5 million. Lower permit timber harvests in Minnesota were largely responsible for the decline.

 

Materials, labor and other operating expenses – Materials, labor and other operating expenses increased to $290.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003, from $272.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2002. The higher costs were due to increased shipments of OSB, lumber, paperboard, pulp and consumer tissue.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses – Selling, general and administrative expenses were $17.9 million for the first quarter of 2003, compared to $22.0 million for the same period of 2002. Decreases in administration and research expenses positively affected the quarterly comparison.

 

Restructuring charge During the first quarter of 2003, we recorded $.2 million for costs related to terminated employees whose services had been retained beyond the initial 60-day period following announced job eliminations in 2002, as required by SFAS No. 146.

 

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest – Interest expense was $12.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003, a decrease from $18.6 million in the prior year period. The decrease was due to significantly less debt outstanding during the first quarter of 2003 compared to the first quarter of 2002.

 

Interest income – For the three months ended March 31, 2003, interest income was less than $.1 million, compared to $.5 million of the 2002 period.

 

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Provision (benefit) for taxes on income – For the three months ended March 31, 2003, we recorded an income tax benefit from continuing operations of $5.7 million, reflecting our net loss before taxes, based on an estimated tax rate of 39%. For the three months ended March 31, 2002, we recorded a tax benefit from continuing operations of $9.6 million, also reflecting a tax rate of 39%.

 

Loss from continuing operations – We recorded a loss from continuing operations of $8.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $14.9 million for the same period in 2002.

 

Discussion of business segments – The Resource segment reported operating income of $11.1 million for the first quarter of 2003, up from $10.0 million earned in the same period of 2002. Gains on land sales were largely responsible for the improved results. Segment net sales decreased 63% to $43.8 million for the first quarter of 2003 compared to $119.6 million for the 2002 period. The decrease in net sales was due to decreased wood fiber sales to our other operating segments in Arkansas, Idaho and Minnesota. In the second half of 2002, our other operating segments transitioned to a fiber procurement system where a portion of third party fiber purchases are made directly by each segment. The changes in the fiber procurement system have resulted in lower intersegment sales for the Resource segment and, consequently, lower fiber purchases by the Resource segment from third parties. Resource segment expenses decreased $76.9 million, to $32.7 million in the first quarter of 2003, compared to $109.6 million in the first quarter of 2002. Decreased outside sawlog and other fiber purchases were largely responsible for the decrease in expenses.

 

The Wood Products segment reported an operating loss of $3.6 million for the first quarter of 2003, compared to a loss of $1.1 million recorded in the first quarter of 2002. Segment net sales were $137.1 million for the first quarter of 2003, 3% higher than the $132.6 million recorded for the 2002 period. Oriented strand board net sales increased to $52.2 million for the first quarter of 2003, compared to $46.7 million in the 2002 period, due to a 9% increase in sales prices, and a 3% increase in shipments. Lumber net sales were $63.7 million, down from $67.4 million in 2002. Sales prices for lumber decreased 9%, but were partially offset by a 3% increase in shipments. Plywood net sales were unchanged at $9.3 million for the first three months of both 2003 and 2002, as a 5% increase in shipments was offset by a 5% decrease in sales prices. Particleboard net sales were $3.3 million for the first quarter of 2003, compared to $3.2 million for the first quarter of 2002, as a result of a 4% increase in sales prices. Segment expenses were higher for the first quarter of 2003, totaling $140.7 million versus $133.7 million in 2002. Higher overall product shipments for the segment, combined with higher wood fiber costs, were primarily responsible for the increase.

 

The Pulp and Paperboard segment reported an operating loss for 2003’s first quarter of $9.3 million, compared to a loss of $19.0 million for 2002’s first quarter. Segment net sales increased to $118.1 million for the first quarter of 2003 from $104.7 million for the 2002 period. Increased paperboard and pulp shipments of 12% and 23%, respectively, combined with an increase in pulp sales prices of 19%, positively affected results for the quarter. Segment expenses were only slightly higher for the first quarter of 2003, totaling $127.4 million, compared to $123.7 million in the first quarter of 2002, mostly due to significantly higher pulp and paperboard production at the Lewiston, Idaho, facility which resulted in substantially lower unit production costs compared with the first quarter of 2002.

 

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The Consumer Products segment recorded operating income of $6.8 million for the first quarter of 2003, significantly below first quarter 2002 operating income of $13.3 million. Segment net sales were $78.1 million for the first quarter of 2003, 4% lower than the $81.0 million recorded for the 2002 period. A 3% increase in product shipments over the 2002 levels was more than offset by lower net sales prices in 2003. Sales prices, which declined 7%, were adversely affected by an increasingly competitive consumer tissue market. Segment expenses were higher for the first quarter of 2003, totaling $71.3 million, versus $67.7 million in 2002, mostly due to increases in product shipments and freight costs.

 

Our discontinued operations incurred a loss of $1.1 million, before taxes, for the first quarter of 2003. The amount includes costs associated with the Printing Papers segment assets in Brainerd, Minnesota, which were not a part of the sale of the segment’s assets to Sappi Limited in 2002, but which were subsequently sold to Missota Paper Company LLC in February 2003.

 

Liquidity and Capital Funding

 

At March 31, 2003, our financial position included long-term debt of $637.4 million, including current installments on long-term debt of $15.5 million. Long-term debt at March 31, 2003 (including current installments) declined $.9 million from the December 2002 balance due to early retirement of a bond associated with our Brainerd facility. The bond was called as a result of the sale of the facility to Missota Paper Company LLC in February 2003. Stockholders’ equity declined $12.4 million, largely due to a net loss of $9.6 million for the first three months of 2003 and dividend payments of $4.3 million. As a result of these changes, long-term debt (including current installments) to stockholders’ equity was 1.52 to 1 at March 31, 2003, compared to 1.48 to 1 at December 31, 2002.

 

Scheduled payments due on long-term debt during each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 2003 are as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

      

2004

  

$

507

2005

  

 

1,508

2006

  

 

2,758

2007

  

 

6,559

2008

  

 

609

 

In September 2002, we placed $15.0 million into an interest-bearing escrow account under the terms of an amendment to our credit agreement. The escrow account’s use was restricted to the repayment of $15 million of our medium-term notes, bearing an interest rate of 9.42%, which matured on April 4, 2003.

 

Working capital totaled $88.3 million at March 31, 2003, a decrease of $14.4 million from December 31, 2002. Increases in current notes payable of $20.0 million and in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $3.1 million, and a decrease in assets held for sale of $5.0 million reduced working capital. Partially offsetting these amounts were increases in receivables of $8.5 million and inventories of $3.3 million.

 

Net cash provided by operations for the first three months of 2003 totaled $.8 million, compared with cash used for operations of $13.2 million for the same period in 2002. A smaller loss from continuing operations was largely responsible for the favorable comparison. The smaller loss resulted from a decline in selling, general and administrative expenses, as well as less interest expense, which was $5.9 million lower in the first quarter of 2003 versus the first quarter of 2002.

 

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For the three months ended March 31, 2003, net cash used for investing was $16.5 million, compared to cash provided by investing of $115.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2002. Cash was used in 2003 largely for capital spending projects. Capital spending totaled $13.5 million in the first three months of 2003. A majority of the amount was spent on construction of a new tissue machine in Las Vegas, Nevada. Spending on this project for the first three months of 2003 totaled $8.8 million. The balance of capital spending through March 31, 2003, was focused on routine general replacement, safety, forest resource and environmental projects. Cash was provided in 2002 primarily from the use of restricted cash to repay debt, and from the use of short-term investments for general corporate purposes.

 

Net cash provided by financing was $15.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003, compared to cash used for financing of $97.3 million during the same period in 2002. The majority of the cash provided in 2003 was from an increase in notes payable totaling $20.0 million. Cash used in 2002 was primarily for the repayment of our $100 million 6.25% Debentures.

 

Cash generated from discontinued operations in the first three months of 2003 totaled $3.8 million, as a result of the sale of our Brainerd, Minnesota, paper mill to Missota Paper Company LLC in February for $4.44 million. The discontinued operations used cash of $3.5 million in the first quarter of 2002, generally as the result of operating activities.

 

Our current bank credit facility is comprised of a revolving line of credit of up to $150.0 million, which expires June 28, 2004, including a $70.0 million subfacility for letters of credit, usage of which reduces availability under the revolving line of credit. Our obligations under the bank credit facility are secured by our accounts receivable and inventory. As of March 31, 2003, $60.0 million was outstanding under the revolving line of credit and approximately $42.7 million of the revolving line of credit was used to support outstanding letters of credit.

 

Both the agreement governing our credit facility and the indenture governing our $250 million 10% senior subordinated notes contain certain covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability and our subsidiaries’ ability to create liens, merge or consolidate, dispose of assets, incur indebtedness and guarantees, make certain investments or acquisitions, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, make capital expenditures, or change the nature of our business. The credit facility also contains financial maintenance covenants establishing a maximum funded indebtedness to capitalization ratio, a minimum consolidated net worth requirement, and a minimum interest coverage ratio. Events of default under the credit facility and the indenture include, but are not limited to, payment defaults, covenant defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, cross defaults to certain other material agreements and indebtedness, bankruptcy and other insolvency events, material adverse judgments, actual or asserted invalidity of security interests or loan documentation, and certain change of control events involving our company. As of March 31, 2003, we were in compliance with the covenants of our credit facility and $250 million 10% senior subordinated notes.

 

We believe that our cash, cash flow from operations and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to fund our operations, capital expenditures and debt service obligations for the next twelve months. When our credit facility expires in June 2004, we will either

 

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need to extend the facility or enter into a new credit facility. We cannot assure, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that we will be in compliance with the financial covenants in our credit facility so that future borrowings thereunder will be available to us. This will be dependent upon our future financial performance, which will be affected by general economic, competitive and other factors, including those discussed above under “Factors Influencing Our Results of Operations,” many of which are beyond our control.

 

On January 30, 2003, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) announced that it had lowered our senior unsecured debt rating to BB+ and affirmed our senior secured bank loan rating at BBB-. The ratings downgrade by S&P caused the interest rate on our $100 million Credit Sensitive Debentures to increase from 9.425% to 12.5%, effective January 30, 2003. Also during the quarter Fitch, Inc. downgraded our senior unsecured debt to BB+ with a negative outlook and affirmed our senior secured bank loan rating at BBB-. Moody’s Investors Service Inc.’s rating of our debt has remained unchanged at Baa3 with a negative outlook.

 

It is our practice to periodically review strategic and operational alternatives to improve our operating results and financial position. In this regard, we consider and plan to continue to consider, among other things, adjustments to our capital expenditures and overall spending, the restructuring of our operations to achieve greater efficiencies, and the disposition of assets that may have greater value to others. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in implementing any new strategic or operational initiatives or, if implemented, that they will have the effect of improving our operating results and financial position.

 

 

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POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

Changes in Statements of Operations

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    

Three Months Ended March 31


 
    

2003


    

2002


      

Increase (Decrease)


 

Net sales

  

$

333,628

 

  

$

318,189

 

    

5

 %

Costs and expenses:

                          

Depreciation, amortization and cost of fee timber harvested

  

 

26,859

 

  

 

30,484

 

    

(12

)%

Materials, labor and other operating expenses

  

 

290,504

 

  

 

272,065

 

    

7

 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  

 

17,918

 

  

 

21,992

 

    

(19

)%

Restructuring charge

  

 

227

 

  

 

—  

 

    

*

 

Loss from operations

  

 

(1,880

)

  

 

(6,352

)

    

(70

)%

Interest expense

  

 

(12,762

)

  

 

(18,626

)

    

(31

)%

Interest income

  

 

67

 

  

 

490

 

    

(86

)%

Provision (benefit) for taxes on income

  

 

(5,684

)

  

 

(9,550

)

    

(40

)%

Loss from continuing operations

  

 

(8,891

)

  

 

(14,938

)

    

(40

)%

Discontinued operations:

                          

Loss from discontinued operations

  

 

(1,106

)

  

 

(249,908

)

    

(99

)%

Income tax benefit

  

 

(432

)

  

 

(97,465

)

    

(99

)%

Net loss

  

$

(9,565

)

  

$

(167,381

)

    

(94

)%


*   Not a meaningful figure.

 

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ITEM 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Our exposure to market risks on our financial instruments includes interest rate risk on our bank credit facility. As of March 31, 2003, we had $60 million of credit facility debt outstanding. The interest rates applied to borrowings under the credit facility are adjusted often and therefore react quickly to any movement in the general trend of market interest rates.

 

All of our long-term debt is fixed-rate and therefore changes in market interest rates do not expose us to risk for these financial instruments. However, in December 2001 we entered into a fixed-to-variable interest rate swap to hedge a portion of our 10% senior subordinated debentures. The swap has been designed as a fair value hedge and calls for the company to pay a variable interest amount, based on London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) rates, and receive a fixed rate payment from a financial institution, calculated on $165.0 million of our 10% senior subordinated debentures. We assume there is no ineffectiveness in the hedge and, accordingly, a fair value increase or decrease in the swap is offset by a corresponding decrease or increase in the value of the underlying debt instrument.

 

At March 31, 2003, we were not a party to any derivative financial instruments other than the interest rate swap.

 

ITEM 4.    Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Potlatch maintains “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-14(c) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Potlatch in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Potlatch’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating Potlatch’s disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, Potlatch’s management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

 

Subject to the limitations noted above, an evaluation was carried out within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, under the supervision and with the participation of Potlatch’s management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Potlatch’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that Potlatch’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to meet the objective for which they were designed.

 

Since the date of the evaluation, there were no significant changes in Potlatch’s internal controls or to our knowledge in other factors that could significantly affect these controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies or material weaknesses.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

Exhibits

 

The exhibit index is located on page 30 of this Form 10-Q.

 

Reports on Form 8-K

 

A current report on Form 8-K was filed on January 24, 2003. Under Item 5, Other Events, we announced the election of Lawrence S. Peiros, 47, to our board of directors effective February 1, 2003.

 

A current report on Form 8-K was filed on January 30, 2003. Under Item 5, Other Events, we reported that Standard & Poor’s Rating Services had lowered our corporate credit and senior unsecured debt rating to BB+, lowered our subordinated debt rating to BB- and affirmed our senior secured bank loan rating at BBB-. As a result of the new ratings, the interest rate on our $100 million Credit Sensitive Debentures increased from 9.425% to 12.5%.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

POTLATCH CORPORATION

(Registrant)

By

 

/s/    GERALD L. ZUEHLKE


   

Gerald L. Zuehlke

   

Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial

   

Officer and Treasurer

   

(Duly Authorized; Principal Financial Officer)

By

 

/s/    TERRY L. CARTER


   

Terry L. Carter

   

Controller

   

(Duly Authorized; Principal Accounting

   

Officer)

 

Date:    May 14, 2003

 

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CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, L. Pendleton Siegel, certify that:

 

1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Potlatch Corporation;

 

2.   Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

 

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

 

4.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures 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 quarterly report is being prepared;

 

b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors:

 

a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; 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; and

 

6.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: May 14, 2003

  

/s/    L. PENDLETON SIEGEL


    

L. Pendleton Siegel

    

Chief Executive Officer

 

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CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Gerald L. Zuehlke, certify that:

 

1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Potlatch Corporation;

 

2.   Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

 

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

 

4.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures 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 quarterly report is being prepared;

 

b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors:

 

a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; 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; and

 

6.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: May 14, 2003

  

/s/    GERALD L. ZUEHLKE


    

Gerald L. Zuehlke

    

Chief Financial Officer

 

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POTLATCH CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit

 

PART II

 

(4)

  

Registrant undertakes to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, any instrument with respect to long-term debt.

(10)(a)

  

Potlatch Corporation Management Performance Award Plan, as amended effective March 7, 2003.

(99.1)

  

Furnished statements of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

 

30